Staff Reporter / AMN
India created history as the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, carrying the Axiom-4 crew, including Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, gently docked with the International Space Station (ISS) at 4 p.m. this afternoon. With this, India has an astronaut in space after 41 years. Lucknow-born Shukla is also the second Indian in space, following Rakesh Sharma’s flight in 1984. This historic mission carries four astronauts from the US, India, Poland, and Hungary to the ISS for a 14-day scientific expedition in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), docked with the Harmony module’s space-facing port. The Axiom-4 mission is not just a scientific feat but a testament to India’s rising stature as a global technology powerhouse. It reinforces the nation’s capability to lead space innovation, promote sustainability, and contribute meaningfully to global missions.
Shukla will conduct pioneering experiments related to food and space nutrition. These experiments, developed under a collaboration between ISRO and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA, aim to enhance understanding of sustainable life-support systems, a crucial aspect of future long-duration space travel. The research will also study the effects of microgravity and space radiation on edible microalgae, a nutrient-rich, high-potential food source for future space missions. The experiment will evaluate key growth parameters and examine transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic changes in different algal species in space compared to their behaviour on Earth.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, hailed the successful docking of the Dragon spacecraft with the International Space Station (ISS). Onboard is Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the Indian astronaut who will be conducting seven fully indigenous microgravity experiments during his stay — a significant step in India’s space exploration journey.
Lauding the milestone, Dr. Singh said the mission reflects the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) and Vishwabandhu Bharat (India as a friend to the world), ideals envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He noted that all the experiments to be carried out by Shukla have been entirely developed by Indian institutions and that the scientific findings will be shared globally to benefit all of humanity.
“India’s role in space exploration is no longer limited to the launchpad,” said Dr. Singh, who also holds responsibility in the Prime Minister’s Office, Department of Space, and Department of Atomic Energy. “We are now shaping the future of life and science in space. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla carries India’s scientific dreams to the frontiers of microgravity.”
The Axiom-4 mission marks India’s most direct contribution to space biosciences. The seven experiments being undertaken aboard the ISS, Dr. Singh announced, are poised to make vital contributions to sustainability in space and innovation on Earth.
The first experiment, developed by ICGEB and BRIC-NIPGR New Delhi, examines the behavior of edible microalgae in microgravity. The study will look at growth, metabolism, and oxygen-carbon dioxide recycling potential, which are critical for sustaining life on long-duration space missions.
The second experiment, a collaboration between UAS Dharwad and IIT Dharwad, explores the germination and nutritional profiles of sprouting seeds like moong and methi in space. The study is expected to help develop nutrient-rich, medicinal food options for astronauts.
The third experiment, from BRIC-InStem Bengaluru, investigates muscle regeneration in microgravity, aiming to understand and prevent the muscle loss astronauts typically experience during extended missions. Its findings may also inform rehabilitation therapies for patients on Earth.
In the fourth project, researchers from IISc Bengaluru are studying the survival and reproduction of tardigrades—microscopic organisms known for their resilience—in space conditions. This research is expected to provide insights into human survival strategies in extreme environments.
The fifth experiment, also by IISc, focuses on how astronauts interact with electronic displays in zero gravity. The data will guide the future design of spacecraft control systems to improve usability and safety.
Another experiment from ICGEB explores the growth of cyanobacteria using urea as a nitrogen source in space. Cyanobacteria’s ability to recycle carbon and nitrogen could make it a cornerstone of sustainable life support systems in extraterrestrial habitats.
The final experiment involves exposing seeds of rice, cowpea, sesame, brinjal, and tomato to space conditions to test their resilience. This research could pave the way for space agriculture and the development of climate-resilient crops for Earth.
“These pioneering efforts represent India’s emergence as a global leader in space biosciences,” Dr. Singh said. “We are no longer followers; India is now leading missions of planetary relevance. These experiments will open new frontiers for sustainable life in space and resilient ecosystems on Earth.”
