Who are Subhanshu Shukla and Prashant Nair going into space with US mission?

Group Captain Subanshu Shukla and Group Captain Prashant Balakrishnan Nair have been selected as 'Chief Gaganyatri' for the upcoming India-US mission to the International Space Station (ISS), the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) announced on Friday. The National Mission Assignment Board has nominated two 'Kaganyatris' for the mission, one of whom has been designated as lead pilot and the other as back-up. Group Captain Subanshu Shukla has been selected as the lead pilot for the India-US mission, while Group Captain Prashant Balakrishnan Nair will serve as the backup pilot for the mission. On February 27, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the names of Subanshu along with three astronauts for the Kaganyan mission at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. These four astronauts will travel in low earth orbit as part of ISRO's first crewed space mission. Nair and Shukla are among the four astronauts selected for India's Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send astronauts into space and bring them back safely. ISRO said on Friday that the exercise will begin in the first week of August, adding, “This collaboration follows the joint statement given during Prime Minister Modi's visit to the US in June 2023, which was an ISS-NASA joint venture.” ISRO said, “Training for selected astronauts will begin in the first week of August 2024. During their time on the ISS, they will be involved in scientific research, technology demonstration and spaceflight activities. “This mission is expected to provide valuable experience to India's human space program and strengthen the spaceflight collaboration between ISRO and NASA.” This collaboration is a major milestone in India's space exploration journey and reflects the strengthening partnership between India and the US in space research and technology. As the mission progresses, it is expected to attract domestic and global attention, opening the door for joint space exploration efforts in the future. Who is Group Captain Subanshu Shukla? Group Captain Subanshu Shukla was born on 10 October 1985 in Lucknow. A graduate of the National Defense Academy. He then joined the fighter branch of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 17 June 2006. Subhansu is married to a dentist from Jankipuram and has a four-year-old son. Wing Commander Shubanshu Shukla, a distinguished alumnus of City Montessori School, Aliganj, has been selected for the prestigious India-US mission to the International Space Station. With over 16 years of service and 2,000 hours of flying experience, Subanshu has established himself as an experienced fighter pilot. Shukla was born into a family with no prior military background and known as Gunjan, he forged his own path and became the first in his family to join the armed forces. Subhanshu joined the Indian Air Force on June 17, 2006 and has had a remarkable career spanning many achievements. He excelled as a fighter pilot. He has extensive experience in flying various aircraft including Su-30MKI, MIG-21, MIG-29, Jaguar and Hawk.