- 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.
