This appeared to reference an announcement last June that the United States would train Indian astronauts with the goal “of mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024.”
The fact sheet did not disclose who the carrier for the mission would be or when the mission would fly. In May, Eric Garcetti, U.S. ambassador to India, stated that the mission would take place this year. A NASA spokesperson, though, said that details about the flight were still being finalized, and only after that would NASA “determine the mission timelines and training modules required” for such a mission.
The most likely scenario for flying an Indian astronaut to the ISS would be through a private astronaut mission, which would spend up to two weeks at the station. The next such mission is Axiom Space’s Ax-4, scheduled for late this year, although the company has not disclosed the crew for that mission or training plans.
I think 2024 is a bit ambitious, but it sounds interesting, nonetheless. I wonder if we’ll ever see Gaganyaan dock to the ISS in the future.
The ISS has always been a source of soft diplomacy, and it’s cool to see the short private missions expand that. It’s cool that Dragon is available and able to make these possible.
Regarding Gaganyaan to the ISS- their first crewed flight is NET… late 2025? Their timeline could work to get one to the ISS. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them book a flight to a Vast station. They also signed something or other with Blue for Orbital Reef, so that could be their target, too.
