Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla engages with students, explains how digestion works in space

Indian Astronaut Shukla Explores Digestion and Muscles in Space (Image: Axiom Space)

Floating above Earth, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is busy. From the microgravity of the International Space Station, he’s connecting science with students back home.

Shukla, part of the Axiom Mission 4 crew, is contributing to vital scientific research. He also recently filmed an educational video for Indian schoolchildren, explaining how the human digestive system changes in space.

Space Alters How We Digest Food

Inside the weightless environment of space, digestion slows down. On Earth, gravity helps food move through the gut. In space, this process becomes more sluggish, making digestion less efficient.

Shukla described how fluid shifts in the body affect digestion. These changes can lead to discomfort and may alter how nutrients are absorbed by the body.

Another concern is the gut microbiome. In space, the balance of bacteria in the digestive tract shifts. This can change how nutrients are broken down, possibly causing deficiencies.

Muscle Studies in Zero Gravity

Alongside his outreach, Shukla is leading experiments in the Japanese Kibo module. His work is focused on how space affects muscle stem cells and their development.

In microgravity, muscles weaken over time due to less use. Shukla’s goal is to study this loss and find treatments. His findings could help astronauts and people on Earth with similar conditions.

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He’s using the Life Sciences Glovebox to grow and observe the muscle cells. This sealed unit allows safe handling of samples in space’s unique conditions.

The study could help protect astronaut health on long missions. It might also support future treatments for muscle loss caused by age or long-term illness.

A Mission for Science and Inspiration

Shukla’s efforts join ongoing projects on the ISS. Other astronauts are working on brain-computer links and emotional health during missions.

His work is backed by public and private space agencies. Through research and education, Shukla is inspiring young minds in India to explore science beyond Earth.

From studying cells to teaching students, his mission brings space closer to home.