India Joins Global Space Research: ISRO to Study Long-Term Space Missions on Ax-4

ISRO is conducting research on Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) in collaboration with NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) to support long-duration space missions.

With duration up to 14 days docked at the International Space Station (ISS), the Ax-4 astronauts crew will led by Commander Peggy Whitson (USA), with Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla (India), Mission Specialist Slawosz Uznański-Wisniewski (Poland), and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu (Hungary).

The studies aim to enhance India's capabilities in space exploration and contribute to global scientific progress.

India's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will pilot the Ax-4 mission, which includes around 60 scientific studies, with 7 led by Indian space agency ISRO. Shukla will serve as the mission pilot, making him the second Indian citizen to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma.

Shukla and his backup astronaut, Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, have undergone rigorous training with NASA and Axiom Space.

The Ax-4 crew 

 

Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla

India is working alongside NASA, ESA, and Axiom Space, strengthening its presence in international space exploration. This mission is a stepping stone for India's future human spaceflight programs, including Gaganyaan.

In an announcement, Axiom Space said, "ISRO has a strong portfolio of life science experiments. In collaboration with NASA and Redwire, the "Space Microalgae" project investigates the impact of microgravity on the growth, metabolism, and genetic activity of three strains of edible microalgae. These tiny organisms could become a sustainable food source for long-duration space missions, thanks to their rich protein, lipid, and bioactive components." 

Some key research areas include:

• Human Research: Studying how astronauts interact with electronic displays in microgravity to improve spacecraft computer design.
• Life Sciences: Investigating microalgae and cyanobacteria growth in space, which could lead to sustainable food sources and environmental control systems.
• Muscle Regeneration: Exploring metabolic supplements to prevent muscle atrophy in astronauts.
• Crop Growth: Examining the germination and growth of crop seeds in microgravity to support future space farming.
• ISRO is also exploring the potential of growing crops in space. The "Sprouting Salad Seeds in Space" experiment, in collaboration with NASA and BioServe Space Technologies, investigates the germination and growth of crop seeds in microgravity. 
• Tardigrade: In partnership with NASA and Voyager, ISRO is studying the resilience of tardigrades, tiny creatures known for their ability to survive extreme conditions. This experiment will examine the revival, survival, and reproduction of tardigrades on the International Space Station, comparing gene expression patterns between space-flown and ground control populations. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of their resilience could inform future space exploration and lead to innovative biotechnology applications on Earth.

The mission is expected to launch no earlier than May 2025 and will be docked at the International Space Station (ISS) for up to 14 days.

Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)

Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is a private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS), organized by Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA, ISRO, and the European Space Agency (ESA). The mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than May 2025 and will be docked at the ISS for up to 14 days.

Key Details:

• Crew: Led by Commander Peggy Whitson (USA), with Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla (India), Mission Specialist Slawosz Uznański-Wisniewski (Poland), and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu (Hungary).
• Research Focus: Ax-4 will conduct around 60 scientific studies, including seven led by ISRO, covering human research, life sciences, muscle regeneration, and crop growth in microgravity.
• Significance: This mission marks India’s second human spaceflight and strengthens its presence in global space exploration.

Ax-4 is shaping up to be one of the most research-intensive missions yet!