Pune University’s Microgravity Research Forms Basis for Astronaut Shubanshu Shukla’s Space Experiments
Pune, 16th July 2025: Groundbreaking research conducted by the Department of Physics at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has formed the scientific foundation for space experiments recently carried out by astronaut Group Captain Shubanshu Shukla. The experiments, conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS) under the ISRO-Axiom-4 mission, studied the effects of microgravity on the human body as well as seed germination and plant growth.
The origin of this space-bound research dates back to 2004, when Dr. Pandit Vidyasagar began pioneering studies on microgravity in the university’s Biophysics Laboratory. Over the past two decades, the lab has simulated microgravity using instruments like the Clinostat, developed in India under the leadership of Santosh Bhaskaran.
Shukla’s space research, conducted in real microgravity conditions, mirrors and validates the ground-based experiments conducted by SPPU. His work focused on seed germination, water transport, photosynthesis, and nutrient absorption in plants—areas extensively studied by the Pune-based team.
Collaboration and Recognition
The Agricultural Research Institute of Dharwad proposed the space experiments and used the research from Pune as a foundational reference. IIT scientists also contributed to confirming the methodology for the ISS experiments.
“Dr. Hosmani’s team has referred to our work multiple times while studying the biological effects of microgravity on wheat and other plants,” said Dr. Pandit Vidyasagar. He added that in 2010, rice seeds were subjected to microgravity simulation at the university, followed by a natural germination study conducted by Dr. Sagar Jagtap in 2011.
In 2014 and 2017, Dr. Vidyasagar, Dr. Jagtap, and Dr. Jyotsna Dixit submitted a thesis titled “Effects of Short-Term Hypergravity on Wheat Seeds and Their Reprocessing”, which has now been directly cited in space research.
Direct Link to ISRO’s Mission
A detailed report on SPPU’s microgravity research was sent to ISRO in 2022 by then Vice Chancellor Dr. Nitin Karmalkar. ISRO subsequently used this research as part of the foundation for the Axiom-4 space mission. Interestingly, while Dharwad University’s research paper references five major studies from SPPU, it has not published original research on microgravity, indicating SPPU’s work played a pivotal role.
Future Plans and Support
“SPPU’s microgravity research has been ongoing for 21 years and is now directly contributing to India’s space missions,” said Prof. Dr. Suresh Gosavi, current Vice Chancellor of SPPU. “ISRO has not only recognized this work but is also supporting and funding future research. There are plans to establish a dedicated Microgravity Laboratory at the university.”
This development further cements Savitribai Phule Pune University’s position as a key contributor to India’s growing space science capabilities.
