Axiom Mission-2

Context

  • Axiom Mission-2 (Ax-2), the second all-private astronaut mission to ISS, docked to the orbiting laboratory.

About Axiom Mission-2

  • As part of Ax-2, the four astronauts will conduct more than 20 different experiments, including research that will help improve understanding of human physiology both on Earth and on-orbit and other investigations in fields such as healthcare and technology development.
  • The four private astronauts blasted off into space aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, atop a Falcon 9 rocket.

    Axiom Mission-2
    Credit: SpaceX
  • The life science experiments to be conducted on the space station include DNA nano-therapeutics, which are nanotubes that can be used for therapeutic mRNA delivery;
    • production of stem cells and stem cell-derived products;
    • investigation of the inflammatory response of human cells in microgravity;
    • study of triple-negative breast cancer (a type of breast cancer that does not have any of the receptors that are commonly found in breast cancer) cells to understand immune dysfunction; and
    • studying bioengineered liver and kidney tissue constructs to understand the impact of microgravity on vascularisation of thick tissues. 
  • The human research experiments include projects that will see how humans adapt and respond to spaceflight, and the study of the activity of DNA and RNA-editing enzymes involved in mutations, among others.
  • The physical science experiments to be conducted include cloud seeding, which is the process of artificially generating rain by implanting clouds with particles such as silver iodide crystals; testing of a newly developed hydrogen-rich polymer to check its ability to protect against space radiation; and a night-time experiment to image thunderstorms, lightning, and other electrical phenomena.

Source: ABP Live


Visit Abhiyan PEDIA (One of the Most Followed / Recommended) for UPSC Revisions: Click Here


IAS Abhiyan is now on Telegram: Click on the Below link to Join our Channels to stay Updated 

IAS Abhiyan Official: Click Here to Join

For UPSC Mains Value Edition (Facts, Quotes, Best Practices, Case Studies): Click Here to Join

Leave a Reply