Mission Update: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla at the ISS
- Group Captain Shukla, known by his mission call sign “Shux”, has begun research activities aboard the ISS following successful adaptation to orbital conditions.
- As per Axiom Space, the crew has transitioned from arrival protocols to full-scale scientific work.
Relevance : GS 3(Space , Research)
Key Research Areas
Myogenesis Experiment
- Conducted inside the Life Sciences Glovebox (LSG).
- Objective: Understand skeletal muscle degradation in microgravity.
- Potential outcomes:
- Develop therapies for astronauts to prevent muscle loss during space missions.
- Advance treatment for muscle-degenerative diseases on Earth.
- Proposed by: Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (InStem), Bengaluru.
- Part of ISRO’s microgravity experiment initiative.
Cerebral Hemodynamics Study
- Focuses on blood flow in the brain under microgravity.
- Tools: Uses ultrasound technology and real-time monitoring software.
- Significance:
- Enhances understanding of cardiovascular changes in space.
- May improve medical insights into conditions like stroke and hypertension on Earth.
ISRO’s Role and Scientific Goals
- ISRO has selected seven microgravity experiments for Shukla to conduct during his 14-day stay.
- Aim: Build a sustainable microgravity research ecosystem in India.
- Long-term goal: Integrate such experiments into future Indian space missions.
International Scientific Collaboration
- India-NASA Collaboration:
- Includes five joint science investigations.
- Also includes two STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) outreach experiments.
- Axiom-4 Mission Scope:
- Involves ~60 scientific studies.
- Represents contributions from 31 countries, including:
- India, U.S., Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and various European nations.
Significance and Broader Impact
- Enhances India’s profile in human space research, especially in life sciences and biomedicine.
- Strengthens India’s collaboration with international space agencies and private players.
- Provides dual benefit:
- Supports astronaut health and mission sustainability.
- Contributes to Earth-based healthcare advancements.
