
Ax-4 Mission crew completes 230 orbits around Earth, travels over 6 mn miles
the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew has completed close to 230 orbits around Earth and
travelled more than 6 million miles.
Commander Peggy Whitson, Indian Pilot Shubhanshu 'Shux' Shukla, and Mission Specialists
Sławosz 'Suave' Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu have concluded their final off-duty day
today, Axiom Space said in its Flight Day #15 update.
From about 250 miles above Earth, the crew spent their downtime capturing images and video,
taking in the view of our home planet below, and reconnecting with loved ones.
These moments offer a rare pause in an otherwise rigorous daily schedule.
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.
As the crew resume their scientific duties, they continue to demonstrate how commercial
missions contribute meaningfully to microgravity research and space exploration.
Every test tube, data point, and observation bring us one step closer to a global community
living and working in low-Earth orbit and, eventually, beyond.
The Ax-4 crew took off aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to the ISS from LC-39A at
NASA's Kennedy Space Center on June 25 at 2:31 a.m. ET and after 28 hours journey
arrived and docked at the ISS the next day and were greeted by NASA's Expedition
Crew for in the welcome ceremony.
From then on, they commenced their 14-day mission on the orbiting laboratory conducting
microgravity research, technology demonstrations, and outreach engagements.
The Ax-4 mission 'realized the return' to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary,
with each nation's first government-sponsored flight in more than 40 years.
While Ax-4 marks these countries' second human spaceflight mission in history, it became
the first time all three nations executed a mission on board the International Space Station.
This historic mission underscores how Axiom Space is redefining the pathway to Low Earth
Orbit and elevating national space programs globally.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Economic Times
27 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Ax-4 Mission Return: Where will splashdown occur? See date, time, how to watch livestream and crew
ANI SpaceX Crew Dragon carrying Ax-4 astronauts will undock from the ISS on July 14 and return to Earth. Axiom-4 crew: Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu 'Shux' Shukla, and Mission Specialists Sławosz 'Suave' Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu. Ax-4 astronaut mission, organized by Axiom Space, will conclude its stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on July 14. The mission launched on June 25 and marks the fourth private crewed trip by Axiom. The SpaceX Crew Dragon will undock and return four astronauts back to Ax-4 mission's return is scheduled for early Monday morning, July 14. The Crew Dragon capsule will undock from the ISS at around 7:05 a.m. EDT (1105 GMT). The return process will be covered live by NASA, SpaceX, and Axiom Space. NASA will begin live streaming at 4:30 a.m. EDT (0830 GMT) to show the closing of the hatches between the station and the spacecraft. Hatch closure is expected around 4:55 a.m. EDT (0855 GMT). NASA will resume coverage at 6:45 a.m. EDT (1045 GMT) for the undocking itself. Axiom and SpaceX will also stream the event starting at this time. Also Read: 3I/ATLAS: Alien spacecraft speeds toward Earth at 135,000 mph, claims scientist. See if its a threat NASA's livestream will be accessible through its official platforms. SpaceX and Axiom Space will stream the action on their respective websites. The splashdown is expected to occur in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. However, NASA has not given an exact time for the landing. The timeline depends on weather conditions near the splashdown zone. Axiom Space will handle streaming of the reentry and splashdown Read: Virgin River Season 7: Is release date confirmed? See what to expect, cast, new characters, key storylines and season 8 update The Ax-4 mission is commanded by Peggy Whitson. She is a former NASA astronaut and now serves as Axiom's director of human spaceflight. Whitson has spent nearly 700 days in space, the most by any American crewmates include: Shubhanshu Shukla , pilot from India , pilot from India Sławosz Uznański , Polish astronaut and ESA mission specialist , Polish astronaut and ESA mission specialist Tibor Kapu, Hungarian mission specialist All three are the first individuals from their countries to visit the Ax-4 mission launched on June 25 atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The capsule docked at the ISS the next their stay, the four astronauts conducted over 60 scientific experiments and public outreach activities. The original plan was for a two-week stay, but the schedule allowed for flexibility depending on weather and ISS is the fourth private mission organized by Axiom. Previous missions were launched in April 2022, May 2023, and January 2024. All missions have used SpaceX spacecraft for travel. What time will the Ax-4 crew undock from the ISS? The undocking of the Ax-4 Crew Dragon from the ISS is scheduled for 7:05 a.m. EDT (1105 GMT) on July 14, 2025. Who are the astronauts on the Ax-4 mission? The crew includes Peggy Whitson, Shubhanshu Shukla, Sławosz Uznański, and Tibor Kapu. They represent the United States, India, Poland, and Hungary.


Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
Ax-4 Mission Return: Where will splashdown occur? See date, time, how to watch livestream and crew
Ax-4 astronaut mission, organized by Axiom Space , will conclude its stay aboard the International Space Station ( ISS ) on July 14. The mission launched on June 25 and marks the fourth private crewed trip by Axiom. The SpaceX Crew Dragon will undock and return four astronauts back to Earth. Ax-4 Mission Return Date, Time and How to Watch Livestream The Ax-4 mission's return is scheduled for early Monday morning, July 14. The Crew Dragon capsule will undock from the ISS at around 7:05 a.m. EDT (1105 GMT). The return process will be covered live by NASA , SpaceX, and Axiom Space. NASA will begin live streaming at 4:30 a.m. EDT (0830 GMT) to show the closing of the hatches between the station and the spacecraft. Hatch closure is expected around 4:55 a.m. EDT (0855 GMT). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Spiel des Monats: Wenn du einen Computer hast, ist dieses Spiel ein absolutes Muss! Forge Of Empires Jetzt spielen Undo NASA will resume coverage at 6:45 a.m. EDT (1045 GMT) for the undocking itself. Axiom and SpaceX will also stream the event starting at this time. Also Read: 3I/ATLAS: Alien spacecraft speeds toward Earth at 135,000 mph, claims scientist. See if its a threat Live Events NASA, SpaceX and Axiom Live Coverage NASA's livestream will be accessible through its official platforms. SpaceX and Axiom Space will stream the action on their respective websites. Ax-4 Mission Return: Where will Splashdown Occur? The splashdown is expected to occur in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. However, NASA has not given an exact time for the landing. The timeline depends on weather conditions near the splashdown zone. Axiom Space will handle streaming of the reentry and splashdown process. Also Read: Virgin River Season 7: Is release date confirmed? See what to expect, cast, new characters, key storylines and season 8 update Ax-4 Mission Crew The Ax-4 mission is commanded by Peggy Whitson. She is a former NASA astronaut and now serves as Axiom's director of human spaceflight. Whitson has spent nearly 700 days in space, the most by any American astronaut. Her crewmates include: Shubhanshu Shukla , pilot from India Sławosz Uznański , Polish astronaut and ESA mission specialist Tibor Kapu , Hungarian mission specialist All three are the first individuals from their countries to visit the ISS. Ax-4 Mission Objectives and Background The Ax-4 mission launched on June 25 atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The capsule docked at the ISS the next day. During their stay, the four astronauts conducted over 60 scientific experiments and public outreach activities. The original plan was for a two-week stay, but the schedule allowed for flexibility depending on weather and ISS operations. Ax-4 is the fourth private mission organized by Axiom. Previous missions were launched in April 2022, May 2023, and January 2024. All missions have used SpaceX spacecraft for travel. FAQs What time will the Ax-4 crew undock from the ISS? The undocking of the Ax-4 Crew Dragon from the ISS is scheduled for 7:05 a.m. EDT (1105 GMT) on July 14, 2025. Who are the astronauts on the Ax-4 mission? The crew includes Peggy Whitson, Shubhanshu Shukla, Sławosz Uznański, and Tibor Kapu. They represent the United States, India, Poland, and Hungary.


Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Economic Times
3I/ATLAS: Alien spacecraft speeds toward Earth at 135,000 mph, claims scientist. See if its a threat
Strange Object Enters Solar System Is It An Alien Spacecraft? Live Events NASA and ESA Focus on Comet Theory Experts Still Divided on True Nature FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel An object from outside the solar system , known as 3I/ATLAS , is moving toward Earth's vicinity at an estimated 135,000 miles per hour. First spotted on July 1, this unusual object has drawn interest from NASA and researchers globally. While some experts believe it's a comet, others suggest it could be of alien scientists discovered the object earlier this month. It has been named 3I/ATLAS. Its shape, speed and movement caused confusion among experts. The object is moving on a highly elliptical path, suggesting it came from outside our solar is the third time such an interstellar object has been observed entering our solar system. The object's high speed and foreign origin continue to raise questions. NASA confirmed it will reach its closest point to the sun on October 30. Despite its rapid approach, it poses no threat to Earth. It will be 130 million miles from the sun and 150 million miles from Earth at its closest Avi Loeb, a Harvard University physicist and cosmologist, offered a different perspective. He suggested that 3I/ATLAS might not be a natural object. He proposed it could be a spacecraft sent by an advanced civilization. Loeb said the object might be following a set path toward the inner solar system by to him, if the object is not a comet, it would be difficult for it to naturally reach the sun. He compared the situation to Arthur C. Clarke's science fiction novel Rendezvous with Rama, where a similar unknown object turns out to be an alien and the European Space Agency offered a simpler theory. They believe the object is an interstellar comet . As it approaches the sun, the heat would cause ice and dust to evaporate. This process would reflect sunlight, making it appear this explanation, scientists cannot determine its actual size due to its distance. Instead, they use reflected light to estimate its size. Estimates suggest it is around 20 to 24 kilometers long. This makes it much larger than previous interstellar objects like 'Oumuamua, which was only about 100 meters NASA leans toward the comet theory, the object's size and directed movement still raise questions. Loeb expressed surprise that such a large object would be heading directly toward the inner solar system. He noted it is rare to see an object this large from outside the solar true nature of 3I/ATLAS remains unknown. Scientists are continuing to study it as it moves closer to the sun. While many accept the comet theory, Loeb believes the unusual characteristics are worth deeper investigation.3I/ATLAS is an interstellar object heading toward the inner solar system. It is being studied due to its high speed, size, and possible alien NASA confirms that 3I/ATLAS will pass 150 million miles away from Earth and poses no danger.