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New Delhi:
In a major announcement marking a pivotal moment in India's space endeavors, the Centre has opened up that astronaut-designate Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will journey to the International Space Station next month.
Union Minister for Space and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh said, "The International space mission carrying an Indian astronaut is scheduled for next month. India is poised to script a defining chapter in its space journey. An Indian astronaut is set for a historic space mission as ISRO charts bold new frontiers. India's space dreams are soaring higher with Gaganyaan preparations, ISS mission, and a summer of launches."
Group Captain Shukla, who has undergone training with NASA & the private space firm Axiom Space for the last 8 months, will participate in a private commercial mission for which India has invested over $60 million. The launch will take place on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the crew of 4 people traveling aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, departing from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA.
At 40 years old, Group Captain Shukla is the youngest among ISRO's astronaut designates who are selected for this mission, making sure he has a long and promising career ahead.