1. About Axiom-4 Mission
- Axiom-4 Mission (Ax-4) is the fourth commercial crewed spaceflight into the International Space Station (ISS), for operation Axiom Space, which is a U.S.-based private aerospace company.
- It was launched on 25th of June 2025 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, using the Crew Dragon C213 capsule.
- This is part of Axiom’s broader plan to build the first commercial space station.
- Axiom – 1 was launched in April 2022, followed by Axiom – 2 in 2023, and Axiom – 3 in early 2024.
2. Objectives of Axiom-4 mission
- Enable commercial activities in low Earth orbit (LEO), including space tourism and private research.
- Show the viability of commercial space stations as a business and scientific platform.
- Strengthen international collaboration in space exploration.
- Suite Ride diabetes/glucose regulation study – Test the viability of humans with diabetes living in microgravity
- Conduct scientific experiments in microgravity, focusing on materials science, biology, Earth observation, and life sciences
3. Crew Members of Axiom-4 Mission
- Peggy Whitson (USA): Mission Commander, veteran NASA astronaut.
- Shubhanshu Shukla (India): Pilot, Group Captain in the Indian Air Force – set to become:
- The first Indian astronaut on the ISS.
- The second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma (1984).
- Sławosz Uznański‑Wiśniewski (Poland)
- Tibor Kapu (Hungary)
4. Why Axiom-4 mission is Significant for India
- Marks the first time an Indian astronaut visits the ISS.
- Strengthens Indo-US space cooperation.
- India’s presence is represented through both an astronaut and scientific experiments onboard.
- Enhance understanding of biological processes in microgravity and develop strategies for long-duration space missions.
- Boosts India’s stature in the global space community and opens doors for future private-public space collaborations.
| About the International Space Station (ISS)The ISS is a multinational space laboratory in low Earth orbit, operated by NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA, and CSA. It has been continuously inhabited since November 2000. Acts as a hub for scientific research in microgravity, international cooperation, and commercial missions like Axiom. The ISS is expected to remain operational until 2030, after which private space stations may take over. |
5. ISRO’s Important Experiments in Axiom-4 mission
A. Space Agriculture Experiments
- ISRO contributed seed germination experiments (moong and fenugreek) onboard Axiom-4.
- These studies test whether Indian crops can grow in microgravity, aiding long-duration space travel and sustainable extraterrestrial farming.
B. CROPS Module (Separate Mission – Jan 2025)
- CROPS: Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies, launched independently by ISRO.
- Carried LOBIA (black-eyed pea) seeds in a soil-like medium with artificial sunlight and Earth-like atmosphere.
- Successful germination within 4 days.
- Goals:
- Establish sustainable food sources for future Mars/Moon missions.
- Support oxygen-carbon dioxide recycling in closed-loop systems.
- Boost astronaut mental health via interaction with plants.
- Establish sustainable food sources for future Mars/Moon missions.
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FAQs on Axiom-4 Mission
Q1. What is the Axiom-4 mission?
Ans:- Axiom-4 is a private crewed mission by Axiom Space to the ISS, focused on science and international collaboration.
Q2. When was Axiom-4 launch?
Ans:- The Axiom-4 mission (Ax-4) was launched on June 25, 2025 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
Q3. Who is representing India in the Ax-4 mission?
Ans:– Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from the Indian Air Force is the Indian astronaut selected for this mission.
Q4. Why is Axiom-4 mission important for India?
Ans:– It marks India’s first human presence on the ISS and strengthens Indo-US space ties. It also includes ISRO’s scientific experiments onboard.
Q5. What is the significance of the CROPS module?
Ans:– Launched by ISRO in Jan 2025, the CROPS module successfully tested space-based seed germination, crucial for future interplanetary missions.
Q6. Who is leading the Axiom-4 mission?
Ans:– Veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson (USA) is the mission commander of Ax-4.
