The ANITA-2 project will sample air from the atmosphere on the ISS and automatically analyze trace contaminants. The system can recognize and quantify 33 trace gases via infrared light and identify unknown substances for additional analyzes on the ground. This project is part of ESA's ongoing technology development efforts for safe spaceflight in low-Earth orbit and beyond.
This project aims to study the cognitive process of associative learning in space, and investigate how spaceflight affects the processing of simple and complex visual stimuli, comparing it to data collected pre- and post-flight. The research could inform future long-duration mission planning and add to the broader understanding of learning and cognitive processing.
The AstroMentalHealth project is studying astronauts' mental and behavioral health during space missions and focuses on observing changes that may occur in the functioning of astronauts working on the International Space Station (ISS). Crew complete questionnaires, give interviews, and make video diaries before, during and after spaceflight so that researchers can develop personalized support programs for future crew. This research can benefit others on Earth by developing remote technologies for diagnosing and treating mental disorders, particularly for individuals in isolated or challenging environments where access to mental health care is limited.
Exposure to microgravity and immobilization can cause a loss of bone density, which can increase the risk of bone breakage and injury. In microgravity, the changes start to take place very soon after leaving Earth—the extent and timeframe of reversal of these changes upon return from space are under investigation. This ongoing ESA-led project is monitoring whether bone loss halts or continues upon re-entry after human spaceflight missions. This project was also performed during the Ax-3 mission.
The ongoing Bone on ISS experiment studies the effects of microgravity on bone health, focusing on bone loss and recovery post-spaceflight. By examining bone markers, inflammation, and growth factors, the study aims to develop a digital twin model to predict bone behavior during recovery. This research is crucial for space missions, as it helps predict individual skeletal risks and enables better astronaut screening. The findings will benefit Earth by advancing the understanding of bone disorders and improving treatments for conditions like osteoporosis, helping populations prone to bone fragility and immobility.
In partnership with Axiom Space, the Cancer in LEO project from the Sanford Stem Cell Institute will study tumor organoids in microgravity with the goal to identify early warning signs of cancer for prediction and prevention of the disease. This project is part of the expanded ISSCOR collaboration between the Sanford Stem Cell Institute, JM Foundation, and Axiom Space, which aims to use microgravity to further understand stem cells, cancer, and aging-related effects in space to develop better prediction of disease and therapeutics for patients on Earth.
The Cancer in LEO-3 investigation builds on research from previous Axiom missions that studied cancer growth in space. It aims to validate earlier findings on tumor organoids and explore how a new model of triple negative breast cancer responds to drug challenges in low Earth orbit (LEO). This research is crucial for space missions as it examines the impact of microgravity and radiation in LEO on cancer cell growth compared with growth in a terrestrial environment. The findings could lead to better cancer treatments on Earth by revealing how cancer cells behave in microgravity and identifying new therapeutic targets for metastatic cancers. This project is part of the Integrated Space Stem Cell Orbital Reseach (ISSCOR) collaboration between the Sanford Stem Cell Institute, JM Foundation, and Axiom Space, which aims to use microgravity to further understand stem cells, cancer, and aging-related effects in space in order to develop better prediction of disease and therapeutics for patients on Earth.
This project will consist of 3 ultrasound-based studies to investigate blood circulation in space. The first study involves holding the breath to assess the adaptation of bloodflow to the brain in space, by measuring how blood vessels respond to changes in carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the blood. The second study will activate visual pathways in the brain by displaying checkerboard images on a computer screen and will measure changes in blood flow to the brain. The third study will assess the health and function of the endothelium, the inner layer of blood vessels. The results will help researchers understand more about cardiovascular adaptation to spaceflight, and could be useful for assessing cardiovascular conditions on Earth.
This materials science investigation will explore the effect of spaceflight on 3D printed materials after launch and return from the ISS. The study will characterize the properties and compositions of 3D printed polymers after space exposure and compare them to the properties of polymers stored on Earth, which could inform the design and composition of materials that may be used in 3D printing in space in future.
