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NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are targeting 8:22 a.m. EDT, Tuesday, June 10, for launch of the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Axiom Mission 4.<\/p>\n
The mission will lift off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew will travel to the orbiting laboratory on a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft after launching on the company\u2019s Falcon 9 rocket. The targeted docking time is approximately 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 11.<\/p>\n
NASA will stream live coverage of launch and arrival activities on NASA+. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of platforms, including social media.<\/p>\n
NASA\u2019s mission responsibility is for integrated operations, which begins during the spacecraft\u2019s approach to the space station, continues during the crew\u2019s approximately two-week stay aboard the orbiting laboratory while conducting science, education, and commercial activities, and concludes once the spacecraft exits the station.<\/p>\n
Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, will command the commercial mission, while ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as pilot. The two mission specialists are ESA (European Space Agency) project astronaut S\u0142awosz Uzna\u0144ski-Wi\u015bniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary.<\/p>\n
As part of a collaboration between NASA and ISRO, Axiom Mission 4 delivers on a commitment highlighted by President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send the first ISRO astronaut to the station. The space agencies are participating in five joint science investigations and two in-orbit science, technology, engineering, and mathematics demonstrations. NASA and ISRO have a long-standing relationship built on a shared vision to advance scientific knowledge and expand space collaboration.<\/p>\n
The private mission also carries the first astronauts from Poland and Hungary to stay aboard the space station.<\/p>\n
NASA will join the mission prelaunch teleconference hosted by Axiom Space (no earlier than one hour after completion of the Launch Readiness Review) at 6 p.m., Monday, June 9, with the following participants:<\/p>\n
To join the teleconference, media must register with Axiom Space by 12 p.m., Sunday, June 8, at:<\/p>\n
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NASA\u2019s mission coverage is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change based on real-time operations):<\/p>\n
Tuesday, June 10<\/strong><\/p>\n 6:15 a.m. \u2013 Axiom Space and SpaceX launch coverage begins.<\/p>\n 7:25 a.m. \u2013 NASA joins the launch coverage on NASA+.<\/p>\n 8:22 a.m. \u2013 Launch<\/p>\n NASA will end coverage following orbital insertion, which is approximately 15 minutes after launch. As it is a commercial launch, NASA will not provide a clean launch feed on its channels.<\/p>\n Wednesday, June 11<\/strong><\/p>\n 10:30 a.m. \u2013 Arrival coverage begins on NASA+, Axiom Space, and SpaceX channels.<\/p>\n 12:30 p.m. \u2013 Targeted docking to the space-facing port of the station\u2019s Harmony module.<\/p>\n Arrival coverage will continue through hatch opening and welcome remarks.<\/p>\n All times are estimates and could be adjusted based on real-time operations after launch. Follow the space station blog for the most up-to-date operations information.<\/p>\n The International Space Station is a springboard for developing a low Earth economy. NASA\u2019s goal is to achieve a strong economy off the Earth where the agency can purchase services as one of many customers to meet its science and research objectives in microgravity. NASA\u2019s commercial strategy for low Earth orbit provides the government with reliable and safe services at a lower cost, enabling the agency to focus on Artemis missions to the Moon in preparation for Mars while also continuing to use low Earth orbit as a training and proving ground for those deep space missions.<\/p>\n Learn more about NASA\u2019s commercial space strategy at:<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n -end-<\/p>\n Claire O\u2019Shea Anna Schneider
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
claire.a.o\u2019shea@nasa.gov<\/p>\n
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
anna.c.schneider@nasa.gov<\/p>\n<\/div>\n