Houston-based Axiom Space is set for its fourth commercial astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS), with the Ax-4 crew scheduled to launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, June 10. This mission underscores the growing collaboration between private spaceflight companies and government agencies in expanding human presence and research capabilities in low Earth orbit. The four-person crew will embark on a journey aboard a brand-new SpaceX Dragon capsule, propelled by a Falcon 9 rocket.
Ax-4 Mission: Launch Details and How to Watch
According to an Axiom Space statement, the Ax-4 mission is targeting an approximate launch time of 8:22 a.m. ET on Tuesday, June 10. Should the launch proceed as planned, the crew is expected to dock with the ISS on Wednesday, June 11, around 12:30 p.m. ET. Once aboard the orbiting laboratory, the astronauts will dedicate approximately two weeks to conducting more than 60 scientific experiments, technology demonstrations, and various outreach events. The specific return date for the Ax-4 crew has not yet been announced.
For those eager to witness the launch, Axiom Space will commence its livestream coverage at 6:15 a.m. ET. Additionally, NASA will begin its live broadcast at 7:25 a.m. ET, while SpaceX will also provide live coverage starting at 6:15 a.m. ET.
Meet the Ax-4 International Crew
Commander Peggy Whitson: A Space Legend Returns
Leading the Ax-4 mission is Peggy Whitson, a distinguished former NASA astronaut. Whitson holds the U.S. record for the most cumulative days spent in space, an impressive 675 days accumulated over her extensive career. Her role as Ax-4 mission commander will further add to this remarkable tally. In a testament to her contributions to space exploration, Whitson was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame on May 31, during her preparations for this mission.
Before her retirement from NASA in 2018, Whitson conducted three long-duration missions to the ISS, serving as space station commander twice and accumulating over 60 hours of spacewalk experience. She transitioned to Axiom Space in 2022, where she now serves as the company’s director of human spaceflight.
“Ax-4 represents another important step forward in the evolution of commercial spaceflight and international collaboration in low Earth orbit,” Whitson stated during a June 3 press briefing, as reported by Florida Today. “Each mission we fly builds on the last, expanding our capabilities and deepening our understanding of how we can sustainably live and work in space.”
International Specialists Making History
Commander Whitson will be joined by an international contingent: pilot Shubhanshu Shukla from India, mission specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland, and mission specialist Tibor Kapu from Hungary. This mission is particularly significant as it marks the return of these three nations to human spaceflight after more than four decades. Furthermore, Uznański-Wiśniewski and Kapu will be the first astronauts representing Poland and Hungary, respectively, to stay aboard the ISS, according to NASA.
The Price and Purpose of a Private ISS Journey
Participation in the Ax-4 mission comes at a considerable cost for the crew members, excluding Commander Whitson. Business Insider reports that Axiom Space offers seats to the ISS for approximately $70 million, a price that includes a year of intensive astronaut training. This figure is substantially higher than suborbital flight offerings from space tourism companies like Blue Origin or Virgin Galactic. However, Axiom Space provides a significantly different experience: a two-week research-oriented stay on the International Space Station, rather than a few minutes of microgravity and Earth views.
An Axiom spokesperson clarified to Business Insider that these missions are available to nations, space agencies, researchers, organizations, and private individuals, provided their objectives align with Axiom Space’s mission and long-term strategic goals.
Ax-4: A Stepping Stone to the Future Axiom Station
The Ax-4 mission is a critical step towards the development of Axiom Station, envisioned as the world’s first commercial space station. In 2020, NASA awarded Axiom Space a $140 million contract to construct this successor to the ISS. Axiom Space plans to launch and attach the initial modules of Axiom Station to the ISS in 2027. This will facilitate a smooth operational transition before NASA decommissions the International Space Station in 2030. Following the ISS’s retirement, Axiom Station will operate as a free-flying orbital laboratory and commercial hub in low Earth orbit. [internal_links]
Missions like Ax-4, and the three preceding Axiom missions to the ISS, are invaluable for both the crew and Axiom’s ground control teams. They provide essential hands-on experience in orbital operations and the management of space station activities, paving the way for sustained commercial human presence in space.
Final Preparations and Launch Weather Outlook
In the lead-up to the launch, the Ax-4 crew successfully completed a full dress rehearsal of launch-day procedures over the weekend. Concurrently, SpaceX performed a static fire test of the Falcon 9 rocket. In a post on Sunday, SpaceX stated that it was meticulously reviewing the static fire test data and closely monitoring weather conditions along the ascent corridor. As of 11 a.m. ET on Monday, the weather forecast for Cape Canaveral predicts partly cloudy conditions for Tuesday morning, with scattered thunderstorms anticipated in the afternoon. Space enthusiasts and mission teams alike are hopeful that favorable weather will permit an on-time launch.
Paving the Way for a New Era in Space
The Axiom Ax-4 mission represents more than just another flight to the ISS; it signifies a continued push towards a robust commercial ecosystem in low Earth orbit. With a seasoned commander at the helm, an international crew breaking new ground for their countries, and ambitious scientific and commercial objectives, Ax-4 is set to contribute significantly to our understanding of living and working in space. As Axiom Space progresses towards deploying its own commercial space station, missions like these are crucial building blocks for the future of human space exploration and enterprise. The world will be watching as Ax-4 takes flight, carrying aspirations for scientific discovery and international cooperation into orbit.
