NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX have confirmed that the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax‑4) is now scheduled to launch at 2:31 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, June 25 from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center. This comes after several delays, with the most recent postponement on June 22 due to safety checks and technical issues.
The mission has faced multiple reschedules since its original launch date of May 29, caused by a combination of fuel and module leaks, weather concerns, and system checks related to the International Space Station (ISS).
Key details:
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Crew: The mission will be commanded by veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a serving officer in the Indian Air Force, is the pilot. He is joined by two other mission specialists from Poland and Hungary.
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India’s Milestone: Shukla will be the second Indian to go to space after Rakesh Sharma, and notably the first Indian astronaut to travel to the ISS.
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Mission Duration: The Ax-4 mission is expected to last approximately 14 to 21 days. During this time, the team will conduct nearly 60 experiments spanning biomedical research, materials science, and Earth observation.
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Docking: If the launch proceeds as planned, the Crew Dragon spacecraft will dock with the ISS around 7:00 a.m. EDT on June 26 (approximately 4:30 p.m. IST).
This mission marks a major leap for India’s representation in international human spaceflight and symbolizes growing global cooperation in the commercial space sector.
