Cosmic Cuisine: India’s Recipe for Space Survival
New Delhi: In a groundbreaking stride for India’s space ambitions, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, one of the nation’s pioneering astronauts, is set to conduct cutting-edge food and nutrition experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). Announced by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, these experiments, born from a collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) with NASA’s support, aim to unlock the secrets of sustainable nutrition for long-duration space missions, potentially redefining how humans live beyond Earth.
Shukla, serving as Mission Pilot alongside Commander Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut, and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, both representing the European Space Agency, will spearhead experiments focusing on edible microalgae and cyanobacteria. These microscopic organisms, unassuming yet powerful, could hold the key to self-sustaining life support systems in space.
India’s Space Menu: Microalgae, Made in Microgravity
The first experiment will explore how microgravity and space radiation affect microalgae, a nutrient-dense food source that grows rapidly, produces high-protein biomass, absorbs carbon dioxide, and releases oxygen. By studying changes in their transcriptomes, proteomes, and metabolomes compared to Earth conditions, Indian scientists hope to harness microalgae’s potential to feed astronauts while supporting closed-loop life support systems critical for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Spirulina in Space: India’s Cosmic Nutrition Quest
The second experiment dives into the growth and proteomic response of cyanobacteria, specifically Spirulina and Synechococcus, under microgravity. Spirulina, often hailed as a “superfood” for its rich protein and vitamin content, will be cultivated in urea- and nitrate-based media to test its viability as a sustainable food source. The research will also investigate whether nitrogen sources derived from human waste, such as urea, can fuel cyanobacterial growth, a crucial step toward recycling carbon and nitrogen in spacecraft. These organisms, capable of thriving in tight spaces and producing more biomass per unit volume than traditional crops, could revolutionise space nutrition by enabling bio-recycling systems for future space habitats.
What sets this mission apart is India’s self-reliance in space biotechnology. The experiments will utilise indigenously developed biotechnology kits, meticulously designed and validated by Indian scientists for microgravity conditions. These kits, a testament to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, mark a significant milestone in India’s ability to produce world-class scientific tools for frontier research. The deployment of these kits aboard the ISS underscores the country’s growing prowess in space exploration and biotechnology, positioning it as a key player in the global space sector.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, who holds multiple portfolios including Space, Science and Technology, and Earth Sciences, emphasised the broader implications of these experiments during a media briefing. He highlighted the formation of an ISRO-DBT Joint Working Group (JWG) to accelerate collaborations in space biotechnology and biomanufacturing. Institutions like the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in New Delhi and BRIC-inStem in Bengaluru are already exploring new opportunities, with the JWG discussing a joint ‘Announcement of Opportunity’ to tackle challenges in in-space manufacturing and bio-regenerative systems. These efforts signal India’s commitment to not only reaching space but shaping sustainable human existence in it.
Shukla, part of India’s first team of astronauts trained for human spaceflight, with Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair as his backup, will carry the nation’s aspirations aboard the Ax-4 mission, managed by Axiom Space and launched via SpaceX Falcon 9. This mission marks a historic moment as India’s first astronaut-scientist-led space biology experiments take flight, transitioning the country from a provider of launch services to a leader in space exploration and sustainability.
As India looks to the stars, the success of these experiments could transform how astronauts eat and survive in space, paving the way for bio-recycling systems in closed habitats. With microalgae and cyanobacteria as potential cornerstones of space nutrition, India is not just exploring the cosmos but reimagining humanity’s future among the stars.
– global bihari bureau
