The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced a new nutrition programme called Santulan, tailored for its selected astronaut trainees, known as Gaganyatris. This initiative, facilitated by the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) in Bengaluru, aims to provide personalised nutrition support to three selected astronauts during their training period.

As part of the first phase of this initiative, Isro is seeking to engage a nutrition consultancy. The goal is to appoint four nutritionists, with one assigned to each Gaganyatri, along with a lead nutritionist responsible for developing and overseeing individual dietary plans. All astronauts involved are test pilots from the Indian Air Force, bringing a wealth of experience to the programme.

The nutrition plans will be created based on comprehensive assessments that include blood and urine analysis, body composition studies, metabolic rate evaluations, and microbiome examinations. Unlike static meal plans, these nutrition strategies will be flexible, adapting according to training schedules, recovery needs, and feedback from the astronauts themselves.

Catering Requirements and Meal Preparations

In addition to the nutrition consultancy, Isro has issued a separate tender to find a catering partner responsible for preparing and delivering fresh meals and nutrition related to the astronauts’ workouts. The caterer must operate within a proximity of 10 kilometres from the HSFC and adhere to strict ingredient traceability and food safety regulations.

The catering partner will also need to ensure a maximum deviation of 5 per cent for calories and macronutrients in the meals provided. Tender documents indicate that draft menus will feature both vegan and non-vegetarian meal options, covering the entire daily nutrition schedule from pre-breakfast to hydration and pre-bed meals. These menus will serve as estimates for vendors and are not finalised for the Gaganyatris.

Furthermore, the final nutrition programme may incorporate dietary supplements as required. These will be prescribed based on the recommendations of the nutritionists and medical professionals, ensuring that the needs of the astronauts are met adequately.

Significance of Nutrition in Space Training

The Santulan initiative is crucial as India’s human spaceflight programme advances towards more rigorous training and mission preparations. The Gaganyaan mission aims to place Indian astronauts into low-Earth orbit using an Indian launch vehicle, making astronaut health, fitness, and nutrition vital components of mission readiness.

Isro has set a deadline of October 14, 2026, at 2 pm IST for the submission of bids for the two tenders related to this initiative. The contracts awarded will enable Isro to implement a robust system for monitoring and adjusting the astronauts’ nutritional needs throughout their training, replacing traditional fixed meal plans with adaptable strategies suited to the astronauts’ specific requirements.

The establishment of this comprehensive nutrition programme represents a significant step forward in ensuring that the astronauts perform at their best during training and eventual missions. This proactive approach towards nutrition is aligned with the critical demands of human spaceflight, emphasising the importance of tailored support for the Gaganyatris in their preparation for space exploration.

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