This ISRO experiment will investigate the impacts of spaceflight on six varieties of crop seeds. After the mission, seeds will be grown for multiple generations and plants showing preferred traits selected for genetic analyses. This project aims to help understand how crops may be grown in space for future exploration missions.
Cyanobacteria are aquatic bacteria that can photosynthesize, and are of interest for integration into spacecraft environmental control systems. This ISRO experiment will compare two strains of cyanobacteria to investigate growth rates, cellular responses, and biochemical activity in microgravity. The results could help with the development of future spacecraft life support systems.
This study will investigate the effects of radiation-induced DNA damage to fruit flies and fruit fly larvae after exposure to spaceflight. The project aims to assess in future if temporary overproduction of certain proteins may act as protective or repair against space radiation-induced damage. The results from this experiment could help develop countermeasures against damage to human DNA on future deep space and long-duration spaceflights.
This experiment aims to evaluate the effectiveness of neurofeedback sessions in reducing stress and enhancing performance in astronauts. By conducting pre-flight and post-flight tests (including psychological assessments, muscle activity measurements, blood analyses for stress markers, and brain activity), researchers aim to understand how preflight neurofeedback training may impact psychological, physiological, and motor functions. This experiment can help train crews for future spaceflight and develop technologies to help mitigate stress and improve performance on Earth.
The END-SANS project from HUNOR tests a novel, solid nanostructured drug formula that can be used inophthalmic inserts to treat Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS). The project has two aims. Firstly, it plans to study the impact of microgravity on eye insert materials containing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API). Inserts with API will launch passively and return for further stability analyses. Secondly, one crew member will use the eye inserts without the API once daily for at least five days and complete a questionnaire about their experience using the insert. Pre- and post-clinical testing will also be carried out to assess ocular health and monitor biological effects. Results will show whether nanofibrous drug carriers may offer a promising and innovative approach for stable and precise treatments in ophthalmic applications, which are also relevant to terrestrial applications such as macular edema.
The ENPERCHAR experiment studies how microgravity affects perception. Crew will perform visual tasks that assess orientation awareness and localization, and fill out questionnaires during flight to understand how microgravity may distort spatial awareness and perception. Understanding these effects is important for ensuring crews can accurately perform tasks and ensure mission safety. Insights from this research could enhance general understanding of human perception.
This study will investigate the effects of short-term stays in low Earth orbit on astronaut health by examining changes in the human gut microbiome. Stool samples will be collected at regular intervals before, during, and after flight and the microbiome composition analyzed. Changes in microbiome composition could impact the health of future crews, so this research can help inform dietary or medical treatments for crew in future. The research also offers insight into gut health, which could lead to improved management of gut-related conditions on Earth and development of personalized nutritrion programs.
This neuroimaging study, performed pre- and post-flight, will study the impact of microgravity during space travel on the human brain and aim to identify potential cognitive and performance risks in astronauts. The study will use high field magentic resonance imaging (7T MRI) of the brain to investigate the impact of microgravity on the representation of the body, changes in neural vascular physiology, and aspects of the blood-brain barrier. Results may lead to better understanding of the impact on spaceflight on the brain.
The SUMIMANT (Send Up My Image via MANT) Útitárs (travel companion) project is a public outreach campaign aimed at increasing awareness of the HUNOR program and Hungarian space activities, particularly among children and young adults. Participants can submit their names and photos online to receive a "boarding pass" for names and pictures to be launched and returned on an SD card.
The UHU experiment aims to study Transient Luminous Events (TLEs) - electrical phenomena associated with thunderstorms which produce bursts of light reaching altitudes of up to 100km. By recording various TLEs from orbit, coordinating ground and space-based observations, and measuring electrical parameters, the research can understand more about the nature and causes of TLEs. This could improve our knowledge of thunderstorms and atmospheric processes, which could enhance weather forecasting, improve safety in storm-prone areas, and advance our understanding of atmospheric electricity.
