The STEM-focused experiments are conducted in microgravity to educate students on the unique environment of the Space Station. These three visual experiments will demonstrate differences in fluid behavior on Earth and in microgravity, explore the aerodynamic behavior of different kite shapes on the ISS, and show effects of the vacuum of space on heat transfer. Students across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will participate in ground-based experiments on Earth to gather comparison data with custom-built kits and, in the case of Space Kites, the general public can gather their own data using household materials and instructions provided by DreamUp. This project is in collaboration with the Saudi Space Agency.

This set of experiments investigates the inflammatory response of human immune cells in microgravity, specifically the changes in mRNA decay – a process that regulates gene expression changes in cells and can influence the effects of inflammation. In this experiment, a type of white blood cells will be sent to the ISS and, in parallel with experiments on the ground, cells will be treated with a substance that stimulates an inflammatory response. The changes in mRNA expression and decay will be studied and compared between experimental conditions to learn about mRNA expression changes, which could lead to better understanding of the immune system and uncover biomarkers or potential therapies for inflammatory diseases both in space and on Earth. The project is funded by SSA, where one of their astronauts will perform the experiments at the ISS.

This portfolio of projects 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. Projects utilizing novel neuroscience tools include measuring blood flow to the brain and the brain’s electrical activity, assessing intracranial pressure by non-invasive assessment of the pupil of the eye, and monitoring changes in the optic nerve over time. Improved monitoring of neurological health may help make spaceflight safer in the future and allow for the development of rapid, non-invasive monitoring, as well as early interventions and the development of countermeasures. Blood and bio-sample specimens will also be taken to examine multi-omic biomarkers related to spaceflight and also to map changes in the length, structure, and epigenetics of chromosomes and telomeres.

Cloud seeding is the process of artificially generating rain by implanting clouds with particles such as silver iodide (AgI) crystals. Cloud seeding has been adopted by many countries to increase precipitation in areas suffering with droughts. In this experiment, cloud seeding will be examined for the first time in space under microgravity conditions. Moist air and AgI crystals will be mixed in a reaction chamber to examine the possibility of nucleation, where water vapor condenses on AgI crystals to form water droplets. The outcome of this experiment will help develop weather control technology to generate artificial rain in future human settlements on the Moon and Mars.

JAMSS Odor Visualization is a tech demo developed by JAMSS that will use two QCM (quartz crystal microbalance) sensors to detect odors in the ISS pressurized environment. The data collected will then be used to visualize the quality of life for space travelers with future applications.

Digital Voice Assistant demonstrates a digital voice assistant to support crew operations on the International Space Station. Results could help support the development of a robust voice-based assistant to perform a variety of functions on the planned Axiom space station.

In this project, the activity of DNA and RNA-editing enzymes involved in mutations that may be related to development of immune dysfunction-related disease states and cancer will be evaluated by analyzing blood samples taken from the crew before, during, and after spaceflight. This will help better understand changes in editing activity of these enzymes in blood stem cells due to spaceflight. This project is part of the expanded Integrated Space Stem Cell Orbital Reseach (ISSCOR) collaboration between the Sanford Stem Cell Institute, JM Foundation, and Axiom Space.

Following research conducted on Axiom Mission 1 and Axiom Mission 2, Axiom Space continues to work with TRISH to gather systematic data on human physiology, biometric monitoring, cognitive and behavioral performance, genetic data and gene expression, contextual data through questionnaires, balance and space motion sickness, and spaceflight associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) visual changes. This portfolio of projects will help understand how humans adapt to space, specifically in the context of commercial spaceflight participants. Results can also help inform Earth-based research into eye or movement disorders and the cognitive and emotional impacts of isolated, confined, or stressful environments.

DNA inspired Janus-based nanomaterials are biologically inspired nanotubes that can be used for therapeutic mRNA delivery or other therapeutics at room temperature, and as a first-in-kind injectable scaffold for cartilage repair. This project will leverage microgravity to optimize the assembly of DNA-based nanomaterials for multiple therapeutic uses and ultimately develop standards for in-space manufacturing of nanomaterials for a wide range of therapeutic applications. Axiom Space is contributing to the NASA-funded In-Space Production Applications project through the Ax-2 mission.

This project seeks insights into the impact of microgravity on producing stem cells and stem cell-derived products in space.  Using space to evaluate the steps used in terrestrial manufacturing to reprogram skin cells (fibroblasts) into stem cells capable of producing a variety of tissue types (heart, brain, and blood), could support regenerative medicine uses on Earth. Axiom Space is contributing to the NASA-funded In-Space Production Applications project through the Ax-2 mission.

In partnership with Axiom Space, the Cancer in LEO project from the Sanford Stem Cell Institute will study tumor organoids in microgravity with the goal to identify early warning signs of cancer for prediction and prevention of the disease. This project is part of the expanded ISSCOR collaboration between the Sanford Stem Cell Institute, JM Foundation, and Axiom Space, which aims to use microgravity to further understand stem cells, cancer, and aging-related effects in space to develop better prediction of disease and therapeutics for patients on Earth.

The  Space Hematopoietic Stem Cell Aging (SASHA) project on Ax-3 is a project from the Sanford Stem Cell Institute/UC San Diego in partnership with Axiom Space. The project investigates the activity of RNA-editing enzymes (including ADAR1, also being investigated in the Cancer in LEO project) that are involved in mutations that may be related to the development of immune dysfunction-related disease states and cancer. Understanding how the gene editing enzymes are affected by microgravity in hematopoietic cells (blood stem cells) could give insight into how leukemias and other cancers develop on Earth. This project is part of the expanded Integrated Space Stem Cell Orbital Reseach (ISSCOR) collaboration between the Sanford Stem Cell Institute, JM Foundation, and Axiom Space, which aims to use microgravity to further understand stem cells, cancer, and aging-related effects in space in order to develop better prediction of disease and therapeutics for patients on Earth.  

Bioengineered liver and kidney tissue constructs will be sent to space to assess the impact of microgravity on vascularization of thick tissues. If successful, this platform technology and approach could lead to the in-space bioengineering of ‘building blocks’ of tissue that can serve as a bridge to transplants in patients awaiting a limited supply of donor organs. This project is part of the Axiom Space collaboration with Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine and the ReMDO to develop an In-Space Biomanufacturing Hub for regenerative medicine.

A newly developed hydrogen-rich polymer is being tested for its ability to protect against space radiation, which consists of heavy charged particles and secondary photons, electrons, and neutrons. During the Ax-2 mission, the newly developed hydrogen-rich polymer will be tested in the internal radiation environment of the ISS to assess the polymer’s shielding abilities.