Diabetes To Methi & Moong Dal: Axiom 4 Will Help ISRO Study These Things
Axiom Mission 4: NASA and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are collaborating to launch several scientific investigations
The Axiom Mission 4, including Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla which was launched on Wednesday, is set to conduct major research, including 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, including the US, India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations across Europe.
The research will cover space agriculture (e.g. methi, moong daal), tardigrade biology, muscle loss prevention, glucose regulation (Suite Ride diabetes study), cognitive/computer interaction, and more.
This will be the most research and science-related activities conducted on an Axiom Space mission aboard the International Space Station to date. NASA and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) are collaborating to launch several scientific investigations.
These studies include examining muscle regeneration, growth of sprouts and edible microalgae, survival of tiny aquatic organisms, and human interaction with electronic displays in microgravity.
WHAT ISRO WILL STUDY
The Axiom-4 mission also sets the tone for ISRO's own Gaganyaan Mission, a project to send a 3-day manned mission to the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) of 400 km with a crew of three members and bring them safely back to Earth.
Shukla's Axiom-4 mission is set to offer a ray of hope for diabetics to travel to space, as a UAE-based healthcare provider is conducting an experiment on how glucose behaves in microgravity conditions. As part of the 'Suite Ride" experiment planned by Burjeel Holdings and Axiom Space, some astronauts of the Axiom-4 mission will be wearing continuous glucose monitors during their 14-day stay on board the orbital lab.
The studies of the behaviour of glucose and insulin in microgravity conditions will help scientists develop wearable technologies for astronauts and patients who are bedridden or have limited mobility due to illnesses such as paralysis. 'We are trying just to see if there is any change or fluctuation to the blood-sugar levels while they are in space," Mohammad Fityan, chief medical officer at Burjeel Holdings, Abu Dhabi, told PTI.
The astronauts will also carry insulin pens in refrigerated and ambient temperatures to examine how the molecules respond to microgravity conditions.
Currently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) does not allow insulin-dependent diabetics to travel to space. There are no official exclusions for non-insulin-dependent diabetics, but so far, no astronaut with diabetes has travelled to space.
With PTI, ANI Inputs
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deep space ISRO nasa
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New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
June 25, 2025, 12:01 IST
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