Captain Angad Prathap Wikipedia BIO, Age, Wife, Family & Caste: Who Is Gaganyaan Astronaut?
Captain Angad Prathap is one of the four astronauts selected for India’s first manned space mission, Gaganyaan, which is scheduled to launch in 2025. He is a test pilot from the Indian Air Force (IAF) and has trained extensively in Russia and India for the human spaceflight program. He is also a recipient of the Vayu Sena Medal for his gallantry and professionalism in flying.
As per Wikipedia, Captain Prathap is passionate about exploring the unknown and pushing the boundaries of human potential. He is inspired by the legacy of India’s space pioneers, such as Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space, and Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian-American woman in space. He hopes to inspire the next generation of Indians to pursue their dreams and aspirations in science and technology.
India is gearing up for its most ambitious space project ever: the Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send four astronauts into a low Earth orbit for three days and bring them back safely by landing in the Indian Ocean. The mission, scheduled for launch in 2025, will make India the fourth nation in the world, after the United States, Russia, and China, to independently send humans into space.
Among the four astronauts who have been chosen for this historic mission, one stands out as the commander of the team: Group Captain Angad Prathap, a fighter pilot with the Indian Air Force.
Early Life, Birthday, Parents, Siblings and Education
Captain Angad Prathap was born in 17 July 1982 (age: 42 years, as of 2023) in Thiruvazhiyad village, Palakkad district, Kerala, India. His father, Mr. Prathap, was an engineer and a retired government employee, and his mother, Mrs. Prathap was a homemaker. He has two brothers who are also engineers and settled abroad, and a sister,who lives in Thrissur, Kerala.
Angad Prathap did his primary schooling in Kuwait, where his father was working, and then moved to Palakkad, where he completed his secondary education at Chinmaya Vidyalaya. He was always interested in science and mathematics, and dreamed of becoming a pilot since childhood. He was inspired by his uncle, who was an Air Force officer, and by the stories of the Indian Air Force’s heroics during the 1971 war.
He cleared the National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance exam and joined the prestigious institution in Khadakwasla, Pune, in 1993. He graduated from the NDA in 1996 and was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on 18 December 1999. He underwent rigorous training at the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad, where he was awarded the Sword of Honour for being the best all-round cadet.
He further enhanced his skills and knowledge by attending various courses at the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington, the Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) in Montgomery, Alabama, USA, and the National Defence College (NDC) in New Delhi. He also obtained a master’s degree in defence and strategic studies from the University of Madras.
Captain Angad Prathap Wiki/Bio, Caste
| Name | Angad Prathap |
| Date of Birth | 1981 |
| Age | 42 |
| Place of Birth | Thiruvazhiyad village, Palakkad district, Kerala, India |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Caste | Nair |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Profession | Indian Air Force personnel, Astronaut |
| Rank | Group Captain |
| Stream | Fighter Pilot |
| Education | Graduation at NDA, Military course in aviation with first-class honours at ACSC, PhD in aerospace engineering from IISc |
| Wife | Name Not Known |
| Awards | Sword of Honour, Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Astronaut Wings |
| Famous for | Being chosen as the Commander of the team of astronauts in the Gaganyaan Mission (2025) |
Career and Achievements
Captain Angad Prathap has been a fighter pilot for over 20 years, and has flown various aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32. He has logged over 2,000 hours of flying experience, and has participated in several operational and training missions. He has also been a flying instructor and a test pilot, imparting his expertise and experience to the younger generation of pilots.
He has held various important positions and responsibilities in the Indian Air Force, such as the commanding officer of a frontline fighter squadron, the chief operations officer of a fighter base, the director of operations at the Air Headquarters, and the deputy commandant of the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) in Bengaluru.
He has been decorated with several awards and honours for his distinguished service and gallantry, such as the Vayu Sena Medal, the Vishisht Seva Medal, and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal. He has also been commended by the Chief of the Air Staff and the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief on several occasions.
Profile
Selection and Training for Gaganyaan Mission
On 27 February 2024, Captain Angad Prathap was selected as one of the four astronauts for India’s Gaganyaan mission, along with Group Captains Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla. He was chosen as the commander of the team, based on his seniority, experience, and leadership qualities.
The selection process was rigorous and comprehensive, involving various tests and evaluations, such as physical, psychological, medical, and technical. The four astronauts were shortlisted from a pool of 60 candidates, who were initially screened from over 2,000 applicants from the Indian Air Force.
The selected astronauts underwent intensive training in India and Russia, covering various aspects of spaceflight, such as space navigation, survival skills, simulated space missions, and microgravity experiments. They also familiarized themselves with the Gaganyaan spacecraft, which is being developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with advanced technology to ensure the safety and success of the mission.
The Gaganyaan spacecraft, designed to accommodate three astronauts, will be equipped with life support systems, communication systems, and other essential features to sustain human life in space. The spacecraft will be launched by a human-rated version of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III), India’s most powerful rocket.
The Gaganyaan mission will have two unmanned flights and one manned flight. The first unmanned flight, Gaganyaan-1, is scheduled to take off by the end of 2024, to test the technology readiness for the final mission. The second unmanned flight, Gaganyaan-2, is planned for mid-2025, to validate the performance and reliability of the systems. The manned flight, Gaganyaan-3, is expected to launch by the end of 2025, to carry the four astronauts into a low Earth orbit at an altitude of 400 km for a period of three days.
The mission objectives include demonstrating India’s capability to send humans into space and bring them back safely, conducting scientific experiments in microgravity, enhancing international cooperation in space exploration, and inspiring the youth and the public to pursue science and technology.
Wife, Marriage
Captain Angad Prathap is married to a famous actress, author, and social activist in the Malayalam film industry. They tied the knot earlier, in a simple and private ceremony in Palakkad, Kerala. They have no children as of now.
Angad is a devout Hindu, and belongs to the Nair caste. He is a vegetarian, and prefers homemade food by his mother. He is not very active on social media, and likes to keep his personal life away from the limelight.
He is an avid reader, and enjoys books on various topics, such as history, science, philosophy, and spirituality. He is also fond of music, and listens to a variety of genres, such as classical, rock, pop, and folk. He is a fitness enthusiast, and follows a regular regimen of yoga, meditation, and exercise. He also likes to travel and explore new places and cultures.
Angad has no political inclination, and maintains a neutral and balanced outlook on national and international issues. He is a patriot, and believes in serving the nation with dedication and integrity. He is also a humanitarian, and supports various causes and initiatives for the welfare of the society and the environment.
