Axiom-4 crew begins biomedical research as life onboard ISS ramps up

The crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has begun a new round of biomedical research.

Astronauts from both Expedition 73 and the private Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission are taking part. They are conducting various experiments to better understand how space affects the human body.

On Tuesday, scientific activity was in full swing across the orbiting laboratory, with a particular focus on cellular immunity and muscle stimulation under microgravity conditions.

Takuya Onishi, mission commander from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), continued his research into space biology.

He collected blood and saliva samples, which were then spun in a centrifuge, frozen, and stored for future analysis. According to NASA, the goal is to understand how microgravity affects immune function, track stress responses in the body, and develop better treatments for immunity-related symptoms in space.

NASA flight engineers Johnny Kim, Anne McClain, and Nichole Ayers kept the station in top shape while supporting Ax-4 operations. Kim handled key maintenance tasks in the Tranquility module, working on the station's plumbing systems. Ayers focused on power systems and equipment in the Destiny module, securing cables and deactivating a microscope. McClain performed a cognition test and helped with coordination between teams during the packed day.

The Ax-4 crew - veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson and spaceflight participants Shubhanshu Shukla, Tibor Kapu, and Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski - continued their second week aboard the ISS with multiple research initiatives.

One study examined how electrical muscle stimulation could counteract muscle weakening in microgravity. Other investigations explored how space suit materials support thermal comfort during exercise and the broader effects of spaceflight on human health and sustainable agriculture.

Russian crew members Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritskiy focused on the Zvezda service module, maintaining the COLBERT treadmill - a crucial exercise device on the station.

Meanwhile, cosmonaut Kirill Peskov began his day processing biological samples and later transferred water from the Progress 92 cargo ship, in addition to unloading essential hardware and supplies.