As India gears to soft-land on the Lunar South pole on Saturday, Indian Airforce (IAF) is already looking ahead to Gaganyaan. IAF on Friday has completed Level-1 tests of Indian Astronaut selection at Institute of Aerospace Medicine, according to ANI. Sharing details of the tests, IAF stated that the selected test pilots underwent extensive physical exercise tests, lab investigations, radiological tests, clinical tests and evaluation on various facets of psychology. India plans to launch a 3-member crew to orbit and safely return to the Earth after a mission duration of up to seven days by 2021.

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IAF tests astronauts for Gaganyaan

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India sets up ISRO tech. unit in Russia

Previously on August 1, the Union Cabinet approved the setting up of ISRO Technical Liaison Unit in Moscow to enable effective technical coordination for timely interventions on diversified matters with Russia and other neighbouring countries. The step comes amid the India Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) cooperation with Russia on the Gaganyaan project--India's human space mission programme. An average annual expenditure of about Rs 1.5 crore per annum is anticipated to be incurred at ISRO Technical Liaison Unit (ITLU) towards salary, office expenses, rent, and taxes. The ITLU Moscow office will be managed by an ISRO scientist or engineer designated as Counsellor (Space) on deputation and supported by the staff sourced locally.

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What is Gaganyaan?

Gaganyaan is ISRO's first crewed space mission with a deadline of 2021, set by PM Modi during his Independence Day speech on August 15. ISRO aims to send a 3-member crew to orbit and safely return to the Earth after a mission duration of up to seven days by 2021. With Gaganyaan India can be the fourth country to send a manned mission to space after Russia (then USSR), the US and China. Prior to sending a crew into space, ISRO plans to send two unmanned missions into the orbit - first one in 2020 and the second one in 2021. The entire mission is estimated to approximately cost about Rs.10,000 crore. Gaganyaan was first conceptualised in 2004.

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