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SpaceX’s Ax-4 Private Astronaut Mission to ISS Delayed to June 10


June 4, 2025

The highly anticipated Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), SpaceX’s next private astronaut launch to the International Space Station (ISS), has been postponed by two days, now targeting liftoff no earlier than June 10, 2025. Houston-based Axiom Space announced the schedule shift on June 3, citing inclement weather and the need for additional time to complete final spacecraft processing. The mission will launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 8:22 a.m. EDT (1222 GMT) atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, carrying a crew of four aboard a brand-new Crew Dragon spacecraft.

The Ax-4 mission, Axiom Space’s fourth crewed flight to the ISS, marks a significant milestone in private spaceflight, featuring an international crew led by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, who serves as Axiom’s director of human spaceflight. Whitson, a record-setting astronaut with more time in space than any other American, will command the mission, her fifth trip to orbit and second with Axiom. Joining her are pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India, representing the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and mission specialists Sławosz Uznański of Poland, a project astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA), and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, part of the Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) program. This mission will be the first ISS visit for astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary, with Shukla becoming the second Indian in space since Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission.

The delay, announced via posts on X and confirmed by NASA and Axiom Space, follows an earlier postponement from May 29 to June 8 due to ISS schedule adjustments and spacecraft readiness issues. According to NASA, the latest shift allows teams to address predicted weather challenges during the transport of the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft, as well as to finalize pre-launch preparations. Axiom Space emphasized that the minor technical adjustments pose no significant concerns, expressing confidence in the mission’s readiness.

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The Ax-4 crew will spend up to 14 days aboard the ISS, conducting nearly 60 science experiments and technology demonstrations from 31 countries, a record for an Axiom mission. Seventeen experiments are supported by ESA, with a focus on Poland, while Hungary contributes 25 through its HUNOR program. These experiments aim to advance scientific research and foster international collaboration, with Whitson noting the crew’s dedication to expanding opportunities for their nations in space exploration. The mission also supports Axiom’s long-term goal of operating its own private space station, with lessons learned refining processes for the planned Axiom Station, targeted for launch as early as 2027.

The launch delay impacts other ISS missions, with SpaceX’s Crew-11 astronaut mission now scheduled for no earlier than late July and the CRS-33 cargo flight targeting late August. Despite the setbacks, the Ax-4 crew remains optimistic. During a virtual press conference from their quarantine location in Florida, Shukla expressed confidence, stating, “Even stars are attainable!” The mission underscores the growing role of private companies in space exploration, with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon continuing to serve as reliable platforms for both NASA and commercial missions.

The Ax-4 launch will be broadcast live starting at 6:15 a.m. EDT on June 10, with coverage available through NASA and SpaceX channels. After docking with the ISS approximately 36 hours later, the crew will join the Expedition 73 team to conduct their planned activities before returning to Earth with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

Sources: NASA, Axiom Space, Space.com, The Hindu, Spaceflight Now


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