In a milestone moment for India’s space journey, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Axiom Mission 4, has successfully cultivated methi (fenugreek) and moong (green gram) in microgravity. This marks India’s first active space farming experiment, signalling a promising leap toward sustainable space exploration and interplanetary agriculture.
A Desi Touch in Orbit:
“It feels both exciting and joyful to grow something so familiar in space,” said Shukla during a live link with mission control, visibly delighted as he observed the seedlings flourishing in microgravity.
The crops were grown using a hydroponic setup designed in collaboration with Indian agri-biotech researchers and engineers from ISRO and private partners. These fast-germinating, nutrient-dense plants were chosen to test how traditional Indian food crops respond to the challenges of zero gravity.
Axiom Mission 4: Private Spaceflight with Global Impact
Launched on June 26, 2025, from Kennedy Space Centre, Axiom Mission 4 is the latest in a series of private crewed missions to the ISS by Axiom Space. The four-person crew includes:
- Peggy Whitson (USA) – Mission Commander and former NASA astronaut
- Shubhanshu Shukla (India) – Payload Specialist and entrepreneur
- Tibor Kapu (Hungary) – Payload Operations Engineer
- Sławosz Uznański (Poland/ESA) – Science Officer
Their mission spans research in biology, material science, and technology. But it is Shukla’s agriculture experiment that has drawn wide attention, both for its scientific value and cultural resonance.
Why Growing Methi and Moong in Space Matters
Sustaining long-term human presence beyond Earth, whether aboard the ISS, Moon bases, or Mars missions, will require autonomous food systems. Leafy greens and legumes like methi and moong are ideal test subjects due to their short growth cycles, minimal space requirements, and high nutritional value.
This experiment aims to answer several critical questions:
- Can Indian crops adapt to microgravity?
- How do germination rates and root formation behave in orbit?
- Do nutritional properties remain intact?
- How can such systems scale for lunar or Martian greenhouses?
Initial observations indicate robust germination and healthy sprouting in orbit, a promising sign for future food security in space.
A Mission Nearing Completion
With Ax‑4 scheduled to return shortly after July 9, the team is now completing final documentation, sample preservation, and equipment analysis. The methi and moong samples will return to Earth, where scientists in India and abroad will examine the physiological and genetic effects of microgravity on these crops.
Notably, Shukla’s mission also included live video interactions with Indian school students, sparking a wave of excitement and curiosity among the next generation of scientists.
Technical Milestones Achieved
Beyond agriculture, Ax‑4 also contributed to:
- Testing space-based biomedical devices
- Earth imaging technology
- Installation of precision timekeeping hardware (in coordination with the ACES atomic clock system)
- Strengthening protocols for commercial astronaut safety aboard the ISS
India’s Expanding Footprint in Space:
Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey is symbolic of India’s accelerating role in global space exploration, not just through ISRO’s Gaganyaan project but also via commercial collaborations.
His success serves as a beacon for India’s private aerospace industry and its integration into international missions. The cultivation of Indian crops aboard the ISS also marks a deeper cultural imprint, where tradition meets technology at 400 km above Earth.
Disclaimer: Portions of this content were enhanced with the assistance of AI Tools.
