The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is preparing to send Gaganyaan, the first manned mission to space next year. In 2020, while releasing the food menu for the passengers of Gaganyaan, ISRO had told that in space, passengers will get to eat 24 Indian dishes including idli, paratha, dal roti. But, ISRO chief S Somnath told on Friday that during the first mission, the astronauts will get only pelletized food, which will have to be swallowed through a tube.

Several institutes are involved in developing special food items and menus to provide Indian food to the astronauts during their missions, Somnath said. As of now, items like idli-sambar will not be available during the initial campaign. Talking about the selection process for astronauts, he said, Indian Air Force personnel are the primary source for astronauts as they are experienced pilots capable of facing such an environment. He is currently undergoing training.

Four Air Force pilots have been selected for the first manned mission. These pilots have joined as astronaut trainees and are currently preparing for their roles. Somnath told that at present the module is being designed in which he will be seated. Along with this, he told that in this campaign, help is also being taken from those countries, which have sent astronauts to space. With this, he said, at the moment no date can be told for its launch, at the moment our focus is to reach the point from where we can launch astronauts.