Shubhanshu Shukla working to develop brain-computer interface in space

IANS July 3, 2025 460 views

Shubhanshu Shukla, India's pioneering astronaut, is making remarkable strides in space technology aboard the International Space Station. Working with a Polish colleague, he's developing an innovative brain-computer interface using near-infrared technology in microgravity. The experiment, named "Thoughts over Gravity," aims to understand how human brain signals can interact with computers in challenging space conditions. Shukla's mission represents a significant leap in understanding human adaptability and technological potential in space exploration.

"Thoughts over Gravity: Recording brain activity in microgravity" - NASA Blog Post
Shubhanshu Shukla working to develop brain-computer interface in space
New Delhi, July 3: Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut on the International Space Station, is working to develop a brain-computer interface in the orbital lab, said NASA on Thursday.

Key Points

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First Indian astronaut developing brain-computer interface in space

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Near-infrared technology used to record neural signals

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Collaborative experiment with Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski

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Part of Axiom Space mission-4 scientific expedition

Shukla, part of the Axiom Space mission-4, used near-infrared technology to develop the interface in the Columbus laboratory module aboard the orbiting lab along with a fellow astronaut from Poland.

"Ax-4 crewmates Shubhanshu Shukla and Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski partnered together in Columbus and studied using near-infrared technology to record brain activity for constructing brain-computer interfaces," NASA shared in a blog post.

"Uznański-Wiśniewski wore a specialised cap connected via Bluetooth to a laptop computer recording his brain activity while Shukla optimised the signal quality and calibrated the hardware," it added.

The study explored how astronauts can use their brains to control or communicate with computers in space, even in challenging low-gravity conditions.

The experiment called the "Thoughts over Gravity" (PhotonGrav) is a study aimed to verify the effectiveness of near-infrared technology (fNIRS) in low Earth orbit to record brain activity for constructing brain-computer interfaces (BCI) for operation in the microgravity environment.

Earlier, Shukla worked in the Destiny laboratory module on ISS to understand how tardigrades -- tiny aquatic animals -- survive numerous harsh climates including microgravity. He deployed sample bags and captured images of the algae strains on the ISS.

Shukla also looked at muscle cell stem cultures through a microscope to understand the muscle repair process in weightlessness.

Further, the IAF Group Captain has recorded a video for students explaining to them how the human digestive system adapts to space.

Shukla is also expected to interact with school students and scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from his orbital post via ham radio on Friday evening.

Lucknow-born Shukla is on a 14-day scientific expedition on the ISS as part of the Axiom-4 mission, along with three other astronauts from the US, Poland, and Hungary.

The Ax-4 crew will conduct around 60 scientific studies and commercial activities in microgravity representing 31 countries, including the US, India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations across Europe.

India, through ISRO, has contributed seven carefully selected studies to the mission.

Reader Comments

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Rohit P
Amazing work by Shubhanshu ji! But I wonder - shouldn't ISRO focus more on basic space infrastructure first? We still don't have our own space station while doing such advanced research.
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Aditya G
The "Thoughts over Gravity" experiment sounds like something from a sci-fi movie! Imagine controlling spaceships with just your mind in future. Shubhanshu sir is making India proud in space tech innovation.
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Sarah B
As an expat in Bangalore, I'm constantly amazed by India's scientific progress. The tardigrade research and now this BCI work shows how India is becoming a global leader in space biology too!
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Karthik V
Ham radio interaction with students is such a brilliant initiative! When I was young, we only had Chandrayaan news. Now kids can directly talk to astronauts in space. What a time to be alive!
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Nisha Z
The digestive system video will be so helpful for students! Space science needs more Indian women representation though. Hope ISRO sends more women scientists on future missions 🤞

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Tags:
Shubhanshu Shukla Brain-Computer Interface NASA International Space Station Space Technology Axiom Space Mission