Ex-Navy officer becomes ISRO advisor.

Champion navigator Commander Abhilash Tomy (Retd) has been selected as an advisor to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for the Gaganyaan mission, according to sources associated with the scheme. Abhilash will be responsible for advising on the safe return of astronauts from the sea after India’s first manned flight next year.

Astronaut Abhilash Tomy, a selected fighter pilot of the Indian Air Force who received training in Russia, will use his experiences of surviving in extreme conditions at sea to prepare a strategy for the safe return of astronauts. He will also advise ISRO on risk mitigation and ensuring the well-being of the astronauts after the module is destroyed.

Abhilash Tomy recently finished second in the highly challenging solo and non-stop Golden Globe Race (GGR), which tested the limits of his endurance. After sailing for 236 days in his boat named Bayanat, he completed the arduous race of 30,000 miles, making it the world’s longest sporting event.