India Research And Astronaut Featured On Ax-4 Mission to ISS

About 60 scientific studies and activities from 31 countries across the globe will be part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS), said the US based Axiom Space on Thursday. Research from India. The common thread in these research activities will be the health of the astronauts and others.

India at the Helm of Ax-4

The Ax-4 Mission to ISS will be flown by Commander Peggy Whitson of the US, Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański- Wiśniewski of European Space Agency (ESA)/Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Ax-4 crew aboard a Dragon spacecraft to the space station no earlier than May 2025 in Florida, the company added.

According to Axiom Space the 31 countries for which the 60 scientific studies and activities will be carried out are the USA, India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and several European nations.

“This will be the most research and science-related activities conducted on an Axiom Space mission aboard the International Space Station to date, underscoring the mission’s global significance and collaborative nature to advance microgravity research in low-Earth orbit (LEO),” Axiom Space said.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) led research collaborating with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and ESA focuses on advancing microgravity research aboard the ISS to enhance understanding of biological processes in microgravity and develop strategies for long-duration space missions.

“The scientific experiments are set to drive significant advancements in space science and technology while also inspiring the next generation of Indian scientists and engineers. Ax-4 strengthens India’s presence in space and promotes the country’s dedication to contributing to global scientific progress,” Axiom Space said.

Research studies will focus on:

– Investigating physical and cognitive impact of computer screens in microgravity.

-Studying growth, metabolism, and genetics of three microalgae strains in microgravity versus ground.

-Comparing growth, cellular responses, and biochemistry of two cyanobacteria strains in microgravity.

-Identifying pathways of skeletal muscle dysfunction in microgravity and exploring therapies.

-Investigating the impacts of spaceflight on germination and growth of crop seeds.

-Examining spaceflight impacts on six crop seed varieties.

-Identifying molecular mechanisms of resilience in extreme environments.

On the other hand, the European research activities supported by the Government of Poland and the ESA will focus on:

-Studying astronauts’ mental and behavioral health on the International Space Station.

-Monitoring bone loss upon re-entry after space missions.

-Examining bone markers to predict recovery behavior.

-Evaluating neurofeedback for stress reduction and performance.

-Investigating gut microbiome changes during short-term space stays.

-Examining immune cell adaptation to microgravity.

-Monitoring astronauts’ soft tissue health during missions.

-Exploring muscle electrical stimulation to protect muscle mass in microgravity.

-Using brain imaging technology to develop a human-computer interface in microgravity.

-Testing methods to extend pharmaceutical shelf-life in space.

-Testing an acoustic monitor on the International Space Station.

-Advancing onboard data processing for space and Earth applications.

-Measuring space radiation levels with a monitor in the Columbus module.

-Assessing six wearable biomonitor devices for function and stability in space.

-Investigating red microalgae for long-duration space missions.

-Investigating a tardigrade gene in yeast for microgravity protection.

According to Axiom Space, the Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) programme research activities will focus on:

-Examining how space conditions affect human bacterial, viral, and fungal microbiomes.

-Investigating microgravity’s effect on cognitive function and motor skills.

-Demonstrating the application of nanofibrous eye inserts in microgravity.

-Examining low-melting point metal behavior for next-generation ion-jet propulsion systems.

-Monitoring crew radiation exposure and environmental conditions with a personal dosimetry device.

-Mimicking planet-scale atmospheric dynamics with a novel way of spinning a water sphere in microgravity.

-Investigating how fruit flies fight radiation-induced DNA damage with enhanced biochemical processes.

-Studying plant germination, microgreen production, and leaf development.

-Examining microfluidic drug testing chips in space.

-Studying associative learning and visual processing in space.

-Examining changes in cardiovascular and balancing systems.

-Understanding cerebral blood flow adaptation to spaceflight.

-Validating clothing heat transfer simulation in different gravity environments for improved astronaut thermal comfort.

-Testing precise position tracking with standard inertial sensors in space.

-Exploring space flight effects on 3D printed materials.

-Studying upper atmospheric thunderstorms.

-Demonstrating gravitational curiosities during a joint physics class with students from across Hungary.

Meanwhile Axiom Space research initiatives will be focussing on:

-Researching how to support astronauts with insulin-dependent diabetes during short-duration missions in microgravity.

-Examining microgravity’s impact on the brain and cognitive risks.

-Collecting physiological and psychological data from astronauts to understand how humans adapt to space.

-Studying the effects of short spaceflights on joints and blood flow.

-Assessing astronaut ‘readiness’ using a wearable device, iPhone software, and AWS Snowcone analytics.

-Developing infrastructure for wearable device data processing during the Ax-4 mission.

-Investigating cancer growth in space, focusing on triple-negative breast cancer.

-Understanding the effects on blood stem cells during spaceflight.

By looking at these critical areas, Axiom Space aims to enhance the overall well-being and readiness of astronauts for future missions and translate findings into benefits for Earth-based research.