Axiom Mission 4: Pioneering Private Spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary

NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are taking a historic step by launching the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS) at 2:31 a.m. EDT on June 25. The mission, known as Axiom Mission 4, will lift off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew will journey to the ISS aboard a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, powered by the company's Falcon 9 rocket, with the docking scheduled for around 7 a.m. on June 26.

The initial launch date of June 22 was postponed to allow NASA ample time to evaluate station operations following repairs in the ISS's Zvezda service module. ISS emphasized the global significance of this mission, particularly for India, Poland, and Hungary, who will play key roles in this historic venture.

This mission, led by Axiom Space's Director of Human Spaceflight and former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, includes Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, serving as the pilot, along with mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. This mission marks the return to human spaceflight for these countries and underscores Axiom Space's efforts to redefine access to low-Earth orbit.

In addition to its historical significance, Ax-4 encompasses approximately 60 scientific studies across 31 nations. These activities represent a collaborative effort to advance microgravity research in LEO, highlighting contributions from the US, India, Poland, and Hungary, among others. This mission stands as a testament to international cooperation, with the potential to significantly impact national space programs.

(With inputs from agencies.)