New Delhi/IBNS, April 18 -- In a huge milestone for India, the Centre on Friday announced that Gaganyatri, or astronaut-designate, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will fly to the International Space Station (ISS) in May.

Union Minister for Space and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said, "The International space mission carrying an Indian astronaut is scheduled for next month. India is poised to script a defining chapter in its space journey. An Indian astronaut is set for a historic space mission as ISRO charts bold new frontiers. India's space dreams are soaring higher with Gaganyaan preparations, ISS mission, and a summer of launches."

Group Captain Shukla has been training with NASA and the private space company Axiom Space for the past...