The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to script a new chapter in the country’s space history with its upcoming participation in the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission. Scheduled for launch on June 8, 2025, the mission will carry Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first ISRO astronaut to board the International Space Station (ISS), as part of India’s ambitious Gaganyan programme.
The flight marks India’s formal entry into advanced space biology and microgravity research, with seven critical scientific experiments curated for deployment in the unique conditions aboard the ISS. These experiments aim to enhance India’s capabilities in space sciences and prepare for longer-duration crewed spaceflights in future Indian missions.
India’s Foray Into Microgravity Research
ISRO has carefully selected seven microgravity experiments for the Ax-4 mission, each developed by Indian researchers from academic institutions and national laboratories. These experiments will leverage the microgravity environment of the ISS to explore biological, physiological, and technological responses in space — a field of immense relevance for both space exploration and terrestrial science.
Among the most notable of these is an experiment on edible microalgae, designed to understand the effects of space radiation and microgravity on potential sustainable food sources. Given the increasing emphasis on self-sustaining life-support systems for future long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars, this research could play a vital role in formulating nutritional strategies for astronauts.
Another key experiment involves the sprouting of salad seeds in orbit, examining whether plant-based food crops can successfully grow and yield in the microgravity environment. The implications of this study are far-reaching, extending not just to space agriculture but also to nutrition and psychological well-being of crew during long missions.
In addition, a groundbreaking biological experiment will monitor the survival, reproduction, and gene expression of the Paramacrobiotus sp. BLR strain, a species of eutardigrade, known for its resilience to extreme environments. Insights from this study could contribute significantly to space bioscience and our understanding of how life adapts to space conditions.
A further biological study will examine the impact of metabolic supplements on muscle regeneration, offering insights into how microgravity influences muscle atrophy, a common challenge for astronauts during prolonged spaceflights. This research could influence countermeasure strategies for human health in orbit.
On the technological front, one of the shortlisted experiments will explore human interaction with electronic displays in zero gravity — a field essential for space habitat interface design and astronaut performance efficiency.
A final agricultural study will investigate the growth and yield of food crop seeds under microgravity conditions, potentially paving the way for cultivating space farms.
Rigorous Pre-Launch Evaluation Underway
All selected experiments are currently undergoing stringent ground-based testing and review processes. Given the ISS’s complex operational environment and the strict safety standards for human spaceflight, each experiment must pass multiple phases of assessment before being cleared for execution in space.
These studies are designed to be compatible with the research platforms and lab infrastructure already aboard the ISS, thereby maximizing the scientific output while ensuring seamless integration with ongoing activities onboard.
ISRO’s commitment to building a robust space research ecosystem is evident in its collaboration with multiple Indian research entities, drawing from a broad knowledge base in biotechnology, material sciences, and space medicine.
India’s Historic Journey to the International Space Station
The Ax-4 mission holds deep national significance. With this mission, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is poised to become the first Indian to visit the ISS, and only the second Indian in space, after Rakesh Sharma’s landmark flight in 1984 aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft.
Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair has been named as the backup astronaut, ready to assume the flight role in case of any unforeseen contingencies involving Shukla. Both officers were selected following an extensive training regime jointly coordinated by ISRO and international partners.
The Ax-4 mission will be commanded by Peggy Whitson, a seasoned American astronaut and current Director of Human Spaceflight at Axiom Space. She is joined by mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, both representing the growing cadre of commercial astronauts under emerging private spaceflight programs.
Axiom Space, a private spaceflight company based in the United States, has partnered with NASA and international stakeholders to facilitate the commercial use of the ISS. The Ax-4 mission represents the growing collaboration between public space agencies and private enterprises, a trend that is reshaping global space exploration frameworks.
Building India’s Future in Space Biology
The upcoming mission is about more than just symbolism or a milestone moment in Indian space history. It reflects a strategic shift in India’s space exploration goals, where the focus is not only on launching satellites or interplanetary probes but also on understanding how humans can live, work, and thrive in space.
By integrating Indian experiments into an international human spaceflight mission, ISRO aims to develop long-term space research capabilities and nurture a community of scientists familiar with the challenges of conducting research in space. This will be critical in the context of India’s future plans, including a permanent human spaceflight programme, space station modules, and potential missions to the Moon and beyond.
Furthermore, the results from these microgravity experiments are expected to provide scientific data that could influence innovations back on Earth — in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, biotechnology, and healthcare.
A Stepping Stone for Gaganyaan
The Ax-4 mission also serves as a vital preparatory step for India’s maiden human spaceflight mission under the Gaganyaan programme, which aims to send a fully Indian crew to low-Earth orbit aboard an indigenous spacecraft. The knowledge gained from ISS-based microgravity experiments will feed directly into the design of life-support systems, medical protocols, and scientific payloads for Gaganyaan.
By participating in Ax-4, ISRO is also gaining valuable operational experience in working with international crews, managing human-rated missions, and coordinating payloads within the ISS ecosystem — all essential competencies as India inches closer to establishing itself as a human spaceflight nation.
As India prepares to join the elite league of nations with human spaceflight capabilities, the Ax-4 mission represents a critical turning point. Beyond the historic nature of sending an Indian astronaut to the ISS, the focus on microgravity research underlines a commitment to scientific inquiry, self-reliance in space technology, and long-term aspirations in space exploration. The insights gathered from these experiments will not only enrich India’s space research domain but will also serve as a foundational pillar for future space missions, positioning ISRO as a serious player in the global human spaceflight arena.
