Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
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For the first time, ISRO will fly live biological experiments aboard the PSLV, marking India's entry into astrobiology research.
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Spinach and cowpea plants, alongside gut bacteria, will test their survival in space's harsh conditions, setting the stage for future life science explorations.
Gut bacteria will undergo tests in space, providing insights into how microorganisms adapt to extreme environments.
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The experiments will utilize the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-4 (POEM-4), a unique platform for academic and scientific exploration.
ISRO scientists will gather data remotely, ensuring precise tracking of the biological changes during the mission.
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ISRO Chairman Dr. S. Somanath hailed the initiative as a step towards deeper exploration of how life might sustain itself beyond Earth.
This mission will also demonstrate SPADEX, a pioneering experiment in docking and undocking satellites—a first for India.
POEM-4, a stage of the PSLV rocket, enables start-ups and researchers to test cutting-edge technologies and ideas in space.
Though small compared to global space station experiments, ISRO's initiative is a vital step in understanding life in space's hostile environment.