The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to expand its astronaut corps beyond military test pilots, marking a significant step toward building a sustained human spaceflight programme.
According to a report by The Times of India, a committee on astronaut selection and management has recommended that the next batch of astronauts include both military personnel and civilian specialists from science and technology backgrounds.
Mixed Selection for Next Astronaut Batch
The proposed second batch is expected to include around 10 astronauts, with six drawn from military aviation roles and four selected from civilian STEM fields. This represents a clear shift from the first Gaganyaan team, which consisted entirely of Indian Air Force test pilots such as Air Commodore Prashanth Nair and Group Captains Shubhanshu Shukla, Ajit Krishnan, and Angad Prathap.
ISRO is also expected to widen its military selection base to include combat helicopter pilots, bringing broader operational experience into future astronaut training.
Step Toward Sustained Human Spaceflight
The inclusion of civilians reflects ISRO’s evolving goals beyond initial technology demonstration missions. While early Gaganyaan flights focus on validating human spaceflight systems, the long-term vision includes regular crewed missions, scientific experiments in orbit, and participation in India’s planned space station, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
However, civilian astronauts are not expected to fly immediately. Reports suggest they may be included in mission crews only from the fourth Gaganyaan mission onward, following global practice where early missions rely on military-trained astronauts until systems mature.
Expanding Mission Frequency and Crew Size
ISRO is also planning for increased mission frequency, with expectations of up to two human spaceflight missions per year in the future. Astronauts could potentially fly multiple times with gaps of around two years between missions.
From the seventh crewed mission onward, crew size may increase from two to three astronauts per flight, supported by upgrades to the Gaganyaan crew module. Future astronaut batches are also expected to include a higher share of civilian specialists.
Building a Larger Astronaut Cadre
The astronaut selection committee has proposed a long-term cadre of around 40 astronauts to support sustained operations, international cooperation, and rotational mission planning. The third batch could include a strong civilian presence with limited military pilots.
Infrastructure and Technical Challenges Ahead
Despite these plans, ISRO still faces key challenges. India does not yet have a dedicated permanent astronaut training facility and currently relies on temporary infrastructure. Critical technologies such as the Environment Control and Life Support System, essential for sustaining human life in space, are still under development.
Even with these gaps, the move to include civilians marks a major turning point for ISRO, expanding who can represent India in space and laying the foundation for long duration human space exploration.
