India’s one of the most driven human spaceflight programs, the Gaganyaan mission aims to send Indian astronauts to space on an indigenous spacecraft. This significant mission marks India’s huge leap in space exploration programs and is being led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO),
With an emphasis on scientific progress and global partnerships, Gaganyaan will propel India into a select group of countries with human spaceflight capabilities. This mission showcases India's technological advancements and opens the door to future innovations and experiments that will unlock the secrets of space.
20 fruit flies developed by UAS-Dharwad have been selected for Mission Gaganyaan 2025 to be sent to space.
But why fruit flies?
<p>Representative Image (Fruit flies)<br></p>
It is because these tiny creatures hold 77% gene similarity to humans, that makes them an invaluable replica for scientific research.
Their involvement in Gaganyaan is a giant leap for astronaut health. Among the serious challenges of long-duration spaceflight is the enhanced risk of developing kidney stones as a result of factors such as bone loss, urine acidity, and dehydration. Through the examination of how kidney stones form in space using fruit flies, scientists can open up new discoveries on astronaut health and create lifesaving counter measures.
This experiment, which is being conducted jointly by UAS-Dharwad and the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, was selected after a tough competition among 75 agriculture science universities in India. The discovery may also lead to further space missions outside Earth's orbit.
Dr. Kiran Kumar, a leading scientist at UAS-Dharwad, explained the significance of the experiment: "Fruit flies are a remarkable model organism due to their genetic similarity to humans. By observing the physiological changes that occur in these flies during space travel, we can gain valuable insights into human health."
The experiment is particularly focused on understanding the formation of kidney stones in microgravity. In space, astronauts face an increased risk of kidney stones due to several factors, including bone demineralization, changes in urine composition, and dehydration. By sending fruit flies to space, researchers aim to study the molecular and genetic mechanisms behind kidney stone formation and identify potential preventive measures.
"The knowledge gained from this experiment could lead to the development of effective countermeasures to protect astronauts' health during long-duration space missions," said Dr. A. S. Kiran Kumar, former ISRO Chairman. "Furthermore, the insights obtained could have broader implications for understanding kidney stone formation and prevention in humans on Earth."