HIGHLIGHTS
Now halfway through their mission aboard the International Space Station, the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) — Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu “Shux” Shukla, and Mission Specialists Sławosz “Suave” Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu — returned to their research studies after a well-earned off-duty day. As fireworks will soon light up the skies back on Earth, the Ax-4 crew marked the occasion on orbit by celebrating progress through purpose by advancing science that serves all of humanity. Their work embodies exploration, innovation, and global collaboration, defining the pursuit of freedom through knowledge.
RESEARCH
Peggy wrapped up the ninth and tenth (out of twelve) imaging sessions of 3D tumor organoids for the groundbreaking Cancer in LEO study. These tiny, lab-grown tumor models are unlocking how cancer behaves in microgravity, offering a new frontier of discovery that could revolutionize both space health and cancer therapies back on Earth.
Peggy captured images of a student-designed plant growth experiment for the Saudi Space Agency’s Microgravity Challenge. This educational program invited students from across Saudi Arabia to design and launch real scientific experiments into orbit, giving them a opportunity to explore the unique conditions of microgravity.
The crew contributed to the Voyager Displays project, a study focused on how spaceflight affects eye movement, gaze control, and pointing accuracy. In microgravity, even simple tasks like selecting a button or tracking a moving object can become more complex. By linking these physical responses to stress and cognitive load, researchers aim to design more intuitive spacecraft interfaces—ones that adapt to the unique challenges of space and help astronauts stay sharp and efficient on long-duration missions.
Inside the Life Sciences Glovebox, Shux carried out operations for the myogenesis study, which investigates how microgravity contributes to muscle atrophy. Without the constant pull of gravity, muscles weaken quickly in space. This research dives deep into the molecular pathways behind skeletal muscle dysfunction, with the goal of developing targeted therapies to prevent muscle loss. The findings could also benefit people on Earth, especially those dealing with age-related muscle decline or limited mobility.
Shux deployed samples for the Space Micro Algae investigation. These tiny organisms might one day help sustain life in space, providing food, fuel, and even breathable air. But first, we need to understand how they grow and adapt in microgravity.
The crew continued monitoring radiation exposure using the Rad Nano Dosimeter, a compact device that provides real-time data on environmental conditions aboard the space station. This information could lead to valuable insight for protecting astronauts as missions venture farther from Earth.
In another experiment, Tibor worked on the Fruit Fly DNA Repair study to explore how space radiation affects genetic stability. By observing how fruit fly DNA responds to radiation and how certain enzymes might protect it, scientists hope to uncover new strategies for preserving human health during long-duration missions. These tiny flies could hold the key to big breakthroughs in genetic protection, both in space and in radiation-heavy environments on Earth.
Tibor also wrapped up work on the VITAPRIC experiment by testing the growth of radish and wheat microgreens in microgravity. These nutrient-packed plants are more than just a snack…they could become a sustainable source of fresh food for astronauts on extended missions and provide innovative farming techniques for growing healthy crops in cities, deserts, or other resource-limited environments here on Earth.
Additionally, the crew contributed to the ENPERCHAR experiment by investigating how microgravity affects human perception and environmental awareness. By analyzing how astronauts interact with their surroundings and perform tasks in space, researchers aim to better understand how spatial orientation and psychological connection to the environment shift in orbit. These findings are essential for designing future spacecraft, habitats, and workspaces that support both mental and physical well-being during long-term missions.
Inside the weightless environment of the International Space Station, a crewmember donned a virtual reality (VR) headset as part of the Neuromotion VR study, helping researchers understand how spaceflight affects the brain’s ability to focus, plan, and move.
While navigating a series of attention-based tasks in VR, an astronaut also wore a specialized cap equipped with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) sensors. These sensors track brain activity in real time, offering a window into how microgravity influences cognitive function and motor control. To deepen the analysis, saliva and tear samples were collected to measure stress hormones and other biological markers. Together, these data points are painting a clearer picture of how the human brain adapts to space — insights that are important for preparing astronauts for longer missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Can your voice reveal how space is affecting your body? The Voice in Space experiment is testing just that. By analyzing vocal changes in astronauts, using both recordings and vocal fold measurements, researchers are training AI to detect subtle shifts in speech caused by microgravity and cognitive stress. This blend of biology and machine learning has the potential to revolutionize astronaut health monitoring.
To explore how spaceflight affects the brain’s ability to learn and adapt, the crew took part in the Acquired Equivalence Test, which is a cognitive experiment designed to study associative learning in microgravity. This test challenges astronauts to recognize patterns and relationships between visual cues, even when those cues are flipped or rotated in ways that disrupt our usual sense of up and down. By comparing results from space with data collected before and after the mission, researchers hope to uncover how the brain processes both simple and complex visual information on orbit.
The crew participated in the Bone on ISS experiment, providing insight on how bones deteriorate in space and how they recover once back on Earth. By analyzing biological markers related to bone formation, inflammation, and growth, researchers are building a digital twin — a virtual model that can simulate how an astronaut’s bones respond to spaceflight and recovery. This personalized approach could revolutionize astronaut health screening, allowing mission planners to predict skeletal risks and tailor countermeasures for each individual. Beyond space, the findings may also lead to better treatments for osteoporosis and other bone-related conditions here on Earth.
As future missions venture deeper into space, astronauts will need reliable, non-intrusive ways to monitor their health in real time. The Mxene in LEO study explores how these nanomaterials, a class of ultra-thin, 2D inorganic compounds, can be used to create next-generation biometric sensors. During the mission, the crew is testing six different MXene-based devices that will enable researchers to evaluate how these materials perform in low-Earth orbit, focusing on their functionality, durability, and environmental stability.
Lastly, the crew conducted neuromuscular electrical stimulation sessions to monitor physiological changes with the goal to find possible countermeasures to protect crew from the adverse effects of microgravity on muscle mass. The findings could also provide useful insights into muscle and bone health for Earth-based medical conditions, such as osteoporosis and muscle atrophy.
OUTREACH
Today, Tibor connected with Hungarian media from orbit, sharing his experiences as Hungary’s second astronaut and the first to carry out a mission aboard the International Space Station. Watch the event, here.
Tomorrow, Peggy will join students in South Korea for a special event as part of the Humans In Space (HIS) Youth Program. This initiative engaged over 800 students and teachers across the country, culminating in a drawing and research competition. From hundreds of entries, twenty finalist were selected for their artwork, and three teams were recognized for their outstanding research projects. During the event, Peggy will showcase the winning drawings from space, bringing these students’ creativity to orbit. The winning students will also have an opportunity to ask Peggy questions about science and life in space.
Finally, all four of the Ax-4 crewmembers will join Axiom Space Chief Scientist Dr. Lucie Low tomorrow for a Q&A about their research studies and the progress being made as they are now halfway through their mission aboard the space station.
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