NASA and ISRO Join Forces on Axiom Mission 4 Science Suite
NASA and India’s space agency ISRO will fly a collaborative set of experiments on Axiom Mission 4, launching no earlier than June 10, 2025, aboard a SpaceX Dragon to the International Space Station (ISS).
Key Mission Details
- Partners: NASA & ISRO
- Flight: Axiom Mission 4 private astronaut mission
- Launch Vehicle: SpaceX Dragon
- Objective: Advance human health, food production, and technology use in microgravity
Science Investigations
- Myogenesis-ISRO
- Studies human muscle stem cells and mitochondrial function
- Tests compounds to counteract muscle loss during long-duration flights
- Sprouts-ISRO
- Germinates greengram and fenugreek seeds in orbit
- Analyzes plant growth, genetics, and nutritional value in microgravity
- Space Microalgae-ISRO
- Grows green microalgae to assess adaptation and nutrient production
- Explores algae’s potential for fresh food and life-support recycling
- Voyager Tardigrade-ISRO
- Revives microscopic water bears (tardigrades) in space
- Compares their survival and gene expression under cosmic radiation versus Earth controls
- Voyager Displays-ISRO
- Monitors astronauts’ interaction with tablets and screens
- Measures pointing accuracy, gaze patterns, and stress indicators
Why It Matters
- Astronaut Health: New strategies to maintain muscle mass and well-being
- Sustainable Food: Fresh produce and algae-based nutrition on orbit
- Tech Optimization: Better user interfaces for spacecraft and Earth devices
This NASA-ISRO collaboration promises breakthroughs in space biology and technology, paving the way for safer, more self-sufficient long-term missions—and benefits for life on Earth.
