SpaceX Ax-4 crew completes final rehearsal: India, Poland and Hungary join human spaceflight after 40 years

The Ax-4 crew and SpaceX teams completed a full rehearsal of launch day activities ahead of liftoff on Tuesday (Image: SpaceX)

The countdown is on, and excitement is high as the Ax-4 mission inches closer to launch. For Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force, the journey ahead is not just about science—it’s a symbol of India’s growing presence in human spaceflight. The Ax-4 crew, along with SpaceX teams, has successfully completed a full launch-day rehearsal, setting the stage for their lift-off on Tuesday, 10 June.

Shukla to Represent India in Historic Space Mission

Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become India’s second national astronaut to travel to space since Rakesh Sharma’s historic flight in 1984. As the pilot of the Ax-4 mission, Shukla will be part of a four-member crew headed to the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The launch is scheduled for 8:22 a.m. ET (5:52 p.m. IST) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.

The Ax-4 crew and SpaceX teams completed a full rehearsal of launch day activities ahead of liftoff on Tuesday pic.twitter.com/MEhuTdeuDf
SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 8, 2025

Axiom Space, the company behind the mission, confirmed Shukla’s participation in a social media post, with ISRO also acknowledging the milestone. The Ax-4 mission marks the first government-sponsored human spaceflight to the ISS from India, Poland, and Hungary in more than four decades. This will also be the first time all three countries execute a mission aboard the International Space Station, as confirmed by the ISS’s official social media handle.

A Diverse International Crew

The Ax-4 crew comprises astronauts from India, Poland, Hungary, and the United States. Alongside Shukla, the team includes Polish ESA project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski, who becomes the second Polish national in space since 1978; and Hungarian engineer Tibor Kapu, the second Hungarian to make the journey since 1980. Commanding the mission is American astronaut Peggy Whitson, known for holding the record for the longest cumulative time spent in space by any American astronaut.

Axiom Space noted that Ax-4 is the second commercial spaceflight mission involving government and ESA-sponsored astronauts. This mission is seen as a significant step forward for the participating countries, offering them a chance to strengthen their national space programmes and international partnerships.

Science and Collaboration at the Core

Ax-4 is not just a mission of symbolism—it is deeply scientific in nature. The crew is scheduled to carry out approximately 60 experiments during their stay on the ISS, covering fields such as human research, Earth observation, biological sciences, and materials science. The mission will showcase scientific portfolios led by the United States, India, Poland (in partnership with ESA), and Hungary.

India will contribute seven experiments designed by ISRO, and Shukla will also be directly involved in five more as part of NASA’s human research programme. In addition, he will participate in five collaborative studies initiated by NASA scientists. These studies are expected to enhance global understanding of how microgravity affects human health and the environment while also demonstrating the research capabilities of the participating countries.

Axiom Space emphasised that this will be the most science-heavy mission in its history, with contributions from 31 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, and the UAE. The mission highlights the increasing global collaboration in space research and marks an important step in preparing for future commercial space stations expected to follow the ISS.

For Shukla, the mission carries a deep personal meaning. He shared his desire to document the entire journey—from orbiting the lab to performing daily tasks in microgravity—through photographs and videos to bring the experience closer to his fellow Indians. “This is the journey of 1.4 billion people,” he said.

With rehearsal complete and anticipation rising, the Ax-4 crew now stands ready. The mission represents a new chapter for human spaceflight, combining scientific exploration with national pride—and offering a glimpse into the future of space cooperation.