SpaceX confirms new launch date for Axiom-4 mission to ISS — Here's when it will lift off

AX-4 Crew (Image: Axiom Space)

After days of uncertainty, the next private mission to the International Space Station is back on track. For the Ax-4 crew, the countdown has restarted, bringing excitement and relief in equal measure.

New Date Set After Safety Delay
Axiom Space’s fourth astronaut mission to the ISS will now lift off no earlier than 2:31 a.m. EDT (0631 GMT) on Tuesday, June 25, NASA confirmed on Monday evening. The launch will take place from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.

The delay was caused by concerns over a known leak in the station’s Russian-built Zvezda module. Though the leak isn’t new, changes in pressure readings raised safety concerns last week. NASA and Axiom postponed the launch until the situation stabilised. No update was given on the leak status in the latest announcement.

.@NASA, @Axiom_Space, and @SpaceX are targeting 2:31 a.m. EDT, Wednesday, June 25, for the launch of Axiom Mission 4 to the orbital outpost. https://t.co/kbAFZXZjNv

— International Space Station (@Space_Station) June 23, 2025

Whitson to Command History-Making Crew
The Ax-4 crew will fly aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule mounted on a Falcon 9 rocket. Former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, now Axiom’s director of human spaceflight, will command the two-week mission.

She will lead three first-time astronauts: Shubhanshu Shukla of India, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. All three will become the first representatives from their countries to fly to the ISS.

During their stay aboard the orbiting lab, the team will conduct more than 60 scientific experiments and STEM outreach sessions. It will be the most activity-packed Axiom mission so far.

Docking and Livestream Details
If the launch proceeds as planned, the Dragon capsule is expected to dock with the ISS around 7:00 a.m. EDT (1100 GMT) on Thursday, June 26. The launch and docking will be streamed live on Space.com for public viewing.

As the countdown begins again, Ax-4 not only represents a major mission for Axiom Space but also a proud moment for three nations making their debut in human spaceflight.