India's human spaceflight programme is set for a significant shift, with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) planning to open its astronaut cadre to civilians for the first time.
Second batch to include civilians
A committee on astronaut selection has recommended that the next batch include 10 astronauts, six mission pilots from military aviation backgrounds and four civilian specialists from STEM fields. This marks a change from the first batch, which consisted entirely of Indian Air Force test pilots.
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"While those from the first batch — Air Commodore Prashanth B Nair, Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla, Gp Capt Ajit Krishnan, Gp Capt Angad Prathap — were all fighter plane pilots turned test pilots, the second batch is expected to also include combat helicopter pilots from IAF," a source told The Times of India.
Civilians to fly from fourth mission
Although civilians will be inducted in the second batch, they are expected to join actual missions only from the fourth crewed flight under the Gaganyaan mission.
"Though the proposed second batch will have four civilians they would begin joining mission crews only from the fourth crewed Gaganyaan mission, according to the committee's planning," another source said.
This approach aligns with global practice, where early missions are typically handled by military-trained astronauts until systems are fully tested.
Expanding astronaut pool
The programme envisions a steady rise in mission frequency, with plans for two crewed missions annually. Astronauts may return to space after a gap of about two years, with a full training and mission cycle estimated at 4.5 years.
The committee has suggested expanding the astronaut pool to 40 over time to support future needs, including international collaborations and longer missions. A third batch of 12 astronauts is also proposed, with a notable shift. "The committee has recommended two mission pilots and 10 specialists," the first source said.
Future missions and challenges
From the seventh crewed mission onwards, the number of astronauts per flight is expected to increase from two to three. This expansion is linked to plans for the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, where scientific research will require a broader mix of expertise.
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However, infrastructure development remains a challenge. ISRO currently operates a temporary astronaut training facility and is yet to establish a full-fledged centre. Key technologies, including environment control and life support systems, are still under development, which are essential for upcoming missions.
