India Sends Seven Scientific Experiments to Space with Axiom Mission 4
India has taken a big step in space research by sending seven microgravity experiments to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). These experiments are being carried out by Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s second astronaut in space after Rakesh Sharma.
The Ax-4 mission, launched on June 25, 2025 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, is a joint effort by Axiom Space (USA), NASA, ISRO, and the European Space Agency (ESA). The mission used SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft to carry the crew to the ISS. After a journey of about 28 hours, the crew safely docked with the space station and began their 14-day stay in orbit.
As part of this mission, ISRO has selected seven experiments proposed by Indian scientists from top research institutes and universities to study how space conditions affect living things, human health, and technology.
Here are the seven Indian experiments being conducted in space:
- Microalgae Growth in Space Radiation: Conducted by the International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (ICGEB) and the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), this study observes how edible microalgae respond to space radiation. Microalgae are important for future space food and oxygen supply.
- Seed Sprouting in Microgravity: Led by the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, and IIT Dharwad, this experiment studies how salad seeds sprout in weightless conditions. It can help in growing fresh food for astronauts on long space missions.
- Tardigrades' Survival and Gene Activity: The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, is studying tardigrades, tiny organisms known for surviving extreme conditions. This experiment looks at how they survive, reproduce, and what genes help them adapt in space.
- Muscle Regeneration in Space: This research by the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem) explores the effect of metabolic supplements on muscle growth and repair in space, where astronauts often face muscle loss.
- Human Interaction with Screens in Space: Another project by IISc Bangalore studies how astronauts interact with electronic displays in microgravity. It helps improve user experience and safety while using devices in space.
- Nutrient Use in Cyanobacteria in Microgravity: The ICGEB is also testing how cyanobacteria, simple photosynthetic organisms, grow using urea and nitrate as nutrients. These organisms could be useful for producing oxygen and food in space.
- Crop Growth and Yield in Space Conditions: A joint project by the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) examines how food crop seeds grow and produce yield in microgravity.
All experiments are undergoing strict safety checks and are being conducted using research facilities available onboard the ISS.
These studies mark a proud moment for Indian science and space exploration. They not only support the global scientific community but also help India prepare for future space missions, including long-duration human spaceflight and planetary exploration.