SPACE BIOLOGY

Abstract

Prof. Sipra Guha was an Indian Botanist with specialisation in plant tissue culture, plant molecular biology, biotechnology. She is known for her break-through discovery of the technique of producing haploid plants through anther culture. Dr.Guha also collaborated with M.S. Swaminathan for the Green Revolution. She served as a Professor and Dean in the school of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University. The paper explores the critical role that a Biologist plays in making possible the space mission. It sheds light upon the nature of space and addresses the unique challenges posed by the space environment, such as altered gravitational forces, weightlessness, pressure, extremes of temperature as well as radiation hazards on a space traveller. Additionally, it elaborates upon the criteria required for space travel in the 60s and the scope for space travel in the future.