The International Space Station (ISS). The experiments will be conducted during the upcoming Axiom-4 mission (Ax-4).
| Photo Credit: NASA TV
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has shortlisted seven microgravity research experiments, which are expected to be conducted on board the International Space Station (ISS) during the upcoming Axiom-4 mission (Ax-4).
The upcoming Ax-4 mission, with Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is the fourth private astronaut mission to the ISS. The mission is likely to be launched in May.
According to ISRO, it has shortlisted seven microgravity research experiments proposed by Indian Principal Investigators (PIs) from various national R&D laboratories and academic institutions for implementation on the ISS.
Of these R&D laboratories and academic institutions, three — Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Institute of Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (InStem), and University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad — are based in Karnataka.
The shortlisted seven microgravity research experiments are:
- Impact of Microgravity Radiation in ISS on Edible Microalgae by International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (ICGEB) and National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Sprouting Salad Seeds in Space
- Comparative growth and proteomics responses of cyanobacteria on urea and nitrate in microgravity by ICGEB
- Relevance to Crew Nutrition by University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad
- Survival, revival, reproduction, and transcriptome of the eutardigrade Paramacrobiotus sp. BLR strain in space by IISc
- Analyzing Human Interaction with Electronic Displays in Microgravity by IISc
- Effect of metabolic supplements on muscle regeneration under microgravity by Institute of Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (InStem)
- Impact of Microgravity on Growth and Yield Parameters in Food Crop Seeds by Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Dept. of Space & College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University
According to ISRO, the field of microgravity research, with potential applications in diverse areas such as human health, physical and life sciences, material research, novel pharmaceutical development and biotechnology, offers significant opportunities to the national scientific community. These experiments will utilise available research facilities on board ISS.
The experience gained through this effort in implementation of these experiments is expected to nurture a microgravity research ecosystem in India resulting in the induction of advanced microgravity experiments in various disciplines in the Indian space programme.
Published – April 28, 2025 01:05 pm IST