SOURCE: AFI
Intrigue surrounds the potential designation for India’s future space travelers. A recent presentation image displayed at the European Space Agency (ESA) meeting in Paris, where ISRO chairman S. Somanath was present, hinted at the term “Gaganaut.”
This development comes on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiling the names of the four astronauts chosen for the Gaganyaan Mission last month. These astronauts, Prashanth Nair, Angad Prathap, Ajit Krishnan, and Shubhanshu Shukla, are currently undergoing rigorous training for India’s inaugural human spaceflight mission.
The presentation image at the ESA meeting has sparked speculation that “Gaganaut” might be the official term for Indian astronauts. “Gagana” translates to “sky” in Sanskrit, and “naut” signifies “sailor” or “farer” – essentially a spacefarer. This designation aligns with the terminology used for astronauts in other countries, such as “cosmonaut” in Russia.
While the presentation slide suggests the adoption of “Gaganaut,” official confirmation from ISRO is still awaited. The term hasn’t been explicitly mentioned in press releases or official statements surrounding the Gaganyaan Mission.