SpaceX’s Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is on track for its launch to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday, June 25, at 12:01 PM IST (2:31 AM EDT), with all systems reported as “looking good” and a 90 percent favorable weather forecast. The launch will take place from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This mission, a collaboration between NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX, marks the fourth private astronaut mission to the ISS.

The four-member crew of Ax-4 has been in quarantine in Florida, preparing for their journey aboard a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, launched by the company’s Falcon 9 rocket. The crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut and Axiom Space’s Director of Human Spaceflight; ESA project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland; HUNOR astronaut Tibor Kapu from Hungary; and pilot Shubhanshu Shukla from the Indian Air Force. Docking with the ISS is anticipated around 4:30 PM IST on June 26.

This mission holds immense significance for India’s space endeavors, as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become the second Indian in space and the first to visit the ISS. This achievement will see him emulate fellow Indian Air Force Officer Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who became the first Indian in space aboard Soyuz T-11 in April 1984. For India, Poland, and Hungary, Ax-4 signifies a return to human spaceflight after more than 40 years, marking each nation’s first government-sponsored flight to the ISS. This mission also lays crucial groundwork for India's ambitious space roadmap, including the Gaganyaan human space mission slated for the first quarter of 2027 and the goal to land an Indian on the Moon by 2040.

The Axiom-4 mission has faced several postponements due to various factors, including adverse weather conditions, leaks identified on SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket, and issues within the Russian module of the International Space Station. However, collaborative efforts between NASA and Roscosmos officials led to a shared technical approach to resolve the Zvezda service module transfer tunnel pressure issue, ensuring safety and allowing the mission to proceed. The private astronauts are expected to spend approximately two weeks on the space station, dedicated to conducting scientific research, engaging in outreach programs, and performing commercial activities. This mission also fulfills a commitment between former President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send the first ISRO astronaut to the station, strengthening NASA and ISRO's collaboration, which includes five joint scientific investigations and two in-orbit STEM demonstrations. Live coverage of the launch and docking events will be available on NASA+, Axiom Space, and SpaceX channels, as well as on TimesofIndia.com.