Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Shubhanshu Shukla Unveils B.H.E.E.M. Concept for Habitats Beyond Earth
Shubhanshu Shukla is an Indian astronaut who designed an idea called B.H.E.E.M. It describes a possible home for people in space.
The name means Bharatiya Habitable Expandable Extraterrestrial Habitat.
Shukla developed the idea while studying during his astronaut training.
He focused on where people would live after reaching another world, not just on the spacecraft that takes them there.
Future space homes would need protection from radiation and very cold or hot temperatures.
They would also need air, energy and ways to be built in strange environments.
Shukla says scientists should start planning these homes today if people may live beyond Earth in the future.
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla introduced B.H.E.E.M., short for Bharatiya Habitable Expandable Extraterrestrial Habitat.
The concept grew from Shukla’s academic research during the Indian phase of his astronaut training.
Research at the Aloke lab of the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru examined future extraterrestrial habitats.
The work considered how humans might live and work on the Moon, Mars and other destinations beyond Earth.
Shukla said research must begin now to address radiation, temperature, life support, energy and construction challenges.
- Who
- Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla.
- What
- He introduced B.H.E.E.M., a concept for habitats that could support humans beyond Earth.
- When
- The concept emerged during the Indian phase of Shukla’s astronaut training; no specific date was given.
- Where
- The research was developed at the Aloke lab at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru, for possible use on the Moon, Mars and other destinations beyond Earth.
- Why
- To explore how humans could live and work during future long-duration missions and settlements beyond Earth.
- Concept
- B.H.E.E.M., meaning Bharatiya Habitable Expandable Extraterrestrial Habitat
- Researcher
- Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla
- Research location
- The Aloke lab at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru
- Potential destinations
- The Moon, Mars and other destinations beyond Earth
- Main challenges
- Radiation, extreme temperatures, life support, energy requirements and construction in unfamiliar environments
- Research context
- The work was part of academic research encouraged during the Indian phase of astronaut training