ISRO RESPOND Funded Research Programme

Human Homeostasis
in Space Environment

A professional research platform for the PGIMER × ISRO collaboration focused on microgravity simulation, human physiology, nutritional intervention, and translational readiness for India's future human spaceflight missions.

Mission Domain: Space Life Sciences
Location: PGIMER Chandigarh
Programme: ISRO RESPOND
Live Status: CONNECTING
IST: --:--:--
Volunteer for the Study Explore Webinars Research Contact
Mission timeline · Target completion August 2027
000Days
00Hours
00Minutes
00Seconds
30Day immobilization / bed-rest simulation protocol
3Dietary intervention arms under study
15+Key biomarkers and physiology measurements
1Integrated space-health mission platform
PGIMER ISRO Department of Space
Research Mode
ACTIVE
Mission Support ISRO RESPOND
Focus Area Microgravity Simulation
Volunteer Window
OPEN

MISSION OPERATIONS PANEL

01

Space physiology research: investigating homeostatic regulation under simulated microgravity conditions.

02

Clinical + translational science: integrating nutrition, renal markers, acid-base balance, and musculoskeletal adaptation.

03

Professional outreach: volunteer recruitment, guest experts, webinars, and research collaboration.

Research Team

The Scientists Behind the Mission

A multidisciplinary team of clinicians, researchers, and space-health contributors driving a professional ISRO-linked human physiology platform for space-relevant research.

Dr. Poonam Khanna
Principal Investigator

Dr. Poonam Khanna

Additional Professor, PGIMER Chandigarh

A distinguished researcher in clinical nutrition and human physiology, Dr. Khanna leads the ISRO RESPOND-funded investigation into homeostatic regulation under immobilization and simulated microgravity. Her participation in the SIRIUS-23 analog mission at IBMP Moscow reflects her deep commitment to space life sciences.

SIRIUS-23PGIMERSpace NutritionISRO RESPOND
Rahul Saini
Research Scientist

Rahul Saini

Space Biology Researcher | SIRIUS-23 Crew | Founder, Spaceiya

India's sole researcher in the SIRIUS-23 isolation mission at IBMP RAS, Moscow. Rahul brings expertise in space nutrition, astronaut health, and molecular biology. He contributes to biochemical analysis of dietary protein and acid-base regulation in microgravity-analog conditions.

SIRIUS-23 CrewISROSpaceiyaAstro Nutrition
Amarjot Singh
Research Team

Amarjot Singh

Research Associate | PGIMER Chandigarh

Contributing to participant coordination, physiological assessments, data collection, and execution of the ISRO RESPOND-funded bed-rest study at PGIMER Chandigarh.

PGIMERClinical ResearchHuman PhysiologyISRO RESPOND
Chayakant
Research Team

Chayakant

Lab Support | PGIMER Chandigarh

Supporting participant management, laboratory procedures, physiological monitoring, and day-to-day research operations for the ISRO RESPOND-funded study.

PGIMERResearch OperationsClinical StudySpace Health
Academic Leadership

Co-Principal Investigators

Dr. Sanjay Bhadada
Co-Principal Investigator

Dr. Sanjay Bhadada

Professor & Head of Department, PGIMER Chandigarh

Contributing clinical and academic leadership to the Human Homeostasis in Space research programme with strong institutional and medical-science guidance.

PGIMERHODClinical ResearchSpace Health
Dr. Navin Kumar
Co-Principal Investigator

Dr. Navin Kumar

Professor & Head of Department, IIT Ropar

Providing interdisciplinary scientific and technological support, strengthening the connection between health research, engineering perspectives, and mission-oriented innovation.

IIT RoparHODResearchSpace Technology
Research Overview

Study Objectives

This ISRO RESPOND-funded study examines how the human body maintains physiological balance under conditions simulating spaceflight, focusing on acid-base homeostasis, nutritional intervention, and musculoskeletal adaptation.

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Acid-Base Homeostasis

Investigating how dietary protein composition influences blood pH regulation during prolonged bed rest, a validated model for microgravity-induced physiological changes.

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Musculoskeletal Adaptation

Tracking bone density, muscle mass, and renal function biomarkers to understand the cascade of deconditioning during immobilization.

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Nutritional Intervention

Comparing animal, plant, and mixed protein regimens using PRAL-based calculations to evaluate acid-base neutrality and space dietary suitability.

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Space Relevance

Findings aim to inform dietary and health-support planning relevant to Gaganyaan and future long-duration human space missions.

Mission Study Dashboard

Live Concept

Professional presentation of a 30-day bed-rest protocol at PGIMER Chandigarh, incorporating three dietary arms and biomarker profiling including blood gases, urine pH, serum proteins, and bone metabolism indicators.

30Day protocol
3Diet arms
15+Biomarkers
2027Target milestone
Join the Mission

Volunteer for the Study

A clean and professional volunteer recruitment section designed to make study participation simple, clear, and trustworthy.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Healthy adult males aged 18 to 45 years
  • No history of chronic cardiovascular, renal, or metabolic disease
  • BMI between 18.5 and 27.5 kg/m²
  • Non-smoker and no regular alcohol use
  • No current medications affecting bone or calcium metabolism
  • Available for the full 30-day residential study period at PGIMER
  • Willing to adhere to the prescribed dietary protocol
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Monetary honorarium for time commitment
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Participation certificate from PGIMER × ISRO
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Free health assessment and biomarker panel
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Direct interaction with space-health research ecosystem

Official Participation Form

If you are interested in volunteering for this research study, please complete the official participant interest form. Eligible volunteers will be contacted by the study team.

Join as a Volunteer →
Official Google form · participant screening
Events and Knowledge

Webinars and Events

A professional event showcase designed to make the site feel active, space-focused, and internationally collaborative.

Upcoming · 20 May 2026

Space Nutrition and the Global South

A collaborative webinar by Space Nutrition Network and SHE in Space exploring how emerging space nations are shaping the future of astronaut health research.

Global SouthNutritionFree
Register Now
July 2026

Acid-Base Balance in Microgravity: From Bench to Gaganyaan

PGIMER researchers present preliminary findings from the bed rest study with implications for dietary protocols aboard India's first crewed spacecraft.

ResearchGaganyaanPGIMER
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September 2026

Lessons from SIRIUS-23 for Deep Space Missions

Rahul Saini shares first-hand experience from the SIRIUS-23 mission at IBMP Moscow and what it revealed about psychological and physiological resilience in isolation.

SIRIUS-23AnalogIBMP
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Expert Collaboration

Invite a Guest Expert

We welcome researchers, clinicians, and space scientists from around the world to contribute to our webinar series and academic programmes.

Guest Lecture Request

Request received! We will be in touch within 5 business days.
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Get in Touch

Contact the Team

A cleaner, more credible contact section helps the website feel official and mission-oriented.

🏛️
Institution

Department of Community Medicine, PGIMER
Sector 12, Chandigarh, India 160012

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Funding Agency

DOS, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
RESPOND Programme

📧
PGIMERClinical + academic research base
ISROSpace mission relevance
RESPONDResearch funding framework
GlobalScientific outreach and webinars

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From Earth

Understanding the Human Body Beyond Earth.

Every discovery begins on Earth and prepares humanity for the journey beyond it. This platform now has a more premium, space-oriented identity so it feels less like a simple page and more like an official mission website.

Human Homeostasis in Space
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