Axiom-4: Global Astronauts Set for Historic Launch to ISS

The Axiom-4 mission is on the brink of making history as SpaceX confirms the crew is ready for launch to the International Space Station (ISS). The Dragon's hatch has been sealed, and all final checks are complete, signaling that the Ax-4 crew is set for departure, according to SpaceX's recent announcement on X.

Scheduled for a 2:31 am EDT launch on Wednesday, June 25, from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre, the Axiom-4 mission represents the fourth private astronaut endeavor to the ISS. The crew's journey aboard SpaceX's new Dragon spacecraft, powered by the Falcon 9 rocket, will culminate in an expected docking around 7 am on Thursday, June 26.

Leading the international crew is veteran American astronaut Peggy Whitson, who will command a team including Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Polish ESA project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Hungary's Tibor Kapu. Their mission underscores the global importance of cooperative space exploration as it marks historic returns to space for India, Poland, and Hungary after over four decades. The Ax-4 mission aims to set new benchmarks in scientific research, with 60 studies from 31 countries planned in low-Earth orbit, showcasing international collaboration and technological advancement in space.

(With inputs from agencies.)