![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/axiom-space-mission-4-crew-image.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>NASA and its international partners have approved the crew for Axiom Space\u2019s fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, launching from the agency\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida no earlier than spring 2025.<\/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 Organization) 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
\u201cI am excited to see continued interest and dedication for the private astronaut missions aboard the International Space Station,\u201d said Dana Weigel, manager of NASA\u2019s International Space Station Program at the agency\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston. \u201cAs NASA looks toward the future of low Earth orbit, private astronaut missions help pave the way and expand access to the unique microgravity environment.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Axiom Mission 4, or Ax-4, crew will launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and travel to the space station. Once docked, the private astronauts plan to spend up to 14 days aboard the orbiting laboratory, conducting a mission comprised of science, outreach, and commercial activities. The mission will send the first ISRO astronaut to the station as part of a joint effort between NASA and the Indian space agency. The private mission also carries the first astronauts from Poland and Hungary to stay aboard the space station.<\/p>\n
\u201cWorking with the talented and diverse Ax-4 crew has been a deeply rewarding experience,\u201d said Whitson. \u201cWitnessing their selfless dedication and commitment to expanding horizons and creating opportunities for their nations in space exploration is truly remarkable. Each crew member brings unique strengths and perspectives, making our mission not just a scientific endeavor, but a testament to human ingenuity and teamwork. The importance of our mission is about pushing the limits of what we can achieve together and inspiring future generations to dream bigger and reach farther.\u201d<\/p>\n
The first private astronaut mission to the station, Axiom Mission 1<\/a>, lifted off in April 2022 for a 17-day mission aboard the orbiting laboratory. The second private astronaut mission to the station, Axiom Mission 2<\/a>, also was commanded by Whitson and launched in May 2023 with four private astronauts who spent eight days in orbit. The most recent private astronaut mission, Axiom Mission 3<\/a>, launched in January 2024; the crew spent 18 days docked to the space station.<\/p>\n The International Space Station is a convergence of science, technology, and human innovation that enables research not possible on Earth. For more than 24 years, NASA has supported a continuous human presence aboard the orbiting laboratory, through which astronauts have learned to live and work in space for extended periods of time.<\/p>\n The space station is a springboard for developing a low Earth economy. NASA\u2019s goal is to achieve a strong economy in low Earth orbit 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 will provide 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n Learn more about NASA\u2019s commercial space strategy at:<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/commercial-space<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n -end-<\/p>\n Josh Finch \/ Claire O\u2019Shea Anna Schneider Alexis DeJarnette
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
joshua.a.finch@nasa.gov<\/a> \/ claire.a.o\u2019shea@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
anna.c.schneider@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n
Axiom Space
850-368-9446
alexis@axiomspace.com<\/a><\/p>\nShare<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n