Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is currently embarking on a 15-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) known as the Voyagers Tardigrades Mission. The primary focus of this mission is to study and observe the unique organisms called Tardigrades. Despite their small size, Tardigrades possess the remarkable ability to survive in extremely harsh environments. Shukla and his team will investigate how these organisms can adapt, reproduce, and repair themselves in the space environment. The findings from this research have the potential to revolutionize human space exploration, impacting areas such as space medicine, genetics, and cryopreservation.

Shubhanshu Shukla, the first privately funded research astronaut, departed on June 10th, 2025, to conduct experiments on Tardigrades as part of the Axiom Mission-4.

This mission follows in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma's historic journey in 1984, marking India's return to human spaceflight after four decades. Over the coming days, seven innovative experiments developed by Indian researchers will be carried out during the mission, which is a collaborative effort involving NASA, ISRO, and ESA. The groundbreaking research on Tardigrades, also known as water bears, is just one of these experiments.

Why Tardigrades?

Tardigrades are microscopic organisms with eight legs, ranging in size from 0.5 to 1.5 millimeters. Scientists worldwide have been fascinated by their ability to withstand extreme conditions such as high pressure, cold temperatures, dehydration, radiation, and even the vacuum of space.

• In 1773, German biologist Johann August Ephraim Goeze discovered Tardigrades.
• They can survive temperatures from -272.95°C to 150°C.
• They can enter a cryptobiotic state, suspending their metabolism to survive harsh conditions.
• They lose 95% of their water content, entering a dry state called 'Tun'.

The Voyager Tardigrades experiment aims to investigate how these organisms survive in space, focusing on their ability to revive from cryptobiosis in microgravity, reproduce in space, and repair DNA damage at the genetic level. Understanding these survival strategies at a molecular level could lead to advancements in astronaut health, biological preservation, radiation protection, and biotechnology.

Other Key Experiments on the Mission:

• Muscle Stem Cell Regeneration: This experiment will study the behavior of muscle stem cells in microgravity and explore the potential counteraction of muscle atrophy using metabolic supplements.
• Space Agriculture: Seeds of moong beans, fenugreek, and salad greens will be sprouted on the ISS to study their growth and nutritional content in zero gravity, laying the groundwork for space-based farming.
• Microalgae and Cyanobacteria Study: Edible microalgae and cyanobacteria from various Indian ecosystems will be cultured in space for their oxygen and nutrition production capabilities in closed life-support systems.
• Human-Technology Interaction: This experiment will assess astronaut interaction with visual displays and control systems in zero gravity to optimize onboard interfaces for safety and usability.

Scientific Significance and Future Impact: This mission is a significant milestone in India's journey towards becoming a key player in human space exploration. The collaborative efforts with NASA, ISRO, and ESA highlight India's growing scientific potential in space research. Exploring how organisms like Tardigrades adapt to space could lead to improved astronaut safety technology, long-term biological sample storage, and bioengineered solutions inspired by their resilience.

Furthermore, insights from algae and plant growth studies could support sustainable food production in future space settlements. India's ambitious space goals, including a lunar expedition by 2040 and the Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035, will benefit from the knowledge gained in this mission, shaping the biological, environmental, and technological frameworks for extended space habitation.

Future Prospects from the Mission: The results of this mission will be thoroughly analyzed to inform India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight program and future space exploration missions. The findings will offer valuable insights into how life forms can thrive in extraterrestrial environments, showcasing India's advancements in space technology, life sciences, and global collaboration.