Latest news with #AxiomMission


Times of Oman
19 hours ago
- Science
- Times of Oman
11 crew members aboard Axiom mission resume space science work
Washington DC: The 11 crew members aboard the International Space Station, representing Expedition 73 and Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), resumed their space science duties on Tuesday. Their research focused on various areas, including brain circulation, the observation of cancer cells, and the study of biotechnology, among other investigations, as per a statement by NASA. Station Commander Takuya Onishi, from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), attached sensors to his neck and chest to measure how blood flows from the brain to the heart. Doctors will review the data to understand how blood circulation adapts to weightlessness. Meanwhile, Ax-4 crewmates Peggy Whitson and Tibor Kapu also studied cerebral circulation for another experiment designed for their mission. Whitson assisted Kapu, who wore a cap, using a Doppler ultrasound to image blood flow in his cerebral artery while a cuff measured his blood pressure. Doctors will use the results to help protect the crew's visual processing and perception in microgravity. Whitson later peered inside a fluorescence microscope at cancer cells to learn how to detect and prevent cancer earlier, the statement read. NASA Flight Engineers Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers spent a portion of their shift assisting the Ax-4 crew on Tuesday. McClain helped the private astronauts operate the research hardware throughout the orbital lab and guided their science activities. Ayers set up a microscope in the Destiny laboratory module that Ax-4 crew member Shubhanshu Shukla used to view how tardigrades, tiny aquatic animals, survive numerous harsh climates, including microgravity. Ax-4 astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski explored the use of nanomaterials in wearable devices that monitor crew health. NASA Flight Engineer Jonny Kim began his shift alongside Onishi by collecting blood samples, processing them in a centrifuge, and stowing the specimens in a science freezer for preservation. Kim later reorganised the hardware inside the Harmony module's maintenance work area and then installed ventilation system components inside the Quest airlock, as per the statement. The uncrewed, trash-packed Progress 90 cargo craft ended its stay at the orbital outpost today, undocking from the Poisk module at 2:42 pm (local time). It will reenter Earth's atmosphere for a fiery, but safe demise above the South Pacific Ocean, completing a seven-month space delivery mission, NASA stated. Waiting to replace the spacecraft is the Progress 92 cargo craft standing at the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Progress 92 is counting down to its launch at 3:32 pm (local time) on Thursday. It will arrive at the orbital lab on Saturday and dock with Poisk at 5:27 pm (local time), delivering approximately three thousand pounds of food, fuel, and supplies for the orbiting lab residents. Roscosmos Flight Engineers Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritskiy began their day training on the telerobotically operated rendezvous unit, or TORU, for Saturday's approach and rendezvous of the Progress 92. Ryzhikov then set up hardware to capture hyperspectral imagery of landmarks in Mexico and South America. Zubritskiy photographed the Progress 90 as it departed the station.


Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Science
- Times of Oman
Shubhanshu Shukla conducts muscle stem cell research on ISS, records educational video on digestion in space for Indian students
Florida: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) astronaut and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), conducted a series of scientific experiments on Monday focused on muscle health, digestion in space, and astronaut mental well-being. According to NASA, Shukla worked inside the Kibo laboratory's Life Sciences Glovebox to study how muscle stem cells behave in microgravity. He also recorded an educational video for Indian school students explaining how the human digestive system adapts in space. NASA said, "Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla filmed a video targeted to young Indian students discussing how the digestion system adapts to space. Next, Shukla worked in Kibo's Life Science Glovebox checking muscle stem cell cultures to learn how to maintain muscle health in space." The Life Sciences Glovebox is a sealed and sterile workspace aboard the ISS that allows astronauts to safely handle biological samples in microgravity. It is large enough to allow two astronauts to work together and is used for experiments requiring clean conditions. According to NASA, ISRO's experiment, Myogenesis, investigates how muscle cells regenerate in space. Astronauts tend to lose muscle mass during extended missions, partly due to microgravity disrupting the function of mitochondria, the part of the cell responsible for energy production. The study involves testing certain metabolic supplements to see if they can improve muscle repair in microgravity. Results from the research may help in developing treatments for age-related muscle loss or muscle-wasting diseases on Earth, in addition to improving astronaut health during long-duration spaceflights. NASA explained the purpose, saying, "Astronauts lose muscle mass and the ability of muscle cells to regenerate during spaceflight, which may be due to microgravity interfering with metabolism in mitochondria, cell structures that produce energy. The Effect of Metabolic Supplements on Muscle Regeneration Under Microgravity (Myogenesis - ISRO) investigation on the Axiom 4 (Ax-4) private astronaut mission uses muscle stem cell cultures to examine the muscle repair process and test chemicals known to support mitochondrial function. Results could lead to interventions that maintain muscle health during long-term space missions and help people on Earth with muscle-related challenges such as age-related muscle loss and muscle-wasting diseases." Other Ax-4 crew members also contributed to scientific research. Mission Commander Peggy Whitson used the Ultrasound 2 device to perform vein scans on Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, to help understand how space affects blood pressure, balance, and vision. According to NASA, the Ultrasound 2 on the International Space Station (ISS) is a modified commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) ultrasound system that provides high-resolution ultrasound images of target areas in the human body." Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski tested a brain-computer interface using a special headset developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). He later joined Whitson and Shukla in filming content for an astronaut mental health study. NASA stated, "The Thoughts over Gravity, a Test of Using fNIRS-based Brain, Computer Interface in LEO Conditions (PhotonGrav) investigation verifies the effectiveness of near-infrared technology (fNIRS) in low Earth orbit to record brain activity for constructing brain-computer interfaces (BCI) operated in the microgravity environment." Commenting on the crew's schedule, NASA said, "The Ax-4 private astronauts had a science-packed Monday fulfilling research objectives for their home countries." The Ax-4 mission is taking place alongside the activities of the ISS's regular Expedition 73 crew. While Ax-4 focuses on privately funded science, Expedition 73 astronauts continue to work on NASA- and ESA-backed research related to human health and biology in space. NASA Flight Engineers Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers conducted muscle stimulation tests using biomedical equipment to examine how muscles react to electrical signals. McClain also completed cognitive tests to study how spaceflight affects brain function. Ayers and fellow astronaut Jonny Kim processed blood samples, including collections from Whitson and Uznanski-Wisniewski, for ESA's Bone on ISS study on space-induced bone loss. JAXA Commander Takuya Onishi collected and stored his own blood and urine samples for long-term health monitoring. He also worked on air quality monitoring inside the Kibo module. Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritskiy trained for the arrival of the "Progress 92" cargo spacecraft and loaded the outgoing "Progress 90" with waste for departure. Another cosmonaut, Kirill Peskov, underwent a 24-hour heart and blood pressure monitoring session and prepared the European robotic arm for upcoming operations. Summarising the week's activities, NASA said, "The seven-member Expedition 73 crew wrapped up a weekend of housecleaning and relaxation, then kicked off Monday with muscle and brain research aboard the International Space Station. Their Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) counterparts worked throughout the weekend and began the week taking a closer look at muscle cells and exploring brain-computer interfaces." On June 26, Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to board the International Space Station. The Ax-4 crew includes former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, and ESA astronauts Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. The mission is expected to last up to 14 days. Axiom Mission 4 was launched at noon IST on June 25 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS on June 26 at 4:05 pm IST, ahead of schedule, connecting to the space-facing port of the station's Harmony module.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Photos: Following Axiom, SpaceX launches second rocket from Florida on Starlink mission
The Space Coast enjoyed a double launch Wednesday. Following the launch of the crewed Axiom Space Mission 4 (Ax-4) in the overnight hours, SpaceX launched a Starlink mission Wednesday afternoon. Weather initially caused a delay of a few hours, but skies cleared in time for the liftoff. The Starlink 10-16 mission launched at 3:54 p.m. June 25 from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The next launch is set for between 12:26 a.m. and 4:56 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, according to navigational warnings. The mission will be another batch of Starlink internet satellites. When is the next Florida launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, Axiom, ULA rocket launch schedule at Cape Canaveral Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@ or on X: @brookeofstars. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Doubleheader SpaceX rocket launch day in Florida ends with Starlink


India.com
25-06-2025
- Science
- India.com
He Carries Wishes And Hopes Of 1.4 billion Indians: PM Modi On Group Captain Shubhanshu Shuklas Axiom-4
After the successful launch of the Axiom Mission (Ax-4) on Wednesday from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wishes to the astronauts and said, "We welcome the successful launch of the space mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland, and the US." In a post on X, he congratulated Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on becoming the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station, stating that Shukla carries with him the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. "We welcome the successful launch of the Space Mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland and the US. The Indian Astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is on the way to become the first Indian to go to International Space Station. He carries with him the wishes, hopes and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. Wish him and other astronauts all the success," the post read. We welcome the successful launch of the Space Mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland and the US. The Indian Astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is on the way to become the first Indian to go to International Space Station. He carries with him the wishes,… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2025 The Axiom-4 consists of members including Commander Peggy Whitson of the US, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary. President Droupadi Murmu also extended best wishes for the success of the Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla-piloted Axiom-4 mission, which launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US today. "As Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla creates a new milestone in space for India, the whole nation is excited and proud of an Indian's journey into the stars. He and his fellow astronauts of Axiom Mission 4 from the US, Poland and Hungary prove the world is indeed one family - 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', " President Murmu said in a post on X.


India.com
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
A New Chapter In Space: Ax-4 Unites Astronauts From Four Nations-Know About The Crew Members?
The crew of Axiom Mission (Ax-4) successfully launched on Wednesday from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Axiom-4 consists of members including Commander Peggy Whitson of the US, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary. Ax-4 marks a significant milestone for the first time ever, astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary will journey together to the International Space Station on a government-backed mission. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is now in orbit and set to dock with the International Space Station at approximately on June 26. Who is Shubhanshu Shukla Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who will pilot the Ax-4 mission is one of the four astronauts picked for ISRO's Gaganyaan mission. He was born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shukla was commissioned into the IAF fighter wing in June 2006. As a combat leader and seasoned test pilot, he boasts an impressive 2,000 hours of flight experience across various aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32. On February 27, 2024 Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled Shukla as one of the elite astronauts undergoing intensive training for India's maiden human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, scheduled for launch in 2025. He also shared his favourite song ahead of the launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. While reveling his playlist on Launched day, the Indian pilot unveils that he loves to listen to Shah Rukh Khan's 'Swades' movie song 'Yuh Hi Chala Chal'. (With ANI inputs)