A new chapter in international space exploration is unfolding as a diverse team of astronauts gears up for liftoff.
Axiom Space, a private aerospace company based in Houston, Texas, is preparing to launch four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) on a groundbreaking two-week research mission. Known as Axiom Mission 4—or Ax-4—this latest venture is part of an ongoing collaboration between Axiom, NASA, and SpaceX to expand human spaceflight capabilities.
Though originally scheduled for an earlier departure, the mission has faced its second delay. Now, Ax-4 is poised to launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, located near Cape Canaveral, Florida. At the helm of the mission is Peggy Whitson, a trailblazing former NASA astronaut who has transitioned into a leadership role within Axiom’s human spaceflight program. Whitson brings a wealth of experience and history-making space records to the mission’s command seat.
So, what is Ax-4 all about?
The Ax-4 mission is more than just another trip to orbit. Whitson and her team are set to conduct roughly 60 scientific experiments aboard the ISS, many of which are designed to take advantage of the unique microgravity environment. These experiments were developed in partnership with institutions across the globe and span areas such as biomedical science, physics, and Earth observation.
In addition to research, Axiom’s broader mission is to lay the foundation for a future space station that will initially attach to the existing ISS. With the ISS slated for retirement around 2030, Axiom’s vision is to keep a human presence in orbit alive by gradually transitioning to an independent commercial space outpost. The company began flying missions in 2022, and Ax-4 follows January 2024’s successful Ax-3.
Ax-4 is also historically significant. It marks the first time in over 40 years that astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary will participate in a government-supported spaceflight. Even more notably, it’s the first instance in which each of these nations sends a representative to the ISS. This underscores Ax-4’s symbolic role in widening global participation in space exploration.
What is the International Space Station, anyway?
Orbiting roughly 250 miles above Earth, the ISS has been a constant presence in space for 25 years. Functioning as a scientific laboratory, workplace, and temporary home, the station is jointly managed by several international agencies: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan), and CSA (Canada).
Since its inception, more than 280 astronauts from 23 countries have visited the ISS, with the U.S. alone accounting for 169 of those. The space station itself is massive—larger than a six-bedroom home—and equipped with six sleeping pods, two bathrooms, a fitness center, and even a panoramic window for Earth observation.
Currently, seven astronauts from Expedition 73, including three Americans, are on board conducting experiments and keeping the station operational.
When will Axiom 4 launch?
Ax-4’s crew will ascend aboard a newly built SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, carried aloft by a two-stage Falcon 9 rocket. The launch is targeted for 8:22 a.m. ET on Tuesday, June 10, from the legendary Launch Complex 39A—the same site from which Apollo missions once began.
Delays pushed the launch from its original May 29 schedule to June 8, and again to June 10, allowing for better weather conditions and additional preparations for the Dragon spacecraft. According to NASA, once launched, the Dragon capsule will detach from Falcon 9 and navigate autonomously to the ISS. It’s expected to dock around 12:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 11.
Who are the Ax-4 astronauts?
Here’s the crew lineup for this historic mission:
- Commander Peggy Whitson: Former NASA astronaut, record-setter, and now director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space. She also commanded Ax-2.
- Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla: Representing the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), he brings technical expertise and national pride to the flight.
More crew bios will follow as final details are confirmed. One thing’s certain—Ax-4 is not just a launch. It’s a statement: the future of space is global, commercial, and just getting started.Outpu
