Crew to conduct 60 experiments; Shukla carrying kits created by IITs, IISc and DBT

Axiom 4 mission crew will spend 14 days in the International Space Station (ISS) participating in 60 research and scientific investigations, seven of which will be from India.

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The mission pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is carrying indigenously developed experiment kits, created by leading Indian institutions like IITs, IISc and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). These kits will be used to conduct advanced experiments at the ISS.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said biotech experiments to be conducted by Shukla aim to study the effects of microgravity and cosmic radiation on the growth of edible microalgae — a nutrient-dense, sustainable food source rich in proteins, lipids, and bioactive compounds, ideal for long-duration space missions.

“These studies are expected to significantly contribute to future deep-space missions and the long-term sustainability of human presence in space, including India’s much-awaited Gaganyaan mission,” he said.

NASA and ISRO will jointly participate in five joint science investigations and two in-orbit science, technology, engineering and mathematics demonstrations.

NASA said it along with ISRO has a long-standing relationship built on a shared vision to advance scientific knowledge and expand space collaboration. One of the key experiments is to study muscle regeneration in space.

“The International Space Station is a springboard for developing a low Earth economy. NASA’s goal is to achieve a strong economy off the Earth where the agency can purchase services as one of many customers to meet its science and research objectives in microgravity,” NASA said.

A scientist from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is already in Florida to ensure that the experiments will be conducted successfully.

A study on how cancer cells behave in microgravity aboard the International Space Station will also be conducted.