Can fruit flies save astronauts? Unique experiment headed to space with Ax-4
When you think of space explorers, you probably picture astronauts like Neil Armstrong, Sunita Williams, Rakesh Sharma or now Shubhanshu Shukla. But there's another unlikely hero quietly helping science take big steps forward — the tiny fruit fly.These small insects have long been used in science labs to study genetics. Axiom Space is sending them into space to find out if they can help us solve one of space travel's biggest problems: damage to human DNA caused by space radiation.advertisementThe fruit fly larvae will launch aboard the AX-4 mission piloted by India's Shubhanshu Shukla to the Space Station. WHAT'S THE EXPERIMENT ABOUT?
The study is looking at how radiation in space affects the DNA of fruit flies and their young species. Scientists want to see if producing certain proteins in larger amounts can help protect or repair the DNA that gets damaged by radiation.If this works, it could lead to new ways to protect astronauts during long trips through space, especially important for missions to the Moon, Mars, or even farther.WHY FRUIT FLIES?Fruit flies are ideal for this kind of research. They reproduce quickly, are easy to study, and share many of the same genes as humans, around 75% of human disease-related genes have a match in fruit flies.advertisementThey're also tough. Some stages of their life cycle, like the larvae, can survive very high levels of radiation, much more than most living things can handle.Space isn't just about floating around and seeing stars. It's a dangerous place for living organisms. There's no atmosphere to block radiation, and the lack of gravity in the vacuum affects how our bodies work.Radiation in space can break DNA strands or cause changes that harm cells. Microgravity can also make it harder for cells to fix this damage.Past studies have shown that being in space changes how DNA repair genes behave. This makes it even more important to find ways to help our bodies fix themselves out there.WHY THIS MATTERS FOR THE FUTUREIf the proteins in fruit flies prove to help with DNA repair, scientists might be able to create medicines or treatments that protect astronauts during future missions.This work also supports other efforts like NASA's BioSentinel mission, which is using yeast cells to study DNA repair in deep space.As the Axiom-4 mission enters its final stage, preparing to send astronauts from India, the United States, Poland, and Hungary to ISS on June 8, 2025, understanding how to protect their health has never been more critical.Who would have thought that a tiny fly buzzing around your fruit bowl could hold the key to safer space travel? Fruit flies may be small, but their role in shaping the future of human spaceflight could be monumental.Must Watch
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
2 hours ago
- Business Standard
Shukla's ISS flight set to mark liftoff for India's space industry
'I carry not just technical equipment but the hopes and dreams of 1.7 billion Indians.' With these words, Shubhanshu Shukla, poised to become the first Indian astronaut to reach the International Space Station, has stirred a wave of national pride. As he readies for launch from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (Nasa's) Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, his mission marks a return to government-sponsored human spaceflight for India after a hiatus of more than four decades — and a bold step into the country's spacefaring future. The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is reportedly spending ₹550 crore on the mission. The resonance is unmistakable. More than forty years have passed since Rakesh Sharma's legendary journey aboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft in 1984 — and his immortal reply when asked how India looked from space: 'Saare Jahaan Se Achcha'. Now, Shukla's flight, part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), is being cast as a generational handoff. If Sharma represented the dreams of a nascent India looking outward, Shukla embodies a confident India reaching for the controls, according to industry experts, who say Shukla's flight will be a stepping stone, signalling a larger role for the private sector in India's forthcoming human spaceflight programmes and space station plans. Launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket, the Crew Dragon C213 capsule will carry Shukla into low Earth orbit. His participation is more than symbolic: At 39, he is one of the four astronauts shortlisted for India's maiden human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, currently slated for late 2026 or early 2027. His role on Ax-4 is to pilot the Dragon spacecraft -- and to bring home crucial operational experience for the Gaganyaan programme. It was on February 27 last year that Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the names of the four astronauts who would carry India's spaceflight ambitions: Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, Angad Prathap, and Shukla. Of the four, Shukla is the first to make the leap — and he is clear-eyed about what it means. 'I will be conducting seven scientific experiments that could contribute significantly to our understanding of microgravity and pave the way for future space research. In many ways, I see myself as a bridge between Earth and space,' he told the media. Alongside the research gear, he is also carrying artefacts designed by the National Institute of Design — a nod to India's creative and technological confidence. While his mission is short compared to lifetime milestones, its significance is enduring. Gopichand Thotakura may have etched his name in history last year as India's first civilian astronaut, but Shukla's journey feels different — a measured stride toward a new frontier for Indian science, not just a visit. 'It is important to note that a private company (Elon Musk's SpaceX) is providing the means to go to the space station,' said A K Bhatt, director general of the Indian Space Association (ISpA). 'This experience is a stepping stone to what we want to achieve.' Firms like Larsen & Toubro, among others, are already playing a critical role in the Gaganyaan project, he noted. Bhatt sees a broader transformation underway. 'I see companies like L&T, Tata, and Anand excelling in the sector going ahead, and our startups are also going to play a major role.' The ambition is vast. From $8.4 billion in 2024, India's space economy is projected to soar to $44 billion by 2033, according to a March Ficci-EY report. If the trajectory holds, India's share of the global space market will quadruple: From 2 per cent to 8 per cent. But the sector will need a net investment of $22 billion to reach that target. A constellation of startups is already orbiting the dream. From Dhruva Space and Bellatrix Aerospace to Skyroot, Manastu, and Agnikul Cosmos -- each firm is carving out a niche, whether in propulsion systems, launch vehicles, or satellite design. Even legacy mapping companies like MapmyIndia are getting in on the action, providing geospatial solutions and navigation tech.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Nasa, Isro to launch private mission to space with Indian pilot on June 10
