India Now Self-Reliant in Astronaut Training Protocols

Key Milestone: Indigenous Medical & Psychological Protocols

India has successfully developed and validated its own astronaut selection, medical, and space psychology training protocols, marking a major leap toward independence in preparing astronauts for space missions. This development reduces dependence on international partners for crucial training elements, a significant milestone for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme.

Validation in Action: Shukla’s Mission as a Proof Point

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s historic Ax-4 mission to the ISS not only broke new ground as a milestone in spaceflight but also served as a real-world testbed—validating India’s training and selection systems under actual microgravity and operational stress. Air Vice Marshal Anupam Agarwal (former IAM chief) highlighted that this mission effectively demonstrated the robustness and validity of India’s astronaut training protocols.

Context: How India Built its Training Ecosystem

Homegrown Facilities & Systems
India’s Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) in Bengaluru is equipped with mission-specific simulators—including virtual reality, mock-ups, dynamic systems, and life-support simulations. Astronauts undergo printedoretical coursework, physical conditioning (including yoga), aerospace medical training, and survival protocols.

Space Psychology Research Launched by IAF
The Indian Air Force’s Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM), in partnership with ICMR, has initiated a space psychology project focused on selection, behavioural health training, and mental resilience for astronaut-designates—emphasizing mental readiness for long-duration missions.

International Upgrades, Domestic Foundations
While India continues valuable collaborations with ESA and others, and astronaut-designates have undergone generic training at facilities like Russia's Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre, the growing focus is now on building a comprehensive domestic training ecosystem.