The crew of Axiom Mission 4 has been actively involved in a variety of research initiatives aimed at enhancing scientific knowledge, testing innovative technologies, and promoting global outreach in the realm of space exploration, as detailed in a recent update from Axiom Space.

As reported, Commander Peggy Whitson, Group Captain Pilot Shubhanshu "Shux" Shukla, along with Mission Specialists Slawosz "Suave" Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu, have made significant contributions to scientific research, aligning with the mission's overarching objectives in both space exploration and terrestrial innovation. On Tuesday, the team focused on research related to microgravity.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla executed three distinct experiments. The first involved a project on plant sprouts, investigating the effects of microgravity on germination and initial plant growth.

Upon their return to Earth, the seeds will undergo cultivation across several generations to analyze alterations in their genetics, microbial ecosystems, and nutritional characteristics. In another experiment, he managed microalgae, which are being studied for their potential to generate food, oxygen, and biofuels.

These organisms are noted for their resilience and adaptability, making them suitable for sustaining human life during extended missions, as highlighted by Axiom Space's blog. For the third experiment, he documented images for the crop seeds project, which aims to grow six different varieties over multiple generations after the mission.

The objective is to identify plants with favorable traits for genetic analysis to support sustainable agriculture in space. Additional experiments included the Voyager Displays study, which examines the impact of space travel on eye movement, gaze coordination, and accuracy in pointing. Notably, the crew also took part in the AstroMentalHealth study, focusing on the mental and behavioral health of astronauts during space missions.

A neuromuscular electrical stimulation session was conducted to explore potential solutions for muscle loss due to microgravity. The Axiom Space blog further noted that the crew contributed to the Suit Fabric Study, gathering data on how clothing influences heat transfer in microgravity, where conventional convection does not function. Insights from this research could improve thermal regulation in clothing for extreme conditions on Earth, benefiting sectors such as healthcare and sports.

Data was also collected for the Telemetric Health AI study, which investigates the effects of space travel on cardiovascular and balance systems. Another study, the IMU-DRS, assessed the precision of smartphone motion sensors in microgravity. The crew continued to gather radiation exposure data using the Rad Nano Dosimeter. They also participated in the Acquired Equivalence Test, a cognitive experiment that challenges astronauts to identify patterns and associations between visual symbols, even when altered in ways that defy Earth-based spatial norms.

Later, the crew members engaged in a Q&A session with Axiom Space Chief Scientist Dr. Lucie Low, discussing their research and the progress made as they reach the midpoint of their mission. Biomedical research was a key focus aboard the International Space Station on Tuesday, as the Expedition 73 and Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) teams investigated cellular immunity and electrical muscle stimulation.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, part of Axiom Mission 4, was launched on June 25 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 3:21 am ET aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. Serving as Mission Pilot, he successfully piloted the Dragon spacecraft, which docked with the ISS ahead of schedule on June 26 at 4:05 pm (IST) at the space-facing port of the Harmony module. The Ax-4 crew is anticipated to remain aboard the space station for up to 14 days.