Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla gears up to grow crops and study water bears in space

IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla

Space is more to Shubhanshu Shukla than just the scenery. It concerns bacteria, seeds, and microscopic organisms that could influence space flight in the future. Shukla is getting ready to conduct seven science experiments targeted at sustaining life beyond Earth during his 14-day stay on board the ISS next month.

Featuring US, Hungarian, and Polish astronauts, the mission is part of Axiom Mission-4 (Ax-4), which will take place in late May. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will carry out these studies together with NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). Tardigrades to Microalgae:

Exploring Extraterrestrial Life

Water bears, or tardigrades, will be the focus of one of the primary researches. These tiny animals have lived on Earth for about 600 million years. They are being researched in cooperation with NASA and Voyager and have been found to survive extreme environments.

Read Also: Meet IAF Officer Shubhanshu Shukla: 1st Indian astronaut to Visit ISS

Researchers wish to learn about how they make it in space and reproduce. We will look at the gene expression of tardigrades sent to space versus that of normal land-dwelling tardigrades. Fresh Earth biotech equipment could come out of revelations that can assist with research in space.

In partnership with Redwire and NASA, ISRO will also be conducting research on microalgae. This project will examine the impact of microgravity on the growth, metabolism, and genetic behavior of edible algae.

Nutrient-rich microalgae may become space food in the future. Cyanobacteria will be the focus of another biology-based study. These are photosynthetic aquatic microorganisms. Scientists will compare two strains to observe how each responds to space conditions. The results could help create space mission life support systems.

Orbiting Muscles, Screens, and Sprouting Seeds

Also, ISRO will study how computer screens are used by astronauts. This research examines gaze, eye movements, and pointing in space. It aims to understand how these processes and stress levels are affected by microgravity. The outcomes could improve future spacecraft's user-friendly systems. Muscle regeneration is also the focus of another significant research.Read Also: Air Force officer Shubhanshu Shukla to become second Indian in space with ISS flight this May

NASA, BioServe Space Technologies, and ISRO will study muscle failure in space. Besides assisting patients with muscle disease on Earth, this study might prevent astronauts from losing muscle. Shukla will grow salad seeds in space in a plan that resembles science fiction. NASA and BioServe also worked on the "Sprouting Salad Seeds" experiment, where it is exploring how seeds grow and evolve under no-gravity conditions. It will study changes in genetics, nutrition, and microbes over generations.

It's expected that such research will be used to know how individuals farm food in orbit. Long flights to the Moon or Mars will rely on sustainable crop supplies. India's Increasing Role in Space Research

India's increasing role in international space science is reflected in this mission. These seven experiments integrate biology, space medicine, and technology. They may even serve life on Earth and offer valuable answers to significant questions about space survival.