Shubhanshu Shukla to conduct food and nutrition experiments on ISS during Axiom-4
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will conduct ISRO-DBT food and nutrition experiments on the International Space Station as Mission Pilot of Axiom Mission 4, Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced on 31 May 2025.
Summary
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh announced on 31 May 2025 that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will carry out food and nutrition experiments on the International Space Station during Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), developed by ISRO and the Department of Biotechnology with NASA support. One experiment will study the effect of microgravity and space radiation on edible microalgae; another will examine the growth of the cyanobacteria Spirulina and Synechococcus using urea- and nitrate-based media. The experiments will use indigenously developed DBT biotechnology kits. Shukla will be Mission Pilot alongside Commander Peggy Whitson (USA) and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland/ESA) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary/ESA), with Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair as his backup. An ISRO-DBT Joint Working Group has also been set up for space biotechnology.
Key facts
- Mission
- Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to ISS, via SpaceX Falcon 9
- Shukla's role
- Mission Pilot
- Crew
- Cdr Peggy Whitson (USA); Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland/ESA); Tibor Kapu (Hungary/ESA)
- Backup
- Gp Capt Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair
- Experiments
- Edible microalgae; Spirulina and Synechococcus (cyanobacteria)
- Partners
- ISRO, DBT, NASA support; ISRO-DBT Joint Working Group
Practice MCQs 3 questions
What is Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's role on the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Mission Pilot
The Science Ministry said Shukla will serve as Mission Pilot on Ax-4.
Who is the Commander of the Axiom Mission 4 crew that includes Shubhanshu Shukla?
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Correct answer: D — Peggy Whitson
The Commander is former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson; Uznański-Wiśniewski and Kapu are Mission Specialists.
Who is the designated backup for Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on Axiom Mission 4?
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Correct answer: A — Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair
The ministry named Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair as Shukla's designated backup.