Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla To Serve As Mission Pilot On Axiom-4 Mission: Jitendra Singh
New Delhi:
Union Minister for Department of Space, Jitendra Singh announced on Saturday that Shubhanshu Shukla, one of India's astronauts, will conduct exclusive food and nutrition-related experiments onboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the upcoming Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a release from the Ministry of Science and Technology said.
The experiments--developed under a collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA--aim to pioneer space nutrition and self-sustaining life support systems vital for future long-duration space travel.
Union Minister Singh detailed that the first ISS experiment will examine the impact of microgravity and space radiation on edible microalgae--a high-potential, nutrient-rich food source. The study will focus on key growth parameters and the changes in transcriptomes, proteomes, and metabolomes of various algal species in space compared to Earth conditions.
Presenting an example of Atmanirbhar Bharat, the Space biology experiments aboard the ISS will be conducted using indigenously developed biotechnology kits under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). These specialized kits, tailored for microgravity conditions, have been designed and validated by Indian scientists to ensure precision and reliability in space-based research. Their deployment marks a major milestone in India's ability to deliver world-class scientific tools for frontier research and underscores the country's growing self-reliance in critical technologies for space exploration and biotechnology.
"Microalgae grow rapidly, produce high-protein biomass, absorb carbon dioxide, and release oxygen--making them perfect candidates for sustainable space nutrition and closed-loop life support systems," said the Minister.
Some species can grow in as little as 26 hours, and when cultivated in photobioreactors, they produce more biomass per unit volume than traditional crops--crucial for space missions with tight space and resource constraints.
The second experiment will investigate the growth and proteomic response of cyanobacteria--specifically Spirulina and Synechococcus--under microgravity, using urea- and nitrate-based media. The research will evaluate the potential of Spirulina as a space "superfood" due to its high protein and vitamin content, assess the feasibility of using nitrogen sources derived from human waste, such as urea, for cyanobacterial growth, and study the effects of microgravity on cellular metabolism and biological efficiency. These insights are critical for developing closed-loop, self-sustaining life support systems essential for long-duration space missions.
"These organisms could be the key to carbon and nitrogen recycling in spacecraft and future space habitats," Singh emphasized.
Jitendra Singh noted that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as Mission Pilot on the Axiom-4 mission, alongside Commander Peggy Whitson (USA, former NASA astronaut); Mission Specialist Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland/ESA); and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu (Hungary/ESA).
Captain Shukla is part of the first team of Indian astronauts trained for human spaceflight, with Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair serving as his designated backup. The Ax-4 mission, managed by Axiom Space and launched via SpaceX Falcon 9, is a landmark for India's first astronaut-scientist-led space biology experiments onboard the ISS.
To drive future innovation, an ISRO-DBT Joint Working Group (JWG) has been constituted to accelerate collaborations in Space Biotechnology and Space Biomanufacturing. Institutions including the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, and BRIC-inStem, Bengaluru, are currently exploring new experiment opportunities.
"The JWG recently discussed a joint 'Announcement of Opportunity' in Space Biotech, highlighting challenges and pathways for in-space manufacturing, bio-regenerative systems, and extra-terrestrial biomanufacturing for long-term missions," said Jitendra Singh.
With these initiatives, India is not just reaching space--but shaping how humans will live, eat, and survive in it. The success of these experiments has the potential to revolutionize human nutrition in space and enable bio-recycling systems for closed habitats.
Dr. Jitendra Singh affirmed that this mission underscores India's growing influence in the global space sector and its transition from launch services to space exploration, sustainability, and science leadership.
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Group Captain is all set to make history as the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS). A decorated test pilot from the Indian Air Force and one of ISRO's four astronauts selected for India's , Shukla will serve as the pilot on the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This milestone mission marks India's return to human spaceflight after more than four decades and underscores its growing presence in international space exploration. Shubhanshu Shukla's early life and education Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shubhanshu Shukla completed his schooling at City Montessori School, Lucknow. Inspired by the 1999 Kargil War, he was determined to serve the nation and cleared the UPSC National Defence Academy (NDA) examination. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science in 2005. Later, during his astronaut training, he pursued a Master of Technology degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, showcasing his strong academic foundation in both military and scientific disciplines. Indian Air Force career Shukla was commissioned into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in June 2006 as a Flying Officer in the fighter stream. Over the years, he has become a highly experienced and respected test pilot with over 2,000 hours of flying time across a wide range of aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier 228, and An-32. As a combat leader and experimental test pilot, Shukla's expertise in aviation made him an ideal candidate for India's emerging human spaceflight program. Shubhanshu Shukla's selection and training for the Axiom Mission 4 In 2019, Shukla was shortlisted by the Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) for ISRO's first astronaut training group. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now After rigorous evaluation, he was selected among the final four astronauts. In 2020, he traveled to the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia for basic spaceflight training, which he completed in 2021. He then returned to India for further mission-specific preparation at ISRO's Astronaut Training Facility in Bangalore. His selection was officially announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 27, 2024, during a visit to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. Axiom Mission 4 Group Captain Shukla will pilot the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), an international collaboration between NASA, SpaceX, Axiom Space, and ISRO. Axiom Mission 4 is a planned private spaceflight to the International Space Station operated by Axiom Space in partnership with SpaceX and NASA. The flight is scheduled to lift off from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center no earlier than June 9, 2025, at 12:46 UTC, and will last about two to three weeks. The crew includes commander Peggy Whitson (USA), mission specialists Sławosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary). Fellow vyomanaut Prasanth Nair is designated as the backup astronaut. Shukla's participation marks a historic first for India at the ISS and is a crucial step toward the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission. What are the experiments he will do at the ISS? The Ax-4 mission will conduct around 60 scientific experiments from 31 countries, with seven selected by ISRO from Indian researchers. These include studies on: Growth of microalgae and cyanobacteria Muscle regeneration in microgravity Sprouting of green gram (moong) and fenugreek — aimed at future Indian space food systems Resilience of tardigrades (microscopic life forms) Seed germination in space Human-computer interaction in microgravity environments These experiments reflect India's growing interest in space biosciences and long-duration human spaceflight research. Personal life of Shubhanshu Shukla Shubhanshu Shukla is married to Dr. Kamna, a dentist, and the couple has a four-year-old son. He comes from a humble family background — his father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, is a retired government officer, and his mother, Asha Shukla, is a homemaker. He is the youngest of three siblings. In his free time, Shukla enjoys physical exercise, reading science and space literature. As Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to embark on the historic Axiom Mission 4, he not only carries the aspirations of a nation but also represents a new era in India's space journey. From the skies as a fighter pilot to the vast expanse of space, his remarkable journey reflects the power of dedication, discipline, and scientific ambition. With his mission to the ISS, Shukla is set to inspire a new generation of Indians to dream beyond the boundaries of Earth and aim for the stars.
