Axiom Space’s fourth private astronaut mission is set to launch in the spring of 2025, carrying astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary to the International Space Station (ISS).
NASA and its international partners have completed the selection of the crew for this mission, which will launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Scheduled to take off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the mission will see the four astronauts spend up to 14 days aboard the ISS.
The crew includes former NASA astronaut and Axiom Space’s director of human spaceflight, Peggy Whitson as mission commander; Shubhanshu Shukla, an astronaut from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), as pilot; and mission specialists Slawosz Oznański-Wiśniewski from the European Space Agency (ESA) and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.
Private Astronaut Missions Expand Access to Space
According to Dana Weigel, NASA’s International Space Station program manager, private astronaut missions contribute significantly to advancing operations in low Earth orbit. Weigel noted that these missions pave the way for commercial space activities while increasing access to microgravity research.
This mission marks the first time an astronaut from ISRO will fly to the ISS as part of a joint effort between NASA and the Indian Space Agency. It will also be the first ISS stay for astronauts from Poland and Hungary.
Axiom Space's Growing Role in Private Spaceflight
Since its inaugural mission in April 2022, Axiom Space has steadily expanded its private spaceflight program. Each mission has varied in duration, with the most recent, Axiom Mission 3, spending 18 days docked at the ISS in January 2024.
Peggy Whitson, who also commanded Axiom Mission 2 in May 2023, emphasized the importance of international partnerships in commercial spaceflight, highlighting that each mission brings new opportunities for participating nations.
The Future of Low Earth Orbit Operations
NASA’s long-term goal includes fostering a sustainable commercial space economy, enabling the agency to focus resources on deep space exploration. The ISS continues to serve as a critical testing ground for space research and technology, supporting initiatives led by both governments and the private sector.
