Today, Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi executed their first full day of science operations and media outreach. They began sharing updates on their efforts on the ISS on their social media accounts.
Barnawi used the life science glovebox to perform the DNA Nano Therapeutics operations, which she completed well ahead of the timeline, producing the first DNA Nanomaterials on the ISS. This project leverages microgravity to optimize production of DNA-inspired nanomaterials and set standards for in-space manufacturing of a wide range of nanomaterial therapeutic applications, such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. Axiom Space has partnered with the University of Connecticut and Eascra Biotech for the DNA Nano Therapeutics project, which is funded through the NASA In-Space Production Applications (InSPA) program.
Alqarni and Barnawi also performed a test run of the Nanoracks Space Kite payload, which will demonstrate the aerodynamic behavior of kites in microgravity. Three kites of different shapes will be fixed to a fan on the ISS and their movement will be tracked. The Saudi crew will host a live event with thousands of students on the ground as part of the Saudi education outreach program.
Whitson and Shoffner worked on the Stellar Stem Cells project that will grow stem cells on the ISS to see whether microgravity has any impact on the way the cells grow. By studying stem cells in space, it could address the challenges that currently limit using these cells as therapies in regenerative medicine. Axiom Space has partnered with Cedars Sinai for this project, making it the first time induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) will be manufactured in space by astronauts.
Whitson started the Cancer in Low-Earth Orbit experiment, which will study prospective therapies for colorectal and breast cancers by testing countermeasure drugs on the space station. This effort contributes to the goal of creating cellular models to predict and detect the development of cancer.
The Ax-2 crew collected samples for the Nebula Human Research investigation. This is part of a portfolio of projects that will look at how humans adapt and respond to spaceflight to better understand human physiology in microgravity, which will contribute to our understanding of how to keep humans healthy in space. The Nebula projects will utilize novel neuroscience tools to measure blood flow to the brain and the brain’s electrical activity, assess intracranial pressure by non-invasive assessment of the pupil of the eye, and monitor changes in the optic nerve over time.
An exercise session was performed by the Ax-2 crew in support of the “Skinsuit” experiment. The Gravity Loading Countermeasure Skinsuit is an intravehicular activity suit for astronauts that has been developed to simulate some of the effects of Earth’s gravity by providing vertical load on the body, from the shoulders to the feet. The Skinsuit is a potential spaceflight countermeasure, which aims to mitigate physiological effects of microgravity, including spinal elongation, muscle atrophy, and sensorimotor changes.
The Ax-2 crew did a test event with ICE Cubes, which is a platform that is being used during the mission to interact in real-time with the media, students, and public. The Ax-2 crew completed the first of many recordings that will be sent to the ground for use in STEAM outreach, social media, and commercial activities.
Today, John Shoffner participated in two STEAM outreach events with students from Oporto British School in Portugal and Rathmore National School in Ireland. During the events, Shoffner conducted a live Q&A with the students regarding what it is like to live and work in space. Shoffner will be conducting many outreach events and microgravity demonstrations on the space station with the goal of inspiring students around the world to pursue STEAM education. You can watch both events live on Axiom Space’s YouTube channel.
Alqarni and Barnawi talked to students in Saudi Arabia via Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, known as the ARISS program. Part of a larger effort to engage students across the nation, the Saudi Space Commission posted various photos of the event on their social media accounts.
Tomorrow the Ax-2 crew will host a STEAM-focused educational outreach event with Space Center Houston along with local children and community members. This will be a live NASA PAO event and will occur at 10:35 a.m. CT. You can watch it live on Axiom Space’s YouTube channel and NASA TV.
Watch the full mission update: