Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Advances Key Space Health Research on 10th Day of Axiom-4 Mission
On the 10th day of the ongoing Axiom-4 mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, along with his fellow crewmates, resumed a full slate of scientific activities after a scheduled day of rest.
Saturday’s experiments were focused on deepening humanity’s understanding of how the human body adapts to microgravity, with special emphasis on bone health, radiation exposure, muscle regeneration, and extremophile biology.
Shukla, a 39-year-old pilot from Lucknow, is representing India on this pioneering 14-day private space mission organized by Axiom Space, in collaboration with international partners and research institutions.
As a mission pilot, he is working under the leadership of mission commander Peggy Whitson, a veteran American astronaut with extensive spaceflight experience. The other mission specialists are Tibor Kapu of Hungary and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, making this a truly international crew focused on pushing the boundaries of microgravity research.
Studying Bone Health in Microgravity
One of the flagship experiments of the day was the “Bone on ISS” investigation. This scientific study aims to simulate and understand how human bone tissue behaves in space, where the lack of gravitational load causes bones to deteriorate faster than on Earth.
Shukla and the crew contributed to this important experiment by helping gather biological samples, which will be analysed for biomarkers related to bone loss, inflammation, and tissue regeneration.
According to Axiom Space, the study is building what scientists call a “digital twin”—a virtual, data-driven model of how each astronaut’s bones respond to spaceflight conditions and recover after returning to Earth.
These insights are expected to play a pivotal role in developing personalised countermeasures for astronauts on future long-duration missions to destinations such as the Moon and Mars.
Beyond the realm of space travel, the findings have significant terrestrial applications as well, including potential advancements in the treatment of osteoporosis and age-related bone diseases.
Radiation Exposure and Cognitive Monitoring
In another important experiment, Shukla participated in monitoring radiation exposure levels on board the ISS, a critical concern for all space travellers.
Cosmic radiation is known to pose long-term health risks for astronauts, and this experiment seeks to better understand how radiation interacts with the spacecraft environment and human physiology.
The data gathered may contribute to developing enhanced shielding systems and mission planning strategies for deep-space travel, where astronauts will be away from Earth’s protective magnetic field for extended periods.
Shukla is also part of a broader human performance study titled “Electronic Displays”, which assesses the way astronauts interact with digital interfaces and displays in a microgravity setting. Using software-based tools, he is completing daily cognitive assessments, designed to measure factors like attention span, memory, and reaction times.
The study will help refine the design of crew interfaces for future missions, ensuring that astronauts can operate complex spacecraft systems efficiently and safely under the unique conditions of space.
Space Microalgae and Life Support Research
Furthering research into regenerative life-support systems, Shukla deployed samples for the Space Micro Algae investigation—a futuristic experiment studying how microalgae grow and behave in microgravity.
These tiny organisms are considered potential cornerstones of sustainable space habitats, as they can produce oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, and even serve as sources of nutrients and biofuels.
By observing how microalgae adapt to the stressors of space, scientists hope to lay the groundwork for closed-loop life support systems for future missions beyond Earth orbit.
Meanwhile, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) confirmed that Shukla also completed another groundbreaking experiment involving tardigrades—microscopic animals known for their extreme survival abilities.
The study examines how these resilient creatures survive, revive, and reproduce in the harsh space environment. According to ISRO, this research may yield critical insights into biological resilience and have promising applications in medicine and biotechnology on Earth, particularly in the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Muscle Regeneration and Myogenesis Study
In addition to bone and cognitive experiments, Shukla is actively engaged in a myogenesis study, which aims to explore how muscle tissues respond to the absence of gravity.
Microgravity conditions are known to cause significant muscle atrophy, and this experiment seeks to examine the cellular and molecular processes behind muscle regeneration.
The goal is to identify specific countermeasures and potential treatments that can help maintain astronaut health on long-term missions—and potentially assist in muscle recovery therapies for patients on Earth.
A Broader Scientific Vision
The Axiom-4 mission, which includes 60 individual science experiments, is one of the most ambitious private missions ever conducted aboard the ISS.
Shukla and his fellow astronauts are scheduled to interact with Axiom Space chief scientist Dr. Lucie Low on Sunday to provide updates on the progress and findings of these studies.
In parallel, additional Indian-led experiments focusing on selected strains of microalgae and cyanobacteria are also being carried out. These microorganisms are being tested under space conditions to better understand their utility in nutrient recycling, biomass production, and life support roles for future deep-space missions.
India’s Growing Role in Human Spaceflight
Shukla’s participation in Axiom-4 reflects a growing international recognition of India’s scientific talent in the realm of human spaceflight.
The Gaganyaan programme—India’s upcoming manned space mission—also stands to benefit significantly from the insights and experience gained from Axiom-4.
The involvement of Indian experiments aboard the ISS is a signal of India’s intent to become a key player in space medicine, biotechnology, and life sciences in orbit.
