The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has announced a new launch date for Axiom Mission 4 (AX-4). This mission is historic for India, Poland and Hungary, as it will take the first astronauts of these countries to the International Space Station (ISS). @Axiom_Space has set the next possible launch date on 22 June 2025 in association with @nasa and @Spacex.
What is Axiom-4 mission?
AXIOM Mission 4 is a private space mission, which is operating in collaboration with Axiom Space, NASA and Spacex. This mission will take four astronauts to ISS through Spacex’s Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft. This mission consists of India’s first astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who will play the role of a pilot on behalf of ISRO.
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He will be accompanied by astronauts from Poland and Hungary. The duration of the mission will be 14 days, in which astronauts will perform scientific experiment, research and public awareness activities by staying on ISS. This mission is also important for India’s Human Space Flight Program, Gaganyaan, as it will provide ISRO experience for future missions.
Why did the launch delay?
The Axiom-4 mission was earlier scheduled for 29 May 2025, but had to postpone it several times due to many technical and environmental reasons. Major reasons include …
Also read: Axiom Mission 4: When will Shubhanshu Shukla space station go … NASA revealed
- Falcon 9 Rocket Leak: Spacex’s Falcon 9 rocket found a problem of liquid oxygen leakage, which has now been fixed. Rocket’s weight dress rehearsal has been successfully completed.
- Crew dragon vehicle problem: The launch had to be postponed due to a malfunction in the electrical harness of Crew Dragon.
- Leak in Zvezda module of ISS: The Russian Zvezda module had a problem of air leakage, which was cured by Russian cosmonotts. Now the pressure is stable, but NASA and Roscosmos are further examined.
- Weather conditions: In the launch, bad weather also caused delay.
- Draw preparation: Investigation of health and training of astronauts is also an important factor. All astronauts are in Quarantine. Are fully ready.
The teams of ISRO, Poland and Hungary are working closely with Axiom Space, NASA and Spacex to solve all these issues.
Also read: First bad weather and now oxygen leaks … frequent obstacles in Shubhanshu Shukla’s space mission
22 June 2025: New launch date
Axiom Space has announced the next possible launch date on 22 June 2025 after evaluating all preparations. This date is based on the following parameters …
- Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon status: Spacex has cured all the problems of rocket and spacecraft.
- Zvezda module repair: The pressure is stable after fixing the leakage in the Russian module of ISS.
- Weather compatibility: The weather conditions in the launch corridor are now expected to be favorable.
The launch will be from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida’s launch complex 39A. The lift time is around 2:23 pm Indian time.
Axiom-4 crew
The Axiom-4 mission consists of four astronauts …
Pegi Whitson (Commander): Former NASA Astronaut and Axiom Space’s Human Space Flight Director. This will be his second private space mission.
Shubhanshu Shukla (Pilot): ISRO astronaut and Indian Air Force pilot. He will be the first astronaut of India to go to ISS.
Slavosh Ujnanski-Visnivsky (Mission Specialist): Polish astronauts of the European Space Agency (ESA). This is Poland’s second space mission.
Tibor Kapu (Mission Specialist): Astronauts selected under Hunger’s Hunor program. This is the second space mission of Hungary.
Mission objectives
During the Axiom-4 mission, astronauts will conduct many scientific experiments and activities …
Also read: Shubhanshu Shukla will do 7 experiments at International Space Station… Know which?
ISRO uses: Shubhanshu Shukla will do seven experiments, including the study of microorganisms in microgravity, regeneration of muscles and crops in space.
Uses of Poland and Hungary: Astronauts of these countries will also conduct their scientific studies, such as analysis of human voice and cognitive functions in microgravity.
public awareness: Hungary’s Sumimant project will raise awareness about space among children and youth.
Overall, this mission includes 60 scientific activities from 31 countries, which makes it the largest Axiom mission ever.
Importance for India
The Axiom-4 mission is a milestone for India’s space program. This mission not only displays the technical capacity of ISRO, but also strengthens the preparations for the Gaganyaan Mission. Gaganyaan will be India’s first independent human space mission, which will take three Indian astronauts in a 400 -km orbit in 2026.
Shubhanshu Shukla’s experience on ISS will help IRO to create Indian Space Station in the future. This mission also shows India’s self -reliance and international cooperation.