Shubhanshu Shukla Is Growing Moong and Methi in Space; His Return Is Delayed by At Least 4 Days

One standout experiment led by Shukla involves the germination of ‘moong’ and ‘methi’ seeds in microgravity.

The return of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla who is currently onboard the International Space Station (ISS) is getting delayed by at least 4 days. Shubhanshu and his Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission crew is now likely to return by July 14 instead of July 10, as was planned earlier, the European Space Agency (ESA) said.

The Ax-4 team includes mission commander Peggy Whitson, mission pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, and mission specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu.

Growing Food in Space: Moong and Methi Sprouts

One standout experiment led by Shukla involves the germination of ‘moong’ and ‘methi’ seeds in microgravity. The seeds were inserted into petri dishes and stored in the -80°C ISS freezer. The experiment is being conducted under the guidance of Dr. Ravikumar Hosamani (University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad) and Dr. Sudheer Siddapureddy (IIT Dharwad).

These seeds will be cultivated over several generations post-return to study the impact of space conditions on their genetics, microbial environments, and nutritional profiles.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Dragon capsule “Grace” launched on June 25 and docked with the ISS approximately 28 hours later on June 26. The crew began their scientific operations on June 27, initiating a 14-day research schedule that was expected to conclude on July 10.

However, in a recent advisory, ESA confirmed that astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski’s return to Cologne, Germany, home to the European Astronaut Centre (EAC), will not happen before July 14. The delay, according to the ESA, hinges on the final confirmation of the Dragon spacecraft’s undocking schedule.

Post-Mission Rehabilitation and Monitoring

Upon return, Sławosz will be transferred to ESA’s envihab facility at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) for thorough medical monitoring, debriefing, and rehabilitation. ESA’s space medicine team, including flight surgeons and physiotherapists, will oversee his recovery and readjustment to Earth’s gravity through a tailored program.

Axiom-4’s Scientific Endeavours on ISS

Despite the delay, the Ax-4 mission has been hailed for its significant scientific contributions, with over 60 experiments representing 31 countries. Notably, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the mission pilot from India, is conducting seven indigenously developed microgravity experiments, along with five collaborative studies with ISRO and NASA.

Microalgae: Future Nutrition for Long-Duration Space Missions

Another critical experiment carried out by Shukla focuses on microalgae cultivation aboard the ISS. These organisms are being studied for their potential to produce food, oxygen, and biofuels, offering a sustainable life-support alternative for future long-duration space travel. Their resilience in extreme environments makes them a prime candidate for space-based agriculture.

Sustainable Space Farming: Capturing Data for the Future

Shukla is also leading an experiment on growing six varieties of crop seeds that will be cultivated and monitored across multiple generations after the mission. The objective is to identify traits suited for sustainable farming in space through genetic analysis.

With ESA confirming a tentative return date no earlier than July 14, the Axiom-4 crew’s extended stay not only underscores the dynamic nature of space missions but also enhances the mission’s scientific value. As the Ax-4 astronauts continue their work, their experiments especially in the field of space agriculture and sustainability are setting a foundation for the future of human habitation beyond Earth.

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