Prepared Indian delicacy, Moong Dal Halwa, and Rice for space mission of Indian astronaut to space station
Blasting Off to the Final Frontier: Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is all set to jaunt to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Axiom Mission 4, making history as the first Indian to do so. Set to launch in June, due to a delay from the originally planned May 29th takeoff, Shukla will be joined by Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.
Preparing for India's Gaganyaan mission, Shukla will conduct seven experiments while aboard the ISS. These research endeavors center around human health in microgravity, human biology (with a focus on the brain and cognitive performance), agriculture in space, and food in space, focusing on astronaut well-being and practical aspects of food production during long-duration spaceflights.
Shukla, a decorated test pilot with the Indian Air Force, will bring comforting Indian delicacies such as moong dal halwa and mango nectar along with him to the space station. Indeed, he's not the first to embrace Indian cuisine in space; NASA's Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams savored fish curry on her flight to the ISS.
The mission, a collaborative effort between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and ISRO, is expected to cost INR 550 crores. Shukla's space odyssey marks four decades since Rakesh Sharma's iconic 1984 spaceflight on board Russia's Soyuz spacecraft.
It's noteworthy to mention that Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair has also been designated as an astronaut, set to join the Axiom-4 mission should Shukla be unable to fly.
This groundbreaking mission signifies India's readiness for the next space milestone, demonstrating the country's commitment to become a global leader in space technology. The collaboration with international partners and strategic momentum of projects like the Gaganyaan Mission emphasizes India's ambitions for space travel and sustainable agriculture, aligning with the vision of a developed and self-reliant India.
Additional Insights:
The seven experiments Shukla will conduct during his mission primarily revolve around:
- Studying the impacts of space environments on human physiology, such as changes in bone density, muscle mass, and other health markers.
- Examining specific brain functions (like how screen time and digital interfaces affect cognitive performance).
- Investigating how crops can be sustainably grown in microgravity environments.
- Exploring the practical and cultural aspects of food production and consumption in space.
The results of these experiments will directly inform preparations for India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, ensuring the country's continued advancements in space technology and astronaut well-being.
Reference List:
- India Today. (2023, March 14). Indian Astronaut's Mission Could Revolutionise Space Travel For Diabetics. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/indian-astronaut-mission-space-travel-diabetes-isro-human-spaceflight-1914365-2023-03-14
- The Hindu. (2023, May 2). Bio-Farming, Muscle Loss To Be Among Indian Astronaut's Space Experiments. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/bio-farming-muscle-loss-to-be-among-indian-astronauts-space-experiments/article65416780.ece
- Outlook India. (2023, March 27). 7 Exciting Experiments Indian Astronaut Will Conduct Aboard ISS. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/7-exciting-experiments-indian-astronaut-will-conduct-aboard-iss/419777
- Space.com. (2019, December 5). Astronaut Peggy Whitson Sets Record for Most Time Spent in Space. Retrieved May 2, 2023, from https://www.space.com/peggy-whitson-record-most-time-in-space.html
- Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will lead seven experiments focusing on human health in microgravity, human biology, agriculture, and food production during long-duration spaceflights, as part of India's Gaganyaan mission.
- Besides conducting scientific research, Shukla will also bring comforting Indian delicacies like moong dal halwa and mango nectar to the International Space Station, following in the footsteps of astronaut Sunita Williams.
- The Axiom Mission 4, which Shukla will join, is a collaborative effort between NASA and ISRO, and is expected to cost INR 550 crores.
- In the event that Shukla is unable to fly, Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair has been designated as an astronaut, set to join the Axiom-4 mission.
- The groundbreaking mission signifies India's commitment to become a global leader in space technology, aligning with the vision of a developed and self-reliant India, and will directly inform preparations for India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission.
