HIGHLIGHTS
The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew remains focused on a wide range of research activities. Over the past 12 days, Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu “Shux” Shukla, and Mission Specialists Sławosz “Suave” Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu have advanced scientific studies, tested new technologies, and engaged in global outreach efforts, all contributing to the mission’s broader goals in space exploration and Earth-based innovation.
RESEARCH
Today, Peggy continued guiding the crew through another productive day of microgravity research.
Shux tended to the Sprouts project by taking photos of seeds in petri dishes and inserting them into the Minus Eighty-Degree Laboratory Freezer to study how microgravity influences germination and early plant development. Once returned to Earth, the seeds will be cultivated over several generations to examine changes in their genetics, microbial ecosystems, and nutritional profiles.
In another experiment, Shux deployed and stowed microalgae, which are being investigated for their potential to produce food, oxygen, and even biofuels. Their resilience and versatility make them ideal for supporting human life on long-duration missions.
Shux also captured images for the crop seeds experiment, where six varieties will be grown over multiple generations post-mission. The goal is to identify plants with desirable traits for genetic analysis for sustainable farming in space.
Additionally, the crew continued the Voyager Displays experiment, which investigates how spaceflight affects eye movement, gaze coordination, and pointing accuracy. Insights from this study could lead to the development of adaptive spacecraft interfaces tailored to the unique cognitive and motor demands of astronauts on orbit.
The crew also took part in the AstroMentalHealth study focusing on astronauts' mental and behavioral health during human spaceflight missions. This research can benefit others on Earth by developing remote technologies for diagnosing and treating mental disorders.
A neuromuscular electrical stimulation session was performed to explore potential countermeasures against the muscle loss caused by microgravity. By delivering targeted electrical impulses to muscles, this technique could help maintain muscle mass and strength during extended space missions, supporting astronaut health and performance on orbit and upon return to Earth.
Crew contributed to the Suit Fabric Study by collecting data on how clothing affects heat transfer in microgravity, where normal convection doesn’t apply. The research monitors both physiological and fabric responses during exercise on orbit, aiming to improve future spacesuit design. Insights from this study could also enhance thermal regulation in clothing for extreme environments on Earth, benefiting fields like healthcare and sports.
Data was also collected for the Telemetric Health AI study, which explores how spaceflight impacts the cardiovascular and balance systems. By integrating readings from various medical devices with mission data and analyzing them using advanced data science techniques, the project aims to develop real-time health monitoring and predictive healthcare tools that could be applied both in space and on Earth.
Tibor supported the IMU-DRS study, which tests the accuracy of smartphone motion sensors in microgravity. By comparing motion data collected in space with Earth-based benchmarks, researchers aim to understand sensor drift and prove that complex movement paths can be reconstructed in weightlessness—knowledge that could shape future spacecraft navigation systems.
The crew continued collecting radiation exposure data using the Rad Nano Dosimeter, a compact device that tracks radiation levels in real time. This ongoing monitoring is beneficial for assessing astronaut safety on long-duration missions and could guide the development of better shielding technologies and safety protocols for future missions.
Finally, to study how spaceflight affects learning and adaptation, crew took part in the Acquired Equivalence Test — a cognitive experiment that challenges astronauts to recognize patterns and associations between visual symbols, even when altered in ways that defy Earth-based spatial norms.
OUTREACH
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. Watch the event, here.
Suave continued his outreach efforts with around 300 students in Poland. During the live event, he shared insights about his journey to becoming an astronaut, offered a glimpse into daily life aboard the space station, and led a hands-on STEM demonstration designed to spark curiosity and excitement about science and space. Click here to watch.
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