Ax-4 Astronauts Returning from ISS with 580 Pounds of Cargo
NASA’s SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is set to undock from the International Space Station (ISS) on July 14, 2025, at 7:05 a.m. EDT, concluding the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). The mission, led by veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, has seen the crew of four spend approximately two and a half weeks aboard the ISS, conducting a variety of scientific experiments. Whitson is joined by astronauts Shubhanshu Shukla from India, Sลawosz Uznaลski-Wiลniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, marking a historic moment as they are the first astronauts from their respective countries to visit the ISS.
Completing the Research Mission
During their final days aboard the ISS, the Ax-4 crew maintained a rigorous schedule focused on scientific research. On Friday, they collected blood samples for future medical analysis and cultivated microalgae, which could serve as a potential food source and life-support organism in space. The team also investigated specialized nanomaterials that may be developed into wearable health monitors.
On Saturday, the astronauts engaged in human health studies, testing electrical muscle stimulation and experimenting with new exercise suit fabrics designed for thermal comfort. They documented their daily routines for a behavioral health study, contributing valuable data for future missions. By Sunday, the crew began the process of stowing research equipment and packing science samples, along with personal items, into the Dragon spacecraft in preparation for their return to Earth.
Preparing for the Return Journey
As the Ax-4 mission neared its conclusion, Expedition 73 station crew members assisted in finalizing preparations for the spacecraft’s departure. NASA astronaut Anne McClain played a crucial role in gathering hardware and supplies for the Dragon’s packing and supported ongoing experiments. Colleagues Nichole Ayers and Jonny Kim processed the astronauts’ blood samples using a centrifuge and stored them in the science freezer, while also ensuring the spacesuits were ready for the return journey.
Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi contributed by processing saliva samples and performing routine maintenance on the ISS. Meanwhile, Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritskiy conducted a final fitness test on the station’s exercise bike to ensure everything was in order before the crew’s departure. The SpaceX Dragon will carry the Ax-4 crew and approximately 580 pounds of cargo, which includes hardware and data from over 60 experiments, back to Earth. Following undocking, the Dragon is expected to splash down off the California coast, successfully concluding this historic international mission.
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