- NEW DELHI — Indian
astronaut and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to conduct exclusive food
and nutrition-related experiments onboard the International Space Station (ISS)
as part of the upcoming Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), Union Minister Dr Jitendra
Singh said on Saturday.
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- The experiments — developed under a collaboration between
the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of
Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA — aim to pioneer space nutrition
and self-sustaining life support systems vital for future long-duration space
travel.
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- Dr Singh said the first ISS experiment will examine the
impact of microgravity and space radiation on edible microalgae — a
high-potential, nutrient-rich food source.
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- The study will focus on key growth parameters and the
changes in transcriptomes, proteomes, and metabolomes of various algal species
in space compared to Earth conditions.
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- Presenting an example of Atmanirbhar Bharat, the Space
biology experiments aboard the ISS will be conducted using indigenously
developed biotechnology kits under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
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- These specialised kits, tailored for microgravity
conditions, have been designed and validated by Indian scientists to ensure
precision and reliability in space-based research.
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- Their deployment marks a major milestone in India’s ability
to deliver world-class scientific tools for frontier research and underscores
the country’s growing self-reliance in critical technologies for space
exploration and biotechnology.
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- “Microalgae grow rapidly, produce high-protein biomass,
absorb carbon dioxide, and release oxygen — making them perfect candidates for
sustainable space nutrition and closed-loop life support systems,” said Dr
Singh.
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- The second experiment will investigate the growth and
proteomic response of cyanobacteria — specifically Spirulina and Synechococcus
—under microgravity, using urea- and nitrate-based media.
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- The research will evaluate the potential of Spirulina as a
space “superfood” due to its high protein and vitamin content, assess the
feasibility of using nitrogen sources derived from human waste, such as urea,
for cyanobacterial growth, and study the effects of microgravity on cellular
metabolism and biological efficiency.
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- These insights are critical for developing closed-loop,
self-sustaining life support systems essential for long-duration space
missions.
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- “These organisms could be the key to carbon and nitrogen
recycling in spacecraft and future space habitats,” the minister said.
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- Shukla is part of the first team of Indian astronauts
trained for human spaceflight, with Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair
serving as his designated backup.
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- The Ax-4 mission, managed by Axiom Space and launched via
SpaceX Falcon 9, is a landmark for India’s first astronaut-scientist-led space
biology experiments onboard the ISS.
