SpaceX has announced that the crew for the Axiom-4 mission is fully prepared for their upcoming launch to the International Space Station (ISS). The hatch of the Dragon spacecraft has been secured, and all necessary communication and suit checks have been successfully completed. SpaceX shared the update on X, stating, “Dragon’s hatch is closed, all communication and suit checks are complete, the seats are rotated, and the Ax-4 crew is ready for launch.”

NASA, in collaboration with Axiom Space and SpaceX, has scheduled the launch for 2:31 AM EDT on Wednesday, June 25 (Noon IST). The mission will take off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew will embark on their journey aboard a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, launched by the Falcon 9 rocket. They are expected to dock with the ISS around 7 AM on Thursday, June 26. Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as the mission's pilot.

Joining Shukla are Slawosz Uznanski from Poland, an astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA), and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. Uznanski will mark Poland's second astronaut since 1978, while Kapu will be Hungary's second since 1980. The mission will be commanded by veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, who holds the record for the longest cumulative time spent in space by an American.

NASA had previously postponed the launch from June 22 to allow for further evaluation of the ISS operations following recent repairs to the Zvezda service module. Given the interconnected systems of the orbital laboratory, NASA is carefully reviewing data to ensure readiness for the new crew's arrival.

The ISS has emphasized the global importance of this mission, acknowledging its historic significance for India, Poland, and Hungary, as well as for the international community. The four-member crew is currently in quarantine in Florida, ready to launch once the ISS is cleared for their arrival. Axiom Mission 4 will be led by Peggy Whitson, who is now the Director of Human Spaceflight at Axiom Space. Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla from ISRO will pilot the mission, with Uznanski and Kapu serving as mission specialists.

Axiom Space has stated that the Ax-4 mission will facilitate a return to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, marking the first government-sponsored flight for each nation in over 40 years. This mission represents a significant milestone as it will be the first time that astronauts from all three countries will participate in a mission aboard the ISS. Axiom Space is redefining access to low-Earth orbit and enhancing national space programs worldwide.

The Axiom-4 mission will be the second commercial spaceflight mission featuring government and ESA-sponsored astronauts. It serves as a significant opportunity for India, Poland, and Hungary to advance their respective space programs.

The research component of the Ax-4 mission includes approximately 60 scientific studies and activities from 31 countries, including the US, India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, the UAE, and various European nations. This mission will conduct the most extensive research and science-related activities on an Axiom Space mission to date, highlighting its global significance and collaborative efforts to advance microgravity research in low-Earth orbit.

The mission will focus on scientific initiatives led by the US, India, Poland (in partnership with ESA), and Hungary, aiming to increase participation from these countries by engaging diverse stakeholders. It will showcase the importance of microgravity research and promote international collaboration, enhancing global knowledge in human research, Earth observation, and various scientific fields.