The All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi (AIIMS) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to advance research in space medicine and strengthen India’s human spaceflight programme.
The agreement was signed on Monday in New Delhi between AIIMS Director M. Srinivas and Dinesh Kumar Singh, Director of the Human Space Flight Centre. The signing ceremony was attended by ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan, along with senior faculty members and researchers from AIIMS.
Under the partnership, both institutions will collaborate on ground-based and space-based research in space medicine. Key research areas include human physiology, cardiovascular and autonomic regulation, musculoskeletal health in microgravity, microbiome and immunology, genomics and biomarkers, as well as behavioural health.
Srinivas said the collaboration would provide “escape velocity” for joint work in space medicine and noted that the research could benefit not only space exploration but also healthcare on Earth. He added that such initiatives could help position India as a leader in the emerging discipline.
Narayanan highlighted the evolution of India’s space programme, recalling that rockets were once transported using bicycles and bullock carts, but the country has since become a major force in global space technology. He emphasised that partnerships with leading institutions like AIIMS will strengthen India’s human spaceflight capabilities.
