The Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM), a centre of the Indian Air Force, is in talks with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to provide medical support to crew members of Gaganyaan, India's maiden manned space mission. ISRO plans to send a three-member crew to space for seven days by 2022 under the Gaganyaan programme.
"ISRO has contacted us to collaborate with IAM which conducts research in aerospace medicine and trains, airmen and pilots," said Bipin Puri, Director General, and Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS). Bengaluru-based IAM is affiliated to the AFMS.
"Since the infrastructure such as simulators at IAM is one of the best in the country, ISRO wants to join hands with IAM to train the crew members of Gaganyaan mission," he said. Puri was talking to reporters on the sidelines of 67th Annual Armed Forces Medical Conference here.
Air Marshal Rajvir Singh, Director General, Medical Services (AIR) said the challenge of providing life support in space is very complex. IAM, which conducts MD programs in aerospace medicine, is the only institute in India and South East Asia which conducts research in aerospace medicine, he said.
