Muscles in orbit, strength on Earth

When we think of space, we picture rockets, astronauts, and distant planets. But space may also hold the key to understanding something much closer to home: why our muscles weaken as we age. On June 25, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to board the International Space Station (ISS) through the Axiom-4 mission. This moment not only marks India’s return to human spaceflight – it reflects the country’s growing role in global scientific exploration.

Shukla’s role aboard the ISS goes beyond symbolic. As the mission pilot, his experience strengthens India’s capabilities ahead of our Gaganyaan mission, set to launch in 2027. Also immensely valuable is the science aboard the station – science that could benefit the everyday health of millions back on Earth.

One such experiment, led by Indian researchers from the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), under the Department of Biotechnology, explores how human muscle stem cells behave in microgravity. When there’s no gravity to resist, astronauts lose muscle mass at a much faster rate – what takes years on Earth can happen in just weeks in orbit.

By studying how these muscle cells regenerate, and how nutritional supplements may support the process, researchers hope to discover ways to keep astronauts healthy during long missions. But the findings are equally important for life on earth, especially for the elderly.

The same process that weakens astronauts in space also happens naturally as we age. Known as sarcopenia, this gradual loss of muscle mass and strength is a growing public health challenge. It increases the risk of falls, fractures, dependency, and loss of dignity in older adults. Often it goes unnoticed until it’s too late.

Fortunately, sarcopenia is not inevitable. It can be identified early and, even better, slowed or reversed with simple changes in daily life. This is where science meets everyday practice.

A collaborative team from inStem, Bangalore Baptist Hospital, and Vayah Vikas recently conducted a pilot study on sarcopenia among older adults. We went beyond muscle measurements and examined blood markers and gut health. The findings were revealing: individuals with weaker muscles had higher levels of inflammation and less healthy gut bacteria, while those with stronger muscles had better overall biological profiles. This adds to a growing global understanding that muscle strength and gut health are closely linked – and that how we eat and live directly impacts how we age.

To deepen this research, inStem is developing a low-cost zero-gravity simulator built indigenously in India – a significant innovation that will allow scientists to study space-like conditions without needing to send experiments into orbit. This breakthrough could accelerate discovery, lower research costs, and place India at the forefront of space-health science.

A broader mission

The muscle stem cell study is just one part of India’s broader scientific contribution to the Axiom-4 mission. Other Indian-led experiments include growing superfoods like moong and methi in space, investigating mental well-being in microgravity, and exploring how photosynthetic microbes could be used in future life support systems for space missions. Each of these has direct applications on earth – from improving crop resilience and nutrition to understanding mental health and ageing.

So, what does all of this mean for us, back on Earth? The good news is that you don’t need to go to space to age well. Here are three things we can all do. Move more: Regular activity – walking, yoga, stair climbing, or light strength training – for just 15-20 minutes a day can help maintain strength and mobility. Eat well: A protein-rich diet (lentils, curd, eggs, milk, and nuts), combined with fibre and fermented foods, supports both muscle and gut health. Start early: Muscle loss begins silently, often in our 50s. Early awareness, preventive care, and small daily habits can protect us from much bigger problems later in life.

By 2050, nearly 20% of Indians will be over 60. If we want those years to be lived with mobility, strength, and dignity, muscle health must become part of our national health conversation – not just something for athletes or fitness enthusiasts.

Sending muscle cells into space and building simulators on Earth may sound futuristic. But they reflect a powerful truth: science, when rooted in purpose, improves everyday life. Whether in orbit or in our kitchens and parks, the most effective medicine for ageing well is still movement, nourishment, and daily care.

If our space programme can remind us of that, perhaps the real power of space is not just about reaching the stars, but about living better lives right here on earth.

(Alexander is co-founder of Vayah Vikas, an NGO for empowering senior citizens; Arvind is a faculty at inStem and the lead researcher on the muscle stem cell spaceflight experiment)