Axiom-4 Mission, carrying India's Shubhanshu Shukla, to launch on May 29
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Axiom-4: Bengaluru 'water bears' serve their purpose in space
Pics credit: Axiom Space He may have witnessed more than a hundred sunrises and sunsets from orbit, but for Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla , the first eight days aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have been a whirlwind of scientific discovery. While six of the seven Isro-led experiments are underway, tardigrades or 'water bears' that travelled all the way from Bengaluru to the orbital lab some 400 km from Earth, have served their purpose in space. Shux, who kicked off his scientific experiments with Myogenesis — to investigate the biological pathways behind skeletal muscle degradation in microgravity inside the Life Sciences Glovebox, marked his first week in orbit by completing the study on tardigrades or 'water bears'. 'Shukla has successfully completed the microgravity experiment involving Tardigrades onboard the ISS,' Isro confirmed. The next step would be for the principal investigators to analyse the data obtained from experiments conducted by Shux. The study focused on tardigrades' survival, revival, and reproductive behaviour in space. It will provide valuable insights into the underlying biological mechanisms leading to resilience of extremophile organisms in microgravity environments and has potential applications on Earth especially in the area of therapeutics,' Isro confirmed. Bengaluru 'Water Bears' The water bears at ISS were studied in the Voyager Tardigrades experiment designed by researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). Biochemist Sandeep Eswarappa and team at IISc, who spent over five years studying tardigrades, resilient microscopic organisms that have survived five mass extinctions, discovered a Paramacrobiotus species with an astonishing defence: When exposed to lethal ultraviolet radiation, this species absorbs the harmful rays and emits harmless blue fluorescence instead. That was the first direct experimental evidence of photoprotective fluorescence in any organism. And, it is this 'Bengaluru strain' of the tardigrade that has flown to the ISS with Shux. Other experiments Shux's first eight days in orbit as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission have been defined not just by spectacle, but also a series of intricate biological investigations that could transform both future space missions and life on Earth. The Myogenesis study, on the other hand, is progressing with planned interventions and recording of observations as per the experiment protocol. In parallel, other Indian experiments for studying selected strains of microalgae and cyanobacteria under space conditions are ongoing, contributing to research on regenerative life support systems and crew nutrition. 'As part of the Electronic Displays human research study, Shux carried out daily software-based cognitive and interface assessments. The study aims to optimise crew interaction with digital systems in the unique environment of space,' Isro added. A day before the well-deserved 'rest day' upon completing half his stay at the ISS, he had begun documenting the progress of the Cyanobacteria Growth Experiment, another Isro-led study analysing how photosynthetic bacteria behave in space. These tiny organisms could one day form the backbone of life support systems on long-duration missions, recycling carbon dioxide into oxygen and aiding water regeneration. Shux also helped deploy and manage samples for the Space Microalgae investigation — another study with enormous potential. Microalgae, already valued on Earth for their rapid growth and nutritional content, are being cultivated in orbit to observe how microgravity influences their metabolism, genetic activity, and biomass yield. These hardy organisms may serve as future spacefarers' food, fuel, or even pharmaceutical source.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
India has made huge leap in missile technology: Former DRDO chairman
Dr G Satheesh Reddy COIMBATORE: India has reduced its missile production turnaround time from 10-12 years to 2-3 years, making a huge leap in technology, said Dr G Satheesh Reddy, president of the Aeronautical Society of India and former secretary of Directorate of Defence Research & Development and chairman of DRDO . 'This enables us to stand on a par with developed countries like the US, Russia and China though these countries are one to two decades ahead of us," he told TOI on the sidelines of a programme in Coimbatore on Saturday. "India is a missile power. India is actively developing hypersonic missiles and air-to-ground-borne missiles like the BrahMos,' he said. He said India has 300-400 drone manufacturing companies with nearly 25,000 AI engineers in the southern region. They are capable of making the world use products made in India. "So far, India was working for others, getting their products. Now India has to make them get our products and also get them to work for us," he said. Earlier, addressing at the Academia-Industry Meet 2025 for Aerospace & Defence, hosted by the Kumaraguru Centre for Industrial Research & Innovation in association with the Aeronautical Society of India, he highlighted four key takeaways from Operation Sindoor. First, the Indian armed forces have gained confidence in indigenous technologies. Second, it boosted the morale of the country. Third, the industry has witnessed success, which will increase orders. Lastly, the world has seen India's capabilities, which is expected to increase export orders as well.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to interact with school students at NESAC on Tuesday
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to interact with school students at ISRO 's North East Space Application Centre (NESAC) from his orbital post on the International Space Station via ham radio on Tuesday interaction is planned via a telebridge set up NESAC in Shillong, said the Amateur Radio on International Space Station (ARISS), which facilitates interaction of school students with astronauts on the orbital is on a 14-day scientific expedition on the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission , along with three other ARISS programme inspires students worldwide to pursue their interests and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through amateur radio communication opportunities with the ISS on-orbit crew."Axiom_Space #Ax4 crew member Shubhanshu Shukla, VU2TNI, will talk with students at NESAC in Meghalaya via ham radio," ARISS said in a post on X about Tuesday's Friday, Shukla interacted with students at the U R Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru. Ham radio enthusiasts tuned in to the designated frequency to listen in to the radio, also 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. PTI
