PM Unveils Three Space Facilities and Presents Astronaut Wings

• 28 Feb 2024

Source: PIB

Recently, the Prime Minister of India inaugurated three significant space infrastructure projects: SLV Integration Facility (PIF) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Semi-cryogenics Integrated Engine and Stage Test (SIEST) facility at ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri and Trisonic Wind Tunnel at Vikram Sarabhai Space Center, Thiruvananthapuram.

• They will enhance India's technical capabilities in the space sector and support its vision for space exploration.
  • The PIF will ramp up PSLV launches from 6 to 15 annually and support SSLV and other small launch vehicles.
    • The SIEST facility will develop semi-cryogenic engines, enhancing payload capacity, with capabilities to test engines up to 200 tons of thrust.
    • The Trisonic Wind Tunnel marks a milestone in aerodynamic testing for rockets and aircraft.
  • These facilities are also crucial for the Gaganyaan Mission.
• Also, the Prime Minister announced the names of four pilots chosen for Gaganyaan mission and presented 'Astronaut Wings' to them.
  • The designated pilots for the Gaganyaan mission are Group Captain P Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander S Shukla.

Read more: Gaganyaan Mission