The Amity University has given space research another quantum leap through launching its very first biological payload in space collaborating with the Indian Space Research Organization, ISRO. The payloads launched as a part of PSLV-C60 Spadex Mission within the POEM-4 Initiative took off successfully from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre today morning. It’s an important experiment toward understanding possibilities of space-grown food that is a crucial component for the future manned missions and the planned Bhartiya Antariksh Station.

This payload, or the Amity Plant Experimental Module in Space, APEMS, is used to study how microgravity will affect plant growth and morphology. It specifically deals with the callus of spinach (Spinacia oleracea), a plant selected for its strong nature and easily observable green color. A callus is an unorganized mass of plant cells that can differentiate into shoots, roots, or even entire plants under certain conditions. The experiment aims to observe the lateral growth and color changes of the callus in a microgravity environment, and data will be collected using onboard cameras and sensors. At the same time, a parallel experiment is running on the ground at Amity University, Mumbai, for comparative analysis.

Scientists AW Santhosh Kumar, Sneha Gokani, R. Selvakumaran, and Ravi Shankar lead the research to understand how plants adapt to space conditions like gravitational stress and how they regulate growth in response to stimuli like gravity and light. The advanced monitoring systems into the experimental module consist of a camera, a pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, and a CO2 sensor that monitor real-time changes in plant health, coloration, and growth patterns. LEDs, simulating sunlight, coupled with a nutrient-rich gel medium to sustain the callus of the plant, are also involved in the setup.

This mission holds immense significance for ensuring food and nutrition sustainability during long-duration space missions. The findings are expected to address challenges related to growing plants in space, an essential aspect of life support systems for future space exploration. Before deploying human astronauts, or Gagannauts, in space, it is vital to understand the impact of microgravity on biological systems. The data generated by this mission could pave the way for cultivating plants as a reliable source of food and oxygen in extraterrestrial environments.

Ashok K. Chauhan, Founder President of Amity Education Group, said that the university is dedicated to scientific innovation and its contribution to the development of a “Viksit Bharat” or Developed India. He said, “This historic launch marks Amity University’s commitment to scientific innovation and its contribution to make India a Viksit Bharat. We are going to develop new technologies and innovations necessary for India’s space research program.

ISRO Chairman S. Somanath congratulated Amity University’s astrobiology department for this achievement. W. Selvamurthy, President of the Amity Science, Technology & Innovation Foundation (ASTIF), said that academic institutions play a crucial role in the progress of space research. He appealed to the youth of the nation to contribute to space science and technology through start-ups, envisioning their immense potential in this sector. According to him, “This innovative program clearly underlines Amity University’s leadership in research on astrobiology and its vision for the benefit of India for standing at a high level among other countries for science and technology. It further brings to focus the importance of the academic institutes for meeting space research-related challenges for successful accomplishment of future missions to space.

The spinach callus was selected for this particular experiment due to its hardiness in space and its unique green color, making it easy to monitor growth and health. This dual approach to the mission by conducting simultaneous experiments in space and on Earth guarantees a full understanding of how plants adapt to differences in gravitational environments. The research has potential impacts that extend far beyond space missions, with relevance to advancements in plant biology, food sustainability, and environmental resilience.

A critical role of academic institutions in driving innovation and research in space science has Amity University found with ISRO. Through the problems of growing plants in microgravity, this marks a significant milestone as India tries to position itself as a global leader in astrobiology and space exploration. Further research and innovation are expected after the success of this initiative, hence benefiting humanity towards achieving a dream of sustainable living in space.