Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair Biography Wikipedia, Age, Wife, Family & Caste: Who Is Gaganyaan Astronaut?
Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair is a name that will go down in history as the commander of India’s first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, which is expected to launch in 2024-25. Nair is an officer in the Indian Air Force (IAF), a vyomanaut (a term for astronauts derived from Sanskrit), and a fighter pilot.
He is also the husband of Lena Kumar, a popular Malayalam actress and author. In this article, we will explore the life and achievements of this remarkable man who is set to make India proud in the final frontier.
Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair Wiki/Bio, Caste
| Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 26 August 1976 |
| Age | 47 years (as of 2023) |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Birth Place | Thiruvazhiyad, Palakkad, Kerala |
| Caste | Nair |
| Father | Valampil Balakrishnan Nair |
| Mother | Koolanghaat Prameela Nair |
| Siblings | Pradeep, Praveen, and Pratibha |
| Wife | Lena Kumar |
| Children | None |
| Education | B.Tech in Instrumental and Control Engineering (NSS College of Engineering, Palakkad), NDA (Khadakwasla, Pune), AFA (Hyderabad), DSSC (Wellington), ACSC (Montgomery, USA) |
| Rank | Group Captain |
| Service | Indian Air Force |
| Aircraft Flown | MiG-21, MiG-29, Su-30MKI, Tejas |
| Missions | Kargil War, Balakot Airstrike, UN Mission in Congo |
| Awards | Vayu Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal |
| Gaganyaan Mission | India’s first human spaceflight programme, which aims to launch four astronauts into low Earth orbit for three days and then bring them back safely |
| Gaganyaan Crew | Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair (Commander), Group Captain Angad Pratap, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla |
| Gaganyaan Training | The crew underwent training in Russia for 11 months, where they learned about the Soyuz spacecraft, zero gravity, high G-force, emergency landing, and survival skills |
| Gaganyaan Launch | The mission is expected to launch in 2024-25 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh |
| Gaganyaan Cost | The mission is estimated to cost around Rs 10,000 crore |
Early Life, Parents, Family and Education
Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair was born on 26 August 1976 (Age: 47 years, as of 2023) in Thiruvazhiyad village, Palakkad district, Kerala. His father, Valampil Balakrishnan Nair, is an engineer and a retired government official. His mother, Koolanghaat Prameela Nair, is a homemaker. He has two brothers and a sister. His brothers, Pradeep and Praveen, are engineers and are settled outside India. His sister, Pratibha, lives in Thrissur, Kerala.
Nair completed his primary schooling in Kuwait, where his father used to work. He completed his class 12th at the Chinmaya Vidyalaya in Palakkad. He was interested in science and technology from a young age and dreamed of becoming a pilot. He also participated in various extracurricular activities, such as sports, music, and drama.
In 1994, he enrolled at the NSS College of Engineering in Palakkad, where he began pursuing a bachelor’s degree in technology in instrumental and control engineering. He simultaneously began preparing for the National Defence Academy’s entrance exam. After clearing exams for the NDA, he left his engineering studies and joined the academy.
Career in the Indian Air Force
After training at NDA in Khadakwasla, Pune, for three years, Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair reported at the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Hyderabad, where he underwent fighter pilot training. He joined the IAF as a Flying Officer on 19 December 1998. He has flown various types of aircraft, such as MiG-21, MiG-29, Su-30MKI, and Tejas. He has also participated in several combat and peacekeeping missions, such as the Kargil War, the Balakot airstrike, and the UN mission in Congo.
Nair has also attended many renowned military colleges, such as the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington and the Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) in Montgomery, Alabama, the United States of America. He graduated from the ACSC with a first-class honours degree. He has also received various awards and medals for his service and bravery, such as the Vayu Sena Medal, the Vishisht Seva Medal, and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal.
Selection for the Gaganyaan Mission
In 2018, ISRO, along with the IAF, selected more than 30 veteran pilots from the service to be part of the Gaganyaan mission, which aims to position astronauts 400 km above sea level for three days and then safely land on Earth. Out of these 30 pilots, 12 were shortlisted and sent to Russia for further training. In February 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially announced the names of the four astronauts who will be part of the Gaganyaan mission. They are Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Angad Pratap, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla.
Nair has been chosen as the commander of the mission, which makes him the first Indian to lead a human spaceflight mission. He and his team have undergone rigorous training in Russia, which includes physical, psychological, and technical aspects of spaceflight. They have also learned about the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, which will be used for the Gaganyaan mission. They have also trained in various scenarios, such as zero gravity, high G-force, emergency landing, and survival skills.
Wife, Marriage and Kids
Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair is wed to Lena Kumar, a renowned novelist and actress from the Malayalam cinema industry. On January 17, 2024, the pair wed in a private ceremony held in Palakkad. They fell in love after meeting through a common friend. Following PM Modi’s declaration, Lena made their marriage public via an Instagram post on February 27, 2024. The pair is childless.
He is a humble and down-to-earth person who likes to spend time with his family and friends. He is also fond of reading, music, and travelling. He is a fitness enthusiast and follows a healthy lifestyle. He is fluent in Malayalam, Hindi, English, and Russian. He is a devout Hindu and follows the Nair caste traditions.
Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair is a remarkable person who has achieved many feats in his career as an IAF officer and a vyomanaut. He is an inspiration for many young Indians who aspire to join the defence forces or the space programme. He is also a loving husband and a family man who values his roots and culture. He is ready to make history as the commander of India’s first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, which will be a proud moment for the nation and the world. We wish him and his team all the best for their mission and hope they return safely to Earth.
