A striking new image has emerged of Group Captain Subhashu Shukla of the Indian Air Force, beaming from space. Captured from the space station, this selfie shows Subhashu alongside fellow astronaut and mission specialist Tibor Kapu within the confines of the ISS’s Copula module. It's day three for Subhashu’s space mission as part of the four-member Axiom-4 (Ax-4) team, who are spending 14 days aboard the International Space Station.
Subhashu's Selfie From Space
This selfie from the space station highlights Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, sent to space under the HUNOR program. As the first Hungarian to venture to the space station since the Soviet Union's dissolution, he plays a crucial role as a mission specialist, contributing to scientific research and technical operations, making it a notable achievement for Hungary.
Under the Axiom-4 mission, the crew, including Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Subhashu Shukla, Mission Specialist Slavosh Uzanan-Wisniewski, and Tibor Kapu, completed an action-packed third day focused on various research studies and global outreach initiatives.
Cancer Research Progress
Onboard, Peggy Whitson delved into cancer investigation in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) by imaging samples, shedding light on cancer behavior in microgravity. This research, assisted by the Sanford Stem Cell Institute, aims to simplify cancer treatment on Earth, especially for aggressive and metastatic cancers.
Meanwhile, efforts focused on creativity included capturing artwork as part of the Saudi Space Agency's microgravity challenge. The challenge featured over 80,000 submissions from young minds in the Arab region, promoting innovation in art, agriculture, and engineering, all to ignite passion for space science.
Subhashu's Experimentation
During the mission, India’s Subhashu Shukla focused on the Space Microalgae Experiment. He deployed sample bags and photographed algae strains, which might be pivotal in future space research as they could serve as sustainable, nutrient-rich food sources for long-term missions.
The crew also gathered data for the Neuro Motion VR project, where astronauts wore VR headsets while performing attention-based tasks, with their brain activity monitored using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). This investigation sheds light on how microgravity affects motor function, crucial for future deep-space missions.
Health Care in Space
Data was also collected for the Telemetric Health AI study, integrating biometric data with mission analytics to better understand how spaceflight impacts the human heart and balance systems. By applying data science techniques, this project might enhance real-time health monitoring both in orbit and on Earth.
Slavosh contributed to a microfluidic design experiment using Kermit imaging to study fluid dynamics in microgravity, aiming to develop microfluidic devices that test drug stability and quality, making strides toward healthcare in space.
Global Outreach and Engagement
Global outreach included a special conversation between Tibor and Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Peggy Whitson and Slavosh discussed ongoing efforts to protect astronauts from space radiation with Dr. Lucy Lowe, Axiom Space's chief scientist. Further engagements include Tibor sharing his experiences with Hungarian journalists live from the space station.
Additionally, Peggy and Tibor will record the first mission update, detailing how the crew has adapted to life on the space station and what ongoing efforts are in motion. Notably, Subhashu Shukla had a special conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, discussing his space experiences and India’s space ambitions.
