The Axiom-4 mission is set to launch on June 10, 2025, marking a significant milestone in private spaceflight. Operated by Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA and SpaceX, the mission will send four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
Crew Members
The Axiom-4 crew consists of:
- Peggy Whitson (USA) – Mission Commander
- Shubhanshu Shukla (India) – Mission Pilot
- Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland) – Mission Specialist
- Tibor Kapu (Hungary) – Mission Specialist
This mission is historic as it marks the first time astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary will travel to the ISS. Shubhanshu Shukla will be the second Indian astronaut to go to space after Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission.
Mission Objectives
The Axiom-4 mission aims to conduct 60 scientific experiments, including:
- Seven experiments by ISRO focusing on microgravity agriculture, muscle regeneration, and cognitive performance.
- Five joint studies with NASA under its human research program.
- Collaborative research from 31 countries, making it the most science-focused Axiom mission to date.
Launch and Duration
- Launch Date: June 10, 2025, at 8:22 AM EDT (5:52 PM IST) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
- Docking Time: June 11, 2025, at 10:00 PM IST, after a 28-hour journey.
- Mission Duration: 14 days aboard the ISS.
Significance for India
This mission is a major step for India’s space program, strengthening NASA-ISRO collaboration and paving the way for India’s Gaganyaan mission, planned for 2027. Shukla’s experience on Axiom-4 will be valuable for future long-duration space missions.
