New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen India’s advancements in space biotechnology. The partnership is expected to provide significant opportunities for startups in biotechnology and space by opening a pathway for technological innovation.
Under the collaboration, stakeholders from academia and industries will engage in advanced research in microgravity, bioastronautics, and space biotechnology. The MoU will support innovations that benefit both India’s human space program and various sectors related to human health, waste management, bio-based technologies, and pharmaceuticals, potentially fostering commercial applications across the biotech industry.
Moreover, through this collaboration, a dedicated Biotechnology Experiment and Technology Demonstration Rack is set to be developed at the Bharatiya Antariksh Station expected to be built by 2035. It will serve as a national platform for advanced microgravity research based on Indian priorities. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary of DBT, described this partnership as an important step in India’s path toward the ‘Second Space Age’ which will lead to the convergence of space exploration and biotechnology.
