Shubhunu Shukla’s space mission can re -write diabetes care rules. This way
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is part of the AX-4 mission studying diabetes in space. This research can change the care of diabetes on Earth and enable diabetic patients to travel safely in space.

In short
- Research constantly examines glucose monitor and insulin stability in space
- Micography provides unique insights in diabetes and metabolic diseases
- Conclusions can improve diabetes care on Earth, especially in remote areas
Indian astronaut Shubhinhu Shukla is currently part of a historic mission riding on the International Space Station (ISS), which participates in more than 60 scientific experiments as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (AX-4). One of them is a study that we can understand and how to understand diabetes: not only in space, but also on earth.
Over the years, people with insulin-dependent diabetes have been excluded from space missions due to the challenges of managing blood sugar levels in the zero-gurutvotvic environment. The AX-4 mission is now rethinking that rule.
‘Suite ride’ project: a step to oral to increase
A major attraction of the AX-4 mission is a research project called a suit ride, designed to study how glucose is affected by metabolic microgravity.
The final goal is to make it safe for people with diabetes to stay in space and work.
“The suite ride is investigating how the space environment affects glucose metabolism in the human body. It can increase our understanding of diabetes and other metabolic diseases that affect blood sugar regulation,” Dr. Mohammed Fighton, Clinical Lead for Suit Ride Project (AX-4), Burjil Holdings, Chief Medical Officer, Burjel Medical City, informed.

Research colleague Burjel Holdings partnered with Axiom space to find out how the research colleague Burjel Holdings continued in space. These devices are already bringing revolution in diabetes care on Earth.
Why space is a game-changer for diabetes research
Micography provides an environment that allows scientists to study the body without normal gravitational pressure. This makes it possible to observe glucose metabolism in completely new light.
“Micogravity allows us to study metabolism without the effects of gravity. Most mass, fluid distribution, and changes in circadian rhythms provide new insight into glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
By studying healthy individuals in space, scientists can create a foundation to understand how diabetes behaves in such situations, an essential step towards future space travel for people with old circumstances.
How to study on ISS
During a two -week mission, one or more astronauts are wearing CGMs for the entire period. These devices constantly monitor blood sugar levels and send the data back to Earth.

“One or more astronauts are wearing CGMs for the entire period of the mission. The readings are constantly monitored, and the data is being collected. Insulin pen was sent on the flight, but astronauts are not using them. We are testing insulin’s viability and stability in the space atmosphere.
Anatomy
Dr. Fitan explained the current obstacles that prevent people from going into space with diabetes:
- Glucose variability and hypoglycemia can be fatal in space, where immediate medical aid is not available.
- Drug challenges due to storage temperature, fluid change and incompatible absorption in microgravity.
- Extremely accurate glucose control is required, which is difficult to maintain on long missions.
The AX-4 mission is helping scientists to understand how healthy metabolic microgravity behaves and whether CGM can be used safely by astronauts with diabetes in future missions.
Earth change
The findings of AX-4 are not only for future astronauts. They can also benefit people on Earth, especially in remote or understanding areas.
This can be a study:
- Remote monitoring platform for real -time metabolic tracking.
- Advanced glucose monitor for extreme or low-resources environment.
- AI-based future model for personal diabetes care.
- New drug goal to improve insulin sensitivity.
“This research helps to expand the eligibility for the spaceflight, not by reducing the standards, rather by making technologies and protocols that enable safe participation for persons with older conditions, such as insulin-dependent diabetes,” Dr.
What will happen next?
Once the mission returns, the researchers will analyze the data to determine the next steps.
“We hope that this research opens the door for future studies, including sending the first astronaut into space with diabetes and searching for other metabolism and old conditions,” Dr. Fighton said.
The AX-4 mission, on the board with Shubhanshu Shukla, can mark a historical event, a place where the place is also accessible to those who manage old conditions like diabetes, and where the subsequent lessons help to avoid the above, save life back on earth.