Thiruvananthapuram: The SCTIMST and the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC), an unit of ISRO, have entered into a significant collaboration to advance research and training in the emerging field of Space Medicine and Bioastronautics in India.

ISRO is progressing towards its ambitious human spaceflight programme through the 'Gaganyaan' mission, a statement issued by the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) said on Saturday.

Human space travel and prolonged stay in space pose several challenges to astronauts due to factors such as microgravity, cosmic radiation, isolation, and other space environmental conditions.

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Understanding the impact of these conditions on human physiology and developing appropriate biomedical technologies are essential for ensuring astronaut safety during future human space missions, it said.

SCTIMST and HSFC signed an MoU on April 24, 2025 for cooperation in the field of Space Medicine Research related to various human space missions of ISRO.

As part of this collaboration, a 'Center for Space Medicine Research' was inaugurated at SCTIMST on November 26, 2025 by ISRO Chairman V Narayanan to facilitate joint academic and research activities between the two organisations, it said.

Continuing this collaboration, an Implementing Agreement (IA) was signed between SCTIMST and HSFC, Bengaluru, at the ISRO Headquarters in Bengaluru, on June 25 2026 for initiating the Postdoctoral Fellowship (PDF) Programme in Bioastronautics, which is the first programme of its kind in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, the ISRO Chairman highlighted the importance of the human space programme for the nation and emphasised the need for advanced research, training, and capacity building in Space Medicine and related disciplines, especially as more human space missions are planned in the future.

SCTIMST president Kris Gopalakrishnan appreciated the institute's contributions towards the development of biomedical technologies and stated that this collaboration with ISRO will provide opportunities for developing innovative technologies and solutions for human space missions through advanced research in Space Medicine.

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According to the statement, the postdoctoral fellowship programme in Bioastronautics is a two-year programme jointly conducted by SCTIMST and HSFC. The selected fellows will undergo specialised training and carry out research activities at both institutions.

The programme is designed to provide comprehensive understanding of the changes occurring in cellular and organ functions of humans during space travel and to enable fellows to undertake research addressing critical scientific questions related to human space missions.

Candidates with postgraduate medical degrees, super-speciality medical qualifications, and PhD degrees in relevant areas are eligible to apply for the programme.

Two fellowship positions will be advertised every year, beginning with the July 2026 academic session.

The advertisement, detailed curriculum, and further information regarding the programme are available on the SCTIMST website and leading news papers.

This landmark initiative represents a major step towards developing national expertise in Space Medicine and Bioastronautics and strengthens India's preparedness for future human space exploration missions, the statement added.