'We need a pool of 40-50 astronauts ready': PM Modi to Shubhanshu Shukla

During the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla who became the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), discussed a wide spectrum of subjects including India’s strides in science and technology, and the country’s ambitious human spaceflight programme — Gaganyaan.

Modi said India should have a pool of astronauts. "We should have 40-50 people ready. After you (Shubhanshu) returned from space, there will be a natural attraction towards space missions." Shukla responded that it was his responsibility to get people prepared for space programmes.

"The commitment shown by the government towards space programmes despite failures, I believe we can acquire a leadership role here. Chandrayaan 2 was not successful but Chandrayaan 3 was," he said.

Modi told Shukla that his experience at the ISS would help India in Gaganyaan. The Prime Minister also asked Shukla how the world looked at India during the course of the mission. Shukla said that the world was looking up to Gaganyaan mission. "Wherever I went, people were happy to meet me and they were aware of India's achievements in the space sector. Many even asked me about Gaganyaan’s progress and my crew even said they wanted to be invited for India's first human space flight programme launch. So there is a lot of excitement around Gaganyaan," he told the Prime Minister.

The astronaut said that he had to undergo intense training before embarking on the space journey. He said that he found it too difficult to walk after coming back from space. "When you come back to earth from space, it is difficult to walk. Though we know we have to walk, the brain takes time to get acclimatised in a new environment. Some of the astronauts who will stay at the International Space Station will return in December," Shukla said.