India to include women, diverse candidates in Gaganyaan astronaut pool
India is advancing its Gaganyaan mission by creating a diverse astronaut pool that will include women and individuals from various fields, not just the Indian Air Force. Prime Minister Modi emphasized this initiative during National Space Day, aiming for a ready pool of 40-50 astronauts by 2027 to facilitate future human spaceflights and explore deeper cosmic mysteries. The government has already approved eight flights under the mission, including two crewed and six uncrewed. Modi also called for increased private sector participation to boost launch frequency, targeting 50 annual rocket launches in five years, showcasing India’s commitment to becoming a significant player in global space exploration.
