Axiom 4, piloted by Grp Capt Shukla targets today's launch for mission to ISS Nasa, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are targeting 2:31am EDT, Wednesday, June 25, for launch of the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Axiom Mission 4. The mission will lift off from Launch Complex 39A at Nasa's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The crew will travel to the orbiting laboratory on a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft after launching on the company's Falcon 9 rocket. The targeted docking time is approximately 7 a.m. Thursday, June 26. Nasa had earlier stood down from a proposed launch date of June 22. According to the ISS, additional time is needed to evaluate station operations following recent repair work in the aft segment of the Zvezda service module. Due to the highly interconnected nature of the orbital laboratory's systems, Nasa is reviewing relevant data to ensure readiness for the arrival of additional crew members. Highlighting the global significance of the mission, ISS noted that the agencies "appreciate the historic nature of this mission for the nations of India, Poland, and Hungary, as well as the world." The four-member crew remains in quarantine in Florida and is prepared to launch once the station is cleared to receive them. Axiom Mission 4 will be commanded by Peggy Whitson, a former Nasa astronaut and now Axiom Space's Director of Human Spaceflight. Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla from Isro will serve as the mission's pilot. The mission specialists are ESA project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. After multiple delays, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday as part of Axiom Mission 4. SpaceX confirmed, “All systems are looking good... and weather is 90% favorable for liftoff.” Nasa, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are targeting a 12:01 PM IST launch on June 25 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with docking scheduled for 4:30 PM IST on June 26. The crew includes mission commander Peggy Whitson (Axiom Space), pilot Shubhanshu Shukla (Isro), and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (ESA) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary). The launch had been postponed due to bad weather and technical issues with both the Falcon 9 rocket and a Russian module on the ISS. Nasa said the mission proceeds after repairs and discussions with Roscosmos. “This professional working relationship has allowed the agencies to arrive at a shared technical approach,” said acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro. This mission, fulfilling a commitment by Donald Trump and Narendra Modi, marks the first time an ISRO astronaut travels to the ISS. The team will spend two weeks conducting science, outreach, and commercial activities, including joint Nasa-Isro experiments. No records available under this tab Tired of too many ads?