Indian astronaut and Axiom Mission 4 pilot Shubhanshu “Shux” Shukla completed one week aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday, spending a well-deserved off-duty day speaking with his family and preparing for the next phase of intensive research work, Axiom Space confirmed in a blog post.
The Ax-4 crew—Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shukla, and Mission Specialists Slawosz “Suave” Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary)—have now orbited Earth approximately 113 times since docking with the ISS on June 26, covering more than 2.9 million miles.
The milestone marks a historic moment in global spaceflight, as it is the first time astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary have participated in an ISS mission, symbolizing their return to human space exploration after more than four decades.
During their week in orbit, the crew has launched into an ambitious program of over 60 scientific experiments. On her part, veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson is contributing to groundbreaking cancer research, using microgravity to observe tumor cell behavior and identify potential therapeutic targets for metastatic cancers.
Shukla has been focused on experiments involving algae growth and the behavior of tardigrades—microscopic organisms known for their extreme resilience. These studies aim to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind cellular survival in space, which may yield important medical applications back on Earth.
Suave has been testing a new wearable acoustic device that monitors sound levels aboard the station—critical for ensuring astronaut health in confined environments. Tibor Kapu, meanwhile, has been measuring radiation levels using a Hungarian-built dosimeter and leading efforts to grow microgreens aboard the ISS, contributing to the goal of sustainable food systems in space.
After taking time to rest and reconnect with loved ones, the Ax-4 crew is set to resume their tightly packed schedule of scientific and outreach activities through the weekend.
The Axiom-4 mission launched on June 25 at noon IST aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft docked with the ISS on June 26 at 4:05 pm IST, linking up with the Harmony module’s space-facing port ahead of schedule.
With over 100 sunrises and sunsets already behind them, the Ax-4 astronauts are not just advancing space science—they are also igniting inspiration for future generations of global space explorers.
