'India ready for Gaganyaan, from Moon to Mars': Rajnath Singh on nation’s ‘new milestone'

Singh also emphasised the broader vision of India’s space programme, noting that it extends beyond science and technology.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Sunday, felicitated the four selected astronauts for India’s ambitious Gaganyaan mission, describing them as the “pride of India” and “gems of the nation” during a grand ceremony in the capital.

The four astronauts, Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla, were honoured at an Indian Air Force event at Subroto Park.

Lauding their determination and discipline during rigorous training, Singh said, “The temperament shown by all of you during the training was not only impressive in itself, but I would say excellent. I am really feeling proud to welcome and congratulate the son of Mother India, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, and his colleagues Group Captain PV Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan and Group Captain Angad Pratap. All the countrymen are proud of you all. And they are proud because you all have made the countrymen proud.”

The minister underlined that the Gaganyaan mission represents a new milestone in India’s space journey and reflects the vision of a self-reliant Bharat.

“Today, when we look towards India's space journey, we find that our contribution is not limited merely to sending satellites into space. Today, India has already marked its presence from the Moon to Mars. Today, India is fully prepared for missions like Gaganyaan as well", he noted.

The Defence Minister further added, "I do not see this merely as a technical achievement, but as a new chapter of self-reliant India, where we are standing with full pride among the world's major space powers.”

Singh also emphasised the broader vision of India’s space programme, noting that it extends beyond science and technology.

“India's space program is not limited to laboratories and launch vehicles. It is a symbol of our national aspirations and global vision. India's vision is clear. We do not see space merely as a field of research but as the economy, security, energy, and future of humanity for tomorrow," he remarked, further adding, "In the coming times, space mining, deep space exploration, and planetary resources will change the direction of human civilisation.”

Sharing a personal note, Singh recalled that astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla hails from his Lucknow constituency.

“I come from the Lucknow Parliamentary constituency, and Shubhanshu Shukla is from there. He is also our voter. Forty years ago, when Rakesh Sharma represented India in space, Shubhanshu Shukla was born shortly after. A dream was born with him—to one day see Earth from the sky. Today, forty years later, Shubhanshu's childhood dream has come true, and India has once again hoisted its flag in space.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had formally announced the Gaganyaan mission on August 15, 2018, setting India on the path to send its astronauts into space using indigenous capabilities. The names of the selected astronauts were first revealed by the Prime Minister in February 2024 during his visit to ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram.

The Gaganyaan project aims to send a three-member crew into a 400-km orbit for a three-day mission in 2027.

The ceremony also followed the successful Axiom-4 mission, in which Shukla had participated.