Space medicine? Here is why ISRO is focusing on microgravity for medical research

Plans are in motion at ISRO to leverage the knowledge of microgravity in medical research, to better equip astronauts. Speaking at the recently concluded Raksha Summit 2024, ISRO Chairman S Somanath emphasised India’s potential to invest in and explore the field of microgravity research, connecting it to the healthcare domain.

Somanath highlighted the growing interest in medical research related to space and microgravity. He mentioned that microgravity research, which studies how things behave in extremely low-gravity environments such as space, offers immense opportunities for breakthroughs in medicine, technology, and other fields.

By fostering such partnerships, India aims to harness the unique advantages of microgravity for scientific and healthcare advancements.

How is this significant for the country and ISRO, in particular?

Microgravity is a condition where people or objects seem to be weightless. This is why astronauts and items appear to float when they are in space. However, microgravity can also be experienced in other ways beyond space environments. The term’ micro’ means very small, so microgravity refers to a state where gravity feels extremely weak.

In this condition, astronauts can float inside their spacecraft or even during spacewalks. Even heavy objects can move around effortlessly in microgravity. For instance, astronauts can easily move equipment weighing hundreds of kilograms using just their fingertips.

“Microgravity helps scientists understand how people and equipment behave in space. It has several effects on the human body. For instance, without gravity forcing them to work, muscles and bones can become weaker over time. Astronauts living on the space station spend several months in microgravity. Similarly, astronauts travelling to Mars would spend months in microgravity during their journey to and from the planet. It is important to study the effects of microgravity to ensure astronauts stay safe and healthy during these missions,” explained space expert Girish Linganna.

According to NASA, many things behave differently in microgravity. For instance, fire burns in a different way, and flames become more rounded without the pull of gravity. Additionally, crystals tend to grow more effectively in microgravity. Without gravity, objects can form in more perfect shapes. These experiments allow scientists to discover things that would be difficult—or even impossible—to study on Earth.

The Department of Biotechnology and the Department of Space have joined forces through an MoU to explore biotechnology research in space. This collaboration aims to support India’s Gaganyaan mission, the country’s ambitious human spaceflight programme, the Somanath explained. The research could provide valuable insights and solutions to challenges faced during human space missions.

The ISRO chief added that such research would enhance understanding of how the human body responds to microgravity, particularly the behaviour of body fluids. In microgravity, body fluids tend to move upwards toward the head, which can increase pressure on the eyes and potentially lead to vision problems. Without proper precautions or countermeasures, astronauts may face a higher risk of kidney stones. This is due to dehydration and the increased release of calcium from their bones in space.

Somanath also highlighted a problem with the equipment used in hospitals, noting that much of it was not made in India. Many of these technologies could be designed and manufactured locally, he said, questioning why they were not being produced in larger quantities within the country. He drew a parallel with ISRO’s journey in building rockets and satellites.

ISRO looks to one more ‘made in India’ initiative

“Initially, ISRO had relied on sourcing components and materials from different suppliers and assembling them in India. Over time, the organisation collaborated with industries to localise production, converting many items such as electronic parts, alloys, materials, connectors, chemicals and adhesives into domestically made products. Today, about 90 per cent of these components are sourced from within India,” added Linganna.

The existing ecosystem now supports advanced technology sectors such as defence and aerospace. Somanath emphasised that a similar approach should be applied to healthcare, diagnostics and hospital equipment. These items could be designed and produced in large quantities to meet the demand within the country, he explained. Somanath suggested that companies could collaborate with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to bring manufacturing processes to India. This would enable better innovation and reduce costs, he added. He also noted the growing interest in medical research related to space and microgravity. According to him, this field holds significant potential for research in the near future.

“Microgravity research is significant because it allows scientists to explore phenomena that are otherwise obscured by gravity. For instance, in materials science, microgravity has been used to study the crystallisation of proteins and alloys, offering insights that could lead to improved drugs and more efficient manufacturing processes. In biology, experiments in microgravity can help understand how living organisms respond to weightlessness, which is important for human health during long-term space missions. Furthermore, microgravity research has the potential to help develop new technologies for Earth, such as more efficient energy systems and novel drug delivery methods,” remarked Srimathy Kesan, founder and CEO of Space Kidz India, who also became the first Indian woman to experience zero gravity aboard a commercial flight in the U.S

India has been actively pursuing research in microgravity, even though it is still in the early stages of conducting such experiments in space. In 2007, ISRO launched its first dedicated microgravity research project aboard the “Shuttle Endeavour,” which took place as part of NASA’s space shuttle mission. This marked an important step for India’s space program in contributing to global research in microgravity. Additionally, ISRO has supported various experiments in partnership with universities and research organisations, focusing on topics such as fluid dynamics, combustion, and materials science. These experiments help scientists understand how materials behave in zero gravity, offering potential breakthroughs in technology, healthcare, and industry.

While ISRO is gradually progressing in its microgravity research, zero-gravity flights conducted in the United States provide a more accessible and economical way for researchers to conduct smaller-scale experiments. These parabolic flights, often referred to as “zero gravity flights,” offer a cost-effective means for scientists to experience weightlessness for short durations. By using specially designed aircraft that fly in parabolic arcs, researchers can achieve periods of microgravity for up to 20 to 30 seconds, enabling them to conduct a variety of scientific tests and experiments. Many universities and research organisations in the US utilise these flights to explore the effects of zero gravity on biological samples, fluids, and materials.

“The increasing use of zero gravity flights in the US as a testing ground for space research is an economical way for scientists and organisations worldwide to access the unique environment of microgravity. By utilising such flights, researchers can gather valuable data on how materials, biological organisms, and fluids react to the absence of gravity.

This research is essential for the future of human spaceflight, as it provides insights into how we can maintain human health and develop new technologies for long-term space exploration. As ISRO continues to expand its space research capabilities, the lessons learned from these smaller experiments conducted on zero gravity flights will undoubtedly inform and enhance future Indian space missions,” added Kesan.