Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, one of the four astronaut-designates selected for India’s maiden human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, has begun a year-long strategic leadership programme at the US Air War College in Alabama. The training is aimed at strengthening his expertise in air power, defence policy and emerging military technologies as India advances its human spaceflight ambitions.
A highly decorated Indian Air Force test pilot, Krishnan has logged nearly 2,900 flying hours across aircraft including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, MiG-21, Jaguar, Dornier and An-32. He is among the elite astronauts preparing for ISRO’s first crewed mission to low-Earth orbit.
The programme is expected to enhance Krishnan’s strategic leadership capabilities while contributing to India’s expanding aerospace and defence ecosystem. His overseas training comes as ISRO continues preparations for the landmark Gaganyaan mission, which is expected to mark India’s entry into the league of nations capable of independently launching humans into space.
