Axiom Mission 4 Set for Launch

NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are gearing up for the launch of Axiom Mission 4, the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS), scheduled for 2:31 a.m. EDT on June 25, 2025. The mission will lift off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with the crew traveling aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft atop a Falcon 9 rocket. The docking at the ISS is targeted for 7 a.m. on June 26.

This mission proceeds following collaborative discussions between NASA and Roscosmos regarding safety measures in the ISS’s Zvezda service module. Both agencies have agreed to lower pressure in the transfer tunnel, ensuring the continued safety of all onboard missions. Acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro emphasized the importance of NASA and Roscosmos’s professional relationship in facilitating this launch.

Commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, the mission features a diverse crew including ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla as pilot, and mission specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. This mission marks a significant milestone for international collaboration, especially highlighting the participation of the first ISRO astronaut onboard the station, as part of a commitment made by former President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Axiom Mission 4 aims to advance scientific, educational, and commercial activities in space. The mission also underscores NASA’s strategy to develop a robust economy in low Earth orbit, providing valuable services at reduced costs while paving the way for future Artemis missions to the Moon and Mars. Live coverage of the launch and docking will be available on NASA+ and associated streaming platforms.