AIIMS, ISRO Partner to Advance Space Medicine Research in India

The agreement establishes a framework for ground-based and space-based biomedical research focused on understanding how the human body behaves in space.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and the Indian Space Research Organisation’s Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on space medicine research, as India expands its human spaceflight ambitions.

The agreement establishes a framework for ground-based and space-based biomedical research focused on understanding how the human body behaves in space. Key research areas include human physiology, cardiovascular and autonomic regulation, musculoskeletal health in microgravity, microbiome and immunology, genomics and biomarkers, and behavioural health.

Experts say such studies could offer insights not only for astronauts but also for medical science on Earth.

Prof K K Deepak, former head of physiology at AIIMS, explained that physiological changes experienced in space often resemble accelerated ageing. “In microgravity, astronauts experience muscle loss, bone weakening and fluid shifts in the body — changes that resemble accelerated ageing. Studying these processes helps scientists understand how ageing affects muscles, bones and circulation in people on Earth,” he said.

According to Prof Deepak, technologies designed to counter these effects in astronauts could have applications in clinical medicine. Devices that improve blood flow in the legs, for instance, may help patients with circulation disorders and assist in maintaining muscle strength.

AIIMS director Prof M. Srinivas said the collaboration will expand the institute’s research scope into space medicine. “This MoU will give us the escape velocity to venture into space medicine. Research between AIIMS and ISRO will benefit patients, the nation and ultimately humankind,” he said.

The agreement was signed by Prof M. Srinivas, Director of AIIMS, and Dinesh Kumar Singh, Director of ISRO’s Human Space Flight Centre, in the presence of V. Narayanan, ISRO chairman and secretary of the Department of Space.

During the event, Narayanan spoke about the evolution of India’s space programme from its early days to its current global standing and highlighted the role of institutional collaborations in strengthening India’s human spaceflight capabilities.

The programme also included a presentation by Prof Deepak outlining AIIMS’ ongoing work related to space medicine research.

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