Shubhanshu Shukla’s 14-Day Mission: A New Chapter in India’s Space Exploration

“It’s been 41 years since Rakesh Sharma looked down from space and said, ‘Saare Jahan Se Accha.’ Now, another Indian Air Force pilot, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is writing the next chapter. On June 26, 2025, he became India’s first astronaut to board the International Space Station, as part of the Axiom-4 mission, a historic private-public collaboration between Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX. And this isn’t just a symbolic moment.

Shubhanshu isn’t just traveling — he’s conducting groundbreaking experiments that will shape India’s Gaganyaan mission and influence the future of human survival in space.”

Why did India invest ₹548 CRORE?

India paid ₹548 crore for this single seat on Axiom-4. That amount covers:

• Astronaut seat booking
• Rigorous training
• Payload and research logistics

Why? Because simulators can only teach so much — but spaceflight gives real experience.

This is a strategic investment in making India space ready — not just for Gaganyaan, but for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

The core mission: 7 scientific experiments in space

During his 14 days aboard the ISS, Shubhanshu will carry out 7 critical Indian experiments — designed by ISRO and leading Indian institutions.

These are India’s first-ever live experiments aboard the ISS. Let’s break down each one.

1. Studying Muscle Loss in Microgravity

Conducted by: Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (InStem), Bengaluru

In space, gravity doesn’t pull on your body the way it does on Earth. As a result, muscle tissues weaken and shrink from disuse — even if astronauts exercise daily.

This experiment analyzes:

• Cellular changes in muscle fibers in microgravity
• The role of myogenic stem cells (which form muscle)
• Potential treatments for muscle degeneration using bioactive compounds
• Impact: Helps prepare long-duration astronauts — and supports research for muscular dystrophy on Earth.

2. Crop Growth in Microgravity

Conducted by: Kerala Agricultural University

To live on Mars or Moon, we must grow food in space.

Shubhanshu is testing six different seed types, including vegetables and cereals, for:

• Genetic changes due to space radiation
• Cellular growth patterns in zero gravity
• Chlorophyll and nutrient production under artificial light

Seeds will return to Earth for lab analysis — to see if they grow better, worse, or mutate beneficially.

Why it matters: This is India’s first step toward bio-regenerative life support systems — where food, oxygen, and waste are managed sustainably in closed environments.

3. Seed Germination and Root Behavior in Space

Conducted by: University of Agricultural Sciences and IIT Dharwad

We know seeds can germinate in microgravity, but how do roots know which way to grow without gravity pulling them down?

This experiment explores:

• Direction of root growth in absence of gravity
• Moisture absorption and nutrient uptake
• Whether gravity affects gene expression during germination

This data helps design future hydroponic systems in orbit.

4. Tardigrade (Water Bear) Survival in Space

Conducted by: Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru

Tardigrades — microscopic creatures — are known for surviving extreme conditions, from freezing cold to space radiation.

In this experiment, Shubhanshu observes:

• How tardigrades respond to cosmic radiation and vacuum
• Changes in DNA repair mechanisms
• Their ability to reproduce in microgravity

Goal: Understand how life can be preserved in deep space and apply findings to human cell protection during long-term missions.

5. Effect of Screen Time on Eyes and Mental Health in Space

Conducted by: ISRO’s Human Space Flight Centre

Astronauts use digital screens 12–16 hours a day for communication, system control, and research. But in space:

• Eye muscles weaken due to no gravity
• Constant light/dark cycles affect focus
• Mental fatigue can rise from prolonged screen exposure

This experiment will:

• Monitor eye movement patterns
• Use sensors to track pupil dilation and cognitive reaction time
• Study changes in mental clarity, stress, and decision-making

Benefit: Improves training for astronauts and screen ergonomics for extended missions.

6. Cognitive Load and Stress in Microgravity

The ISS is cramped, noisy, and operates on tight schedules. Add weightlessness, and even routine tasks become challenging.

This experiment tests:

• Astronaut concentration levels under stress
• Memory recall speed
• Effects of microgravity on brainwave patterns

Instruments used: EEG headbands, biometric stress markers, and reaction-based software.

Why it matters: Helps design mental health protocols for deep space travel.

Cyanobacteria and Biological Farming in Orbit

Conducted by: ISRO and supporting research centers

Cyanobacteria are tiny organisms that perform photosynthesis, like plants.

Shubhanshu carries special bioreactors to test:

• Whether cyanobacteria can convert CO₂ to O₂ in space
• Their ability to purify water
• If they can survive radiation and low gravity

Goal: Lay the foundation for closed-loop farming systems on future space habitats.

5 NASA-ISRO Collaborative Experiments

In addition to Indian studies, Shubhanshu is collaborating with NASA on:

• Nutrient absorption tracking in astronauts
• Radiation shielding performance testing
• Hardware durability studies in microgravity
• Microbiome changes in the human body
• Suit material performance under extended wear

Why this matters for Gaganyaan?

Shubhanshu’s experience is training by doing — something no simulator can replicate. He’s helping ISRO:

1. Test crew behavior and communication under real space conditions
2. Refine safety protocols for emergencies
3. Validate scientific instruments and suit systems
4. Understand microgravity effects on Indian physiology and materials

This cuts down cost and risk for the first crewed Gaganyaan flight

India’s Own Space Station

ISRO aims to build India’s first space station by 2035.

Shubhanshu’s mission isn’t just for Gaganyaan — it’s helping test bioscience, microgravity farming, and crew behavior — all critical for long-term life in space.

₹548 CRORE FOR THE FUTURE

₹548 crore isn’t just a seat to space — it’s a ticket to the future.

From muscle loss to space crops, from tardigrades to mental health, India is collecting insights that will power future astronauts, space farmers, and space doctors. Shubhanshu’s 14 days are a bridge — from Rakesh Sharma’s dream to India’s interplanetary ambition.