prime minister Narendra Modi on tuesday announced the names of four astronauts who are training for the country's first human space flight mission - 'Gaganyaan'. Modi visited vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC) at Thumba near thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. During this, he inaugurated three major space infrastructure projects of the indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). He told in VSSC that Group Captain prashant Balakrishnan Nair, Angad Pratap and Ajit Krishnan and Wing commander Shubhanshu Shukla are the astronauts nominated for the Gaganyaan mission. cm Yogi posted on this announcement of PM on social media site X. He wrote- Proud day for India! This is a moment when india is beginning a new era in the search for stars. prime minister Narendra Modi honored our nominated astronauts with wings. These passengers symbolize the dreams and ambitions of our nation. Congratulations and my best wishes to all the astronauts. His journey is the story of our limitless potential. jai Hind!

He presented 'astronaut wings' to all four of them.

On this occasion, Modi said that these are four forces which contain the aspirations of 1.4 billion people of the country. He said that after four decades an indian is ready to go to space and 'this time the countdown, the time and even the rocket are ours.' The prime minister said that he is proud and happy that Gaganyaan is the manned space mission. Most of the components used in the flight mission are made in India.

The prime minister also stressed the "important role" played by women in the country's space programme. He said that women are an important part of space missions like Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan and without them it would not have been possible. Modi also said that India's success in the space sector is not only sowing the seeds of scientific temper in the country's young generation, but also significant developmental progress in various sectors will help it emerge as a major global player in the 21st century. During this period, the prime minister also reviewed ISRO's Gaganyaan human space flight programme.

Modi also visited the exhibition of various isro projects displayed at VSSC along with kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and minister of State for External Affairs v Muraleedharan. Modi inaugurated a 'Trisonic wind Tunnel' at VSSC, 'Semi-Cryogenics Integrated Engine and Stage Test Facility' at isro Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, tamil Nadu and PSLV at satish dhawan Space Center (SHAR) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Integration Unit inaugurated.

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