Dead reckoning, or the ability to determine current position and navigate based on previous position, is more complicated in space than on Earth. In this project, the accuracy and 'drift' of inbuilt sensors in a cellphone (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, proximity sensor) will be tested via motion and movement-based gestures and compared to those taken on Earth to analyze how sensor performance, and therefore dead reckoning calculations, may be different in space. The results from this study could help inform future spacecraft navigation systems design.
This technology demonstration aims to develop and test the digital infrastructure required to process and analyze data from a wearable device collected during the Ax-4 mission via edge computing. In future, these infrastructure frameworks may enable prediction of human performance based on biometric data, to optimize the completion of tasks and activities during spaceflight. The technology could be useful for multiple industries on Earth that rely on skilled human performance.
ISS Ham Radio conducted by crew members on Axiom Space private astronaut missions (PAMs), connect youth, educators, and members of the public with a crew member on the International Space Station via amateur radio. Participating students learn about space, the space station, Earth observation, wireless technology, and radio science. The first-hand exposure to life in space helps inspire the next generation of explorers.
The Immune Multiomics project aim to examines the molecular adaptation by human immune cells to microgravity and other space-related stresses. Blood samples will be collected before, during, and after the mission, with analyses exploring how changes persist after returning to Earth. Insights from this research could help understand crew health during long-duration space missions. On Earth, the findings could inform understanding of immune disorders and the immune response to stress.
This HUNOR project aims to promote space research and communications technologies in schools, with active involvement and participation of the Hungarian astronaut on the ISS via ham radio. The crewmember will conduct activities involving a smartphone’s acceleration sensor, gamma radiation measurement, and a water experiment, to help students gain an understanding of space science.
This study will install the Leopard Data Processing Unit (DPU) on the ISS, which will act as part of digital system to enable clients to remotely test and verify computational algorithms in real space conditions without needing to physically acquire hardware. Testing in space is a vital step for algorithms before they are used in satellites. Other exporation-enabling software will also be tested, such as 3D mapping for spacecraft maneuvers and robotic exploration. This project aims to advance onboard data processing for space applications but also aims towards faster, more efficient satellite operations, potentially transforming data handling in space and on Earth.
Axiom Space is proud to partner with the Limitless Space Institute to perform experiments designed by students in Brazil and Nigeria on the Ax-4 mission. The projects are winners of a competition across schools in both countries to design experiments that could be performed in space. Students in Brazil will investigate what happens when two balls of differing mass collide in space. Students in Nigeria will examine how pendulum properties differ on Earth versus in space. This is the first time that students from Nigeria have had access to the microgravity environment to perform science and research.
The MICATO experiment, sponsored by the Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) program, investigates the flow properties of melted Indium metal, which may be used in space electric propulsion systems or soldering in space. The experiment involves heating two samples of Indium to 200°C and 400°C in microgravity for 90 minutes each, using a maintenance work area (MWA) and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) heater controller. Photos of the setup will be taken, and the samples will be returned to Earth for analysis. This research is important for advancing space technologies and could have applications in spacecraft propulsion and electronics repair, with potential benefits for Earth-based manufacturing and materials science.
Non-intrusive yet effective health monitoring is needed for future space exploration missions as well as for management of chronic diseases on Earth. This project from POLSA and ESA aims to develop wearable biomonitors using MXene nanomaterials (2D nanomaterials made of inorganic compounds). The project will assess six different devices flown on the mission, investigating the function and environmental stability of the materials.
The MAGOR project will monitor the changes in astronauts' gut, urine, and oral microbiomes before, during, and after spaceflight. By analyzing gene expression, metabolic changes in bacteria and fungi, and identifying viruses in saliva, urine, and fecal samples, this project will provide insight into how space conditions impact human microbiomes. Insights from the reseach could inform strategies to maintain astronaut health and could shed light into research to manage microbiome-related conditions on Earth.
