Astronauts on human space mission 'Gaganyaan' mostly to be pilots, hints ISRO

The astronauts on the human space mission 'Gaganyaan' will mostly be pilots, hinted Indian Space Research Organisation scientists Friday.

"We are looking for people with sufficient flying experience," said an ISRO scientist requesting anonymity.

ISRO Chairman K Sivan said the Indian Air Force and other agencies will play a major role during the selection of astronauts for the human space mission project.

Another scientist said the Defence Research and Development Organisation too will play a major role in this endeavour.

Addressing a press conference here, Sivan said the first unmanned mission for 'Gaganyaan' has been planned for December 2020, the second unmanned mission for July 2021 and the final manned mission by December 2021.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the 'Gaganyaan' project envisaging sending three humans to space by 2022. 

Earlier, K Sivan on Friday shared that the national space research body is soon to come out with a television channel. 

The ISRO chief reacted to the Chinese rover's landing on the far side of the moon claiming that the Indian mission will aim to land on the south pole of the moon. 

(With inputs from PTI)