Seeds Sent to Space: IIST Prepares for Post-Flight Studies

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 Seeds Sent to Space:

IIST Prepares for Post-Flight Studies

After the return of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew including Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, researchers at the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) are set to begin scientific studies on crop seeds sent to the International Space Station (ISS).

Crop Seeds on ISS Project:

The project, titled "Crop Seeds on ISS," is spearheaded by IIST's Space Biology Lab.

A host of food crop seeds, including Jyothi and Uma rice varieties, Kanakamani (horse gram), Vellayani Vijay (tomato), Thilakathara (sesame), and Soorya (brinjal/eggplant), were sent to the ISS as a biology payload.

These seeds were specifically chosen because they are self-pollinating crops and are widely consumed in India, making the research relevant for potential India-centric space diets.

The seeds were integrated into the Space Biology Laboratory aboard the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), which included Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla.

Collaboration and Partnerships:

This project is a result of a multi-level collaboration involving:

  • ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation).
  • Human Spaceflight Centre (HSFC) of ISRO.
  • IIST (Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology).
  • Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), which provided the seed samples
  • The European Space Agency (ESA), which supported the hardware integration.

Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between these key organizations to facilitate this research. Professor K.G. Sreejalakshmi of IIST is the Principal Investigator for this project.

Post-Flight Study Objectives:

The primary aim of these post-flight studies is to examine how space conditions, particularly microgravity, impact the germination, growth, viability, and genetic expression of these food crop seeds.

Upon their return, the space-flown seeds will be grown out in fields for multiple generations. This will allow researchers to assess any unique effects of microgravity on their growth and yield parameters over time.

Comparative studies will be carried out using three sets of samples under different conditions to identify changes in microbial growth and nutritional profiles.

The findings from this research are expected to provide vital clues on exploring microgravity as an environmental stressor that could potentially bring about useful traits in plants.

This could advance not only space agriculture but also potentially improve farming practices back on Earth, including developing climate-resilient crops.

Significance for India's Space Program:

This experiment is one of several microgravity research projects chosen by ISRO for the Axiom-4 mission, highlighting India's commitment to advancing space science and technology.

The data and experience gained from the "Crop Seeds on ISS" project will directly feed into the planning and execution of India's own crewed space mission, Gaganyaan, and contribute to the long-term vision of establishing the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (Indian Space Station).

This research is crucial for developing sustainable life-support systems and ensuring access to fresh food for astronauts during extended space missions.

Previous Space Plant Experiments:

It is worth noting that ISRO has also successfully conducted previous experiments in space, such as the CROPS (Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies) experiment.

In January 2025, ISRO successfully germinated cowpea seeds in microgravity conditions during the PSLV-C60 POEM-4 mission. This experiment showcased seed germination and sustenance up to the two-leaf stage within 5 to 7 days in space

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