Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 25: A new chapter in global space exploration is set to unfold today as the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a landmark private mission to the International Space Station (ISS), lifts off from Florida’s iconic Kennedy Space Center.
Organised through a collaboration between Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX, the Ax-4 mission marks a significant stride in commercial spaceflight, showcasing international cooperation and technological advancement. The mission is scheduled for launch at 2:31 a.m. EDT (12:01 p.m. IST) on Wednesday, June 25.
Riding aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, the four-member crew will be propelled into orbit by a Falcon 9 rocket. Docking with the ISS is expected at approximately 7:00 a.m. EDT (4:30 p.m. IST) on Thursday, June 26.
Confirming readiness, SpaceX shared via its official handle on X, “All systems are looking good for Wednesday’s launch of @Axiom_Space’s Ax-4 mission to the @Space_Station. Weather is 90 per cent favorable. Webcast starts at 12:30 a.m.”
Among the diverse international crew is Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, representing the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Shukla will serve as the mission’s pilot, making history as he joins veteran NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. The mission heralds a return to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary after several decades.
NASA confirmed the final launch window in a post on Tuesday: “With @Axiom_Space and @SpaceX, we’re now targeting Wednesday, June 25, to launch #Ax4 to the @Space_Station. The four-member crew, including astronauts from @ESA and @ISRO, is scheduled to lift off at 2:31am ET (0631 UTC).”
The journey to launch was not without hurdles. The mission faced multiple delays caused initially by inclement weather and later due to technical issues, including a leak detected in the Falcon 9 rocket. Following detailed inspections and rectification, the mission was given the green light.
Ax-4 is the fourth private astronaut mission to the ISS conducted by Axiom Space. It underscores a growing momentum in global commercial spaceflight and points toward a future where space is accessible through international partnerships and innovation.