A full-scale launch rehearsal for the Ax-4 mission has been successfully carried out by SpaceX and the Ax-4 crew, ahead of their upcoming liftoff scheduled for Tuesday, June 10, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. According to a post by SpaceX on X (formerly Twitter), this marks the final milestone before launch.
The Ax-4 mission, organized by Axiom Space, features an international astronaut crew from the United States, India, Poland, and Hungary, representing each of their countries on this historic flight. Taking center stage for India is Shubhanshu Shukla, serving as mission pilot. His participation signals a monumental step for India, as he becomes the country’s second astronaut in space since 1984.
This mission signifies a powerful comeback for India, Poland, and Hungary, all of which have not launched a government-sponsored astronaut into space for over four decades. For each of these countries, the Ax-4 marks their first mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
Slawosz Uznanski, representing Poland and the European Space Agency (ESA), becomes the second Polish astronaut since 1978. Tibor Kapu from Hungary will be the nation’s second astronaut since 1980.
Peggy Whitson, the Ax-4 commander and seasoned American astronaut, brings unmatched experience, holding the record for most time spent in space by an American. This will be her second commercial spaceflight mission, continuing her legacy in shaping private space exploration.
Set to launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, Ax-4 also stands out for its groundbreaking science agenda. With a lineup of 60 experiments and research activities from 31 countries, including the U.S., India, Poland, Hungary, Brazil, UAE, and Nigeria, this is Axiom’s most science-intensive mission to date.
The studies focus on microgravity, human biology, material science, and Earth observation, aiming to expand scientific contributions from emerging space nations. This collaborative push is designed to boost participation and leadership from India, Poland, and Hungary in the global space ecosystem.
Ax-4 not only signifies the return of national astronauts from these nations but also highlights the shift toward more inclusive, multinational space exploration in low-Earth orbit.
