Axiom Space private astronaut missions support breakthroughs in space, bringing benefits to every human, everywhere.
The END-SANS project from HUNOR tests a novel, solid nanostructured drug formula that can be used inophthalmic inserts to treat Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS). The project has two aims. Firstly, it plans to study the impact of microgravity on eye insert materials containing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API). Inserts with API will launch passively and return for further stability analyses. Secondly, one crew member will use the eye inserts without the API once daily for at least five days and complete a questionnaire about their experience using the insert. Pre- and post-clinical testing will also be carried out to assess ocular health and monitor biological effects. Results will show whether nanofibrous drug carriers may offer a promising and innovative approach for stable and precise treatments in ophthalmic applications, which are also relevant to terrestrial applications such as macular edema.
The Earth Observation (Ax-1) investigation on the Axiom-1 (Ax-1) private astronaut mission (PAM) uses images taken from the International Space Station to study changes in weather and other planetary features; natural events, including fires and volcanic eruptions; and human features such as agriculture and urbanization. The project also plans to take images of the Great Lakes Basin to enhance the ongoing Great Lakes Project sponsored by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS). An important source of water in Canada and the US, the Basin faces stress from climate change, urbanization, and other factors.
Endothelial cells are the single layer of cells that line the endothelium — the tissue that lines our blood vessels and is important for regulating blood pressure, blood flow, clotting, inflammation and structure of organs. The reactivity of the endothelium in blood vessels can tell us about the vascular health of an individual and is the basis of a non-invasive technique called flow-mediated dilation. This Endothelial Function project from the Italian Air Force will use flow-mediated dilation to assess the vascular health of astronauts before, during and after spaceflight and the results will be compared to measurements from non-orbital flight personnel. The goal of this project is to help understand how vascular health changes over the course of spaceflight.
The Environmental Perception Characteristicsof Astronauts in Microgravity (ENPERCHAR) experiment studies how microgravity affects human perception and connection with the environment. Crew performance on scientific activities will be analyzed with reference to environmental psychology to investigate how microgravity may distort spatial awareness and perception. Analyses of verbal commentary while conducting experiments may reveal insights into the psychological effect of working in extreme environments. Understanding these effects are important for ensuring crewmembers can accurately perform tasks and ensure mission safety. Insights from this research could enhance general understanding of human perception.
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