India Tests Space Agriculture: 7 Expeditions on Space Station Conducting Water Bears Cultivation
Blasting Off to the ISS: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India's upcoming space traveler, is gearing up for a thrilling journey to the International Space Station (ISS) next month. His mission is packed with seven groundbreaking experiments focused on agriculture, biotechnology, and human biology, designed by Indian researchers from renowned institutions like the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and more.
His primary objective is to delve into the fascinating realm of 'space technology, space bio-manufacturing, and bio-astronautics.' For instance, growing teeny water bears (or tardigrades)—these microscopic organisms, reaching just 0.5mm in length, will be nurtured in the football field-sized space station. The study aims to unlock the secrets of how living beings adapt to microgravity conditions.
The extraterrestrial agricultural venture doesn't stop with growing water bears. Group Captain Shukla will also work on sprouting salad seeds in space—an experimental initiative by the University of Agricultural Sciences in Dharwad, Karnataka. This foray into space farming is crucial for sustained crew nutrition during extended space sojourns.
In the realm of microbial exploration, Shukla plans to grow special bacteria to examine their behavior under microgravity conditions. This research may pave the way for innovations in bioastronautics and biotechnology that will prove vital in space missions.
The goal to understand why astronauts face muscle loss in space is another key aspect of Shukla's mission. By studying the impact of space on muscle cells, he aims to uncover potential strategies for maintaining muscle health during prolonged space voyages.
The field of microgravity research holds vast opportunities in areas like human health, physical and life sciences, material research, novel pharmaceutical development, and biotechnology. ISRO has handpicked seven intriguing experiments that align with these sectors. Here's a brief look at each experiment and its potential application:
- Microalgae Research: This collaborative effort between the International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (ICGEB) and the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) aims to investigate the effect of microgravity radiation on edible microalgae. Important for sustainable space explorations, insights from this study can contribute to improving space food production systems.
- Space Salad: This experiment seeks to monitor the growth of salad seeds in space, relevant to crew nutrition during extended space missions.
- Water Bears' Survival Study: Conducted by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), this research centers around the survival, revival, reproduction, and analysis of the Eutardigrade Paramacrobiotus sp. BLR strain in space, shedding light on how these microscopic creatures adapt to this unique environment.
- Muscle Regeneration Study: The Institute of Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine will investigate the effect of metabolic supplements on muscle regeneration under microgravity conditions. This research could lead to the development of treatments for muscle-related issues both in space and on Earth.
- Human Interaction with Electronic Displays: This IISc-led study will delve into how humans interact with electronic displays in microgravity, with potentially far-reaching implications for space travel and human-computer interfaces.
- Cyanobacteria Research: Conducted by the ICGEB, this research experiment analyzes the growth and proteomics responses of cyanobacteria under microgravity, possibly leading to advancements in space biotechnology.
- Microgravity Agriculture: This joint collaboration between the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) and the Kerala Agricultural University's College of Agriculture will examine the impact of microgravity on the growth and yield parameters in seeds, helping us understand how to produce food efficiently in space.
It's not just Shukla who will be heading to the ISS; he will nestle among esteemed space travelers like Peggy Whitson (a former NASA astronaut and mission commander), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. Together, they are poised to push the boundaries of microgravity research and advance our understanding of space exploration. The global significance and collaborative nature of this mission are truly awe-inspiring, with participants representing Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, Europe, and beyond. Shukla's journey is undoubtedly a giant leap for India's space program.
- Group Captain Shukla's mission to the International Space Station (ISS) involves growing water bears, or tardigrades, to investigate how living beings adapt to microgravity conditions, which is a crucial part of the field of space and astronomy.
- Shukla's space journey also includes an experimental initiative by the University of Agricultural Sciences in Dharwad, Karnataka, where salad seeds will be sprouted in space to support sustained crew nutrition during extended space sojourns, contributing to the health and wellness sector.
- The medical-conditions aspect of Shukla's mission is focused on understanding why astronauts face muscle loss in space, aiming to uncover potential strategies for maintaining muscle health during prolonged space voyages, which is significant for space and astronautics.
- With the Space Salad experiment, the field of agriculture is being extended into space, potentially paving the way for supplements and innovations in long-term space exploration and missions.
- In cooperation with various renowned institutions, ISRO has selected seven experiments in areas such as biotechnology, human biology, and space technology to be conducted on the ISS, demonstrating the significance of microgravity research in the physical and life sciences, material research, novel pharmaceutical development, and biotechnology.
