Shubhanshu Shukla To Interact With Karnataka Students, ISRO Engineers In Live Space Chat
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Shukla is currently on a 14-day scientific mission on the ISS as part of the Axiom-4 expedition, alongside three other astronauts
Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to speak with school students and scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from his post on the International Space Station (ISS) on June 4 (Friday).
The live interaction will take place via ham radio, using a telebridge set up at the UR Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, Karnataka. This was confirmed by the Amateur Radio on International Space Station (ARISS) programme, which helps students connect with astronauts aboard the ISS.
Shukla is currently on a 14-day scientific mission on the ISS as part of the Axiom-4 expedition, alongside three other astronauts.
The ARISS programme aims to inspire young people worldwide to explore science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) by providing them with the chance to communicate directly with astronauts using amateur radio.
ARISS shared the details of the upcoming contact on X, saying: '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."
Ham radio, also known as amateur radio, is a non-commercial radio system run by licensed operators. It is often used in emergencies when other communication systems fail.
Meanwhile, Shukla has been busy conducting experiments on the ISS. On Sunday, he worked on a space microalgae experiment, deploying sample bags and taking images of the algae strains.
The Axiom-4 crew also took part in the Neuro Motion VR project. This research uses virtual reality headsets and brain monitoring technology to study how microgravity affects cognitive and motor skills. The findings may help improve future deep-space missions.
Additionally, data was collected for the Telemetric Health AI study, which combines biometric data and mission analytics to understand how spaceflight affects heart and balance functions. This work could lead to better, real-time health monitoring in space and on Earth.
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Business Standard
41 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Shubhanshu Shukla conducts stem cell study on ISS, records digestion video
Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) astronaut and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), conducted a series of scientific experiments on Monday focused on muscle health, digestion in space, and astronaut mental well-being. According to Nasa, Shukla worked inside the Kibo laboratory's Life Sciences Glovebox to study how muscle stem cells behave in microgravity. He also recorded an educational video for Indian school students explaining how the human digestive system adapts in space. Nasa said, "Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla filmed a video targeted to young Indian students discussing how the digestion system adapts to space. Next, Shukla worked in Kibo's Life Science Glovebox checking muscle stem cell cultures to learn how to maintain muscle health in space." The Life Sciences Glovebox is a sealed and sterile workspace aboard the ISS that allows astronauts to safely handle biological samples in microgravity. It is large enough to allow two astronauts to work together and is used for experiments requiring clean conditions. According to Nasa, Isro's experiment, Myogenesis, investigates how muscle cells regenerate in space. Astronauts tend to lose muscle mass during extended missions, partly due to microgravity disrupting the function of mitochondria, the part of the cell responsible for energy production. The study involves testing certain metabolic supplements to see if they can improve muscle repair in microgravity. Results from the research may help in developing treatments for age-related muscle loss or muscle-wasting diseases on Earth, in addition to improving astronaut health during long-duration spaceflights. Nasa explained the purpose, saying, "Astronauts lose muscle mass and the ability of muscle cells to regenerate during spaceflight, which may be due to microgravity interfering with metabolism in mitochondria, cell structures that produce energy. The Effect of Metabolic Supplements on Muscle Regeneration Under Microgravity (Myogenesis - Isro) investigation on the Axiom 4 (Ax-4) private astronaut mission uses muscle stem cell cultures to examine the muscle repair process and test chemicals known to support mitochondrial function. Results could lead to interventions that maintain muscle health during long-term space missions and help people on Earth with muscle-related challenges such as age-related muscle loss and muscle-wasting diseases." Other Ax-4 crew members also contributed to scientific research. Mission Commander Peggy Whitson used the Ultrasound 2 device to perform vein scans on Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, to help understand how space affects blood pressure, balance, and vision. According to Nasa, the Ultrasound 2 on the International Space Station (ISS) is a modified commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) ultrasound system that provides high-resolution ultrasound images of target areas in the human body." Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski tested a brain-computer interface using a special headset developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). He later joined Whitson and Shukla in filming content for an astronaut mental health study. Nasa stated, "The Thoughts over Gravity, a Test of Using fNIRS-based Brain, Computer Interface in LEO Conditions (PhotonGrav) investigation verifies the effectiveness of near-infrared technology (fNIRS) in low Earth orbit to record brain activity for constructing brain-computer interfaces (BCI) operated in the microgravity environment." Commenting on the crew's schedule, Nasa said, "The Ax-4 private astronauts had a science-packed Monday fulfilling research objectives for their home countries." The Ax-4 mission is taking place alongside the activities of the ISS's regular Expedition 73 crew. While Ax-4 focuses on privately funded science, Expedition 73 astronauts continue to work on Nasa- and ESA-backed research related to human health and biology in space. Nasa Flight Engineers Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers conducted muscle stimulation tests using biomedical equipment to examine how muscles react to electrical signals. McClain also completed cognitive tests to study how spaceflight affects brain function. Ayers and fellow astronaut Jonny Kim processed blood samples, including collections from Whitson and Uznanski-Wisniewski, for ESA's Bone on ISS study on space-induced bone loss. JAXA Commander Takuya Onishi collected and stored his own blood and urine samples for long-term health monitoring. He also worked on air quality monitoring inside the Kibo module. Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritskiy trained for the arrival of the "Progress 92" cargo spacecraft and loaded the outgoing "Progress 90" with waste for departure. Another cosmonaut, Kirill Peskov, underwent a 24-hour heart and blood pressure monitoring session and prepared the European robotic arm for upcoming operations. Summarising the week's activities, Nasa said, "The seven-member Expedition 73 crew wrapped up a weekend of housecleaning and relaxation, then kicked off Monday with muscle and brain research aboard the International Space Station. Their Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) counterparts worked throughout the weekend and began the week taking a closer look at muscle cells and exploring brain-computer interfaces." On June 26, Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to board the International Space Station. The Ax-4 crew includes former Nasa astronaut Peggy Whitson, Isro astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, and ESA astronauts Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. The mission is expected to last up to 14 days. Axiom Mission 4 was launched at noon IST on June 25 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at Nasa's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS on June 26 at 4:05 pm IST, ahead of schedule, connecting to the space-facing port of the station's Harmony module.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Shubhanshu Shukla studies muscle stem cells, films digestion demo on ISS for Indian students
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) astronaut and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla , currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), conducted a series of scientific experiments on Monday focused on muscle health , digestion in space, and astronaut mental well-being. According to NASA , Shukla worked inside the Kibo laboratory's Life Sciences Glovebox to study how muscle stem cells behave in microgravity . He also recorded an educational video for Indian school students explaining how the human digestive system adapts in space. NASA said, "Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla filmed a video targeted to young Indian students discussing how the digestion system adapts to space. Next, Shukla worked in Kibo's Life Science Glovebox checking muscle stem cell cultures to learn how to maintain muscle health in space." Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: Unsold Sofas at Bargain Prices (View Current Prices) Sofas | Search Ads Search Now Undo The Life Sciences Glovebox is a sealed and sterile workspace aboard the ISS that allows astronauts to safely handle biological samples in microgravity. It is large enough to allow two astronauts to work together and is used for experiments requiring clean conditions. According to NASA, ISRO's experiment, Myogenesis, investigates how muscle cells regenerate in space. Astronauts tend to lose muscle mass during extended missions, partly due to microgravity disrupting the function of mitochondria, the part of the cell responsible for energy production. The study involves testing certain metabolic supplements to see if they can improve muscle repair in microgravity. Results from the research may help in developing treatments for age-related muscle loss or muscle-wasting diseases on Earth, in addition to improving astronaut health during long-duration spaceflights. Live Events NASA explained the purpose, saying, "Astronauts lose muscle mass and the ability of muscle cells to regenerate during spaceflight, which may be due to microgravity interfering with metabolism in mitochondria, cell structures that produce energy. The Effect of Metabolic Supplements on Muscle Regeneration Under Microgravity (Myogenesis - ISRO) investigation on the Axiom 4 (Ax-4) private astronaut mission uses muscle stem cell cultures to examine the muscle repair process and test chemicals known to support mitochondrial function. Results could lead to interventions that maintain muscle health during long-term space missions and help people on Earth with muscle-related challenges such as age-related muscle loss and muscle-wasting diseases." Other Ax-4 crew members also contributed to scientific research. Mission Commander Peggy Whitson used the Ultrasound 2 device to perform vein scans on Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, to help understand how space affects blood pressure, balance, and vision. According to NASA, the Ultrasound 2 on the International Space Station (ISS) is a modified commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) ultrasound system that provides high-resolution ultrasound images of target areas in the human body." Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski tested a brain-computer interface using a special headset developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). He later joined Whitson and Shukla in filming content for an astronaut mental health study. NASA stated, "The Thoughts over Gravity, a Test of Using fNIRS-based Brain, Computer Interface in LEO Conditions (PhotonGrav) investigation verifies the effectiveness of near-infrared technology (fNIRS) in low Earth orbit to record brain activity for constructing brain-computer interfaces (BCI) operated in the microgravity environment." Commenting on the crew's schedule, NASA said, "The Ax-4 private astronauts had a science-packed Monday fulfilling research objectives for their home countries." The Ax-4 mission is taking place alongside the activities of the ISS's regular Expedition 73 crew. While Ax-4 focuses on privately funded science, Expedition 73 astronauts continue to work on NASA- and ESA-backed research related to human health and biology in space. NASA Flight Engineers Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers conducted muscle stimulation tests using biomedical equipment to examine how muscles react to electrical signals. McClain also completed cognitive tests to study how spaceflight affects brain function. Ayers and fellow astronaut Jonny Kim processed blood samples, including collections from Whitson and Uznanski-Wisniewski, for ESA's Bone on ISS study on space-induced bone loss. JAXA Commander Takuya Onishi collected and stored his own blood and urine samples for long-term health monitoring. He also worked on air quality monitoring inside the Kibo module. Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritskiy trained for the arrival of the "Progress 92" cargo spacecraft and loaded the outgoing "Progress 90" with waste for departure. Another cosmonaut, Kirill Peskov, underwent a 24-hour heart and blood pressure monitoring session and prepared the European robotic arm for upcoming operations. Summarising the week's activities, NASA said, "The seven-member Expedition 73 crew wrapped up a weekend of housecleaning and relaxation, then kicked off Monday with muscle and brain research aboard the International Space Station. Their Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) counterparts worked throughout the weekend and began the week taking a closer look at muscle cells and exploring brain-computer interfaces." On June 26, Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to board the International Space Station. The Ax-4 crew includes former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, and ESA astronauts Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. The mission is expected to last up to 14 days. Axiom Mission 4 was launched at noon IST on June 25 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS on June 26 at 4:05 pm IST, ahead of schedule, connecting to the space-facing port of the station's Harmony module.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Shux, crew, study microalgae, cancer, cognition & more
The view was still extraordinary, but the work, even more so for the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew. With Earth turning silently below them, the crew, including India's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (Shux) spent their third day aboard the International Space Station (ISS) studying cancer, cognition, microalgae, the building blocks of long-term spaceflight, and more. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The experiments being carried out by Shux and other crew members are part of the more than 60 scientific investigations from 31 countries, including India, the US, Poland, Hungary, Brazil, Nigeria, and Saudi Arabia. After all, Ax-4 is the most research-intensive private mission to the ISS to date. Shux, who had kicked off his research activity with a muscle loss study the previous day, was hard at work on a project that's microscopic in size but potentially massive in impact. He deployed sample bags and imaging tools for a space microalgae experiment, studying how these tiny organisms fare in orbit. Rich in nutrients and capable of recycling carbon dioxide, microalgae could become a key part of long-duration space missions — a source of food, oxygen and life support rolled into one. He was also part of, along with other AX-4 crew, the 'Neuro Motion VR' study, which uses virtual reality headsets and brain-monitoring technology (fNIRS) to observe how astronauts' cognitive and motor functions respond to spaceflight. 'Alongside that, they collected data for 'Telemetric Health AI', a project that merges biometric tracking with AI analytics to better understand how spaceflight affects the cardiovascular and balance systems. These studies aren't just academic. They're building the foundations for safe, extended human missions into deep space,' Axiom Space said. Commander Peggy Whitson, a seasoned astronaut on her fourth spaceflight, devoted much of the day to the Cancer in LEO (low-Earth orbit) investigation. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Working with the Sanford Stem Cell Institute, she captured imaging samples of cancer cells exposed to microgravity. The stress of space may change the way these cells behave, potentially offering clues to tackling aggressive, metastatic cancers back on Earth. Her camera didn't stop there. Whitson also photographed student-designed science experiments and artwork for the Saudi Space Agency's Microgravity Challenge — a competition that drew over 80,000 entries from young innovators across the Arab world. With submissions ranging from sustainable farming ideas to space-inspired art, it's an example of how missions like Ax-4 can inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and dreamers. Mission specialist Suave (Slawosz Uznanski) focused his attention on the microfluidic design experiment to observe how fluids behave in low gravity. The end goal? Developing microfluidic devices that test drug stability and quality — a vital step toward bringing autonomous health care to future space travellers. And yet, research isn't the only focus. The crew also reached out to Earth. Tibor Kapu shared a live conversation with Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán, while Whitson and Suave spoke with Axiom Space Chief Scientist Dr Lucie Low about protecting astronauts from space radiation — a challenge no future mission can ignore.
