Ax-4 mission: ISRO, Axiom Space coordinate on crucial experiments before launch

Mission Overview

• Launch Date: June 19 (rescheduled 4 times earlier)

• Indian Astronaut: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (14-day ISS stay)

• Partners: ISRO, NASA, and Axiom Space (private spaceflight co.)

Experiments by ISRO

7 Indian-led microgravity studies:

1. Edible microalgae response to ISS radiation

2. Salad seed sprouting in space

3. Tardigrades (micro-animals) survival & reproduction

4. Muscle regeneration with metabolic supplements

5. Human interaction with electronic displays

6. Cyanobacteria growth on urea/nitrate

7. Food crop seed yield under microgravity

+5 NASA-ISRO joint experiments (focused on human research).

Significance

• GS-3 (Sci-Tech): India’s growing role in space biology and ISS collaborations.

• Current Affairs: First major ISRO-NASA-Axiom joint mission with Indian astronaut.

• Key Terms: Microgravity research, tardigrades, Axiom Space.