The domain of astronauts, presently restricted to Indian Air Force test pilots, will be opened up for aspirants from other branches of the armed forces and different disciplines in the future, enabling a greater number of persons to participate in India’s space programmes.

Stating this during a public interaction with students at the India International Science Festival-2025 here today, Group Captain Subhanshu Skukla, the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station, said it was their responsibility to take the country forward in its space programme.

Pointing out that India already has programmes like a manned space station and a human landing on the Moon under way, he said that unlike the 1960s, when we will go to space, we will have a sustained presence and this will invol

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