The M4D experiment aims to understand better how liquids behave in microfluidics devices in space. The overall goal is to eventually design and manufacture microfluidic devices that can analyze drug stability and quality on long-duration and deep space missions. The experiment will inject liquid into the microfluidic device and analyze fluid flow characteristics. Additionally, the study will examine the impact of spaceflight and radiation exposure on a commonly-used drug (Tylenol).
This project from the Polish Space Agency (POLSA) and ESA is to monitor and assess the health and adaptation of astronauts' soft tissues during space missions. Before and after flight, crew will undergo soft tissue assessments to measure changes in muscle mass, tendon properties, and flexibility. The study will examine the impact of microgravity on structural and metabolic changes in soft tissues and could help with the development of crew health measure on long duration missions, or lead to improved soft tissue disorder treatments on Earth.
This ongoing ESA study is exploring neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) as a possible countermeasure to protect crew from the deleterious effects of microgravity on muscle mass. Crew will conduct NMES sessions and draw blood to monitor physiological changes. The findings could also provide useful insights into muscle and bone health for Earth-based medical conditions, such as osteoporosis and muscle atrophy.
This project aims to identify the pathways responsible for skeletal muscle dysfunction in microgravity and explore therapeutic targeting strategies. By studying how muscle loss occurs in space, the project seeks to pinpoint specific molecular mechanisms and potential interventions. Understanding these pathways is crucial for developing treatments to prevent muscle atrophy in astronauts during long space missions. On Earth, the findings could also impact the understanding of and treatments for muscle-related diseases and conditions related to aging or prolonged immobility.
In this experiment, a virtual reality (VR) headset system will be used to investigate the effect of microgravity on cognitive function and motor skills. Tasks to assess attention will be perfomed while crew wear a cap that monitors neural activity (via functional near-infrared spectroscopy, fNIRS). Saliva and tear samples will be collected to investigate stress hormone and biological responses to spaceflight. This research adds to data exploring how space travel impacts human cognition and motor function.
The ORBGEO project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of geolocation using images captured in orbit. Images of Earth will be taken with onboard cameras and assessed for the accuracy of geolocation possible from the images. Factors like cloud cover, angle from which the image was taken, and other aerial effects will be examined. This research could help improve current Earth observation techniques and improve applications for Earth observation including environmental monitoring and disaster response.
This project from ESA/POLSA aims to assess whether the collection of neural activity data via near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) can be used to establish a human-computer interface in microgravity. The study will collect neural activity and questionnaire data before, during, and after flight. The outcomes from this project could contribute to thedevelopment of advanced technologies on future exploration missions and also provide insights for Earth-based biomedical applications of human-computer interfaces, such as neurotechnology for rehabilitation and assistive devices.
The HUNOR RANDAM (RAdNano Dosimeter Astronaut Module) project aims to monitor crew radiation exposure and environmental conditions during the Ax4 mission. The devices will track radiation levels, temperature, humidity, air pressure, carbon dioxide levels, light intensity, and magnetic fields. Measurement of radiation levels are important for crew health and safety. Insights gained could improve radiation protection strategies for future spaceflight and advance Earth-based technologies for radiation monitoring and environmental sensing.
The SASHA-3 (Space Hematopoeitic Stem Cell Aging) study, led by the University of California-San Diego (UCSD), investigates the effects of spaceflight on hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) by examining the activation of DNA and RNA-editing enzymes, APOBEC and ADAR1, which are linked to inflammatory diseases and cancer. The research aims to evaluate how these enzymes impact HSCs and their mutations during space travel. HSCs will be isolated from blood samples collected at various time points before, during, and after flight. Understanding how spaceflight influences HSC function and mutations could provide insights into the mechanisms of stem cell aging, cancer, and inflammation, with potential benefits for improving treatments for blood disorders and understanding disease processes on Earth.
This is an educational activity aimed to inspire interest in space exploration, STEM subjects, and environmental awareness.
