In early August, after a multi-month stay on the International Space Station (ISS), the crew of the NASA SpaceX Crew-10 mission is returning to Earth. NASA astronauts, Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, along with their colleague from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut, Kirill Peskov, are concluding their long-duration scientific expedition. During their stay in orbit, McClain, Ayers, and Onishi conducted dozens of key experiments and technology demonstrations, pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge in the unique environment of the orbital laboratory. Their work covered a wide range of disciplines, from botany and medicine to physics and astronomy, and the results of their research will have a long-term impact on future space missions and life on Earth.

Infrastructure Improvements for the Future of Science

One of the crew's key tasks was to upgrade the station's power system. Astronaut Anne McClain participated in a spacewalk during which she installed hardware to support new solar panels known as IROSA (International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array). These modern, flexible solar panels are significantly more compact and efficient in generating electricity compared to the original, older panels. Their installation is crucial for ensuring sufficient power for the increasing number of scientific experiments and the operational needs of the station. The first demonstration of IROSA technology on the ISS took place in June 2017, and to date, eight such systems have been installed, significantly increasing the capacity for research. In addition to power, the crew also worked on upgrading the life support system. Nichole Ayers and Anne McClain together installed hardware for the Exploration Potable Water Dispenser. Scientists are currently evaluating the technology of this device for water sanitation and reducing microbiological growth, which is of vital importance for long-duration missions. The dispenser provides room temperature water as well as hot water for preparing food and drinks, and this technology could become standard on future missions to the Moon and Mars.

Biological Research in Microgravity

A significant part of the mission was dedicated to studying the effects of the space environment on living organisms. As part of the Rhodium Plant LIFE experiment, the crew studied plant growth in a weightless state. In special canisters inside the station's cupola, wild and genetically modified thale cress plants (Arabidopsis thaliana) were grown. The goal of the research is to understand how radiation and microgravity at different orbital altitudes affect plant growth. Data collected during the Crew-10 mission will be compared with data from the Polaris Dawn mission, which flew deeper into space and was exposed to stronger radiation. A better understanding of these mechanisms could improve techniques for growing plants in space, which is crucial for future long-term missions, as well as for improving agriculture on Earth.

The research did not stop at higher plants. Astronaut Nichole Ayers worked on the SOPHONSTER project, which studies the effect of microgravity on protein yield from microalgae. These single-celled organisms are extremely nutritious; they are rich in amino acids, fatty acids, B vitamins, iron, and fiber. Microalgae could become a sustainable alternative to meat and dairy products during long space voyages. Besides being a food source, they could also be used for producing biofuels and bioactive compounds for medicines, both in space and on Earth.

Human Health Under Scrutiny

Understanding the human body's adaptation to space conditions remains a priority. The crew participated in a series of medical studies. Anne McClain assisted Takuya Onishi with blood sample collection. Blood analysis is a standard tool used by NASA to continuously monitor the health of astronauts, including cardiovascular and immune system functions, changes in muscle and bone mass, nutritional and metabolic status, and mental state. The JAXA space agency also conducted the Cell Gravisensing research. Although we know that individual cells in our body respond to gravity, the mechanism of this sensitivity is still largely unknown. This research, on which Takuya Onishi worked in the Kibo laboratory module, aims to observe and discover this mechanism. The findings could lead to new therapies for treating conditions like muscle atrophy during spaceflights and osteoporosis on Earth.

Special attention was also paid to eye health. It is known that staying in space can cause changes in eye structure and vision, so astronauts regularly monitor the condition of their eyes. Takuya Onishi, with the help of Nichole Ayers, conducted an ophthalmological examination using optical coherence tomography (OCT). This technology uses reflected light to create detailed 3D images of the retina, nerve fibers, and other eye structures, allowing for the early detection of potential problems.

Genetics and Aging at the Cellular Level

One of the most intriguing experiments was APEX-12, in which Takuya Onishi and Nichole Ayers collected samples of thale cress to examine the effect of space radiation on telomere activity. Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division, which is one of the indicators of cellular aging. The APEX-12 research could clarify the role of telomeres in the aging process and disease development and help scientists prepare plants and other organisms for the stress of long-duration spaceflights.

Advanced Materials and Pharmaceutical Research

Microgravity offers unique conditions for crystallization research. Anne McClain worked on the Advanced Space Experiment Processor-4, a device that enables research in the field of physical sciences and crystallization. One of the current studies demonstrates technology that could enable the production of medicines during deep space missions and improve pharmaceutical manufacturing on Earth. This is complemented by the ADSEP-Industrial Crystallization Cassette experiment, on which Takuya Onishi worked. This project is testing new hardware that allows for more massive production and opens the door to the commercial production of drugs and other materials in space.

Nichole Ayers set up the Ring Sheared Drop device, which uses surface tension to "trap" a drop of liquid between two rings. This allows for the study of liquid proteins without contact with container walls, thus eliminating interactions that could affect the results. The Ring Sheared Drop-IBP-2 experiment studies the behavior of protein liquids in microgravity and tests computational models. Better models could improve production processes for a new generation of drugs for treating cancer and other serious diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, whose development is linked to the accumulation of protein plaques.

New Technologies and Space Observation

The crew also tested new technologies that will facilitate the work of future astronauts. Takuya Onishi supervised the JEM Internal Ball Camera 2, a free-floating, rechargeable camera that provides views beyond the reach of the station's fixed cameras. JAXA is testing the ability of this small robot to record videos and photos of scientific experiments, which would free up the crew's valuable time for other tasks. A new technology for observing the microscopic world also debuted in space. A fluorescent microscope, known as ELVIS, for the first time enabled the recording of the movement of microscopic algae and bacteria in 3D. This capability could be useful in various applications, such as monitoring water quality and detecting potentially infectious organisms in real time.

Besides looking through a microscope, the astronauts had a unique view of the Earth and the Sun. From an altitude of over 400 kilometers, Nichole Ayers captured a spectacular photo of simultaneous lightning strikes at the tops of two storm clouds. Scientists use instruments on the ISS to study lightning and other weather phenomena in the upper atmosphere, which helps protect communication systems and aircraft. The crew also collected data using the CODEX instrument, which observes the Sun's corona. By blocking direct sunlight, this coronagraph reveals details in the Sun's outer atmosphere. The data helps scientists understand the source of the solar wind – a constant stream of charged particles from the Sun that bombard the Earth and can affect satellites and electrical grids.

Education and Inspiration

There was also room on the station for student projects. As part of the Nanoracks Module-9 Swiss Chard experiment, designed by students, Nichole Ayers prepared test tubes with Swiss chard samples. The goal is to examine whether the size, shape, color, and nutritional content of Swiss chard seeds germinated in space differ from those grown on Earth. Such projects not only provide valuable scientific data but also inspire a new generation of scientists and researchers, showing that space is accessible to anyone with a good idea.