Can we control comps with just thoughts? Shubhanshu Shukla & crew may find out

Can human thought — unaided by muscle or speech — be used to control machines? That’s the bold question the Ax-4 crew, including Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, are probing at the International Space Station (ISS).

Wearing a specialised headset that tracks blood flow in the brain, the astronauts participated in “PhotonGrav”, a European Space Agency (ESA) and Polish Space Agency (POLSA) experiment exploring whether brain signals alone could one day operate computers and spacecraft systems.

The headset uses near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to monitor attention levels and detect logical errors, capturing neural activity without any physical movement. If successful, this research could revolutionise how astronauts interact with onboard systems — especially in high-stress or hands-free conditions — by turning thought into action.

While the crew kicked off the study on day four of their stay at the ISS, the project led by Slawosz Uznanski is expected to continue through their stint there. As space missions grow longer and more complex, projects like PhotonGrav could lay the groundwork for more seamless, intuitive interfaces — maybe even bringing science fiction a step closer to everyday use.

Will aid people On Earth

While the experiment is being trialled in orbit, its real-world impact could be profound, as per ESA and Axiom Space . On Earth, the same brain-computer interface technology could power new assistive tools for people with mobility or communication challenges, and offer breakthroughs in neurorehabilitation .

Shux, who had begun his research at ISS with myogenesis study, which could uncover how microgravity contributes to muscle loss before moving on to his microalgae study, continued the operations for myogenesis in the Life Sciences Glovebox (LSG) of the ISS.

The study, by identifying the molecular pathways behind skeletal muscle dysfunction, could lead to targeted therapies to prevent atrophy during long-duration spaceflight. These insights may also translate to improved treatments for muscle-wasting conditions on Earth, including those linked to aging and immobility.

“Finally, the crew documented activities for the Astronaut Mental Health study, contributing to research on cognitive well-being in space. This project can benefit others on Earth by developing remote technologies for diagnosing and treating mental disorders, particularly for individuals in isolated or challenging environments where access to mental health care is limited,” Axiom Space said.

An ultrasound scan was conducted as part of the “Telemetric Health AI” study, which merges biometric data with mission analytics to better understand how spaceflight affects cardiovascular and balance systems. “Using advanced data science, the project aims to enable smarter, real-time health monitoring for astronauts with potential applications for remote health care on Earth,” Axiom said.