Shubhanshu Shukla Leads Study Decoding Muscle Loss in Microgravity on ISS

New Delhi: Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has conducted a significant scientific experiment aboard the International Space Station (ISS), focusing on muscle health in space. The experiment is aimed at understanding muscle loss in microgravity, a challenge for long-duration space travel, and has potential health applications on Earth.

Shukla made history last week by becoming the first Indian to reach the ISS as part of Axiom Space’s Mission 4 (Ax-4). He was accompanied by crew members from the United States, Poland, and Hungary. Together, along with seven members of Expedition 73, the team conducted research on muscle and brain health in space.

“Shukla worked in Kibo’s Life Science Glovebox checking muscle stem cell cultures to learn how to maintain muscle health in space,” NASA said in a blog post.

Shukla’s experiment studied muscle degradation in the absence of gravity, a long-standing concern in space medicine. He is testing whether supplements can help reduce or delay muscle loss during space missions.

“What happens on going to space is that because gravity is absent, the load goes away and hence muscle loss occurs. So, my experiment is looking at whether we can stop or delay this muscle loss by giving some supplement,” Shukla explained during an interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the space station.

He added that the experiment could have applications on Earth. “It has a direct implication on Earth too that these supplements can be used on people who suffer muscle loss due to old age. So, I think it can definitely be used there,” he said.

Axiom Space noted in its mission statement that the experiment’s findings may help prevent muscle atrophy in astronauts during extended missions. On Earth, the research could assist in developing treatments for muscle-related diseases, aging, or conditions caused by long-term immobility.

In addition to his scientific work, Shukla also filmed a video for Indian students explaining how the digestive system functions in space. He also contributed to a NASA-led Astronaut Mental Health study by recording crew activities onboard the ISS.

The 14-day Ax-4 mission will include around 60 experiments and commercial activities in microgravity, involving 31 countries such as India, the US, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and several European nations. India, through ISRO, has contributed seven research studies to the mission.

(With inputs from IANS)