From Dharwad to Space: How Fruit Flies Are Paving the Way for India's Gaganyaan Mission!
From Dharwad to Space: How Fruit Flies Are Paving the Way for India's Gaganyaan Mission!
From the famous Dharwad peda to now the Dharwad fruit flies, this Karnataka town is making its mark in space exploration too!
Fruit flies from Dharwad Drosophila melanogaster, are set to be part of ISRO's upcoming Gaganyaan mission, a significant step in space research scheduled for next year. The University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, has been selected to send a kit containing these fruit flies as part of the mission. This kit, prepared by the Department of Biology at the University, was chosen from among samples provided by 75 agricultural universities across the country, marking a proud achievement for the institution.
The body structure of fruit flies is remarkably similar to that of humans, making them ideal subjects for studying the effects of zero gravity. The data obtained from observing changes in the fruit flies during the mission will provide critical insights that could benefit future human space missions. The Gaganyaan spacecraft, carrying the fruit fly kit, will orbit the Earth for 2 to 7 days in zero gravity before returning to land in the sea near Gujarat. During this time, scientists will closely monitor the changes in the specimens and conduct further research on the findings.
With around 70% similarity in body structure to humans, the results of the fruit flies’ physical changes in zero gravity are essential for advancing space research. The central government has allocated ₹78 lakh for this project, which has involved continuous studies on fruit flies over the past two years to prepare the specimen kit.
The research, led by young scientist Dr. Ravikumar Hosamani and his team from the Department of Biology at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, has received widespread recognition. The university is celebrated as one of the top 10 agricultural universities in the country, known for its excellence in agricultural research and outcomes.
Reportage by Kalmesh Mandyala
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