What is Gaganyaatri Angad Pratap’s astronaut training like? IAF officer answers

Speaking on Saturday at a student interaction jointly organised by the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium and the UR Rao Satellite Centre to mark the golden jubilee of the Aryabhata satellite launch, the 43-year-old Air force officer shared his astronaut-training journey so far. The four Gaganyaan astronaut-designates have undergone extensive training in both Russia and India.

His schedule, he said, includes long hours of study, as well as rigorous aerobatic, physical, and psychological training.

“There is rigorous training, studies, and several stress tests that push one’s abilities to the limit,” he said. “Anyone aspiring to become an astronaut must excel academically, perform well in outdoor sports, and be both mentally and physically fit. This journey not only improves physical fitness but is academically enriching and a rare opportunity.”

From scuba diving and swimming to participating in marathons, cycling, mountaineering expeditions, and flying Indian Air Force fighter aircraft, Group Captain Pratap has conquered the deep sea, the land, high altitudes and is now preparing to venture into space.

Dressed in his navy-blue astronaut jacket, he fielded a flurry of questions from young students, addressing everything from his fitness regime and mental preparedness to his dietary habits and his Ironman win.

Asked about an alternative career if not in the Indian Air Force, he replied, “I would probably opt for mountaineering—it’s one of the toughest. I enjoy running, and I’ll never let the fire for running within me extinguish.”

On the thought of flying into space, he added, “Being trained in the military, fear is a word that doesn’t exist in our dictionary. There is no room to think about risk factors. We have become astronaut-designates because our training has taught us to handle extreme stress.”

To a Class III student named Rohan, who asked what he expected from young Indians, Group Captain Pratap had this message: “I would want you all to contribute to Indian science and take our country forward, just like other developed countries who have invested heavily in science.”

As for his dream moment in orbit, the officer said, “It will be a great opportunity to see our blue planet—the Earth—from space.”