Group Captain Angad Pratap, a proud member of the Gaganyaan mission, recently shed light on the daily life of an astronaut, revealing a schedule packed with demanding training and meticulous preparation. While the astronauts have eight working hours each day, a significant portion, about three and a half hours, is dedicated to physical training. This rigorous regimen ensures they are physically and mentally prepared for the challenges of space travel.
The remaining hours are spent on a diverse range of activities, including yoga classes, core academic training, and technical meetings. These meetings involve discussions with scientists, where the astronauts provide crucial user insights and requirements, shaping the design and development of spacecraft systems.
The training program is comprehensive and includes various aspects like:
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Core Academic Training:
This involves deep dives into space theory, rocket science, spacecraft design, and functioning. Astronauts also receive specialized training on space station design and functioning, ensuring a thorough understanding of their environment.*
Simulator Training:
Astronauts undergo extensive training using a range of simulators, from full-mission simulators to table-top simulators, AR/VR simulators, and more. This helps them adapt to the unique conditions of space and practice critical procedures in a safe and controlled environment.*
Aeromedical Training:
This training focuses on preparing astronauts for the physiological challenges of space travel. It includes activities like centrifuge training, hyperbaric chamber training, and disorientation simulator training, simulating the effects of gravity and spaceflight.*
Physical Training:
This is a critical component of the astronaut’s life, ensuring they maintain peak fitness. The training includes a range of activities, from cardio and weight training to swimming and team games.*
Psychological Training:
Being an astronaut is an extremely demanding job, both physically and mentally. Astronauts undergo specialized psychological training to cope with the stress and isolation of spaceflight.*
Survival Training:
This prepares astronauts for potential emergencies and includes training in sea, desert, and snow survival techniques.*
Parajumping Training:
While not mandatory, this training is essential for astronauts who lack a military background, ensuring they have the skills for safe emergency landings.*
Flying Training:
Astronauts receive comprehensive flying training, encompassing jet flying, turbo-propeller flying, rotary flying, and simulator flying, enhancing their knowledge and skills in aviation.*
Space Experimentation Training:
This involves training on the experiments that astronauts will perform in space, ensuring they can effectively conduct and analyze data during their mission.*
Domain Expertise Advisory Panels:
Astronauts are part of advisory panels, where they share their unique expertise and insights as experimental test pilots, contributing to the advancement of space exploration.*
Evaluations:
Astronauts undergo rigorous academic, physical, psychological, and performance evaluations to ensure they are prepared for the demands of the Gaganyaan mission.The training program is meticulously designed to prepare the Gaganyaan astronauts for a historic journey into space, representing India’s pioneering effort in human spaceflight. Their commitment and dedication are truly inspiring, and their success will mark a significant milestone in India’s scientific achievements.
