Igniting Human Innovation

Publications from Axiom Space flown payloads

Simulating possible regions of delayed sprite inception above thunderstorms using piecewise-varying lightning discharge time dependence

  • Continuing lightning current can be simulated by piecewise smooth charge dependence.
  • Piecewise variation in parent lightning current can explain delayed sprite inception.
  • Sprites incepted by low iCMC flashes can be explained by piecewise current patterns.

Variations in Urinary Microbiota on a Short-Duration Space Mission to the International Space Station

  • Spaceflight alters urinary microbiota composition
  • Changes are transient and reversible
  • Bacterial load peaks in orbit
  • Collection method does not affect results

Spaceflight alters molecular networks linked to diverse human diseases in a single cellular model

  • Spaceflight broadly reshapes gene expression networks
  • Altered pathways map to multiple human disease systems
  • Key signaling pathways tied to spaceflight symptoms
  • Suppression of cell cycle and DNA repair processes

Observations and Modeling of the Longest‐Recorded Delayed Sprite

  • The longest delayed sprite everrecorded was observed above athunderstorm in Indonesia on 6 February 2024
  • Thunderstorm charge magnitudes andlocations are deduced from ground‐based data
  • The 916 ms delay is reproduced by simulating a continuing current and current surge within a three‐dimensional quasi‐electrostatic model

Space-associated stem cell hallmarks of aging and resilience in astronauts

  • Spaceflight altered HSPC cycle, self-renewal, and immune repertoires
  • Spaceflight altered HSPC telomere, mitochondrial, and cytokine regulation
  • Spaceflight induced HSPC mutations, base deaminase, and retrotransposon deregulation
  • These analyses revealed functional and molecular hallmarks of stem cell resilience

In space fabrication of Janus base nano matrix for improved assembly and bioactivity

  • First successful in-space fabrication of therapeutic nanomaterials
  • Microgravity improves material quality
  • Enhanced therapeutic loading capability
  • Strong implications for regenerative medicine in space and on Earth

The GENESTAR manual for biospecimen collection biobanking and omics data generation from commercial space missions

  • Proposes a standardized framework for spaceflight biospecimen collection
  • Specifically designed for commercial astronaut populations
  • Enables multi-omics and longitudinal health monitoring
  • Validates feasibility of in-flight and self-collection methods

Microgravity Changes detected by Carotid Hemodynamic Monitoring in Astronauts

  • Microgravity induces measurable hemodynamic waveform changes
  • Venous system is more affected than arterial system
  • Machine learning enables detection of subtle physiological changes
  • Implications for SANS and need for in-flight monitoring

The Posterior Dominant Rhythm Remains Within Normal Limits in the Microgravity Environment

  • Core EEG rhythm remains stable in microgravity
  • Brain network integrity appears preserved in short missions
  • Feasibility of in-flight EEG monitoring demonstrated
  • EEG has potential as an operational brain health tool

Examination of Cloud Seeding on Board of the International Space Station: Experimental and Modeling Approach

  • First cloud seeding experiment on the International Space Station
  • Microgravity enhances particle–droplet interaction time
  • Smaller particles further improve seedingefficiency
  • Measurable reduction in humidity due to dropletinteraction

Surface tension enables induced pluripotent stem cell culture in commercially available hardware during spaceflight

  • First successful iPSC culture using commercial hardware in space
  • Surface tension enables fluid handling in microgravity
  • First demonstration of DNA transfection in space-grown stem cells
  • Spontaneous 3D spheroid formation in microgravity

Neuroscience Research in Short-Duration Human Spaceflight

Plasma Biomarkers of First All-Civilian Space Flight to the International Space Station

  • Spaceflight-associated physiological changes are multisystem and interrelated
  • Fluid shifts are a central driver of multiple downstream effects
  • Individual variability is a major challenge for risk prediction
  • Continuous monitoring and precision countermeasures are critical

Archaeology in space: The Sampling Quadrangle Assemblages Research Experiment (SQuARE) on the International Space Station.

  • First archaeological study conducted in space
  • Systematic mapping of everyday astronaut behavior
  • Microgravity reshapes spatial organization and object use
  • Insights for habitat design and long-duration missions

Space-based optical imaging of blue corona discharges on a cumulonimbus cloud top

  • Optical imaging from the ISS at 60 frames per second of blue corona discharges on the top of a cumulonimbus cloud
  • Blue corona discharges occur frequently on the overshooting cloud tops in confined, several km scale areas.
  • The 16.66 ms resolution enables reconstruction of the sequence of blue corona discharges and lightning events.
  • Blue events always precede Intracloud and Cloud-to-Ground strokes.

Establishing Neural Organoid Cultures for Investigating the Effects of Microgravity in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO)

  • First protocol for neural organoid cultures in space
  • Organoids include integrated microglia for immune context
  • Supports disease‑specific models in orbit
  • Cryovial strategy avoids onboard fluid exchanges

Markers of Tissue Deterioration and Pain on Earth and in Space

  • The study addresses pain—an often overlooked physiological outcome of spaceflight
  • Biomarkers of systemic inflammation, tissue deterioration, and bone resorption changed after a 17‑day mission
  • While most changes were similar to painful terrestrial conditions, there were a few differences
  • Consistent decrease in C-reactive protein in spaceflight

Leveraging Space-Flown Technologies to Deliver Healthcare with Holographic Physical Examinations

  • Holographic physical exams are feasible using mixed‑realitytech
  • True‑to‑scale anatomical visualization improves inspection
  • Modified self‑palpation enabled remote assessment
  • Mixed‑reality exams have strong potential for spaceflight or remote healthcare

Amorphous calcium carbonate enhances osteogenic differentiation and myotube formation of human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells and primary skeletal muscle cells under microgravity conditions

  • Amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) promotes boneand muscle cell development in microgravity
  • International Space Station experiments confirm terrestrial findings
  • ACC could counteract space‑induced musculoskeletal deterioration
  • Organ‑on‑a‑chip methodology enabled autonomous in‑orbit cultures

Pain Experience and Sensory Changes in Astronauts During and After Short-Lasting Commercial Spaceflight: A Proof-of-Concept Study

  • Spaceflight triggers musculoskeletal pain that normalizes over time
  • Traditional pain questionnaires may be inadequate in space
  • Sensory perception and pain regulation are altered post‑flight
  • Conditioned pain modulation shows altered inhibitory processing

Ocular rigidity and choroidal thickness changes in response to microgravity: A case study

  • Ocular rigidity decreases after spaceflight
  • Choroidal thickness increases during Valsalva maneuver in space
  • Valsalva‑induced ocular changes may relate to exercise
  • Findings have implications for SANS understanding

CRISPR-based genetic diagnostics in microgravity

  • CRISPR-based genetic diagnostics was successfully used in microgravity
  • Coupling Cas12a collateral activity with recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) detected DNA in attomolar concentrations.
  • Detection stability was maintained following deep freeze long-term storage and thus could be used for long space missions.

Observing lightning and transient luminous events from the international space station during ILAN-ES: An astronaut's perspective

  • Nocturnal observations of thunderstorms from the ISS require precisely timed windows in the daily astronaut schedule.
  • Real-time storm location is easily corrected by astronauts from the Cupola.
  • Accuracy of timestamp on the camera image is essential for post-flight analysis.
  • Ground observations in conjunction with ISS overpasses are a K-12 science-education asset.