Exploring Space, Advancing Life on Earth

This editorial is based on “Axiom-4 mission: Ax-4 docking successful, Shubhanshu Shukla sets foot on International Space Station” which was published in The Hindu on 27/06/2025. This article brings into picture the historic achievement of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who became the first Indian to enter the International Space Station as part of Axiom Mission 4. 

For Prelims:  International Space Station, Axiom Mission 4, Gaganyaan program, GPS technology, NavIC, NISAR, Venus Orbiter Mission, Mars Orbiter Mission 2, Lunar Polar Exploration Mission. 

For Mains: Applications of Axiom-4 Mission, Key Technologies that have Emerged from Space Exploration Advancements

Captain Shubhanshu Shukla made history by becoming the first Indian astronaut to enter the International Space Station as part of Axiom Mission 4.  This mission serves as crucial preparation for India's upcoming Gaganyaan program, the country's first independent human spaceflight mission planned for 2026. Over the next two weeks, Shukla and his crew will conduct scientific experiments, including eight designed by ISRO, that could yield innovations with direct applications in everyday life. This historic achievement represents not just national pride, but a gateway to space-based research that promises to transform healthcare, agriculture, materials science, and technology for ordinary citizens. 

How can Axiom-4 Experiments Enhance India's Space Research and Application? 

• Sprout Growth in Microgravity: This experiment explores how spaceflight impacts the germination and growth of crop seeds, which is essential for creating sustainable food sources for astronauts on long missions.  
  • It will contribute to understanding how to produce food in space efficiently. 
  • The findings could have broad applications in urban farming and indoor agriculture, promoting sustainable food production in cities and helping urban populations grow their own food, reducing dependency on external supplies. 
• Cyanobacteria for Life Support: Cyanobacteria are crucial for developing life support systems on spacecraft due to their ability to photosynthesize.  
  • This experiment will study their growth and biochemical activity in space, aiding in the creation of closed-loop systems for oxygen and food production in space. 
  • The knowledge gained from this experiment could improve environmental control systems on Earth, particularly in sustainable building designs, water purification, and air quality management in isolated or urban areas. 
• Space Microalgae Growth: Microalgae are potential resources for food, fuel, and life support.  
  • This experiment will study how microgravity affects the growth and metabolism of microalgae, which could be used in bioregenerative life support systems for space missions. 
  • Microalgae are already used on Earth for biofuels, waste management, and nutritional supplements.  
    • The research could lead to greener energy sources and sustainable food alternatives that could revolutionize the way we think about food production and renewable energy. 
• Muscle Loss in Space (Myogenesis): This study aims to understand muscle dysfunction in microgravity, which leads to muscle atrophy in astronauts.  
  • By identifying the molecular pathways involved, it could help develop therapies to prevent muscle loss during long missions. 
  • The findings could enhance muscle atrophy treatments for patients on Earth, especially for the elderly and those dealing with muscular dystrophies or prolonged immobility, thus improving health outcomes on Earth. 
• Voyager Display Interaction in Space: This experiment will study how microgravity affects cognitive and physical tasks related to using electronic displays, aiming to improve the design and interaction of spacecraft technology 
  • The research could improve user experience and productivity in smart devices, gaming systems, and healthcare applications, leading to better ergonomic designs for everyday tech, minimizing stress and enhancing efficiency. 
• Survival of Tardigrades in Space: Tardigrades are known for their resilience to extreme environments. Studying their survival, revival, and reproduction in space will help identify molecular mechanisms of resilience in extreme conditions. 
  • Understanding these mechanisms could advance biotechnology and medical research on Earth, leading to breakthroughs in biomedical preservation, extreme environmental tolerance, and potentially advancements in regenerative medicine.

What Key Technologies have Emerged from Space Exploration Advancements? 

