Houston-based Axiom Space has announced the four-person crew for its fourth commercial crewed spaceflight mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
Three international astronauts join former NASA astronaut Peggy WhitsonAxiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) will be commanded by Indian pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, Polish mission specialist Sławosz Uznanski of the European Space Agency (ESA), and Hungarian mission specialist Tibor Kappu, and will be the first Polish astronaut to go into space in more than 40 years.
Axiom Space hailed the mission as part of the company’s ongoing mission to expand global access to space. “AX-4 represents Axiom Space’s ongoing efforts to create opportunities in low-Earth orbit for nations to research, innovate, test, and engage with people around the world,” said Michael Suffredini, former CEO and board member of Axiom Space. In a statement“This mission will broaden the horizons of countries with ambitious goals to advance their scientific, technological and economic pursuits.”
The mission’s objectives include conducting further scientific research, demonstrating technology on an orbital outpost, and continuing the commercialization of space. Through collaboration between international partners, Axiom Space hopes to position countries as leaders in the overall space industry by combining resources, knowledge and opportunities.
“Our second collaboration with ESA and the participation of Hungary and India underscore Axiom Space’s ability to cultivate global partners, expand the reach of exploration and blaze new trails to grow the global space economy,” Suffredini said in a statement.
This will be Ax-4 Commander Peggy Whitson’s fifth spaceflight and her second on behalf of Axiom Space. In a statement, the record-holder and former NASA chief astronaut praised the international opportunities the company continues to bring to the ISS.
“I look forward to leading Axiom Space’s second commercial crewed spaceflight mission,” Whitson said. “By having a culturally diverse crew, we are not only advancing scientific knowledge but also fostering international collaboration. Our previous missions have built on that: Axiom Mission 1 was the first all-civilian mission to the space station, Axiom Mission 2 launched the first Saudi Arabian female astronaut, and Axiom Mission 3 welcomed the first Turkish astronaut and the first European Space Agency astronaut on a commercial space mission.”
“Now, with Ax-4, we will soar even higher, bringing even more nations into low Earth orbit and extending humanity’s reach to the stars.”
The planned launch date to the ISS is From October 2024 onwards The ISS will launch aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and the crew will conduct research on the ISS for up to 14 days.
