After 41 years, India is back in space – and this time it’s more than symbolic. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot, is now aboard the Axiom 4 mission, launched by NASA and SpaceX.
But beyond the pride lies the science, and India’s powerful role in shaping it.
Key Topics:
What is Axiom 4?
Axiom Mission 4 (Ax‑4) is a private spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS) operated by Axiom Space in partnership with SpaceX and NASA.
The Ax-4 astronauts will spend about 14 days aboard the orbiting lab, completing a record number of science investigations and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) outreach events. In total, they have over 60 experiments to undertake — more than any previous Axiom mission to date.
The mission launched successfully on its third attempt on 25 June 2025. It docked with the ISS on 26 June 2025 for a two-week stay.
From India’s side, the primary focus of Ax-4 lies in biological and genetic research, with seven advanced experiments designed by ISRO in collaboration with leading Indian institutions.
Basically, the main goal of AX-4 is to understand how space affects the body, cells, and biology, and to test new technologies that can support long–term space missions in the future. For India, it’s a milestone in genetic and biotech research in orbit.
Led by Shubhanshu Shukla
Pilot Shubanshu Shukla is leading the mission from the side of India. He is the first Indian Air Force pilot to go to space, is part of the four-member crew aboard the Ax‑4 mission — alongside commander Peggy Whitson an axiom employee and former NASA astronauts (USA), and mission specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, a European Space Agency project astronaut from Poland, and Tibor Kapu representing the Hungarian Space Office.
He is the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), and the second Indian ever to travel to space. Shubhanshu Shukla is a Gaganyaan shortlistee and one of the four astronauts selected by ISRO for India’s first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan. He will also be carrying out the Indian microgravity research experiments onboard ISS.
Indian experiments to be conducted during the Ax‑4 mission :
The field of microgravity research with potential applications in diverse areas such as human health, physical/ life sciences, material research, novel pharmaceutical development and biotechnology offers significant opportunities to the national scientific community.
And therefore, ISRO has shortlisted seven microgravity research experiments proposed by Indian Principal Investigators (PIs) from various national R&D laboratories/ academic institutions for implementation on the International Space Station (ISS) during the Ax‑4 mission with ISRO’s Gaganyatri:
| S.No | Experiment title | Institution/s |
| 1 | Impact of Microgravity Radiation in ISS on Edible Microalgae | International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (ICGEB) & National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) ; Dept. of Biotechnology (DBT) |
| 2 | Sprouting Salad Seeds in Space: Relevance to Crew Nutrition | University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad & Indian Institute of Technology, Dharwad |
| 3 | Survival, revival, reproduction, and transcriptome of the eutardigrade Paramacrobiotus sp. BLR strain in space | Indian Institute of Science (IISc) |
| 4 | Effect of metabolic supplements on muscle regeneration under microgravity | Institute of Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (InStem), DBT |
| 5 | Analyzing Human Interaction with Electronic Displays in Microgravity | Indian Institute of Science (IISc) |
| 6 | Comparative growth and proteomics responses of cyanobacteria on urea and nitrate in microgravity | International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (ICGEB); DBT |
| 7 | Impact of Microgravity on Growth and Yield Parameters in Food Crop Seeds | Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Dept. of Space & College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University |
These experiments mark the beginning of a new era and open doors for advanced research in biotechnology, genetics, agriculture, microbiology and proteomics.
How will these experiments contribute to Biotechnology and Genetics?
The Ax‑4 mission marks a significant step forward for space genetics research from India. Several of the selected experiments are designed to explore how microgravity affects gene expression, cellular function, and protein synthesis – the very foundation of life. In space, the absence of gravity creates unique stressors on biological systems, altering the way cells grow, repair, and communicate.
In our previous article, we explained how space travel affects human DNA. You can check out that study for more insights.
Understanding these changes at the genetic and molecular level can reveal how our bodies adapt to extreme environments – and even unlock future innovations in regenerative medicine, biotechnology, and disease prevention back on Earth.
With India now participating in such advanced research aboard the International Space Station, this mission represents the beginning of India’s presence in space-based genetic science.
As a geneticist, I am looking for experiments 3 and 6 (refer to the table) conducted by the Indian Institute of Science and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (ICGEB); DBT.
The tardigrade, specifically Eutardigrada Paramacrobiotus, has already been studied by various agencies in space. But Indians are going to experiment on this unique organism for the very first time.
These two domains, transcriptomics and proteomics, will help us understand how molecular machinery works in microgravity and space.
Other geneticists and I at Genetic Education reviewed the domains associated with genetics and biotechnology research for this project, and yes, the experiment, topic and organism selection are amazing. We’ll wait for official project insights.
Future prospect :
The Ax‑4 mission is just the beginning of India’s journey in space biology and genetics. With the Gaganyaan mission (2027) on the horizon and a growing focus on space-based research, India is preparing to take a more independent and advanced role in human space exploration.
These microgravity experimental outcomes will not only contribute to global space science but also shape India’s future research in genetics, biotechnology, agriculture, and health.
Latest News and Research:
- What Genetics and Biotech Experiments Is India Sending to Space with Axiom 4?
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- Recent Ancient DNA Study Solved the Mystery of the World’s Largest Amphibian
- New Discovery: How a Novel Epigenetic Regulator Impacts Gene Expression
- How does Space Travel Affect Human DNA?
Wrapping up:
As a proud Indian and a researcher, witnessing our country take such a bold step into the frontiers of space science is truly inspiring. The Ax‑4 mission is more than a symbolic return to space — it’s a statement that India is ready to lead in innovation, research, and global scientific collaboration.
With genetics and biotechnology now reaching orbit, we are not only exploring the cosmos — we are also unlocking answers that could transform life here on Earth.
This is a proud moment for science, for ISRO, and for every Indian who believes in the power of research.
Resources:
- Indian Microgravity Research Portfolio in upcoming Axiom-4 Mission. (2025). Isro.gov.in. https://www.isro.gov.in/Indian_microgravity_research_Axiom4_mission.html.
- Axiom Mission 4. (2025). Axiomspace.com. https://www.axiomspace.com/missions/ax4.
- Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) – NASA. (2023, October 23). NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/event/axiom-mission-4/.
