The Axiom-4 crew is expected to undock from the International Space Station no earlier than July 14, NASA announced on Thursday, confirming that Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three fellow crewmates will begin their return journey to Earth next week.
“We are working with the station program, overseeing the Axiom-4 progress. I think we need to undock that mission and the current target to undock is July 14," said Steve Stitch, Manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, during a press conference.
The Axiom-4 mission, which launched from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 25, successfully docked at the ISS on June 26 following a 28-hour flight aboard the Dragon spacecraft.
The Axiom-4 crew, comprising IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Poland’s Slawosz Uznanski and Hungary’s Tibor Kapu, have completed their 14-day stay at the ISS on Thursday.
As reported earlier, the Axiom-4 crew was expected to return to Earth this week, any day after July 10 – unless extended.
Earlier today, the Axiom Space shared an update that the crew members have completed close to 230 orbits around Earth and travelled more than six million miles (96.5 lakh kms). Launched on June 25 by SpaceX, the crew entered the space station on June 26.
“From about 250 miles above the Earth, the crew spent their downtime capturing images and video, taking in the view of our home planet below, and reconnecting with loved ones," the Axiom said in a statement.
The Axiom-4 mission was launched from the Kennedy Space Centre at Florida on June 25 and the Dragon spacecraft docked at the International Space Station on June 26 after a 28-hour journey.
With over 60 experiments across biomedical science, advanced materials, neuroscience, agriculture, and space technology, the Ax-4 mission includes the most research conducted on an Axiom Space private astronaut mission to date.
These investigations could transform the future of human space exploration and life on Earth, with potential breakthroughs in areas such as diabetes management, innovative cancer treatments, and enhanced monitoring of human health and performance.
The Axiom-4 mission blasted off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 25, and the Dragon spacecraft docked at the space station the next day after a 28-hour journey. It is the fourth private astronaut expedition to the International Space Station.
The mission is led by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, now with Axiom Space, serving as commander. The international crew includes Slawosz Uznanski from Poland (European Space Agency) and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, both serving as mission specialists. Group Captain Shukla joins them as the mission’s pilot — a role of high responsibility and precision.
