NASA has confirmed a new launch date for the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), with Axiom Space, SpaceX, and NASA now targeting lift-off as early as Wednesday, 25 June, following six postponements.
The revised schedule was announced by NASA on Tuesday morning. The mission is being operated by Axiom Space, a private US company, using SpaceX&rsquo;s Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft. SpaceX, the world&rsquo;s largest private space enterprise, is executing the mission under NASA&rsquo;s broader initiative to promote private sector involvement in space exploration, including flights to the ISS.
&ldquo;The mission will launch from Launch Complex 39A at NASA&rsquo;s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The crew will travel to the orbiting laboratory aboard a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft after launching on the company&rsquo;s Falcon 9 rocket. Docking with the International Space Station is targeted for approximately 7am on Thursday, 26 June (4.30pm IST),&rdquo; NASA said in its latest statement.
The mission holds special significance for India as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is poised to make history. Upon success, Shukla will become the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma, and notably, the first Indian to visit the ISS.
The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission has faced at least six delays since its original launch date of 29 May. The first postponement, to 8 June, was due to unfavourable weather conditions. Subsequent dates of 10 and 11 June were abandoned following the detection of a liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon 9 rocket&rsquo;s booster.
Following further technical evaluations, the mission was rescheduled for 19 June and then 22 June due to a fault identified in the space station&rsquo;s service module.
The Axiom-4 mission is a private astronaut mission involving an international crew. The team includes American astronaut Dr Peggy Whitson as mission commander, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, Tibor Kapu from Hungary as mission specialists, and India&rsquo;s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla serving as the mission&rsquo;s designated pilot.
NASA, SpaceX, and Axiom Space have now set their sights on tomorrow&rsquo;s launch, which, if successful, will mark a significant milestone for India&rsquo;s space ambitions.

Axiom-4 crew includes Dr Whitson, Uznanski, Kapu and India’s Shubhanshu Shukla

NASA sets 25 June for Axiom-4 ISS launch after six postponements

NASA Sets New Date for Axiom-4 After Delays

NASA sets 25 June for Axiom-4 ISS launch after six postponements

June 24, 2025 | 14:50 IST