• Healthcare Innovations:  Space research has significantly advanced healthcare, particularly through the development of remote patient monitoring systems.  
  • These innovations originated from NASA's need to monitor astronauts' health during long-duration space missions.  
  • For instance, NASA's development of telemedicine systems has led to widespread use on Earth, with ISRO’s telemedicine program connecting rural India to urban hospitals, offering real-time diagnoses and treatments. 
  • Also, NASA’s research on nutrient-enriched algae for astronauts led to improvements in baby formula, enhancing it with DHA and ARA, nutrients found in breast milk. 
    • These innovations have provided a vital nutrient boost for infant formula, improving babies' development. 
• Communication Systems: Satellite communication technologies developed for space exploration have revolutionized global communication, facilitating faster and more reliable connections.  
  • Initially intended for space missions, these systems have become integral to global connectivity. 
  • A prime example is GPS technology, which evolved from military satellite navigation systems and is now indispensable in everyday applications like navigation and logistics. 
    • The global GPS market was valued at USD 94.25 billion in 2022.  
  • NavIC, India's indigenous satellite navigation system, is poised to significantly transform sectors like transportation, logistics, and agriculture by providing accurate positioning and timing services 
  • NASA developed the technology used in video conferencing to enhance communication for astronauts, which now powers tools like Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet. 
• Food Preservation: Space research has driven innovations in food preservation, particularly freeze-drying and vacuum sealing, which were initially developed for astronauts' space missions.  
  • These technologies have significantly extended the shelf life of food, reducing waste and improving food security. 
  • Freeze-dried fruits, vacuum-sealed meals, and space-inspired packaging technologies now feature prominently in consumer markets, offering convenience and reducing food waste. 
  • Space-grown food like the "Veggie" experiment aboard the ISS has helped boost space agriculture research. 
• Consumer Electronics: Miniaturization of electronic components, initially driven by the need for compact and lightweight systems in spacecraft, has led to significant innovations in consumer electronics.  
  • Space missions require small yet powerful electronics, pushing the limits of miniaturization. 
  • These technologies have found their way into smartphones, wearables, and other personal electronics, resulting in lighter, more efficient devices. 
  • Example: Camera Phones – The CMOS image sensor, initially developed by NASA for space exploration, is now a cornerstone in modern smartphone cameras, transforming how we capture images. 
    • Also, NASA’s need for portable tools led to the creation of the first cordless vacuum cleaner, the Dustbuster, in partnership with Black & Decker. It was developed to assist astronauts in collecting samples on the moon. 
      • Space research inspired the refinement of portable vacuum technology, leading to household applications for cleaning. 
• Water Purification Systems: NASA’s development of advanced water filtration systems for space missions has been applied to improve water purification technologies on Earth. 
  • These innovations have been essential for providing clean drinking water in remote or disaster-stricken areas. 
  • NASA's water purification technology, specifically the Microbial Check Valve (MCV), has been deployed in disaster relief efforts, including the 2010 Haiti earthquake 
• Energy Solutions and Battery Innovations: Space research has accelerated the development of high-efficiency batteries, particularly for use in spacecraft where weight and power efficiency are critical.  
  • These innovations have been applied to electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems. 
  • For instance, NASA's state-of-the-art solid-state battery research has created power systems that weigh 30-40% less than regular batteries and store three times more energy, offering more efficient, longer-lasting power solutions. 
  • Solar panels were originally developed for space applications, with NASA advancing the first solar cell technology in 1958.  
    • Today, the most advanced solar panels are made using carbon nanotubes, which enhance efficiency by capturing more natural light and reducing reflected light.  
    • India is also actively exploring solar energy as an alternative renewable source — a key example being its leadership role in the International Solar Alliance (ISA). 
• Medical Imaging: The need for advanced imaging technologies in space missions has led to breakthroughs in medical imaging on Earth.  
  • Technologies originally developed to study astronauts’ internal health are now commonplace in medical diagnostics. 
  • Compact ultrasound machines, developed for use in space, are now used in emergency rooms and ambulances, providing quick, on-site diagnostic capabilities. 
  • The portable ultrasound market is expected to reach $3.8 billion by 2030, with space-inspired technologies contributing significantly to this growth 
• Disaster Management and Response: Space technologies have greatly enhanced disaster management efforts through the use of satellites for monitoring and forecasting natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, and wildfires.  
  • These satellites provide real-time data for timely disaster response. 
  • ISRO’s Disaster Management Support (DMS) program has utilized satellite data to track disasters and provide critical information to aid rescue and recovery operations. 
• Innovations in Comfort and Support Materials: Technological advancements in comfort and support materials, originally developed for specialized applications like space exploration, have significantly impacted consumer products.  
  • Materials such as memory foam (used in mattresses), initially created by NASA to cushion astronauts during high-G-force launches, have revolutionized industries ranging from bedding to footwear. 
  • NASA's work on Apollo spacesuits led to the development of cushioned insoles like Nike Air, which provide extra lift and shock absorption for athletes. 
    • In 1968, shoe companies like Puma and Reebok began to use Velcro in footwear (that is credited to NASA). 
  • These innovations have enhanced comfort, improved health outcomes (by alleviating pressure points), and contributed to the development of products designed for better everyday use. 

How India can Further Capitalise Upcoming Space Missions for Wider Applications?  