The Saudi Space Agency’s (SSA) Microgravity Challenge features the winning hardware, science experiments, and artwork from the Madak competition, which received over 80,000 submissions from students aged 6-18 across the Arab region. Ten winners were selected across three categories: arts, agriculture, and engineering. The competition aims to foster innovation in space science, stimulating creative thinking and interest in space-related fields. By encouraging young talents, it seeks to inspire the next generation of space professionals, contributing to the growth of the space sector in the Arab world and the global space economy.
These will consist of four different STEAM outreach activities for Indian students.
This project from POLSA/ESA will use a radiation monitor inside the ISS’s Columbus module to measure space radiation levels. A larger version of this device has already been deployed inside the tunnels of CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) particle accelerator to monitor for possible radiation damage to electronics. This experiment aims to refine radiation models for space environments and support the planning for future deep-space missions, where space radiation can cause damage to human bodies and electronics. On Earth, this technology could enhance radiation monitoring in various healthcare and industrial settings.
The DiRoS-B experiment investigates fluid dynamics in space by studying the geometry of a spinning tennis ball-sized water drop in microgravity. The findings could provide insights into large-scale atmospheric phenomena on gas giant planets, such as Saturn's North Polar Hexagon. The data gathered will benefit planetary science and improve our knowledge of fluid behavior in space, with potential applications for both space exploration and Earth-based research in atmospheric and fluid dynamics.
The CORVUS Project aims to engage all ages of the public by presenting a Hungarian astronaut conducting various educational experiments and sharing insights on daily life in space from onboard the ISS. It aims to inspire a deeper understanding of how space research impacts Earth and showcasing the importance of space exploration for humanity.
This is an educational activity to provide Hungarian children an opportunity to ask crew questions and inspire interest in space exploration, STEM subjects, and environmental awareness.
Microalgae are potentially useful organisms for future spaceflight that could be used as foods, fuel, or even used in life support systems. In this experiment, three strains of microalgae will be grown and the impact of microgravity on the growth, metabolism, and genetic activity will be investigated versus algae grown on the ground.
The Space Volcanic Algae project from POLSA/ESA investigates the potential of red microalgae for use during for long-duration space exploration missions. These algae are hardy and thrive in extreme environments, and could be used for oxygen production, waste management, and toxic compound decomposition in space. The study will analyse the genes that control oxygen production and metabolism in space-grown algae, comparing them with ground controls. Data from these experiments will enhance our understanding of extremophiles - organisms that thrive in extreme environmental conditions - and identify adaptations essential for oxygen production and other biochemical processes. The insights could also lead to improved industrial applications on Earth.
This ISRO experiment will investigate the impacts of spaceflight on germination and growth of crop seeds. After the mission, seeds will be grown for multiple generations and the effects on genetics, microbial load, and nutritional profile investifated. This project aims to help understand how crops may be grown in space for future exploration missions.
This POLSA/ESA project aims to test methods for extending the shelf-life of pharmaceuticals during long-duration space flights by studying the effects of cosmic radiation on drug stability. The experiment will launch sample packages to the ISS to be stored under different conditions for 1, 2, and 3 years. After return, samples will be analyzed and compared to ground control samples. The findings could improve drug preservation and storage on Earth, especially in challenging environments.
The aim of this HUNOR project is to create an interactive 3D video tour of the ISS, with a special focus on the everyday activities of the HUNOR crewmember and mission. The tour, available in VR and compatible with VR headsets, will provide a personal perspective on life in space, including tasks like eating, working, and moving in microgravity.
This project aims to validate a system that simulates how clothing affects heat transfer in different gravity environments, including microgravity, where heat convection is altered. The research will involve monitoring physiological and cloth responses to exercise on orbit and could inform suit development for future space applications. This technology could be used on Earth to enhance clothing technology for extreme environments, and imrpove body thermal management in industries such as healthcare and sports.
