States » SouthPosted at: Jun 28 2025 9:02PM


Ax-4 crew meets Expedition 73, begins Space Research

Chennai, June 28 (UNI)The four member Axiom-4 mission crew from India, US, Hungary and Poland
have commenced space research at the International Space Station (ISS).
The four Axiom Mission 4 and seven Expedition 73 crew members also joined each other in the ISS's Harmony module for a group portrait, NASA said today.
Eleven residents are living and working aboard the International Space Station following the docking of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) at 6:31 a.m. EDT on Thursday. The seven Expedition 73 crew members welcomed the four Ax-4 astronauts and are now helping them familiarize themselves with orbital lab systems and prepare for approximately two weeks of microgravity research.
Veteran astronaut and Ax-4 Commander Peggy Whitson was the first to enter the space station after the hatch opened at 8:14 a.m. on Thursday between the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and the Harmony module’s space-facing port. She was followed shortly afterward by Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu. After welcoming remarks, the
Ax-4 crew was briefed on standard orbital safety procedures and the location of station emergency equipment.
On Friday, Ax-4 quickly got to work unloading sample-packed hardware and portable science freezers from inside Dragon for installation in station incubators and research refrigerators ahead of upcoming experiments.
Station safety hardware was also temporarily transferred inside Dragon as is customary for visiting spacecraft. The private astronaut quartet later joined the Expedition 73 crew for more safety reviews to learn their roles and responsibilities and communication protocols with mission controllers in the unlikely event of an emergency on the orbital outpost.
Meanwhile, Expedition 73 kept up its daily research schedule with a space exercise study, eye exams, and lunar photography. Cargo transfers and life support maintenance rounded out crew’s day.
NASA Flight Engineer Nichole Ayers set up the Destiny laboratory module’s exercise cycle for NASA Flight Engineer Jonny Kim and the sensors he wore measuring his aerobic output as he pedaled during a workout session.
Researchers will use the data to help keep astronauts fit in space preparing them for strenuous activities such as spacewalks and the return to Earth’s gravity environment. Kim earlier pointed a camera toward the Moon and photographed the reflection of Earth’s light shining on the lunar surface.
Ayers also joined Roscosmos Flight Engineer Sergey Ryzhikov and operated medical imaging gear while scanning the eyes of Kim and cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. Doctors on the ground monitored in real time the examination for potential space-caused eye structure and vision issues.
Station Commander Takuya Onishi from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) set up a microscope in the Destiny lab then moved to the Kibo laboratory module and tested spacecraft communications hardware in coordination with mission controllers in Japan.
NASA Flight Engineer Anne McClain spent her day assisting the Ax-4 crewmates with their station familiarization duties and cargo transfers. Peskov partnered with Roscosmos Flight Engineer Alexey Zubritskiy and packed trash and discarded gear inside the Progress 90 resupply ship before its departure on July 1.
UNI GV 2055
Tags: #Ax-4 crew meets Expedition 73# begins Space Research
More News

Water level reaches 136 feet, shutters of Mullaperiyar Dam to be opened

29 Jun 2025 | 8:41 AM

Idukki (Kerala), June 29 (UNI) With heavy rainfall continuing in the catchment areas, the shutters of the Mullaperiyar Dam will be opened at 10 am on Sunday.

see more..

New leadership takes charge of Telemedicine Society of India's Kerala Chapter

29 Jun 2025 | 1:51 AM

Kochi, June 28 (UNI) The Telemedicine Society of India (TSI) Kerala Chapter, has welcomed new leadership with Dr. Vivek Nambiar taking over as the new President.

see more..

Hyd: PVNR’s steps opened new economic global markets growth for country: Jwala

29 Jun 2025 | 1:31 AM

Hyderabad, June 28 (UNI) V. Jwala Narasimha Rao, Senior faculty (Retired), Dr. Marri Chenna Reddy Human Resource Development Institute, Hyderabad (Dr. MCHRD), said that P.V. Narasimha Rao’s tenure as Prime Minister saw significant steps taken to open global markets in a new era of economic growth.

see more..

PJR flyover inaugurated in Gachibowli: CM Revanth vows transformational urban development for Hyderabad

29 Jun 2025 | 1:22 AM

Hyderabad, June 28 (UNI) Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy this evening inaugurated the PJR flyover at Gachibowli, marking a major addition to the city’s urban infrastructure.

see more..

Rallying ‘TN under one banner’ to deny political space for communal forces, traitors playing second fiddle: MK Stalin

29 Jun 2025 | 1:15 AM

Chennai, June 28 (UNI) Galvanising the ruling DMK’s well-oiled election machinery to retain power in the 2026 assembly poll, Chief Minister and party president M K Stalin today said the Dravidian major’s ‘Oraniyil Tamil Nadu’ (TN under one banner) campaign, to be launched from July one with an ambitious target of enrolling two crore membership, is aimed at denying any political space to communal forces and their stooges.

see more..