Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair is an Indian Air Force Group Captain and test pilot, and one of the four chosen Astronaut candidates for India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight program.
Nair was selected for the astronaut training program in 2019 by the Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM). He underwent basic training in Russia along with the three other chosen Vyomanauts (astronauts) in 2020, and completed his training at the Indian Astronaut Training Facility in Bangalore in 2021. 
Basic Info & Biography of Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair
| Name | Prasanth Nair |
| Full name | Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair |
| Nick name | Prasanth |
| Profession | Pilot |
| Date Of Birth | 26 August 1978 |
| Place of Birth | Nemmara village, Palakkad district, Kerala, |
| Age (as on 2024) | 46 |
| Height | 5ft 9in |
| Weight | 50kg |
| Zodiac sign | Virgo |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Hobbies | Basketball, passion for Debate |
| Net Worth | unknown |
Childhood
Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair was born on August 26,1976, in Nemmara village, Palakkad district, Kerala, India. He started his schooling at Chinmaya Vidyalaya School in Pallavur, Kerala, and continued there from 5th grade to 12th grade. He was a consistent academic achiever, ranking first in both 10th and 12th grade exams. He excelled in science subjects and basketball during his school days. He was also an active participant in debates, showcasing intellectual curiosity and communication skills. He spent part of his childhood in Kuwait before returning to Kerala due to the region’s political situation. This experience might have instilled adaptability and resilience in him.
Struggle & challenges
Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair career can be broadly divided into three distinct but interconnected phases:
- Military Service (1999 – ~2019)
- Indian Air Force Pilot: He joined the Air Force in 1999 after graduating from the National Defence Academy and the Air Force Academy. As a fighter pilot, he flew various aircraft, including the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32, accumulating over 3,000 flying hours.
- Test Pilot: He qualified as a test pilot, demonstrating his exceptional piloting skills and technical knowledge.
- Leadership and Training: He held positions of responsibility, including commanding a Su-30 squadron, indicating strong leadership and decision-making abilities.
- Astronaut Candidate (2019 – Present):
- Selection: In 2019, he was chosen as one of the four astronaut candidates for the Gaganyaan program, a testament to his exceptional physical and mental fitness, combined with his diverse skills and experience.
- Training: He underwent rigorous training in Russia and India, encompassing various aspects of spaceflight, including physics, engineering, physiology, and survival skills.
- Future: On February 27, 2024, he was officially announced as a member of the astronaut team for India’s first crewed space mission, signifying the culmination of his training and preparation.
Achievements
| Name of award | By whom | Detail |
| Sword of Honour | Air force academy | |
| Accomplished Pilot | Air force academy | Accumulating over 3,000 flying hours in various aircraft and qualifying as a test pilot demonstrate his exceptional skill and dedication within the Indian Air Force. |
| Selected Astronaut: | ISRO |
|
Family Relation
| Father | Balakrishnan |
| Mother | Prameela |
| Marital Status ( Name of Wife / Husband) | married |
| Love affairs girl/boy friends | Lena |
| Children | No children |
| Sibling | Three ( Pradeep ,Praveen and Pratibha) |
Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair father, Balakrishnan, is a retired engineer, and his mother, Prameela, is a homemaker. He has two brothers and a sister.
Net worth
While we cannot know Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair exact net worth, Nair likely earns a salary commensurate with his rank and experience in the Indian Air Force. Public sources indicate that his pay scale might be equivalent to Level 13 in the Indian government pay structure.
Social Media Engagement
| Prasanth Nair Twitter | Prasanth@ twit |
| Prasanth Nair Facebook | Prasanth @face |
| Prasanth Nair Instagram | Prasanth @Insta |
| Prasanth Nair Wikipedia | Prasanth @Wiki |
Interesting facts about
He has cleared the selection among 30 candidate for Gaganyaan and was appointed as mission commander with team of four.
His team consist of Four Indian Air Force (IAF) test pilots were selected for the Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair,Group Captain Ajit Krishnan,Group Captain Angad Prathap,and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla
From School Topper to Space: Hailing from Kerala, India, Prasanth was not only an academic achiever (school topper) but also excelled in basketball during his school days. He joined the Indian Air Force in 1999 and became a Sukhoi fighter pilot. This background in aviation and piloting likely played a key role in his selection for the Gaganyaan mission.
- First Rank Holder: Prasanth’s academic excellence continued beyond school. He secured the top rank at the United States Air Force Air Command and Staff College, demonstrating his dedication to continuous learning and improvement.
- He loves reading and basketball.
- He is fitness enthusiastic practice yoga and meditation.
In Conclusion Overall, On February 27, 2024, Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair was presented with the first Indian Astronaut wings by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a significant moment in his career and India’s space exploration journey.
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FAQ
Q1.who is Prasanth balakrishnan nair ?
Ans Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair is an Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain and one of the four astronauts selected for the Gaganyaan mission, India’s first human spaceflight program.
Q2. What is Vyomnaut?
Ans Vyomnaut” is a term used in India to refer to a person who travels in space for the Indian space program, essentially an Indian astronaut. It is specifically used to distinguish them from astronauts of other countries like the American astronauts or Russian cosmonauts.
Q3.when wast the term “Vyomnaut” was first used officially?
The term “Vyomnaut” was first used officially in 2018 when the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced their Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission.