4th Axiom Space mission set for International Space Station
Led by Peggy Whitson
NASA and its international partners have approved Axiom Space’s fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission will launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida no earlier than Spring 2025.
The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew will travel to the ISS aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut and the current Director of Human Spaceflight at Axiom Space, will lead the mission.
Shubhanshu Shukla, an astronaut from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is the pilot. Two mission specialists will join them: Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, a project astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA) from Poland, and Tibor Kapu, a Hungarian astronaut.
Whitson expressed her enthusiasm for the continued success of private astronaut missions to the space station, remarking: “I am excited to see continued interest and dedication for the private astronaut missions aboard the International Space Station. As NASA looks toward the future of low Earth orbit, private astronaut missions help pave the way and expand access to the unique microgravity environment.”
This mission marks a significant milestone for participating nations and the growing commercial space sector. The Ax-4 crew will spend up to 14 days aboard the ISS, conducting scientific research, outreach activities, and commercial tasks.
One of the mission’s key highlights is the inclusion of the first ISRO astronaut to visit the space station, Shubhanshu Shukla. In addition, the mission will also be the first to send astronauts from Poland and Hungary to the station, further broadening the international collaboration in space exploration.
Whitson reflected on her role: “Working with the talented and diverse Ax-4 crew has been an enriching experience. Witnessing their selfless dedication and commitment to expanding horizons and creating opportunities for their nations in space exploration is remarkable.
Each crew member brings unique strengths and perspectives, making our mission not just a scientific endeavour but a testament to human ingenuity and teamwork. The importance of our mission is about pushing the limits of what we can achieve together and inspiring future generations to dream bigger and reach farther.”
The Ax-4 mission follows a series of successful private astronaut missions to the ISS. Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) launched in April 2022, marking the first private crew to visit the station for a 17-day mission. Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2), which took place in May 2023, was again commanded by Whitson and saw four private astronauts spend eight days in orbit. The latest mission, Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3), launched in January 2024, with the crew staying docked to the space station for 18 days.
For over 24 years, NASA has supported a continuous human presence aboard the ISS, where astronauts have learned to live and work in space for extended periods. The space station acts as a unique environment for scientific research that is impossible on Earth, furthering knowledge in biology, physics, and material science.
As part of its broader vision, NASA is working towards developing a sustainable low-Earth orbit economy where commercial entities can provide reliable services to meet research objectives. This approach allows NASA to focus on its Artemis missions to the Moon and deep space exploration, including future missions to Mars, while continuing to leverage the ISS as a proving ground for these ambitious goals.
Image: The Axiom Mission 4, or Ax-4, crew will launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida no earlier than Spring 2025. (L-R): Tibor Kapu of Hungary, ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, and ESA astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland. Credit: SpaceX
Last Updated on 16 hours by Arnold Pinto
