A groundbreaking space mission, Axiom Mission 4, is set for launch on June 10, marking a significant milestone in international space collaboration. This mission is particularly notable as it will be the first private astronaut flight to carry an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS), a testament to the growing partnership between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Meet the Crew:
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla of ISRO will serve as the pilot for this historic mission. His participation fulfills a commitment made by President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send an Indian astronaut to the ISS.
The #Ax4 crew is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station on June 10 at 8:22 AM EDT from Launch Complex 39A at @NASAKennedy. Tune in for the launch broadcast starting at 6:15 AM EDT. pic.twitter.com/2ACocwFRSQ
— Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) June 3, 2025
Commanding the mission will be Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut and the director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space. Joining them as mission specialists are ESA astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. This mission will also be the first time astronauts from Poland and Hungary stay aboard the ISS, further expanding global participation in space exploration.
Launch Details and Spacecraft
The launch is scheduled for 8:22 AM (local time) on June 10 from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew will embark on their journey aboard a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, propelled into orbit by a Falcon 9 rocket.
Meet the #Ax4 crew.
— Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) January 30, 2025
🇺🇸 Commander Peggy Whitson
🇮🇳 Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of #India
🇵🇱 Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of ESA/#Poland
🇭🇺 Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of #Hungary pic.twitter.com/Jjx8ERGqFf
Mission Objectives
Beyond the historic crew, Axiom Mission 4 has crucial scientific objectives. NASA has stated that the mission will include five joint science investigations and two in-orbit STEM education demonstrations. This collaborative effort underscores the long-standing partnership between NASA and ISRO, aimed at advancing scientific research and pushing the boundaries of space exploration.
