Axiom Mission 4: A New Era of International Space Collaboration

Cape Canaveral, Florida – June 25, 2025 – Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is set for launch today from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, marking a significant step in commercial spaceflight and global cooperation. Following prior postponements due to factors including weather and technical evaluations, the mission is now targeting a 12:01 PM IST (2:31 AM EDT) liftoff. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will carry a diverse crew to the International Space Station (ISS).

Axiom Mission 4: A New Era of International Space Collaboration

Axiom mission-4 (AX-4) full details

This fourth private astronaut mission from Axiom Space, in partnership with SpaceX and NASA, signifies a blend of national space ambitions and a commitment to advancing scientific knowledge in microgravity.

Crew and Mission Overview:

The four-member Ax-4 crew highlights expanding global access to space:

• Commander Peggy Whitson (Axiom Space): A veteran NASA astronaut and current Director of Human Spaceflight at Axiom Space, Whitson previously commanded Axiom Mission 2.
• Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla (ISRO): Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force will serve as the pilot. He becomes the second Indian to journey to space, after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma's 1984 flight, and the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS. This mission aligns with previous commitments between the United States and India.
• Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (ESA/Poland): Representing the European Space Agency and Poland, Uznański-Wiśniewski's flight marks Poland's first astronaut on the ISS.
• Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu (Hungary): From Hungary, Tibor Kapu will be the first Hungarian astronaut to stay on the ISS, as part of the HUNOR (Hungarian to Orbit) program.

These three nations – India, Poland, and Hungary – are undertaking their second human spaceflight mission in history, with Ax-4 being their initial visit to the International Space Station.

Scientific Endeavors:

Once docked with the ISS's Harmony module, currently scheduled for 4:30 PM IST on Thursday, June 26, the crew will begin a stay of approximately two weeks. Their time will be spent on scientific research, technology demonstrations, and outreach activities.

A key aspect of this mission is the collaboration between NASA and ISRO, featuring five joint science investigations and two in-orbit STEM demonstrations. These experiments will cover various fields, including:

• Crop seeds on ISS: Studying the impact of spaceflight on six crop varieties to understand their potential for growth in future exploration.
• Cyanobacteria on ISS: Comparing two strains of photosynthesizing bacteria to explore their growth and cellular responses in microgravity, which could contribute to future spacecraft life support systems.
• Myogenesis: Researching muscle dysfunction in microgravity to identify pathways for potential therapeutic strategies, with implications for muscle-related conditions on Earth.          International Space Station: A Scientific Marvel

Beyond immediate scientific benefits, Ax-4 supports NASA's strategy to foster a sustainable low Earth orbit economy. By utilizing reliable services from private partners like Axiom Space, NASA can concentrate resources on Artemis missions to the Moon and future Mars exploration, while the ISS remains a vital training and research platform.

Operational Coordination:

The launch follows coordination between NASA and Roscosmos regarding repair work in the ISS's Zvezda module transfer tunnel. Both agencies agreed to lower the pressure in the tunnel for crew safety, underscoring ongoing international cooperation in human spaceflight.

With favorable weather conditions reported by SpaceX (90% favorable) and all systems appearing ready, Axiom Mission 4 is set to contribute to human exploration through private initiative and global partnership.