Axiom-4 Mission: Day-to-day update of what Shubhanshu Shukla 'Shux' and crew did in space

Economic Times

4 hours ago

Synopsis
Axiom-4 Mission: Shubhanshu Shukla and crew are preparing to leave the International Space Station on July 14. They will return to Earth after their Axiom-4 mission. The mission involved extensive space research and experiments. Commander Peggy Whitson led the Ax-4 mission. The crew conducted studies on muscle degradation, plant growth, and brain function.
Agencies Axiom-4 mission crew members: Commander Peggy Whitson. Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla 'Shux', Mission Specialist Sławosz 'Suave' Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu along with Expedition 73 crew.(Source: x.com/Axiom_Space) Dragon spacecraft carrying Shubhanshu Shukla and crew is set to undock from International Space Station (ISS) on July 14. The astronauts will return to Earth after conducting extensive space research and experiments under Axiom-4 mission. Ax-4 undocking from ISS is scheduled for 4:35 PM IST on Monday.
The Ax-4 mission was headed by Commander Peggy Whitson. Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla 'Shux' flew the 'Grace' vessel to space along with Mission Specialist Sławosz 'Suave' Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu.
Here's what Shukla and team did in space:
On June 25, SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying Axiom-4 mission astronauts aboard launched at 12:01 PM IST from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Axiom Mission (Ax-4) crew successfully reached their destination to begin their planned 14-day mission on the ISS. After seamlessly docking to the orbiting laboratory, Ax-4 crew entered the space station around 5:53 PM IST.
Commander Whitson presented her crewmates with their official astronaut pins and orbital flight numbers, declaring Shukla to be the 634th, Uznański-Wiśniewski the 635th, and Kapu to be the 636th astronaut to orbit Earth.June 26 marked the crew's second flight day and first day aboard the space station.The Ax-4 crew spent the rest of the day settling in. They also set up their sleeping quarters. The four crew members completed handover activities with the Expedition 73 crew and began acclimating to life in microgravity. The team unpacked cargo in Dragon and reviewed emergency protocols.Ax-4 crew continues to adjust to life in microgravity. To ensure seamless communication, the astornauts completed training on handover protocols and emergency procedures.The crew exchanged high-priority cargo and emergency equipment between Dragon and the space station, including payloads, essential supplies, and safety gear.The crew members started preparing for their research studies. They also started transferring samples to designated modules.Ax-4 crew started with their diverse portfolio of experiments that could shape the future of medicine, agriculture, and space exploration.
Captain Shubhanshu Shukla started with his research on Life Sciences Glovebox (LSG) to uncover the biological pathways behind skeletal muscle degradation in space. Shux also spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the growing global collaboration in space exploration and inspired audiences back on Earth. Commander Peggy started with her work on the Cancer in LEO-3 investigation.Tibor began setting up the plant biology experiment to explore how plant growth primers affect the development of microgreens in space.The crew together initiated a study to explore how blood circulates in the brain under microgravity conditions.On Day 5 since the launch from Kennedy Space Centre, Shukla and crew collected data for the Neuro Motion VR project. The astronauts donned VR headsets and performed attention-based tasks while their brain activity was monitored using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). This research will help explore how microgravity affects cognitive and motor functions.Meanwhile, Shux focused on the space microalgae experiment. He deployed sample bags and captured images of the algae strains. These tiny organisms can offer a sustainable, nutrient-rich food source for long-duration space missions.The crew is also working on a study to integrate biometric data with mission analytics to better understand how spaceflight impacts cardiovascular and balance systems.Captain Shukla continues his operations in the Life Sciences Glovebox (LSG) for the myogenesis study, which could uncover how microgravity contributes to muscle loss.The crew together took part in an experiment to help develop a brain-computer interface using a specialized headset that can indirectly assess neural function through tracking blood flow. This PhotonGrav project aims to monitor brain signals to explore how humans might one day control computer systems with just their thoughts.Ax-4 crew members documented activities for the Astronaut Mental Health study. The study aims to conduct research on cognitive well-being in space.Shux worked on his plant study to compare two strains of photosynthetic bacteria to see how they grow and function in microgravity. He grew three strains of microalgae and studied the impact of microgravity on the growth, metabolism, and genetic activity.The crew together wrapped the second session of the Cerebral Hemodynamics study, using ultrasound technology to monitor blood flow in the brain under microgravity conditions. Peggy contributed to the Saudi Space Agency's Microgravity Challenge.Shukla continued doing the microalgae experiment to study organisms that could one day serve as sustainable sources of food, fuel, or oxygen for long-duration missions. He also performed a microscopy to examine muscle cell development in space. The Indian astronaut also documented the Voyager Tardigrades experiment, which investigates how hardy microscopic creatures survive and reproduce in space.The crew conducted an experiment to study the effects of microgravity on bone health, focusing on bone loss during flight and recovery post-spaceflight. The members also led a technology demonstration for the Suit Fabric Study, a project that's redefining how we think about clothing in space. The Ax-4 crew lent their voices to 'Voice in Space' study to investigate how spaceflight affects human speech. The crew together wrapped the third round of the Cerebral Hemodynamics study by tracking blood flow in the brain to better understand how the cardiovascular system adapts to life in space.The Axiom mission astronauts have completed approximately 113 orbits around Earth, covering over 2.9 million miles. This is