This experiment aims to demonstrate that astronauts with insulin-dependent diabetes can be supported for short duration stays in microgravity. This will be achieved by demonstrating accurate blood glucose testing, data transmission, and insulin viability on ISS. This research will help enable people with diabetes to participate in future space missions, thus expanding the eligibility of crew and expanding access to space to more people. This project is a partnership with Burjeel Holdings PLC, a UAE-based healthcare services provider.
The goal of this protocol is to preserve the very important research data collected from astronauts on a commercial spaceflight mission for future scientific advancement.
Following on from research on previous Axiom missions, the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) will gather human physiological and cognitive data on how humans adapt to space, collected from commercial spaceflight participants. Understanding how humans adapt to microgravity helps us develop countermeasures or optimize training regimes for new users of microgravity.
This project will help establish new pharmacogenomic and personalized medicine capabilities for spaceflight.
The TESH project from HUNOR aims to study the complex changes in astronauts' cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and bone-muscle systems during space travel. By integrating the rdata from various medical devices with mission-specific data, and applying emerging data science techniques to analyze the information in near-realtime, the project aims to develop an AI-based medical data system that monitors astronaut health and supports mission planning.This project could also advance real-time health monitoring and predictive healthcare technologies on Earth.
The changes to joint loading that occurs when humans enter microgravity can cause damage to their structure and function. This project will investigate the effects of short duration spaceflight on cartilage/tendon/ligament thickness, joint fluids, and blood flow via ultrasound evaluation of lower extremity joints before and after flight. The project aims to develop this method as a non-invasive assessment of cartilage and joint health that could optimize exercise protocols for future spaceflight crew and reduce injury upon returning to Earth."
The VITAPRIC investigation will study plant germination, microgreen production, and leaf development in space. The project will investigate the impact of low selenium concentrations on the production of vitamins, proteins, minerals and other nutrients by the plants, and aims to improve food production options for long-duration space missions. The results could also impact agricultural practices on Earth, particularly in resource-poor or urban farming environments.
This experiment seeks to determine whether influenced voice pattern and listening capabilities of the participant might be able to be detected by an Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm. Vocal characteristics of an International Space Station crewmember can change in a zero-gravity environment, and after undergoing cognitive function changes. Electroglottograph measurements of vocal fold vibration provide a quantitative indication of vocal fold function. Scripted voice audio recordings (reading, singing, vowel enunciation, audio pitch matching) allow for tonal analysis. These data allow the investigator to test and analyze vocal performance and voice pattern changes in space and then evaluate how space journey influences the human voice.
This experiment will investigate how the physical and cognitive impact of utilizing computer screens in microgravity. The research will study how pointing tasks, gaze fixation, and rapid eye movements are affected my being performed in space, and how this may interact with subjective experiences of stress wellbeing. The results could inform future spacecraft computer design and interaction.
This ISRO project will investigate the revival, survival, and reproduction of tardigrades sent to the ISS. The project will examine the revival of dormant tardigrades, count the number of eggs laid and hatched during a mission, and compare the gene expression patterns of spaceflown vs. ground control populations. The research seeks to identify molecular mechanisms of resilience which has implications for understanding the limits of life in extreme environments. This knowledge could inform future space exploration and help develop biotechnology applications on Earth.
The Wireless Acoustics project will test a commercially-available acoustic monitor for user experience, comfort, and effectiveness of capturing the acoustic levels within the ISS. The device will be worn while engaging in activities and compared to a nearby stationary sound level meter. This study will evaluate any improvement in this system compared to legacy systems, and could help inform the future design of spacecraft.
Tardigrades are known for their resilience and abvility to survive extreme environments. This project will investigate whether a tardigrade gene, integrated into a yeast gemone, can protect the yeast from the negative effects of microgravity. After genetic editing is done, yeast will be launched to and grown on the ISS, then returned to Earth for post-flight analyses. The implications of this research could be used when considering the design of sustainable ecosystems in space, on the Moon, and on Mars.
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