Florida [US], July 9 (ANI): Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Axiom Mission 4, has expressed his enthusiasm over the array of cutting-edge scientific research under way in space — particularly projects led by Indian scientists.
Since arriving at the ISS, Shukla said he has been “very busy” with a variety of research activities. Speaking with Axiom Space Chief Scientist Dr. Lucie Low on Wednesday, he shared a detailed overview of the mission’s scientific focus and the important role of Indian-led initiatives.
Highlighting the ISS as a premier laboratory for innovation, Shukla described his mission as a milestone for Indian science. “This mission is actually opening the doors for microgravity and space research for Indian researchers and scientists, and I’m so proud that ISRO has collaborated with national institutions across the country. They came up with some fantastic research, which I’m doing on the station on their behalf — it is exciting,” he said.
Shukla outlined the diverse fields of study currently under way, which include stem cell experiments, the impact of microgravity on seed growth, and cognitive load assessments of astronauts. One project he singled out was the stem cell study exploring whether nutritional supplements can accelerate healing and tissue regeneration.
“It has been fantastic, and I feel proud to be this kind of bridge between the researchers and the station. One particular research project which I am really excited about is the stem cell research — where the scientists are trying to explore whether adding supplements to stem cells can accelerate recovery, growth, or repair of injury. It’s been great to work in the glove box conducting this research for them,” he said.
He added: “The research spans various domains and disciplines — from stem cell studies to growing seeds and evaluating the effects of microgravity, to understanding astronauts’ cognitive load while interacting with onboard systems.”
Group Captain Shukla is serving as Mission Pilot on the four-member Ax-4 crew, which launched on June 25 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 3:21 a.m. ET aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. The Dragon spacecraft docked with the ISS on June 26 at 4:05 p.m. IST, ahead of schedule, and the crew is expected to remain on board for up to 14 days.
The Ax-4 mission continues to demonstrate the potential of public-private collaboration in space exploration while giving Indian science a meaningful presence on the ISS. (ANI)
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