ISRO-DBT sign agreement to conduct biotechnology experiments in space station

Last Updated28/10/2024

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) have inked an agreement to design and conduct experiments, which will then be integrated into the forthcoming Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), India’s proposed indigenous space station.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) have signed a partnership to design and conduct scientific experiments for India’s proposed space station, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), set to be operational between 2028 and 2035. These experiments aim to enhance understanding of biology in space and support India’s space bio-manufacturing ambitions.

The proposed experiments for the BAS will focus on several key areas:
Weightlessness Impact on Muscles: Studying muscle atrophy in zero-gravity conditions to improve astronaut health.
Algal Research: Investigating algae strains as nutritional supplements, for food preservation, and as potential sources for jet fuel.
Radiation Exposure: Examining radiation effects on human health to ensure safety in long-duration space missions.

ISRO’s immediate focus is the Gaganyaan mission, India’s first crewed space mission slated for 2025-2026. This mission will follow three uncrewed test missions, in which ISRO may include some BAS-related biological experiments to prepare for future space research.

India’s space station initiative comes as the International Space Station (ISS), operated by the United States, Canada, Russia, Japan, and other partners, approaches its decommissioning date in 2030. China has already launched its Tiangong space station, which became fully operational in 2022 and regularly hosts crewed missions. By establishing the BAS, India aims to assert itself in the space race and join the ranks of nations with independent space station capabilities.

The ISRO-DBT collaboration aligns with India’s broader BIOE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) policy, designed to stimulate bio-manufacturing and generate a projected $300 billion bio-economy by 2030.
This partnership is expected to catalyze innovation in biotherapeutics, regenerative medicine, bio-waste management, and pharmaceuticals, fostering a new sector of space bio-manufacturing that will also support startups and biotechnological advancements.