India is making history in space biotechnology with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla set to conduct exclusive food and nutrition experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
As part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), Shukla, trained under the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), will explore microalgae and Spirulina-based nutrition to enhance self-sustainable life support systems for astronauts.
The Mission & Experiments
The pioneering space food research, backed by ISRO and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), aims to develop biotech solutions for space living. The focus will be on high-nutrient microalgae, which offer promising sustainability benefits in closed-loop life support systems.
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Microalgae Research
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The experiment will examine the growth, metabolism, and nutrient profiles of algae in microgravity conditions.
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Findings could enable carbon dioxide recycling and oxygen production, making algae an essential component for long-term space habitation.
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Spirulina as a Superfood in Space
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The study will analyse how Spirulina and cyanobacteria respond to microgravity, offering insights into efficient protein production for astronauts.
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Researchers will explore nitrogen sources, including human waste derivatives, to develop closed-loop nutritional systems in spacecraft.
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India’s Space Science Leadership
This mission strengthens India’s transition from launch services to cutting-edge space research, establishing its presence in human spaceflight experiments. Supported by NASA and global space agencies, the initiative reinforces India’s role in international space cooperation.
According to Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, ISRO and DBT’s Joint Working Group will continue advancing space biotechnology, helping shape future space-based food production. These innovations could extend beyond space, benefiting food sustainability and bio-recycling on Earth.
Final Thoughts: Shaping the Future of Space Nutrition
With space missions focusing on deep-space travel and planetary colonization, India’s research into bio-regenerative nutrition systems could be a game-changer for space exploration. As Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla embarks on this mission, he brings India one step closer to redefining the future of sustainable space living.