nearly 12 times the distance between Earth and the Moon. The astronauts have witnessed more than a hundred sunrises and sunsets from orbit.The crew enjoyed a well-earned off-duty day, giving them a chance to recharge and connect with family and friends back on Earth. In just seven days, the Ax-4 astronauts already made significant contributions to scientific research.Shux and crew returned to their research studies after a well-earned off-duty day. The crew contributed to Voyager Displays project to study how spaceflight affects eye movement, gaze control, and pointing accuracy.Captain Shubhanshu Shukla continues his research in the Life Sciences Glovebox carrying out myogenesis study to investigate how microgravity contributes to muscle atrophy. He also deployed samples for space micro algae investigation.The crew continued monitoring radiation exposure using the Rad Nano Dosimeter, a compact device that provides real-time data on environmental conditions aboard the space station. Another experiment on Axiom's list of experiments is the Bone on ISS experiment that would provide insight on how bones deteriorate in space and how they recover once back on Earth. Inside the weightless environment of the ISS, a crewmember donned a VR headset as part of the Neuromotion VR study.Ax-4 crew completes nine productive days in space. All the crew members have been fully dedicated to their packed schedule of scientific research, technology demonstrations, and global outreach. Commander Peggy completed the final imaging sessions of 3D tumor organoids for the Cancer in LEO study. As Shukla documented the myogenesis investigation, he also deployed and stowed samples for the Space Micro Algae experiment.He also irrigated crop seeds as part of the Sprouts project to explore how spaceflight affects seed germination and plant growth.The goal of the Sprouts project is to advance our understanding of sustainable crop production in space for future long-duration missions.Axiom-4 mission crew together continued research on Voyager Displays experiment and Rad Nano Dosimeter. Indian astronaut Shukla redeployed a culture bag for the Space Micro Algae experiment to study food production in space. — mygovindia (@mygovindia) The four astronauts contributed to Wireless Acoustics project. This project aims to test a wearable acoustic monitor that is designed to measure sound levels aboard the space station. Alongside this, a crew member underwent an ultrasound scan to track changes in cardiovascular and balance systems for the Telemetric Health AI study. Another experiment under Axiom mission was the exploration of potential of nanomaterials through the Mxene in LEO study. This would help in building next generation of wearable health tech.Commander Peggy continued to support her Ax-4 crewmates through another day of microgravity research across various streams.Shukla continues his research on food, photosynthesis, microorganisms and sprouts like methi and moong.Axiom-4 mission also aims to collect data for Cerebral Hemodynamics study, which examines how the cardiovascular system adapts to spaceflight.IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and crew shared glimpses of research with Axiom Space Chief Scientist Dr. Lucie Low. As Peggy highlighted the mission's diverse scientific agenda, she also expressed enthusiasm for the Suite Ride experiment aimed at advancing diabetes monitoring and treatment in space. During the briefing, Shukla shared the pride of representing India on this historic mission as this is the first time Indian scientists have been able to send payloads to the space station. He also clicked pictures of sprout seeds while trying to study their growth in space. He will bring these seeds to Earth in order to examine changes in their genetics, microbial ecosystems, and nutritional profiles. He has also grown crop seeds in space.Mission specialist Kapu shared his excitement about conducting 25 experiments on behalf of Hungarian universities, research institutions, and companies. The crew has completed close to 230 orbits around Earth and traveled more than 6 million miles. The astronauts spent their day-off capturing images and video, taking in the view of the home planet below, and reconnecting with loved ones. 'These moments offer a rare pause in an otherwise rigorous daily schedule,' Axiom stated.NASA announced the crew's extended AX-4 mission due to pending favorable weather conditions. The space agency said that the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew is set to undock from the International Space Station no earlier than Monday, July 14, at 7:05 a.m. ET. (4:35 pm IST). — JonnyKimUSA (@JonnyKimUSA) Apart from the ongoing experiments, Peggy and crew focused on cerebral blood flow to study how microgravity and elevated CO₂ levels affect cardiovascular function.Shukla continues his research on crops, sprouts and microalgae. Ax-4 crew gathered data for 'Voice in Space' project and other human health related space studies focusing on immunity, muscles, heart and gut health in space.Axiom-4 mission crew members joined CNN International for an exclusive interview about the Ax-4 mission. The segment will air on 1:30 am IST Tuesday.After 17 days aboard the ISS, Tibor continued his work on multiple experiments, including capturing imagery for the Fruit Fly DNA Repair study. The crew is trying to understand how insulin behaves in space to study the potency and stability of the drug will be assessed upon its return to Earth.Shukla and crew started preparing for their return to Earth as undocking is scheduled for July 14.NASA announced the farewell ceremony for Axiom-4 mission crew to be held on July 13 ahead of their undocking from ISS.After spending 18 eventful days aboard the ISS, Ax-4 crew is preparing for their journey back to Earth. To celebrate the end of the successful mission, the four astronauts participated in a traditional farewell ceremony alongside NASA's Expedition crew. Shukla and crew spent the final day on orbiting laboratory packing and making final preparations for departure. Axiom, SpaceX and NASA announce live coverage of hatch closure and Ax-4's undocking from ISS.
Axiom-4 mission is scheduled to undock from ISS in Dragon spacecraft.Liver coverage for hatch closure and the Ax-4 crew's departure will begin at 2:00 PM IST.Ax-4 undocking is scheduled for 4:35 PM IST.The Dragon spacecraft will travel for 22.5 hours for its journey back to Earth. The crew is set to splash down off the coast of California at approximately 3:01 PM IST
(With inputs from Axiom Space, ISS, ISRO and SpaceX)