Ax-4 Joins Expedition: Private Crew Begins ISS Research Mission
Ax-4 Joins Expedition: Private Crew Begins ISS Research Mission
Ax-4 joins Expedition aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This event marks the start of a collaborative two-week science mission. After docking at 6:31 a.m. EDT on Thursday, the four private astronauts from Axiom Mission 4 began working alongside the seven Expedition crew members. Together, they prepare for microgravity experiments, equipment installation, and safety operations.
Ax-4 Joins Expedition for Orientation and Setup
Veteran astronaut and Ax-4 Commander Peggy Whitson entered the ISS first at 8:14 a.m., followed by Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu. After warm greetings, the Ax-4 and Expedition teams began orientation sessions. The private crew received briefings on safety procedures and emergency equipment locations to help them quickly adapt to life on the orbital outpost.
Equipment Transfers and Research Progress
On Friday, the Ax-4 crew quickly started their tasks. They unloaded sample-packed hardware and science freezers from the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and installed them in station incubators and refrigerators. The team also transferred standard ISS safety hardware into Dragon, a routine step during visiting missions.
Later, Ax-4 astronauts joined Expedition members for emergency drills and reviewed communication protocols with mission control. These joint activities ensure that all crew members understand their roles in any potential emergency.
Routine Science and Maintenance Continue
While the Ax-4 crew adjusted to the ISS, Expedition astronauts continued their research schedule. Tasks included space exercise studies, eye health checks, and lunar surface photography. NASA Flight Engineer Nichole Ayers helped Jonny Kim complete a fitness session using an exercise cycle, where sensors measured his aerobic output.
Earlier in the day, Kim pointed a camera at the Moon and photographed Earthlight on its surface. This imaging supports Earth observation and lunar science projects.
Medical and Technical Operations Support
Ayers and Roscosmos Flight Engineer Sergey Ryzhikov operated medical imaging equipment to examine the eyes of Kim and cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. Doctors on Earth monitored the live scans to detect space-induced vision issues.
Meanwhile, Station Commander Takuya Onishi of JAXA set up a microscope in the Destiny lab, then tested spacecraft communication systems in Kibo with Japanese mission controllers. NASA astronaut Anne McClain assisted the Ax-4 and Expedition crews with station familiarization and cargo duties.
Roscosmos astronauts Kirill Peskov and Alexey Zubritskiy packed trash and discarded hardware into the Progress 90 cargo ship, which is scheduled to depart on July 1.
