In a groundbreaking event just before sunrise on June 25, SpaceX successfully launched Axiom Mission 4 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 2:31 a.m., carrying a globally diverse crew aboard the Dragon capsule named “Grace.”
The mission includes former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson and marks a historic moment for three countries. Shubhanshu Shukla from India, Sławosz Uznanski-Wiśniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary are each representing their nations in space for the first time in over four decades.
The crew is now on its way to the International Space Station (ISS), where docking is expected early Thursday. During their two-week stay, the astronauts will conduct over 60 scientific experiments, focusing on space technology, biology, and medical research. These projects reflect collaboration from 31 countries around the world.
This mission highlights the increasing global cooperation in space exploration. It also reinforces Axiom Space’s long-term goal of building the first commercial space station, as the current ISS approaches its expected retirement within the next decade.
Moreover, Axiom Mission 4 demonstrates the growing role of private companies in expanding access to space. The successful launch and international crew show how commercial spaceflight is opening new opportunities for countries with limited space programs.
As the astronauts settle into their orbiting laboratory, the world watches closely, inspired by the power of unity, science, and human curiosity. This mission may be short in duration—but its legacy could last for generations.