KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL – Following a series of launch delays due to LOX leaks on the SpaceX Falcon 9 1st stage and the discovery of further air leaks aboard the ISS, NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX have announced they are targeting 2:31 a.m. EDT, Wednesday, June 25, for launch of the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS), Axiom Mission 4, or AX-4, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Most of the delays to the AX-4 commercial astronaut mission to the ISS followed the discovery of further air leaks aboard the orbiting science outpost that have been ongoing since 2019 in the Russian Zvezda module.
The four person private crew will travel to the orbiting laboratory on a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft after launching on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket.
The targeted docking time is approximately 7 a.m. Thursday, June 26.
Enjoy our photos from the Space UpClose team of Ken Kremer and Jean Wright of the integrated SpaceX Falcon 9 and brand new Crew Dragon – the 5th in the SpaceX fleet of Crew Dragons.
This 4th commercial mission by Axiom Space is led by retired NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson – on her 5th spaceflight.
3 other rookies crewmates round out the crew of 4 from India, Hungary and Poland.
Peggy is currently Americas most experienced astronaut with 675 days in space!
Barely three weeks ago she was inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
The 4 person international crew from US, India, Poland and Hungary will conduct over 60 science experiments – including research on diabetes.
Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, will command the commercial mission, while ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as pilot.
The two mission specialists are ESA (European Space Agency) project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary.
“This launch opportunity comes after NASA and Roscosmos officials discussed the status of the recent repair work in the transfer tunnel at the aft (back) most segment of the orbital laboratory’s Zvezda service module. Based on the evaluations, NASA and Roscosmos agreed to further lower the pressure in the transfer tunnel to 100 millimeters of mercury, and teams will continue to evaluate going forward. Safety remains a top priority for NASA and Roscosmos, said NASA in a statement.
“NASA and Roscosmos have a long history of cooperation and collaboration on the International Space Station. This professional working relationship has allowed the agencies to arrive at a shared technical approach and now Axiom Mission 4 launch and docking will proceed,” said acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro.
“We look forward to the launch with Axiom Space and SpaceX for this commercial international mission.”
More from NASA:
For this mission, NASA is responsible for integrated operations, which begins during the spacecraft’s approach to the space station, continues during the crew’s stay aboard the orbiting laboratory conducting science, education, and commercial activities, and concludes once the spacecraft departs the station.
Live coverage of launch and arrival activities will stream on NASA+. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of platforms, including social media.
Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, will command the commercial mission, while ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as pilot. The two mission specialists are ESA (European Space Agency) project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland, and HUNOR (Hungarian to Orbit) astronaut Tibor Kapu of Hungary.
Once docked, the private astronauts plan to spend about two weeks aboard the orbiting laboratory, conducting a mission comprised of science, outreach, and commercial activities.
As part of a collaboration between NASA and ISRO, Axiom Mission 4 delivers on a commitment highlighted by President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send the first ISRO astronaut to the station. The space agencies are participating in five joint science investigations and two in-orbit STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) demonstrations. NASA and ISRO have a long-standing relationship built on a shared vision to advance scientific knowledge and expand space collaboration.
The private mission also carries the first astronauts from Poland and Hungary to stay aboard the International Space Station.
NASA’s mission coverage is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change based on real-time operations):
Wednesday, June 25
12:30 a.m. – Axiom Space and SpaceX launch coverage begins.
1:40 a.m. – NASA joins the launch coverage on NASA+.
2:31 a.m. – Launch
NASA will end coverage following orbital insertion, which is approximately 15 minutes after launch. As it is a commercial launch, NASA will not provide a clean launch feed on its channels.
Thursday, June 26
5 a.m. – Arrival coverage begins on NASA+, Axiom Space, and SpaceX channels.
7 a.m. – Targeted docking to the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module.
Arrival coverage will continue through hatch opening and welcome remarks.
All times are estimates and could be adjusted based on real-time operations after launch. Follow the space station blog for the most up-to-date operations information.
The International Space Station is a springboard for developing a low Earth economy. NASA’s goal is to achieve a strong economy off the Earth where the agency can purchase services as one of many customers to meet its science and research objectives in microgravity. NASA’s commercial strategy for low Earth orbit provides the government with reliable and safe services at a lower cost, enabling the agency to focus on Artemis missions to the Moon in preparation for Mars while also continuing to use low Earth orbit as a training and proving ground for those deep space missions.
Learn more about NASA’s commercial space strategy at:
https://www.nasa.gov/commercial-space
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Ken Kremer interviews about Ax-4 on Wesh 2 NBC and WFTV ABC News Orlando
https://www.wesh.com/article/axiom-4-launch-cape-canaveral-delayed/65117812
https://www.wesh.com/article/space-station-leak-delay-axiom-4-launch-soon-florida/65079908
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