France, March 11 -- Fresh from its successful Moon landing, India has taken a major step towards its goal of a manned mission by picking the first people it will send into space.

Four Indian Air Force pilots were selected, only three of whom will ultimately fly.

The Indian astronauts will travel 400 kilometres into space for a three-day trip next year, officials said, without specifying dates.

India'sspacecraft Gaganyaan - meaning "celestial vehicle" in Sanskrit - will carry them on thelow-Earth orbit.

If it succeeds, India will become the fourth country after the United States, Russia and China to send humans into space.

Last August, India became the first nation to successfully perform a soft landing on the Moon's south pole with G...