Indian Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to Conduct Exclusive Food Experiment
Union Minister for Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, announced today that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, one of India’s astronauts, will conduct groundbreaking food and nutrition experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS) during the upcoming Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). These experiments, developed in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), aim to advance space nutrition and create self-sustaining life support systems essential for future long-duration space missions. The initiative highlights India’s growing capabilities in space exploration and biotechnology.
Innovative Experiments on Microalgae
The first experiment will focus on the effects of microgravity and space radiation on edible microalgae, a nutrient-rich food source. Dr. Jitendra Singh explained that the study will analyze key growth parameters and the changes in transcriptomes, proteomes, and metabolomes of various algal species in space compared to Earth. This research is significant as microalgae can grow rapidly, producing high-protein biomass while absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. These characteristics make them ideal candidates for sustainable space nutrition and closed-loop life support systems. Some species can thrive in just 26 hours, and when cultivated in photobioreactors, they yield more biomass per unit volume than traditional crops, which is crucial for missions with limited space and resources.
Exploring Cyanobacteria as Space Nutrition
The second experiment will investigate the growth and proteomic response of cyanobacteria, specifically Spirulina and Synechococcus, under microgravity conditions. This research will assess the potential of Spirulina as a “superfood” due to its high protein and vitamin content. The study will also explore the feasibility of using nitrogen sources derived from human waste, such as urea, for cyanobacterial growth. Understanding how microgravity affects cellular metabolism and biological efficiency is vital for developing closed-loop, self-sustaining life support systems necessary for extended space missions. Dr. Singh emphasized that these organisms could play a crucial role in recycling carbon and nitrogen in spacecraft and future space habitats.
India’s Astronaut Team and Future Collaborations
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as the Mission Pilot for the Axiom-4 mission, which also includes Commander Peggy Whitson from the USA, Mission Specialist Sลawosz Uznaลski-Wiลniewski from Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu from Hungary. Gp. Capt. Shukla is part of India’s first team of astronauts trained for human spaceflight, with Gp. Capt. Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair as his designated backup. The Ax-4 mission, managed by Axiom Space and launched via SpaceX Falcon 9, marks a significant milestone for India, being the first astronaut-scientist-led space biology experiments conducted on the ISS.
To foster future innovation, an ISRO-DBT Joint Working Group (JWG) has been established to enhance collaborations in Space Biotechnology and Space Biomanufacturing. Institutions such as the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) in New Delhi and BRIC-inStem in Bengaluru are currently exploring new experimental opportunities. The JWG recently discussed a joint “Announcement of Opportunity” in Space Biotech, addressing challenges and pathways for in-space manufacturing and bio-regenerative systems for long-term missions.
Impact on Space Exploration and Sustainability
These initiatives position India not only as a participant in space exploration but also as a leader in shaping how humans will live and sustain themselves in space. The success of these experiments could revolutionize human nutrition in space and enable bio-recycling systems for closed habitats. Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that this mission underscores India’s increasing influence in the global space sector, marking a transition from merely providing launch services to taking a leading role in space exploration, sustainability, and scientific advancement.
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