AIIMS, ISRO forge landmark partnership to build India’s space medicine ecosystem

By Aroonim Bhuyan

New Delhi, March 21. In a significant boost to India’s expanding space ambitions, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have entered into a long-term collaboration aimed at developing a robust space medicine ecosystem to support the country’s human spaceflight programme. The partnership marks a milestone in India’s journey toward becoming a major spacefaring nation by bringing together its premier medical institution and national space agency under a unified scientific framework.

The agreement was formalised at a high-level signing ceremony attended by senior officials from both organisations, along with representatives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Department of Space, signalling strong backing at the highest levels of government.

A comprehensive, multidisciplinary framework

The collaboration spans a wide range of research areas addressing the physiological and psychological challenges of human spaceflight. Officials described the initiative as one of Asia’s most extensive space medicine programmes, encompassing joint research, clinical training, capacity building, and technology development. The aim is to generate solutions for the complex health risks faced by astronauts beyond Earth’s protective environment.

Focus on cardiovascular health in microgravity

A key priority area is understanding how microgravity affects the human cardiovascular system. In space, the absence of gravity causes fluids to shift toward the upper body, placing unusual stress on the heart, blood vessels, and autonomic nervous system. Researchers from AIIMS and ISRO will jointly study these effects, including changes in cardiac output, arterial stiffness, and risks such as orthostatic intolerance – dizziness or fainting upon return to Earth’s gravity. The findings are expected to inform health monitoring systems and countermeasures for future Indian astronauts.

Tackling muscle and bone loss

The partnership will also address musculoskeletal deterioration, a major challenge in long-duration missions. Without gravity, astronauts experience rapid loss of muscle mass and bone density, increasing the risk of fractures and reduced physical capability. The joint team plans to explore targeted interventions, including specialised exercise regimes, nutrition plans rich in calcium and vitamin D, and pharmacological solutions to slow bone loss. These efforts will contribute to mission planning and astronaut training, particularly for programmes like Gaganyaan.

Advancing space neuroscience

Recognising the impact of space on the brain, the collaboration places strong emphasis on neuroscience. Microgravity, radiation exposure, disrupted sleep cycles, and isolation can affect cognitive performance and neural functioning. AIIMS experts in neurology and psychiatry will work with ISRO scientists to study these changes using advanced imaging and cognitive assessment tools. The research aims to enhance astronaut selection processes and develop systems to maintain cognitive sharpness during missions.

Immunity and gut health in orbit

Another critical focus is the weakening of the immune system and disruption of the gut microbiome in space. Astronauts are more vulnerable to infections and inflammation, with limited access to medical care. The partnership will investigate these effects at molecular and cellular levels, while exploring countermeasures such as probiotics, dietary interventions, and immune therapies – particularly relevant for longer-duration missions.

Building long-term capability

Beyond research, the initiative seeks to establish enduring institutional capacity. Plans include specialised training programmes in space medicine at AIIMS, creation of joint research and monitoring facilities, and development of telemedicine systems to track astronaut health in real time from Earth.

ISRO officials view the collaboration as a critical enabler for India’s human spaceflight ambitions, ensuring that astronauts – often referred to as “Vyomanauts” – are supported by advanced medical science. AIIMS leadership said that the research could also benefit healthcare on Earth, with potential applications in treating cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, neurological disorders, and immune conditions.

The partnership is expected to yield initial research outcomes within 18 to 24 months, with long-term findings aligned to India’s future human space missions. Overall, the AIIMS-ISRO collaboration underscores India’s commitment to advancing space exploration on a foundation of scientific excellence and human well-being.

The AIIMS-ISRO collaboration comes even as the Indian Air Force (IAF) has its own Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM), a premier defence training institution that specialises in aerospace medicine and human performance in medicine. Located in Bengaluru, IAM operates as the nodal agency for aerospace medicine in India.

IAM is the apex centre for medical assessment of aircrew, both military and civil. It evaluates fighter pilots, transport and helicopter crew, and civil aviation pilots.  It equips personnel to understand physiological stresses of flight such as hypoxia, G-forces, spatial disorientation, and fatigue.

IAM has been deeply involved in India’s human spaceflight efforts. It played a key role in Project Pawan, which selected and medically evaluated cosmonauts

and supported training for Rakesh Sharma, India’s first cosmonaut. The institute designed physiological experiments conducted in space missions.

With the IAM already in existence, the AIIMS-ISRO collaboration will give a huge boost to India’s plans for deep space missions.