Centre for Space Science, Planetary Health & Sustainability
Expert Leadership & Collaboration
The IHRI Centre for Space Science, Planetary Health & Sustainability forges a powerful connection between Earth and space to confront the critical challenges facing our biosphere and beyond. The Centre is led by Dr. Manavi Jadhav, a distinguished cosmochemist and planetary scientist, and Dr. Sabrina Poradosu, our Chief Medical Officer for Space Health and Human Factors—an experienced internist and endocrinologist with advanced expertise in space studies and a deep commitment to both terrestrial and space health. The Centre unites a diverse array of expertise. This includes, the invaluable contributions of cross-IHRI experts in cybernetics, prehospital care and engineering.
Centre Mission
Our unique mission is to leverage the profound insights gained from space exploration and the study of extreme environments to catalyze innovation and significantly advance health, technology, and sustainability right here on our home planet.
Our impactful research portfolio spans planetary science, the development of sustainable systems, and the creation of cutting-edge technologies inspired by the demanding conditions of space. While we are proud to offer specialized programmes, in Space Health and Human Factors, our educational initiatives form just one vital component of the Centre’s comprehensive activities.
Our core focus centers on fundamental research, dynamic cross-disciplinary projects, and strategic collaborations. These efforts are dedicated to translating groundbreaking discoveries from space into tangible benefits for terrestrial applications and the overall well-being of our planet.
Key Themes
- Climate change and environmental health
- Space health and human adaptation to extreme environments
- Planetary science and its implications for Earth’s future
- Space-based technologies for Earth observation and healthcare
Core Activities
- Interdisciplinary research on planetary systems and environmental change
- Postgraduate level programmes in space health, and sustainable spaceflight
- Consultancy services for space agencies, environmental organizations, and policymakers
- Public engagement initiatives to promote understanding of space science and planetary health
- International collaborations fostering knowledge exchange and joint projects
Flagship Projects
- Astronaut Advanced Monitoring – Developing and validating advanced monitoring technologies to assess astronaut health in real-time
- Studying Extremophiles in Subterranean Caves – Exploring subterranean cave systems to study extremophiles and their implications for astrobiology.
- Extraterrestial Material Collection – Collecting extraterrestrial materials and human factors data in extreme environments.