India's Shubhanshu Shukla working on experiment to power Gaganyaan Mission
India's first astronaut on the International Space Station, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is working on the space microalgae experiment sent by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).Shux deployed sample bags and captured images of the algae strains. These tiny organisms could play a big role in the future of space exploration, offering a sustainable, nutrient-rich food source for long-duration missions.advertisementMicroalgae are potentially useful organisms for future spaceflight that could be used as foods, fuel, or even in life support systems. In this experiment, three strains of microalgae will be grown, and the impact of microgravity on the growth, metabolism, and genetic activity will be investigated versus algae grown on the ground.
The results could provide Isro with new options to develop the critically needed life support system for the Gaganyaan Mission, the Indian human spaceflight mission.The Axiom crew, meanwhile, also collected data for the Neuro Motion VR project, where astronauts don VR headsets and perform attention-based tasks while their brain activity is monitored using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). This research explores how microgravity affects cognitive and motor functions, which could provide valuable insight for future deep space missions.advertisementMission Commander Peggy Whitson is working on the Cancer in LEO investigation by capturing imaging samples that could unlock new insights into how cancer behaves under the unique stressors of microgravity. She also turned her lens toward creativity, photographing student hardware, science experiments, and artwork for the Saudi Space Agency's Microgravity Challenge.Ahead of conducting the experiment, Shux spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the ISS and said that he was safe and doing fine aboard the Space Station, calling it a "whole new experience". He also said he was extremely glad to represent India in space. Shukla was launched on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida to the Space Station on Wednesday. The spacecraft completed a 28-hour journey before executing a flawless docking manoeuvre at the ISS's Harmony module.He is joined by mission commander Peggy Whitson of the US, and mission specialists Sawosz Uznanski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary.Shukla told PM Modi that he saw Earth as a complete planet with no borders visible and "it is our home".- EndsTune InMust Watch
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
36 minutes ago
- NDTV
Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla To Talk To Students, ISRO Engineers Via Radio
New Delhi: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to interact with school students and scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from his orbital post on the International Space Station via ham radio on Friday evening. The interaction is planned via a telebridge set up at the U R Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, said the Amateur Radio on International Space Station (ARISS), which facilitates interaction of school students with astronauts on the orbital laboratory. Group Captain Shukla is on a 14-day scientific expedition on the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission, along with three other astronauts. The ARISS programme inspires students worldwide to pursue interests and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through amateur radio-communication opportunities with the ISS on-orbit crew. "Contact upcoming with India! @Axiom_Space #Ax4 crew member Shubhanshu Shukla, VU2TNI, will talk to the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Karnataka via ham radio from the Space Station. Scheduled Fri. July 4 at 10:17 UTC, 6:17 AM ET, 3:47 PM ISS via K6DUE telebridge," the ARISS said in a post on X. Ham radio, officially known as amateur radio, is a non-commercial radio-communication service operated by licensed enthusiasts and is considered a reliable mode of communication during disasters, when conventional modes of communication are not available. Meanwhile, Group Captain Shukla was busy conducting the space microalgae experiment on Sunday. He deployed sample bags and captured images of the algae strains in his orbital post on the ISS. "These tiny organisms could play a big role in the future of space exploration, offering a sustainable, nutrient-rich food source for long-duration missions," Axiom Space said. The Axiom-4 crew also collected data for the Neuro Motion VR project, where astronauts don VR headsets and perform attention-based tasks, while their brain activity is monitored using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). "This research explores how microgravity affects cognitive and motor functions, which could provide valuable insight for future deep-space missions," Axiom Space said. Data was also gathered for the Telemetric Health AI study, which integrates biometric data with mission analytics to better understand how spaceflight impacts cardiovascular and balance systems. By applying advanced data-science techniques, the project could lead to smarter, real-time health monitoring -- both on orbit and on Earth.
