Indian Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to Lead Food and Nutrition Experiments on ISS
New Delhi: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh announced on Saturday that Indian astronaut and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will conduct exclusive food and nutrition-related experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the upcoming Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4).
The experiments, developed through a collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA, aim to pioneer advancements in space nutrition and develop self-sustaining life support systems critical for future long-duration space travel.
Dr Singh elaborated, “The first ISS experiment will examine the impact of microgravity and space radiation on edible microalgae, a high-potential, nutrient-rich food source. 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.”
Highlighting India’s self-reliance, Dr Singh said, “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). These specialised kits, tailored for microgravity conditions, have been designed and validated by Indian scientists to ensure precision and reliability in space-based research. 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.”
The minister further emphasized the significance of microalgae in space nutrition: “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.”
The second experiment will explore the growth and proteomic response of cyanobacteria, specifically Spirulina and Synechococcus, under microgravity conditions using urea- and nitrate-based media. This study will evaluate Spirulina’s potential 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 analyze the effects of microgravity on cellular metabolism and biological efficiency.
Dr Singh stated, “These insights are critical for developing closed-loop, self-sustaining life support systems essential for long-duration space missions. These organisms could be the key to carbon and nitrogen recycling in spacecraft and future space habitats.”
Group Captain Shubhanshu 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.
The Ax-4 mission, managed by Axiom Space and launched aboard SpaceX Falcon 9, marks a landmark milestone for India’s first astronaut-scientist-led space biology experiments onboard the ISS.
(with inputs from IANS)
Rishika Verma is a graduate from Delhi University. She joined Medical Dialogues in 2023. Her interest lies in reporting health news, hospital updates, health updates, medical case studies, and advancements in healthcare, etc.