• Leveraging Earth Observation for Sustainable Development: NISAR, a joint project with NASA, will be the first dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar satellite, designed for advanced remote sensing. 
  •  The high-resolution Earth observation data from NISAR can significantly enhance disaster management capabilities, from real-time flood monitoring to forest fire detection.  
    • It can also enhance agriculture productivity by providing detailed, real-time data on soil moisture, crop health, and more.  
  • The radar imagery will also provide accurate crop health monitoring and water resource management, contributing to precision farming, urban planning, and environmental conservation.  
• Enhancing Healthcare and Biotechnology: Gaganyaan's human spaceflight program will not only send astronauts into space but also help ISRO develop advanced life support systems and health-monitoring technologies. 
  • The technologies developed for human health monitoring in space, such as biomedical sensors, telemedicine systems, and remote diagnostics, can be translated into improving healthcare access in remote and underserved areas on Earth.  
  • Additionally, biotechnology innovations for astronauts’ muscle regeneration and bone health can be applied to treating aging-related conditions and muscular diseases on Earth, thereby enhancing medical care for the elderly and patients with long-term mobility issues. 
• Advancing Renewable Energy Solutions and Climate Change Mitigation: The Venus Orbiter Mission will study Venus’s atmosphere, which is known for its extreme greenhouse effects. 
  • The data from Venus’s extreme weather systems could provide insights into climate modeling and carbon emissions on Earth. 
  • Understanding Venus's greenhouse gas-driven climate can help improve climate change mitigation strategies on Earth.  
  • Space-based technologies, such as NOAA's Earth and Space Observing Digital Twins, play a key role in climate change mitigation.  
    • By leveraging satellite data and AI, they improve early warning systems, helping to reduce climate-related impacts and support timely interventions. 
  • This could also contribute to renewable energy technologies, such as solar energy optimization, and provide deeper insights into weather patterns, helping to better manage agriculture, water resources, and energy consumption in the face of climate change. 
• Improving Navigation and Communication Technologies: The Mars Orbiter Mission 2 aims to enhance interplanetary communication and navigation. 
  • The advanced communication systems and navigation technologies developed for Mars will find immediate applications in global positioning systems (GPS), satellite communication, and navigation technologies on Earth. 
  • These advancements will improve navigation accuracy for autonomous vehicles and drones in sectors like logistics, agriculture, and transportation, ensuring safer, more efficient travel and delivery systems.  
    • Additionally, communication innovations will enhance 5G network capabilities and rural connectivity, improving internet access in underserved areas. 
• Harnessing Lunar Exploration for Resource Management: The Lunar Polar Exploration Mission, in collaboration with JAXA, will explore the Moon's south pole, a region rich in water ice and minerals. 
  • Discovering and extracting water and resources from the Moon could lead to advanced resource management technologies for Earth.  
  • This mission can contribute to earth-based water purification, mineral extraction technologies, and sustainable resource management. 
  • Moreover, technologies developed for lunar habitation can be adapted for off-grid living and sustainable urban infrastructure, especially in areas facing resource scarcity and environmental stress. 
• Establishing Space Stations for Advanced Research: India’s space station will be a hub for scientific research, microgravity experiments, and the development of life support systems for human space exploration. 
  • Moreover, the space station could serve as a testing ground for new technologies that can benefit industries such as medicine, energy, and material sciences, leading to breakthroughs in advanced healthcare technologies and sustainable living solutions. 
• Revolutionizing Earth Observation and Data-Driven Decision Making: Chandrayaan-4 will be a lunar sample-return mission, aiming to collect and return Moon samples for analysis. 
  •  By understanding the lunar soil composition and the Moon’s geological processes, ISRO can refine Earth-based resource management, particularly for mineral exploration and geological studies.  
  • This research could also improve space weather prediction systems, ensuring better preparation for solar flares and other cosmic events that impact Earth’s communication and power systems. 

Conclusion:

"Space exploration is not just about reaching new heights, it’s about harnessing the unknown to elevate life on Earth." India's space exploration missions, including the Gaganyaan program, NISAR and Chandrayaan 3, hold transformative potential for global advancements in healthcare, technology, and environmental sustainability. These innovations will not only elevate India's standing in space research but also drive solutions for challenges on Earth. 

Drishti Mains Question:

What are the key applications and benefits of the Axiom Mission 4 experiments for advancements in space research and practical innovations on Earth?

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)  

Q. Consider the following space missions: (2025) 

1. Axiom-4   
2. SpaDeX   
3. Gaganyaan    

How many of the space missions given above encourage and support microgravity research?

(a) Only one    

(b) Only two    

(c) All three    

(d) None    

Answer: (c) 

Q. Consider the following statements: (2016)

1. The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO  
2. is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission  
3. made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA  
4. made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit the Mars in its very first attempt  

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?  

(a) 1 only  

(b) 2 and 3 only  

(c) 1 and 3 only  

(d) 1, 2 and 3  

Ans: (c)