As Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla begins his 14-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission, Dr Annapurni says this is not just a symbolic homecoming to space, but a critical moment in decoding how human life can adapt beyond Earth." />
States » SouthPosted at: Jun 26 2025 7:57PM


Shukla's mission will help decode life in space: Indian Institute of Astrophysics director

Bengaluru, June 26 (UNI) "The first sensation when you go to space is weightlessness," says Dr Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. "And that changes everything—how humans function, how plants grow, how materials behave."
As Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla begins his 14-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission, Dr Annapurni says this is not just a symbolic homecoming to space, but a critical moment in decoding how human life can adapt beyond Earth.
"The human body has evolved under gravity. When you take that away, every physiological system is affected, from bones and muscles to blood flow, balance, and immunity,” she told reporters. "That’s why these experiments matter. They’re not just about science, but about human survival in space."
Shukla’s mission, facilitated by SpaceX and coordinated by NASA and commercial operator Axiom Space, offers India a rare opportunity to conduct focused microgravity research—experiments that are essential for India’s upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight program.
"This is a huge moment; an Indian astronaut is entering the ISS again after four decades. But more importantly, it’s about the entire multi-phase process that makes this human presence possible: from launch, to free-flight, to automated orbital docking," Dr Annapurni explained.
She underscored the staggering precision needed for such missions. "The Dragon capsule separated from the rocket, autonomously aligned itself with the ISS, both travelling at 28,000 km/h, 420 kilometers above Earth. It’s a dance of physics, sensors, and software, all perfectly choreographed."
While visuals of the docking process may appear calm, Dr Annapurni said what lies beneath is a technically complex operation. "Every sequence, from communication checks to power sync and pressure equalisation, must align for a human to safely cross over into the station."
Beyond the hardware, the Axiom-4 mission also reflects strategic intent, she said. "Globally, thousands of experiments have been done on the ISS, but this mission gives India a chance to tailor its research to national needs, whether for material sciences, biological systems, or long-term astronaut health."
It is also a learning curve for future missions. "This mission lays the foundation, not just for Gaganyaan, but for the eventual establishment of Bharatiya Antariksh Kendra, our own space station," she said.
Importantly, Dr Annapurni highlighted the collaborative ecosystem behind the mission. “This is a new model—NASA as a public agency, SpaceX as a private player, and Axiom as a commercial facilitator. If India wants to build a sustainable human space programme, we need this kind of public-private synergy, backed by infrastructure and smart policy.”
As Shukla continues his journey aboard the ISS, scientists back home are watching closely—not just to witness history, but to gather the insights that will shape India's space future.
“This is historic—but more than that, it’s preparatory,” Dr Annapurni said. “We are learning how to send, support, and sustain humans in space. That’s the real milestone.”
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