Journey to the Stars: The Inspiring Story of Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair Gaganyaan Astronaut

March 09, 2024

Journey to the Stars: The Inspiring Story of Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair Gaganyaan Astronaut

The Gaganyaan, literally meaning 'celestial vehicle', will carry the

astronauts to an orbit of 400 km on a three-day mission and return them safely to Earth by landing in Indian sea waters.

"After 40 years, an Indian will go to space, but this time, the time is also ours, the countdown is also ours.

One of the four astronaut designated who will fly to low-Earth orbit as part of ISRO’s Gaganyaan is the son of a retired engineer and comes from a village in Kerala’s Palakkad.

Nemmara village erupted in joy as PM Narendra Modi announced the name of Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, who will be the group captain of the four-member team of astronauts for the Gaganyaan mission on Tuesday.

They all had rushed to Prathibha, Nair’s house, in the AK Nagar Colony soon after hearing about the achievement, only to find it closed as his

parents — Balakrishnan Nair and Prameela — were in the state capital to witness the proud moment.

Nair studied till sixth standard in Kuwait where his father was working before the family returned to Kerala during the Gulf War.The Chinmaya

Vidyalaya, Pallavur, has a wall of excellence that carries the names of toppers in Standard X and Plus Two every year. Prasanth figures in that elite list…

Prasanth was also an excellent basketball player. In fact, only Prasanth was good at basketball during his time in school, which he probably acquired from his

Kuwait stint. Yet he managed to even form a basketball team .He excelled in science subjects and had a passion for debates.

Continuing his remarkable journey, Mr. Nair pursued his bachelor's degree in engineering from NSS College of Engineering, Palakkad. His commitment to excellence led him to join the Indian Air Force through the National Defence Academy, further shaping his path towards greatness.

An exemplary Cat A flying instructor and seasoned test pilot, boasting an

impressive 3,000 hours of flight expertise. His aerial prowess spans a diverse array of aircraft, from the Su-30 MKI to the MiG-21, MiG-29, Hawk, Dornier, and

An-32, embodying the spirit of excellence and adventure in the skies.

Nair's journey towards becoming one of India's pioneering astronauts is nothing

short of inspirational. Starting with his selection process in 2019 by the Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM), under the Indian Air Force, he embarked on a path of rigorous training and dedication. After being shortlisted among the final four

candidates by IAM and ISRO, he journeyed to Russia for basic training alongside three other selected Vyomanauts. Upon completion of basic training in 2021, he returned to India, where he continued his preparation at the Astronaut Training Facility in Bangalore. Finally, on February 27, 2024, his dream reached new

heights as Prime Minister Narendra Modi proudly announced his name, along with other team members, at ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram. This moment not only marks Nair's achievement but also

symbolizes India's leap towards the stars, inspiring generations to come.

Nair's incredible journey fills us with a sense of wonder, showing us that dreams are more than just wishes – they're within reach if we dare to chase them. His determination and tireless effort remind us that our own dreams are worth pursuing, no matter how daunting they may seem. His story sparks a fire within us, urging us to keep pushing forward, even when faced with challenges. Nair's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, inspiring us to believe in ourselves and the magic of our own potential.