The second day of the Axiom-4 mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) was marked by intensive research work. The crew members, including Polish astronaut Dr. Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, began conducting scientific experiments, including three projects as part of the Polish IGNIS mission, coordinated by the Polish Space Agency (POLSA).
The research carried out included the first sessions of the AstroMentalHealth experiment conducted by scientists from the University of Silesia, which aims to analyze the impact of space conditions on the mental health of astronauts. At the same time, the Human Gut Microbiota project, prepared by the Military University of Technology (WAT), was launched to study changes in the intestinal microbiota during stays in orbit. The third of the experiments launched, Immune Multiomics, also conducted by WAT, focuses on analyzing the impact of microgravity on the functioning of the human immune system.
During the second day of the mission, Dr. Uznański-Wiśniewski also installed another experiment that tests the ability of genetically modified yeast enriched with the gene of tardigrades – microscopic organisms known for their extraordinary resistance to extreme environmental conditions – to survive in space.
POLSA reported that two other Polish experiments – Space Volcanic Algae, studying the behavior of extremophile algae in microgravity conditions, and LeopardISS, testing artificial intelligence algorithms in orbit – are operating correctly, as planned. Two more projects from the pool of thirteen experiments within the Polish mission are scheduled for Sunday.
According to an official statement from POLSA, the Polish astronaut’s physical health is assessed as very good, and the progress of the entire mission, which is scheduled to end in 14 days, has already exceeded 12 percent.
In addition to Polish research, the Ax-4 mission crew, which also includes astronauts from the US, India, and Hungary, worked on several international projects, including testing an experimental anti-cancer drug.
