SOURCE: AFI
In a significant step toward bolstering India’s human spaceflight ambitions, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), under the Department of Space (DoS), has signed a Framework Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), Department of Science and Technology (DST), to advance research and innovation in space medicine. The agreement, formalized on April 25, 2025, aims to enhance the capabilities of ISRO’s flagship Gaganyaan mission and future human space exploration initiatives, including the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (Indian Space Station).
The MoU establishes a collaborative framework to drive progress in critical areas of space medicine, including human physiological and behavioral health studies, biomedical support systems, radiation biology and medicine, countermeasures for improving health and performance in space, telemedicine, communication protocols, and the development of crew medical kits for space missions. This partnership is poised to strengthen India’s capacity to ensure astronaut health and performance in the extreme environment of outer space, a prerequisite for successful long-duration missions.
Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO and Secretary of DoS, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, “Maintaining human health and performance in the extreme environment of outer space is very important for the successful long-duration human space missions. A national space-based platform such as the Bharatiya Antariksh Station will enable the utilization of the niche space environment to undertake cutting-edge human research and technology development based on our national priorities.” He further noted that the partnership could inspire young people to pursue careers in STEM fields, driving innovation across the country.
The timing of the MoU is critical as ISRO prepares for the Gaganyaan mission, India’s first human spaceflight program, which aims to send a crew of up to three astronauts to a 400 km orbit for a seven-day mission. The first uncrewed Gaganyaan flight is slated for 2025, with the assembly of the human-rated Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3) already underway. The collaboration with SCTIMST will support the development of life support systems, space medicine protocols, and other technological advancements essential for ensuring astronaut safety and mission success.
Dr. Kris Gopalakrishnan, President of SCTIMST, expressed optimism about the partnership, highlighting its potential to foster strong academia-industry collaboration in medical device development. He noted that the venture could lead to innovations with applications not only in space but also in terrestrial healthcare. Dr. Sunil Kumar, Additional Secretary and Head of DST’s AI Division, added that research in space medicine would enhance understanding of human physiology and adaptation, potentially leading to new medical devices and diagnostic procedures with broader societal benefits.
The ISRO-SCTIMST partnership comes at a time when India is making significant strides in space exploration. ISRO has recently achieved milestones such as the successful docking of two satellites under the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) on January 16, 2025, and the transfer of energy between them, marking India as the fourth country to master space docking technology. These advancements are critical for future missions like Chandrayaan-4, a lunar sample return mission planned for 2027, and the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, which will serve as a platform for advanced research in microgravity and space biology.
Additionally, ISRO has taken on a leadership role in global space initiatives, including a six-month tenure starting April 2025 as the lead for the International Charter Space and Major Disasters, coordinating space-based disaster management efforts. The collaboration with SCTIMST further strengthens ISRO’s multidisciplinary approach, combining space technology with medical science to address the challenges of human spaceflight.
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