Axiom-4 Mission

Why in News?

US-based private space company Axiom Space has announced the launch of Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission in May 2025 and Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be the pilot of this mission.

About Axiom-4 Mission

• Introduction: This mission is a private space flight to the International Space Station.
• This will be the fourth flight of Axiom Space after Axiom-1, Axiom-2 and Axiom-3.
• Launch Vehicle: The mission will use a Falcon-9 rocket to put the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft into low Earth orbit (LEO).
• SpaceX Crew Dragon is a reusable spacecraft that carries astronauts to the International Space Station.
• Expected Launch: May 2025
• Mission Duration: Up to 14 days from launch.
• Collaboration and Operation: By US-based space infrastructure development company ‘Axiom Space’ in collaboration with NASA.
• Launch Site: From Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA.
• Mission Crew: The mission crew will include Commander Peggy Whitson of the US, Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India, Mission Specialist Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary.

Mission Objectives:

• Commercial Space Initiative: To expand commercial activities in low Earth orbit (L.E.O.), including space tourism and development of commercial space stations, etc.
• Scientific Research: These missions support scientific experiments in micro gravity, focusing on areas such as material science, biology and Earth observation.
• International Collaboration: The mission focuses on global collaboration in space exploration, promoting partnerships between multinational teams, private companies and space agencies.
• Demonstration of Feasibility: To demonstrate the viability of commercial space stations as platforms for business and research, paving the way for sustainable human presence in space.