Axiom Mission 4 Launch Delayed Again, Now Targeting June 22

The fourth private astronaut mission organized by Axiom Space has experienced another delay, with the launch now tentatively scheduled for 22 June 2025. This update follows a comprehensive systems review by NASA, which is continuing its post-repair assessments of the International Space Station (ISS), particularly in the Zvezda service module’s rear compartment.

The mission, named Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), was initially delayed due to a detected liquid oxygen leak during a standard inspection of the launch booster conducted by SpaceX. While that issue was resolved, NASA has opted for additional time to ensure continued safety and optimal performance of ISS systems before proceeding with the launch.

India’s Historic Return to Human Spaceflight

Ax-4 is of notable significance for India, as it includes Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is set to become the second Indian astronaut in space and the first to travel to the International Space Station. His participation marks India’s return to crewed space missions after a gap of over 40 years, with the last being Rakesh Sharma’s journey in 1984 aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft.

The mission also features astronauts representing Poland and Hungary on their first ISS-bound government-sponsored missions since the 1980s. The crew includes Polish ESA astronaut Sławosz Uznański, Hungarian space researcher Tibor Kapu, and mission commander Peggy Whitson, a veteran of NASA who previously led a commercial mission to the space station. Whitson’s leadership underscores Axiom Space’s collaboration with experienced astronauts to support private and national efforts in low-Earth orbit.

Scientific Collaboration Across Continents

The Ax-4 mission is set to last up to 14 days, during which the crew will conduct over 60 scientific experiments. These studies, contributed by institutions from 31 countries, will focus on critical areas such as human physiology in space, biological and material sciences, and monitoring environmental conditions on Earth.

Participating nations in the science programme include India, Poland, Hungary, the United States, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Nigeria, and Brazil. The findings are expected to enhance scientific understanding of space-based life sciences and inform the development of future space exploration technologies.

Axiom Space aims to build the first commercial space station, and Ax-4 represents a step toward that long-term objective. The mission highlights the growing role of international partnerships and commercial ventures in shaping the next phase of orbital research and space infrastructure.

As of now, the Ax-4 crew remains in quarantine in Florida to adhere to medical and safety protocols. Axiom Space has confirmed that all astronauts are in good condition and are preparing for launch with confidence. The mission will launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.