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
Shubhanshu Shukla to interact with school students, ISRO engineers on Friday
Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to interact with school students and scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation ( ISRO ) from his orbital post on the International Space Station via ham radio on Friday evening. The interaction is planned via a telebridge set up at the U R Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, said the Amateur Radio on International Space Station (ARISS), which facilitates interaction of school students with astronauts on the orbital laboratory. Shukla is on a 14-day scientific expedition on the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission , along with three other astronauts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Top 25 Most Beautiful Women In The World Car Novels Undo The ARISS programme inspires students worldwide to pursue interests and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through amateur radio-communication opportunities with the ISS on-orbit crew. "Contact upcoming with India! @Axiom_Space #Ax4 crew member Shubhanshu Shukla, VU2TNI, will talk to the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Karnataka via ham radio from the Space Station. Scheduled Fri. July 4 at 10:17 UTC, 6:17 AM ET, 3:47 PM ISS via K6DUE telebridge," the ARISS said in a post on X. Live Events — ARISS_Intl (@ARISS_Intl) Ham radio, officially known as amateur radio, is a non-commercial radio-communication service operated by licensed enthusiasts and is considered a reliable mode of communication during disasters, when conventional modes of communication are not available. Meanwhile, Shukla was busy conducting the space microalgae experiment on Sunday. He deployed sample bags and captured images of the algae strains in his orbital post on the ISS. "These tiny organisms could play a big role in the future of space exploration , offering a sustainable, nutrient-rich food source for long-duration missions," Axiom Space said. The Axiom-4 crew also collected data for the Neuro Motion VR project , where astronauts don VR headsets and perform attention-based tasks, while their brain activity is monitored using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). "This research explores how microgravity affects cognitive and motor functions, which could provide valuable insight for future deep-space missions," Axiom Space said. Data was also gathered for the Telemetric Health AI study , which integrates biometric data with mission analytics to better understand how spaceflight impacts cardiovascular and balance systems. By applying advanced data-science techniques, the project could lead to smarter, real-time health monitoring -- both on orbit and on Earth.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
India's space economy set to witness quantum leap in coming years, says Union Minister
Union Minister of State for Personnel and Public Grievances Jitendra Singh on Monday said the country's space economy was set to witness a quantum leap in the coming years. Addressing a seminar on 'Empowering Citizens in Digital India: Administrative, Management and Organisational Reforms,' at the Southern Regional Conference of Indian Institute of Public Administration, the Union Minister said space economy which was at present valued about 8 billion dollars would see 10 times growth in the next five to six years. 'It is very important to explore the unexplored so as to reap the benefits as we march towards becoming a developed country. Space and ocean are potential sectors in contributing towards economic growth. Group captain Shubhanshu Shukla's travel to International Space Station is country's ascendancy to space. Our space economy is set to see a quantum leap. It will be around 44 billion dollars in five to six years,' the Minister said. Referring to the reforms initiated by the Central government in the last 11 years, the Minister said far reaching measures adopted had a social outlook with people feeling self confident and dignified. Technology has empowered citizens and redefined the relationship between government and people through transparent and paperless governance, the Minister said. He said now more than 80 per cent of Indians have a bank account. In the last 11 years, around 55.22 crore bank accounts had been created. The government was able to transfer around ₹44 lakh crore through Direct Benefit Transfer mode to the beneficiaries under various schemes. 'The self esteem of average Indian has gone up substantially, especially the transformation that took place in the digital sphere. The initiatives taken were not confined to governance but were about changing social outlook also. People are feeling more confident about the country now,' the Minister said. Mr. Singh emphasised the pivotal role of Mission Karmayogi in modernising civil services through competency-based training and noted the critical importance of aligning administrative reforms with India's goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. He also released a book titled 'Digital Governance in India-Transforming Public Service Delivery' by T. Gopinath, Assistant Professor and Dean (Student Welfare), Department of Public Administration, Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, Chandigarh. He also honoured retired bureaucrat E. Vallavan for his contribution to public administration. Chief Secretary Sharat Chauhan in his address said Digital India has enabled Puducherry to support data-driven decision-making, streamline reporting for compliance, improve inter-departmental coordination, avoid duplication and strengthen audit mechanisms. Overall, he said organisational efficiency and accountability in delivery of public welfare services have witnessed visible improvements. 'So far, about 60 services of departments such as Fisheries, Social Welfare, Women and Child Development, Adi-Dravidar Welfare and Civil Supplies have been made available online with a common compliance framework for easy data verification. All major e-governance applications have been designed with multilingual support, allowing users to access portals and services in their preferred language to ensure accessibility and enhance citizen participation,' Mr. Chauhan said.
