India to Study Life Sustainability in Space under BioE3 Mission:
The Union Minister of State for Science & Technology announced that India will conduct its first biological experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to explore the sustainability of human life in space.
- It is Led by ISRO in partnership with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), these experiments will be part of the upcoming ISS mission, AXIOM-4 under the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment & Employment) policy.
- Axiom Mission 4 is a private spaceflight to the ISS, operated by the US-based company Axiom Space.
- Scheduled for launch in June 2025, the mission will also carry 2 Indian astronauts from ISRO to the ISS.
- This experiment will check how microgravity affects the growth of edible microalgae, which are rich in proteins, fats, and useful compounds.
- These algae can be used as food in space and also help clean the air by taking in CO₂ and giving out O₂.
- This study will test how cyanobacteria like Spirulina grow in space using two types of nutrients- urea and nitrate.
- It will help scientists understand how to recycle waste (like carbon and nitrogen) from humans to support life in space.
- Spirulina, which is a protein-rich, antioxidant-packed blue-green algae, is also being tested as a “superfood”.
- BioE3 Policy promotes high-performance biomanufacturing to support a circular bioeconomy and India’s Net Zero goals.
- It focuses on innovation, Bio-AI hubs, skilled workforce development, and sustainable biotech solutions.
