New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) have signed a framework Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance research in space medicine for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission.
The agreement, signed in New Delhi, outlines cooperation in key areas such as astronaut health monitoring, radiation medicine, telemedicine applications, human physiological research, and the development of biomedical support systems necessary for space missions.
Focus on Human Health in Space
Under India’s Gaganyaan program, the country is preparing to send astronauts into space for the first time. Addressing the growing need for specialized healthcare in space environments, ISRO and SCTIMST will jointly work on research projects that focus on long-duration missions and human survival in space.
Speaking at the event, ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan emphasized that ensuring astronaut health is a critical aspect of human spaceflight programs. He noted that platforms like the proposed Bharatiya Antariksh Station would require robust support systems backed by scientific research in space medicine.
Development of Infrastructure for Space Research
SCTIMST Director Dr. Sanjay Behari outlined plans to establish clean room facilities and zero-gravity laboratories to facilitate research and device development. The institute aims to focus on technologies that not only cater to space missions but also have applications in terrestrial healthcare systems.
Dr. Sunil Kumar, Additional Secretary at the Department of Science and Technology, highlighted the potential of space medicine research to generate healthcare innovations that could benefit public health initiatives on Earth.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Sanjay Behari and Shri M. Ganesh Pillai, Scientific Secretary at ISRO, in the presence of senior officials from ISRO and SCTIMST, including directors from ISRO’s VSSC, LPSC, and Human Space Flight Centre, among others.
This partnership aims to build a sustainable research ecosystem for India’s human spaceflight ambitions while also contributing to broader scientific and healthcare advancements.
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