Indian Air Force Group Captains Shubhanshu Shukla and Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair will be the primary and secondary astronaut-designates assigned for a mission to the International Space Station (ISS), the country’s space agency announced on Friday.

A National Mission Assignment Board has recommended Shukla (Prime) and Balakrishnan Nair (Backup), the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) said in a statement.

The two are among four candidate astronauts — all IAF pilots — who have been under training for India’s own planned human space mission.

Shukla and Balakrishnan Nair will start their training for the mission in the first week of August, Isro said.

During the mission, the selected astronauts will undertake selected scientific research and technology demonstration experiments on board the ISS as well as engage in space outreach activities, Isro said. The experiences gained during this mission will be beneficial for the Indian Human Space Programme and it will also strengthen human space flight cooperation between Isro and Nasa.