The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission saw Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla make history as the first Indian to spearhead a scientific study on the International Space Station (ISS). The Ax-4 team, including commander Peggy Whitson, pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu, advanced scientific research and outreach efforts. Peggy Whitson’s research, titled ‘Cancer in Low Earth Orbit,’ continued with sample collection to analyze cancer cell behavior in microgravity. This research aims to find new treatments for aggressive cancers on Earth, and is conducted in collaboration with the Sanford Stem Cell Institute. She also facilitated student projects and experiments as part of the Saudi Space Agency’s ‘Microgravity Challenge,’ involving over 80,000 students. Shubhanshu Shukla worked on the Space Microalgae experiment, evaluating algae as a potential food source for long-duration space missions. The team collectively contributed to the ‘Neuro Motion VR’ study, utilizing virtual reality to examine the physical and mental effects of microgravity. The team also studied the cardiovascular and balance effects of space travel with the ‘Telemetric Health AI’ project. Svab Uznansky-Wisniewski conducted the ‘Microfluidic Design’ experiment, using the KERMIT imaging tool to examine fluid behavior in microgravity and develop equipment for automated drug testing in space. Tibor Kapu engaged in a virtual conversation with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The mission’s activities were initiated by the successful docking of SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft.
