HIGHLIGHTS
On their sixth day aboard the International Space Station, the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew continued executing a full slate of scientific research, technology demonstrations, and global outreach. Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu “Shux” Shukla, and Mission Specialists Sławosz “Suave” Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu worked on studies involving muscle biology, radiation exposure, thermal regulation, and neural activity. Alongside their research, the crew continued to connect with international audiences, reinforcing the mission’s broader goals of collaboration, education, and advancing knowledge both in space and on Earth.
RESEARCH
Peggy contributed to the Saudi Space Agency’s Microgravity Challenge, capturing images of student-designed plant growth experiments and managing sensor operations. Through this initiative, students are given a direct role in space research, fostering innovation in science, technology, education, art, and mathematics (STEAM) through real-world testing.
Meanwhile, Shux led a series of biological investigations. He conducted the Space Micro Algae experiment, which explores how microgravity affects the growth and genetic behavior of algae — organisms that could one day serve as sustainable sources of food, fuel, or oxygen for long-duration missions. Shux also performed a microscopy to examine muscle cell development for the myogenesis study. Insights could lead to therapies for muscle loss both on orbit and on Earth. His work extended to documenting the Voyager Tardigrades experiment, which investigates how hardy microscopic creatures survive and reproduce in space. The findings could reveal new insights into the molecular mechanisms of cellular resilience which could translate into clinically relevant knowledge on Earth.
Suave focused on evaluating wearable technology through the Wireless Acoustics project. By comparing a compact, wearable acoustic monitor to traditional stationary equipment, he’s helping determine whether future astronauts can rely on more comfortable and efficient tools to track noise exposure — a key factor in long-term crew health and comfort.
The Bone on ISS experiment was conducted to study the effects of microgravity on bone health, focusing on bone loss during flight and recovery post-spaceflight. By examining bone metabolism, inflammatory markers, and growth factors in blood, the study aims to develop a digital twin model to predict bone behavior during recovery. This research is beneficial for human spaceflight missions, as it helps predict individual skeletal risks and enables better astronaut screening.
In another study, the PhotonGrav project is exploring the potential for neural activity to support brain-computer interfaces in space. By collecting neural activity data using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), the crew is helping scientists understand how the brain adapts to microgravity and how this knowledge could enhance assistive technologies for people with disabilities back on Earth.
Tibor monitored 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. Tibor also continued work on the Fruit Fly DNA Repair experiment, which investigates how space radiation affects genetic integrity. By studying how certain enzymes might shield DNA from damage, this research could eventually lead to new ways to safeguard human health during deep space missions.
Additionally, the crew led a technology demonstration for the Suit Fabric Study, a project that’s redefining how we think about clothing in space. This technology demonstration explores how garments influence heat transfer in environments where gravity and convection behave differently. By monitoring how both the body and fabric respond to exercise in microgravity, the study could revolutionize the design of future space suits. But the impact isn’t just beyond Earth’s atmosphere, this technology could also enhance thermal regulation in extreme environments on our home planet, from high-performance sportswear to medical garments that help manage body temperature in clinical settings.
The Ax-4 crew also lent their voices — literally — to the Voice in Space study, which investigates how spaceflight affects human speech. In the weightless environment, vocal patterns can shift due to changes in cognitive function and the absence of gravity’s influence on the body. Using electroglottograph sensors and a series of scripted vocal tasks, researchers are analyzing how vocal fold vibrations and tonal qualities evolve on orbit. The goal is to train AI algorithms to detect these subtle changes, potentially leading to new diagnostic tools for monitoring astronaut health while enhancing voice-based AI systems on Earth.
Finally, the crew completed the third round of the Cerebral Hemodynamics study. Using ultrasound imaging, they tracked blood flow in the brain to better understand how the cardiovascular system adapts to life in space. This research is vital for protecting astronaut health on long-duration missions and could also lead to improved diagnostic techniques for heart and brain conditions back on Earth.
OUTREACH
Yesterday, Peggy hosted an empowering conversation with aspiring and current female astronauts from Mexico, Spain, Germany, and the UK. Their discussion highlighted the growing global network of women leading the charge in science, innovation, and space exploration. Click here to watch the event.
Today, Suave connected with members of the Polish Parliament to spotlight the nation’s growing role in space exploration.
Tibor joined a live event with Dr. Orsolya Ferencz, Hungary’s Ministerial Commissioner for Space Research, to share how Ax-4 is advancing scientific goals.
Tomorrow, Shux will connect with students in India, offering a firsthand look at life aboard the International Space Station. He’ll share what it’s like to live and work in microgravity, the science he’s conducting as part of the mission, and answer students’ questions about space exploration.
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