Today Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi successfully completed the last full day of science research and STEAM outreach.
Whitson executed another run of the Axiom Space Comm Systems tech demo, testing communication with the ground team. This capability will potentially allow crew members more flexibility in communicating with mission control and loved ones on the ground.
Whitson also performed the Space Tissue and Regeneration research in the life sciences glovebox. Axiom Space partnered with the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine and BioServe Space Technologies to send tissue-engineered liver and kidney constructs on the Ax-2 mission to assess the impact of microgravity on vascularization of thick tissues. The outcome of this study could lead to the in-space bioengineering of ‘building blocks’ of tissue that can serve as a bridge to transplantation in patients awaiting a limited supply of donor organs.
Shoffner did a final exercise wearing the MIT skinsuit to demonstrate its ability to attenuate microgravity induced physiological changes. The skinsuit is a potential spaceflight countermeasure, which aims to mitigate the effects of microgravity on the body, including spinal elongation, muscle atrophy, and sensorimotor changes.
Barnawi had another day of life sciences glovebox operations supporting the RNA response payload, which will inform researchers on the immune system’s response to microgravity.
Alqarni conducted the JAMSS Odor Visualization tech demo by gathering odor data in various locations on the space station, which researchers on the ground can then analyze and use to build a visual representation of the odors on the space station.
In addition, Barnawi and AlQarni continued gathering data for the Nebula research investigations, which look at how humans adapt and respond to spaceflight.
Tomorrow, the Ax-2 crew will spend most of the time packing the return cargo and preparing for undocking. Barnawi will utilize the life sciences glovebox one last time for the DNA Nano Therapeutics study.
Shoffner conducted a live event with the Humanity United with MIT Art and Nanotechnology (HUMANS) project. HUMANS is an MIT student-led project that combines art and nanotechnology to increase global representation in space. HUMANS has created a record of voices from people all around the world in their native languages, sharing their thoughts on the meaning of space. HUMANS creates a symbolic avenue for space access worldwide and emphasizes how space should remain a “space" for everyone. You can watch the event on Axiom Space’s YouTube channel.
Today, Alqarni and Barnawi conducted a STEAM event with thousands of Saudi students on the ground featuring the Nanoracks Space Kite payload to demonstrate the aerodynamic behavior of kites in microgravity.
The Ax-2 crew and Axiom Space’s Chief Scientist Dr. Lucie Low participated in a live, on-orbit science briefing. The crew did a Q&A with Dr. Low to provide updates on the science and research they have been conducting during their time on the space station. You can watch the event on Axiom Space’s YouTube channel.
Tomorrow, Barnawi and Alqarni will perform their final STEAM outreach event with the Nanoracks Heat Transfer payload, demonstrating heat transfer in space. During this event, Barnawi and Alqarni will monitor the heat transfer of a wire as it heats and cools. Students will compare how heat transfer on the ISS differs from control experiments performed on Earth.
Tomorrow, the Ax-2 and NASA Expedition 69 crews will hold a joint farewell ceremony. Inspired by the traditional “change of command” conducted by long-duration ISS crews, this event provides an opportunity for the crew to share some words as they conclude their time in space. You can watch the event live on Axiom Space’s YouTube channel at 10:50 a.m. EDT.
For information on how to watch the live coverage of the undocking and departure of the Ax-2 crew from the ISS, visit our website axiomspace.com.