Key Items for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)
| Mission Type | Private commercial flight to ISS | Axiom Space operating this private astronaut mission in partnership with SpaceX and NASA, focusing on commercial spaceflight capabilities. |
| Operator | Axiom Space, SpaceX, NASA | A collaboration where NASA supports missions to ISS, private launch and spacecraft operations by SpaceX and Axiom handles mission management. |
| Spacecraft | Crew Dragon Grace | Fifth and final Crew Dragon spacecraft built by SpaceX, inaugural flight for this vehicle model, based on Crew Dragon design proven in prior missions. |
| Launch Vehicle | Falcon 9 Block 5 (B1094-2, Flight 495) | Falcon 9 is SpaceX’s reliable two-stage rocket; Block 5 is the latest version optimized for reusability and safety. |
| Launch Site | Kennedy Space Center, Launch Complex 39A | Historic launch site in Florida used for Apollo, Shuttle, and now modern commercial crew launches. |
| Crew Size and Nationalities | 4 astronauts: Peggy Whitson (USA), Shubhanshu Shukla (India), Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland), Tibor Kapu (Hungary) | International crew marking historic government-sponsored human spaceflights for India, Poland, and Hungary after decades. |
| Crew Details | Peggy Whitson — Mission Commander, USA, former NASA astronaut, fifth spaceflight. Shubhanshu Shukla — Mission Pilot, India, first spaceflight, ISRO astronaut. Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski — Mission Specialist 1, Poland, ESA/POLSA astronaut, first spaceflight. Tibor Kapu — Mission Specialist 2, Hungary, first spaceflight, Hungarian Space Office astronaut selected in 2023. | Peggy Whitson brings extensive experience as a veteran astronaut and mission leader. The other three are on their first spaceflights, representing major space milestones for their countries. Shukla conducts ISRO experiments, Kapu participates under the independent Hungarian HUNOR program, and Uznański-Wiśniewski represents Poland’s re-engagement in crewed spaceflight. |
| Launch Delays | 1) Liquid oxygen leak on Falcon 9 after static fire<br>2) ISS Zvezda module air leak | Technical issues for safety led to two scrubs on 11 and 22 June 2025, ensuring no compromise on mission integrity and astronaut safety before final launch on 25 June 2025. |
| Docking Location | Harmony zenith port on the ISS | One of the main docking points for commercial vehicles on the ISS, providing access to station facilities and research modules. |
| Mission Duration | Planned 14 to 21 days aboard ISS | Typical stay length for private astronaut missions on the station, allowing ample time for science and public outreach. |
| Scientific Experiments | Multiple investigations by international partners including microgravity effects on plants, muscle regeneration, microbial studies, material stability (MXene nanomaterials). | Experiments aimed at understanding biological adaptation, human physiology, materials science, and technological validation in space conditions. |
| Historical Significance | First commercial flight for Indian astronaut; Hungary’s first since Soviet era; Poland’s first crewed mission since 1978 | This mission marked milestones for the countries involved in government-backed crewed spaceflight, expanding the global astronaut corps via commercial partnerships. |
| Mission Patch Symbols | Various patches like Axiom Mission 4 patch, plus country- or mission-specific insignias (e.g., Hungarian “HUNOR” patch) | Symbolic artwork representing the international cooperation, individual astronaut backgrounds, and mission goals. |
| Landing Details | Planned recovery in Pacific Ocean near California | Standard SpaceX Crew Dragon ocean splashdown zones for astronaut retrieval and vehicle recovery. |