Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to Connect with Students, ISRO Scientists from Space

Indian Astronaut to Connect with Students and ISRO Scientists from Space

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, is scheduled to interact with students and scientists at ISRO on Friday, July 4.

This unique event, facilitated by the ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) program, will use ham radio to connect Shukla with participants at the U R Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru. The Axiom-4 mission, a 14-day commercial spaceflight by Axiom Space, involves four astronauts conducting scientific research to advance long-duration human spaceflight.

The ARISS program promotes STEM education by connecting students worldwide with astronauts in orbit. The interaction will occur via a telebridge at the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru, with communication relayed through the K6DUE ground station. The session is scheduled for 3:47 PM IST (10:17 UTC) on Friday. This initiative allows students to see science in action and engage with space exploration beyond textbooks.

What is Ham Radio?

Ham radio, or amateur radio, is a licensed communication system using radio frequencies allocated for non-commercial purposes. It is popular among enthusiasts and essential during emergencies when standard communication lines fail. In space missions, ham radio offers a reliable, hands-on communication tool, providing astronauts with a direct line to students and amateur operators on Earth, adding a personal touch to science education.

Shukla's Experiments on the ISS

While on the ISS, Shubhanshu Shukla is conducting several experiments:

• Microalgae: Researching microalgae as a sustainable, nutrient-rich food source for astronauts. These organisms also recycle oxygen and waste. Shukla is monitoring microalgae growth under microgravity to develop closed-loop life-support systems for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

• Neuro Motion VR project: This project uses virtual reality headsets to study cognitive performance in microgravity. Astronauts perform attention-based tasks while their brain activity is monitored using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). This data helps scientists understand how space travel affects mental acuity, motor function, and memory, which is critical for deep space exploration.

• The Telemetric Health AI: This research combines biometric data with AI-based mission analytics to track how space affects cardiovascular health and balance. The goal is to use real-time data analysis and predictive models to transform in-flight medical monitoring and potentially create remote diagnostic devices for use in rural or emergency areas on Earth.