The four cosmonauts shortlisted for Gaganyaan (the 1st Indian manned mission to space) resumed their training in Russia, after it was put on hold due to Coronavirus pandemic.

“Gagarin Research & Test Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) on May 12 resumed training of the Indian cosmonauts under the contract between Glavkosmos, JSC (part of the State Space Corporation Roscosmos) and the Human Spaceflight Center of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO),” Glavkosmos said.

Their training in GCTC has started on the 10th of February, but since the end of March, due to the pandemic of COVID-19, it was recommended to the Indian cosmonauts to observe the lockdown.

The GCTC specialists are providing the Indian cosmonauts with theoretical classes on the fundamentals of astrogation, the basics of manned spacecraft control, and the Russian language.

All four Indian cosmonauts undergoing training in Russia are in good health and feel fine. The health of Indian cosmonauts is carefully protected: GCTC continues to observe anti-epidemic regulations according to which sanitary and hygienic measures are carried out at all the GCTC facilities, social distancing measures are applied and the presence of unauthorized persons is restricted; all employees and cosmonauts must wear medical masks and gloves.

The Gaganyaan mission is expected to be launched in 2022- in the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence.

Photo credit: Roscosmos