Axiom Space private astronaut missions support breakthroughs in space, bringing benefits to every human, everywhere.
This project from ESA/POLSA aims to assess whether the collection of neural activity data via near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) can be used to establish a human-computer interface in microgravity. The study will collect neural activity and questionnaire data before, during, and after flight. The outcomes from this project could contribute to thedevelopment of advanced technologies on future exploration missions and also provide insights for Earth-based biomedical applications of human-computer interfaces, such as neurotechnology for rehabilitation and assistive devices.
This ESA project is investigating complex (dusty) plasmas — ionized gases produced by high temperatures or strong electric fields, which contain other microparticles such as dust. The presence of microparticles influences the interactions between the molecules in the plasma, making them useful to study the fundamental properties of plasmas. However, on Earth, gravity distorts these interactions, so microgravity allows a clearer understanding of these interactions. These kinds of plasmas are of high scientific interest as researchers want to investigate the microscopic and macroscopic properties of complex plasmas in microgravity and investigate the liquid phase and flow phenomena of these unusual substances. Dusty plasmas help us understand the interactions of matter in space (e.g. in Saturn's rings). These plasmas are related to the formation of unusual high altitude noctilucent clouds and can affect the manufacturing of silicon wafers for semiconductors and silicon chips, which helps understand broad applications across a range of industries.
Propolis extract is a natural product from bees called "bee glue" used for hive construction and maintenance, which has the potential to be characterized as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. This project is a STEM project led by 13–14-year-old students aiming to investigate the effect of propolis extract on bacteria in microgravity. If the experiments prove that propolis extract can exhibit anti-microbial properties in space, it could open avenues for future research on new and natural product-based cleaning agents for future spaceflight applications.
The HUNOR RANDAM (RAdNano Dosimeter Astronaut Module) project aims to monitor crew radiation exposure and environmental conditions during the Ax-4 mission. The miniaturized devices designed for everyday personal wear will track radiation levels, temperature, humidity, air pressure, carbon dioxide levels, light intensity, and magnetic fields. Measurement of radiation levels are important for crew health and safety. Insights gained could improve radiation protection strategies for future spaceflight and advance Earth-based technologies for radiation monitoring and environmental sensing.
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