NASA, ISRO to launch private mission to space with Indian pilot on June 10 (ANI) WASHINGTON DC: National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( Nasa ) on Saturday (local time) said that as part of a collaboration with Isro , Axiom Mission 4 will be launched on June 10, the fourth private astronaut mission from Axiom Space, which will be piloted by Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla. Axiom Mission 4 delivers on a commitment highlighted by US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send the first Isro astronaut to the station. The space agencies are participating in five joint science investigations and two in-orbit science, technology, engineering, and mathematics demonstrations. Nasa and Isro have a long-standing relationship built on a shared vision to advance scientific knowledge and expand space collaboration, a statement by Nasa said. Nasa, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are targeting 8:22 am (local time), Tuesday, June 10, for launch of the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Axiom Mission 4. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Walgreens Keeps Quiet About This '9 Pills for $7' Generic Cialis Deal Friday Plans Get Offer Undo The mission will lift off from Launch Complex 39A at Nasa's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew will travel to the orbiting laboratory on a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft after launching on the company's Falcon 9 rocket. The targeted docking time is approximately 12:30 pm, Wednesday (local time), June 11, as per Nasa. Nasa's mission responsibility is for integrated operations, which begins during the spacecraft's approach to the space station, continues during the crew's approximately two-week stay aboard the orbiting laboratory while conducting science, education, and commercial activities, and concludes once the spacecraft exits the station. Peggy Whitson, former Nasa astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, will command the commercial mission, while Isro (Indian Space Research Organisation) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as pilot. The two mission specialists are ESA (European Space Agency) project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. The private mission also carries the first astronauts from Poland and Hungary to stay aboard the space station. In a post on X, the International Space Station said, "Axiom Mission 4, the fourth private astronaut mission from Axiom Space, is targeted to launch at 8:22am ET, Tuesday, June 10, from Nasa's Kennedy Space Center to the orbital outpost."
Economic Times
3 hours ago
- Economic Times
The bizarre truth about how astronauts deal with dirty clothes on the International Space Station will blow your mind
TIL Creatives Astronauts aboard the International Space Station don't do laundry—instead, they wear clothes until they're too soiled, then eject them to burn up in Earth's atmosphere. When you imagine life aboard the International Space Station, you probably picture zero-gravity acrobatics, awe-inspiring views of Earth, and high-tech gear floating through futuristic modules. What you might not picture, however, is the simple, yet startling question: how do astronauts do their laundry? The answer is as bizarre as space travel itself—and it's turning heads online. Contrary to what Earthlings might expect, astronauts don't have access to washing machines or even manual laundry buckets. There's no rinse cycle in orbit. In fact, worn clothes aboard the ISS are never washed at all. Once garments become too filthy to endure, astronauts do what only astronauts can—they throw them out. Quite literally. Used clothing is packed into cargo spacecrafts which are eventually directed to burn up during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. That's right—astronaut underwear and sweat-stained polos become shooting stars in the sky. It's an unconventional solution, but given the precious water supply and the impracticality of hauling detergent into orbit, it's the only viable option—at least for now. Fortunately, conditions aboard the ISS help mitigate the grime. The station is temperature-controlled, limiting how much astronauts actually sweat. It's a sterile, sealed environment—no dirt, rain, or backyard chores to ruin an outfit. That said, astronauts still have to make every item count. Typically, each crew member brings just one polo shirt for every 15 days and one pair of underwear for every three. To stretch cleanliness further, NASA partners with apparel companies to develop space-grade garments. These aren't your everyday clothes—they're antibacterial, absorbent, quick-drying, and odor-resistant. In one case, Japanese brand BEAMS designed specially engineered garments for astronaut Soichi Noguchi's extended mission in 2020. These outfits are built to fight odor and bacteria, helping astronauts avoid infections and stay as fresh as possible without a single rinse. When Redditors caught wind of the ISS laundry routine, reactions ranged from fascination to disbelief. Some questioned the hygiene implications, while others simply shuddered at the lifestyle. 'I was wondering how they didn't get UTIs and boils,' one user commented, relieved to learn about the antibacterial clothing requirement. Another added humorously, 'When I was a kid I wanted to be an astronaut so badly. Now? Not so much.' Some were more curious: 'How many outfits do they bring?' one person asked. 'Can you identify an astronaut who's been up there too long by whether or not they're naked?' As absurd as burning clothes may sound, NASA and Tide are working on a cleaner, more sustainable solution. In 2022, the detergent giant joined forces with the space agency to develop a fully degradable laundry detergent—formulated specifically for space. Their goal? To make laundry in microgravity a real possibility, even with minimal water use. If successful, future astronauts could enjoy the luxury of clean clothes without having to incinerate them in Earth's atmosphere. So, the next time you toss your laundry into the washer, be grateful. Up in space, even that humble chore requires rocket science.
