After encountering multiple setbacks due to hardware issues, weather instability, and safety concerns aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the Axiom-4 mission is now slated for lift-off on June 22, 2025, as confirmed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The mission features a globally diverse astronaut team representing India, Hungary, Poland, and the United States.
The original launch was scheduled for May 29, but technical faults in the Crew Dragon Module’s electrical harness necessitated a delay to June 8. Additional complications followed, including engine actuator anomalies, a leak in the oxygen line, and incomplete readiness of the Falcon-9 rocket—leading to further postponements.
Adding to the setbacks was a significant air leak detected in the ISS’s Zvezda Service Module. On June 11, ISRO and NASA flagged this issue to Roscosmos, recommending immediate repairs and rigorous low-temperature leak tests to ensure crew safety. Only after these safeguards were completed was a new launch window declared.
The crew will be led by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, now mission commander for Axiom Space. She’ll be joined by India’s Gaganyatri Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, along with astronauts from Poland and Hungary. Their 14-day mission will focus on conducting advanced microgravity experiments aboard the ISS, contributing to the growing body of international space science.
ISRO confirmed that June 22 was finalized after considering all readiness parameters, including ascent weather, crew health under quarantine, and completion of repairs on the ISS. A backup launch date is set for June 23 in case of last-minute issues.
The Axiom-4 mission represents a powerful example of global cooperation and commercial engagement in human spaceflight. With systems tested and safety measures in place, the crew is now prepared to launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida—marking another chapter in the expanding story of international space collaboration.
