New Delhi: The delay in the Axiom-4 Mission launch has scientists back in Indian laboratories scrambling to make fresh specimen samples of microbes. The mission to the International Space Station with Indian Air Force group captain Shubhanshu Shukla on board was initially scheduled to take off on 29 May. But the samples that India is sending to space don’t have such a long shelf life.
Now, the first batch of samples will be replaced only after the US-based Axiom Space fixes a final date of launch. India will be conducting experiments in space, some of which involve water bears (eutardigrade paramacrobiotus), microalgae and microfauna.
“Some of the live specimens being sent on board the Axiom-4 Mission are time-sensitive and have a shelf life of only about seven days. Considering an indefinite delay in the mission’s launch, the first batch of specimens readied for the spaceflight will have to be replaced,” said Rajesh Gokhale, secretary, Department of Biotechnology under the Union Ministry of Science and Technology.
The second batch of specimens will be flown to the launch sight in Florida after the final launch date is set. “Officials from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Axiom Space and the principal investigators are in touch to coordinate the launch details and ensure the good health and viability of the experiments being sent on the mission,” he added.
The experiments
At least three of the seven experiments being sent by Indian institutes involve live samples.
One of the experiments, by the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), will study the impact of microgravity radiation on edible microalgae at the International Space Station (ISS).
It will assess how space conditions impact the growth patterns and genetic activity of the samples. It will also study whether these microorganisms can be a potential option for space food in future missions.
The ICGEB has also designed another experiment to study cyanobacteria’s comparative growth and proteomics (study of all proteins expressed by a genome) responses when using urea versus nitrate in microgravity.
In another experiment by Bengaluru’s Indian Institute of Science (IISc), the growth and survival of microscopic animals or microfauna, and eutardigrade paramacrobiotus or water bears, will be studied.
Also Read: What is a LOx leak—snag that has delayed Axiom-4 mission once again
Indefinite delay
Axiom-4 Mission, led by the US space agency Axiom Space, will carry the first Indian to space in 41 years. Indian Air Force group captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the pilot for the mission, will spend 14 days in the International Space Station (ISS), leading experiments on India’s behalf.
The mission, however, is facing an indefinite delay.
After being initially scheduled for 29 May, the mission was first postponed to 8 June, then to 10 June, and again to 11 June. Launch attempts were also made 19 June and finally 22 June.
Union Minister of Science & Technology and Space Jitendra Singh said Monday the agencies overseeing the launch have requested additional time to finalise a launch date.
“The next launch date will be decided after a while. They (the launch agencies) need some more time,” Singh said.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
Also Read: What is ‘wicked smart’ Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s role in Axiom-4 mission