ISRO: Now, ordinary citizens too will be able to journey into space; ISRO is set to begin recruiting civilian astronauts..

Until now, the only requirement for becoming an astronaut in India has been to be a military test pilot. But this rule may soon change. According to a recent report, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is planning to include civilians in its future astronaut batch.

While no official announcement has been made yet, early indications suggest that something big is coming soon. So far, only test pilots from the Indian Air Force (IAF) have been selected for the first batch of the Gaganyaan mission. This was because safety and system testing were of paramount importance in the initial stages.

But now, ISRO's selection committee has recommended that the next batch should be a "mixed" one. According to the report, this new batch could include approximately six mission pilots (with military backgrounds) and four civilian specialists (with STEM backgrounds). This means that scientists, engineers, and technical experts will also be able to participate in India's human spaceflight journey in the future.

Who can apply?
Obviously, this opportunity won't be open to everyone; it will require very specific qualifications. ISRO will primarily prioritize candidates with a strong STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) background, meaning it will include those specialized in engineering, scientific research, or a specific technical field.

The role of these civilian astronauts will not be limited to spacecraft travel; their primary task will be to conduct complex scientific experiments in space and manage advanced systems. Additionally, ISRO is planning to expand its military quota. This will make the path to space easier for not only fighter pilots but also combat helicopter pilots.

Why was this major change necessary?
If this plan becomes a reality, it will prove to be a significant transformation for ISRO. Indeed, ISRO's goal is no longer simply to achieve success by sending humans into space once; it is working on much larger and more ambitious goals for the future. These include conducting regular human space flights, conducting in-depth scientific research in low Earth orbit, and most importantly, building India's own space station, the Indian Space Station (BAS).

Achieving these ambitious dreams will require a large and skilled astronaut team. Reports suggest that ISRO is preparing for a future where at least two missions can be launched annually, and the crew size can be increased from two to three astronauts. To meet this need, there are plans to expand the total astronaut pool to 40.

Will civilians be able to fly to space immediately?
The simple answer is no. Even if civilians are selected soon, they will not be part of the initial missions. According to current plans, the first flight of civilian astronauts is expected to begin with the fourth crewed Gaganyaan mission. While this plan is very exciting, it still faces many challenges and technical work. For example, ISRO has yet to fully develop a fully advanced astronaut training facility.

Despite all the challenges, the best part is that the dream of becoming an astronaut in India will no longer be limited to those with a specific background or the military. This opens new doors to space for the country's scientists and engineers.

NASA and Civilian Missions: What's the Trend Globally?
If we look globally, the American space agency NASA has long since begun involving civilians in space missions. Neil Armstrong, considered the first civilian to be sent into space on March 16, 1966, is the most prominent. However, it's worth noting that before becoming an astronaut, he was a Navy pilot.

On the other hand, if we consider a purely civilian, or space tourist, American businessman and engineer Dennis Tito made history in 2001. He became the world's first space tourist to travel to space. Before him, there were two other civilians.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.