The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, currently underway on the International Space Station (ISS), is making significant strides in various scientific fields, with a particular focus on microalgae, cancer research, and cognitive functions. The crew, including India's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, also known as "Shux," is actively involved in these groundbreaking investigations.
One of the key areas of research is the study of microalgae in space. Shux has been heavily involved in deploying sample bags and capturing images of different algae strains to understand how these tiny organisms behave in orbit. Microalgae are rich in nutrients and have the ability to recycle carbon dioxide, making them a potential key component for long-duration space missions. They could serve as a sustainable source of food, oxygen, and overall life support for astronauts in deep space. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is particularly interested in this research, as it could provide valuable insights for developing life support systems for the Gaganyaan Mission, India's human spaceflight program. Investigating the impact of microgravity on the growth, metabolism, and genetic activity of microalgae is crucial to harness their full potential for space exploration.
In addition to microalgae research, the Ax-4 crew is also contributing to cancer research. Commander Peggy Whitson is leading the "Cancer in LEO (low-Earth orbit)" investigation, capturing imaging samples to study how cancer cells behave in microgravity. This research, in collaboration with the Sanford Stem Cell Institute, aims to uncover new insights into cancer behavior that could lead to the development of novel treatment approaches for aggressive cancers on Earth. Microalgae itself is being explored as a source of anticancer nutraceuticals. Substances produced by microalgae, such as carotenoids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, phycocyanin, and polysaccharides, have demonstrated anticancer effects in laboratory and human studies. Carotenoids, including astaxanthin, can hinder tumor development and trigger apoptosis (programmed cell death) in various cancer cell types. Phycocyanin, a blue pigment found in some microalgae species, possesses anti-inflammatory and cancer-fighting properties.
The Ax-4 mission is also focused on understanding the effects of spaceflight on cognitive and motor functions. The crew is collecting data for the "Neuro Motion VR" project, where astronauts use virtual reality (VR) headsets while their brain activity is monitored using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). This research aims to provide valuable insights into how microgravity affects cognitive and motor functions, which is crucial for planning future deep space missions. Furthermore, the "Telemetric Health AI" study is gathering biometric data and combining it with mission analytics to assess the impact of spaceflight on the cardiovascular and balance systems. By applying advanced data science techniques, this project could lead to a better understanding of the physiological challenges of space travel and inform the development of countermeasures to protect astronaut health.
Beyond the core scientific investigations, the Ax-4 mission includes various outreach efforts. Peggy Whitson documented student hardware and experiments for the Saudi Space Agency's Microgravity Challenge, a competition that saw over 80,000 submissions from students across the Arab world and encouraged innovation in arts, agriculture, and engineering. Additionally, Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu had a virtual interaction with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and is scheduled to speak with Hungarian journalists about his experiences on the ISS. These outreach activities aim to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers and promote international collaboration in space exploration.
