Why does Gaganyaan crew have no women? History shows India has no excuses

News Snapshot:

Wing Commander Neelu Khatri (retired), co-founder of Akasa Air, applauded the four male ‘astronaut designates’ undergoing extensive training for the Gaganyaan mission. But she also told me: “While this is history in the making for India, it’s a pity that no woman combat pilot was even shortlisted despite the fact that their induction into the IAF began 8 years ago”. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Institute of Aerospace Medicine are pursuing the human spaceflight programme with gusto. Precursor tech demo missions are already underway to ensure mission safety and reliability before carrying out the first crewed mission....