Axiom Mission Ax-4: Falcon 9 Ready for June 10 Liftoff with Indian Astronaut Aboard

The highly anticipated Axiom Space mission Ax-4, featuring Indian astronaut Shubanshu Shukla, is now fully set for launch. The Dragon spacecraft has been mounted atop a Falcon 9 rocket and placed at Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The historic liftoff is scheduled for 8:22 a.m. on June 10, 2025, with a backup launch window reserved for June 11 in case of unfavorable weather conditions.

This mission is notable for several reasons. It marks the first flight of this particular Dragon spacecraft, and the Falcon 9 first stage, which was previously used in a Starlink mission, will attempt a precision landing at Landing Zone 1 in Cape Canaveral after stage separation.

Shubanshu Shukla is the sole Indian crew member in this international four-member team. He has received extensive training from both SpaceX and Axiom Space, and will play a key role in overseeing spacecraft operations and docking maneuvers during the mission.

Over the course of the 14-day mission, the Ax-4 crew will conduct more than 60 scientific experiments, including studies in human health research, Earth observation, life sciences, and materials science. Final launch preparations are currently underway, and the spacecraft is ready for takeoff. A live broadcast of the launch will begin two hours prior to liftoff, allowing viewers around the world to witness this landmark moment.

Launch Pad 39A, a site with a legacy of Apollo and Space Shuttle missions, adds historical weight to the Ax-4 launch. This mission is seen as a milestone for commercial space exploration, with both scientific and economic significance.