HIGHLIGHTS
The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew — Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu “Shux” Shukla, and Mission Specialists Sławosz “Suave” Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu —have now completed nine productive days aboard the International Space Station. Since their arrival, the crew has been fully dedicated to their packed schedule of scientific research, technology demonstrations, and global outreach. Each day has marked steady progress toward accomplishing mission objectives as the crew contributes to experiments that could shape the future of space exploration and benefit life on Earth.
RESEARCH
Peggy completed the final imaging sessions of 3D tumor organoids for the Cancer in LEO study. By observing their development, researchers on the ground are using microgravity to further understand stem cells, cancer, and aging-related effects in space in order to develop better prediction of disease and therapeutics for patients on Earth.
Shux documented the myogenesis investigation, which explores how the absence of gravity accelerates muscle atrophy. This research examines cellular and molecular mechanisms behind skeletal muscle weakening, with the goal of developing countermeasures to preserve muscle health.
In another task, Shux deployed and stowed samples for the Space Micro Algae experiment. These microscopic organisms could potentially serve as sources of food, oxygen, and biofuel in future missions and provide sustainable life-support systems in deep space exploration.
Shux irrigated crop seeds as part of the Sprouts project, an experiment designed to explore how spaceflight affects seed germination and plant growth. Following the mission, the seeds will be cultivated over multiple generations on Earth. Researchers will analyze changes in their genetic makeup, microbial communities, and nutritional content. The goal of the Sprouts project is to advance our understanding of sustainable crop production in space for future long-duration missions.
The crew gathered more data for the Voyager Displays experiment, which investigates how spaceflight influences eye movement, gaze coordination, and pointing precision. The study could inform the design of smarter, more adaptive spacecraft interfaces.
The crew continued tracking radiation levels using the Rad Nano Dosimeter. By collecting continuous data on radiation exposure, the device will help researchers understand the risks astronauts face in space. This ongoing monitoring effort is essential as space agencies prepare for longer missions beyond low-Earth orbit and could inform the development of advanced shielding technologies and safety protocols.
Tibor gathered data for the Microfluidics Design experiment, which explores how fluids behave in microgravity within compact “lab-on-a-chip” systems. These microfluidic devices, which manipulate tiny volumes of liquid through miniature channels, behave differently in space due to the absence of gravity-driven forces like buoyancy and sedimentation. The experiment’s long-term objective is to develop space-ready diagnostic tools capable of analyzing drug stability and quality during extended missions. Such innovations could be vital for maintaining astronaut health on future journeys to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, where resupply is limited and onboard medical capabilities must be self-sufficient.
In a separate investigation, Tibor documented observations and captured images for the Fruit Fly DNA Repair study, which examines how space radiation influences genetic integrity. This experiment focuses on how fruit fly DNA responds to the environment of space and whether specific enzymes can help repair or shield it from damage. By studying these organisms, scientists could uncover mechanisms to protect human DNA during long-duration space missions. The findings may also have far-reaching implications for improving radiation protection strategies on Earth, particularly in medical and nuclear settings.
Suave contributed to the Wireless Acoustics project, which evaluates a wearable, commercially available acoustic monitor designed to measure sound levels aboard the International Space Station. The device is tested for comfort, usability, and accuracy while astronauts go about their daily tasks, and its readings are compared to those from a fixed, traditional sound level meter nearby. This study assesses whether the wearable system offers improvements over legacy monitoring technologies.
To investigate how spaceflight influences the brain’s capacity to learn and adapt, the crew participated in the Acquired Equivalence Test, which is a cognitive experiment focused on associative learning in microgravity. This test challenges astronauts to identify patterns and relationships between visual symbols, even when those symbols are rotated or flipped in ways that defy Earth-based spatial norms.
For the Mxene in LEO study, the crew is exploring how a cutting-edge class of nanomaterials, ultra-thin 2D inorganic compounds, can power the next generation of biometric sensors. Throughout the mission, the crew is testing six MXene-based devices to assess their performance in space. The findings could lead to advanced wearable technologies that support astronaut health during missions and potentially impact medical monitoring on Earth as well.
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Shux recorded a STEM demonstration to illustrate the differences between physical and chemical changes in microgravity. This hands-on experiment highlights how the absence of gravity alters familiar processes such as mixing substances, phase transitions, and reactions that produce gases or heat.
Suave completed an educational outreach demonstration for students in Poland, showcasing Polish-led experiments aboard the International Space Station. During the session, he explained the science behind these investigations and performed hands-on demonstrations to bring the concepts to life in microgravity. These educational events are connecting students directly with their country’s space research, highlighting the real-world impact of science and technology in space.
Tibor filmed a CPR demonstration for the Space Basics Outreach project, an initiative designed to educate audiences of all ages by showcasing activities conducted aboard the International Space Station. Through the lens of an astronaut on orbit, the project highlights hands-on experiments and offers a glimpse into life in space.
OUTREACH
Today, Peggy joined students in South Korea for an 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 teams were selected for their artwork, and three teams were recognized for their outstanding research projects. During the event, Peggy showcased the winning drawings from the International Space Station, bringing these students’ creativity to orbit. The winning students also had the opportunity to ask Peggy questions about life and science in space.
Lastly, all four of the Ax-4 crewmembers connected with Axiom Space Chief Scientist Dr. Lucie Low for a Q&A about their research studies and the progress being made as they are now more than halfway through the mission.
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