• The Indian Air Force (IAF) has signed an agreement with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for crew selection and training for the prestigious Gaganyaan, the country’s maiden manned mission.
• AVM RGK Kapoor, ACAS Ops (Space), IAF handed over the MoU to Shri R Hutton, Project Director of Gaganyaan Programme.
• Under the programme, a three-member crew will spend a minimum of seven days in space.
• A human-rated GSLV Mk-lll will be used to carry the orbital module, which will have necessary provisions for sustaining a three-member crew for the duration of the mission.
• The Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) will lead the selection and training of astronauts on behalf of IAF.
• The necessary infrastructure for crew training, a realization of flight systems and ground infrastructure will be established to support the program.
• The ISRO will collaborate extensively with national agencies, laboratories, academia, and industry to accomplish the objectives of the prestigious mission.

BACKGROUND:

• Gaganyaan (“Sky Craft”) is an Indian crewed orbital spacecraft intended to be the basis of the Indian Human Spaceflight Programme.
• Gaganyaan was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018.
• The mission worth Rs. 10,000 crore.
• The Programme is aimed to be launched by December 2021.
• It was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2018.
• In its maiden crewed mission, ISRO’s largely autonomous 3.7-tonne capsule will orbit the Earth at 400 km (250 mi) altitude for up to seven days with a three-person crew on board.