Israeli Space Experiment Misses Goal: No Sprites Captured in AX-4 Mission

Axiom Space’s recent mission to the International Space Station (ISS), known as AX-4, concluded successfully last Monday. After 18 days in space, the crew returned safely to Earth. This team included veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, along with three astronauts representing India, Poland, and Hungary.

During their mission, the astronauts engaged in various scientific experiments, including one aimed at understanding atmospheric phenomena called sprite lightning. These are quick bursts of light that occur above thunderstorms, lasting only moments but stretching over vast distances.

To capture these elusive flashes, precise timing and camera settings are crucial. The mission has roots that trace back to Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, who studied similar phenomena during the Columbia shuttle mission in 2003. This current phase is directed by Prof. Yoav Yair from Reichman University, who guides the astronauts based on storm forecasts.

Despite the team’s efforts, they didn’t capture the expected images during AX-4. Yair noted that the constant daylight during the latter part of their mission made photography difficult. Surprisingly, American astronaut Nichole Ayers took a stunning photo of blue sprite lightning over Mexico. Although not part of the main experiment, her initiative highlights the unique opportunities available to astronauts while in space.

Yair expressed appreciation for all images received, emphasizing how challenging it is to capture such phenomena and the legacy of their ongoing work.

Meanwhile, in other space news, Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft won’t be returning to the ISS this year due to technical issues. Originally planned for a crewed flight, it’s now likely that the next mission will be uncrewed while the company works on fixing ongoing problems.

Recent developments with NASA’s Perseverance rover also stand out. It just achieved a record for the longest continuous drive on Mars, covering 411 meters. While earlier rovers generally moved only short distances, Perseverance uses advanced technology to navigate and analyze terrain in real time.

Curiosity, its predecessor, managed 35.4 kilometers over nearly 13 years, while Perseverance has already reached 35.7 kilometers since its landing in 2021. This speed and autonomy place Perseverance in a prime position to possibly claim the record for the longest distance driven on Mars, currently held by the Opportunity rover.

Research continues to guide Perseverance’s exploration, focusing on ancient signs of life in areas believed to have held water. The mission seeks to gather samples, although plans for returning them to Earth remain uncertain.

Lastly, astronomers utilizing the James Webb Space Telescope have made groundbreaking observations regarding planet formation around the star HOPS-315. Detected chemical signatures indicate early stages of crystallization, which are crucial in understanding how planets form.

These developments in space exploration pave the way for exciting research and discoveries, reinforcing the significance of continued investment in scientific missions. More information on space exploration can be found at the NASA website.

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