As part of the mission, a group of 10 female flies and 10 male flies belonging to the genus Drosophila melanogaster have been selected to accompany the astronauts. But why these particular flies? The key lies in the striking resemblance of their excretory system to that of humans, with a similarity of 77 percent.

In the space environment, astronauts predominantly consume solid food, leading to issues like vitamin D deficiency and increased calcium production, which can contribute to urinary bladder stone formation. By studying these flies in microgravity conditions, researchers aim to gain valuable insights into the effects of space travel on human health.

The experiment involves feeding the flies a specialized liquid diet rich in sodium, ethyl glycol, and hydroxyprolines, which mimics the conditions that can lead to stone formation in both flies and humans. Upon their return to Earth, the researchers will analyze the stones formed in the flies, paving the way for a better understanding of astronaut health.

Moreover, the opportunity to observe the flies’ offspring during the seven-day space journey opens up possibilities for further research and insights into the impact of space travel on future generations of flies.

To facilitate this groundbreaking study, researchers have developed a custom kit tailored for the flies, with contributions from 75 agricultural universities across the country. The Fruit Fly Habitat, engineered by the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IISST) in Kerala, serves as a crucial component for the experiment after two years of meticulous research and design.

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“We are currently focused on the maiden mission of Gaganyaan, known as G1 – the initial unmanned venture. Presently, the rocket, S200 stage, L1, C32 stage are all situated at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre,” Somanath stated. “Thus, we are in the process of finalizing the wiring and conducting necessary testing. Our aim is to have the entire system delivered here by November, with a potential launch by December.”

Somanath addressed reporters post the successful launch of the SSLV’s third and final developmental flight earlier that day. This success sets the stage for the commencement of commercial missions utilizing Isro’s smallest vehicle through its commercial subsidiary, New Space India Ltd (NSIL). The 34-meter, 120-tonne SSLV took off at 9.17 am from the Sriharikota spaceport, concluding the SSLV program’s third and final development flight. Isro chairman Somanath confirmed the precise insertion of the 175.5 kg EOS-08 satellite into its designated 475-km circular orbit 17 minutes after liftoff.

Designed to meet the growing demand for launching small satellites into low-Earth orbit, the SSLV provides cost-effective and swift access to space. For comparison, India’s heaviest rocket, the Launch Vehicle Mark3 (LVM3, previously GSLV), is capable of launching an estimated 10 tonnes to low Earth orbit. While the initial SSLV launch in August 2022 was unsuccessful, the second flight in February last year achieved its mission objectives.

In response to inquiries regarding the necessity for industries to collaborate with Isro for commercial rocket launches, Somanath mentioned a recent day-long meeting with the industry. He expressed optimism about the first technology transfer in India between Isro and industry, highlighting the release of a Request for Interest (RFI) through which companies, either individually or in consortia, could express their interest in technology transfer and understand the expectations and qualifications for such missions.

Governor S. Abdul Nazeer extended congratulations to Isro for the successful launch of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3. In a statement issued from Raj Bhavan on Friday, the Governor commended Isro for its latest achievement and wished the organization continued success in its future endeavors. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu lauded the milestone accomplishment, emphasizing its enhancement of India’s small satellite capabilities and the empowerment of New Space India Ltd for forthcoming commercial launches. He conveyed his best wishes to Team Isro for their future ventures. Deputy CM K. Pawan Kalyan and former CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy also congratulated the Isro scientists on the successful deployment of SSLV-D3 and the EOS-08 earth observation satellite into its intended orbit.

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ISRO has achieved a significant milestone with 97 successful rocket launches, positioning itself on the brink of a historic century mark in space exploration.
The agency’s upcoming missions, including Spadex, Shukrayan, and Mangalyaan-2, are poised to solidify its reputation as a leader in groundbreaking space endeavors.

Spadex, an abbreviation for Space Docking Experiment, plays a crucial role in ISRO’s ambitious plans to construct a space station by 2028-2035. This technology is essential for future astronaut missions and space station operations, underscoring ISRO’s dedication to advancing space exploration capabilities.

The upcoming Venus Orbiter mission under Shukrayan and the orbiter mission to Mars through Mangalyaan-2 demonstrate ISRO’s commitment to cutting-edge research and exploration. These missions, equipped with advanced instruments for atmospheric and solar research, showcase India’s growing prowess in space science.

With the completion of these pivotal missions, ISRO is poised to achieve a century of groundbreaking experiments, marking a significant milestone in its journey towards space exploration excellence.

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