Wed Jun 25 06:40:00 UTC 2025: ## NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX Set to Launch Fourth Private Mission to ISS
**CAPE CANAVERAL, FL** – NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are gearing up to launch the fourth private astronaut mission, Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday, June 25, at 2:31 a.m. EDT. The mission will launch from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, utilizing a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and a new Dragon spacecraft. Docking is targeted for approximately 7 a.m. EDT on Thursday, June 26.
The launch opportunity follows discussions between NASA and Roscosmos regarding recent repairs to the transfer tunnel of the Zvezda service module. The agencies agreed to lower the pressure in the tunnel to 100 millimeters of mercury following evaluations, with safety remaining a top priority. “NASA and Roscosmos have a long history of cooperation and collaboration on the International Space Station,” stated acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro. “This professional working relationship has allowed the agencies to arrive at a shared technical approach and now Axiom Mission 4 launch and docking will proceed.”
Former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson will command the Ax-4 mission, with ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla serving as pilot. Mission specialists include ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland, and HUNOR (Hungarian to Orbit) astronaut Tibor Kapu of Hungary.
During their approximately two-week stay aboard the ISS, the private astronauts will conduct a mission focused on science, outreach, and commercial activities. The mission marks a significant milestone in international space collaboration, with the first ISRO astronaut journeying to the ISS as part of a collaboration between NASA and ISRO. The agencies are also participating in five joint science investigations and two in-orbit STEM demonstrations. Moreover, Ax-4 will carry the first astronauts from Poland and Hungary to the ISS.
NASA will provide integrated operations support during the spacecraft’s approach, stay, and departure, and will stream live coverage of launch and arrival activities on NASA+.
**Launch Coverage (all times EDT):**
* **12:30 a.m.:** Axiom Space and SpaceX launch coverage begins.
* **1:40 a.m.:** NASA joins the launch coverage on NASA+.
* NASA coverage ends following orbital insertion (approximately 15 minutes after launch).
* **5 a.m.:** Arrival coverage begins on NASA+, Axiom Space, and SpaceX channels.
* **7 a.m.:** Targeted docking to the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module. Arrival coverage will continue through hatch opening and welcome remarks.
This mission is a key part of NASA’s strategy to develop a robust low Earth orbit economy, where the agency can purchase services to meet its science and research objectives. This will allow NASA to focus on Artemis missions to the Moon and prepare for Mars exploration, while continuing to utilize low Earth orbit for training and technology development.
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