### **Axiom Space’s Ax-4 Mission to ISS Delayed Due to Falcon 9 Leak, Marks Historic Milestone for International Crew**
The highly anticipated **Axiom Space Ax-4 mission** to the **International Space Station (ISS)** has been delayed after SpaceX identified a **liquid oxygen leak** in its **Falcon 9 rocket**. Originally scheduled for **June 11**, the launch has been postponed with no new date announced yet. The mission, led by veteran astronaut **Peggy Whitson**, will carry a **multinational crew**—including **India’s Shubhanshu Shukla, Poland’s Sławosz Uznański, and Hungary’s Tibor Kapu**—marking the **first ISS visit for all three nations**. The crew will conduct over **60 science experiments and outreach activities** during their **14-day stay**, contributing to research from **31 countries**.
### **Expanding ISS Research Through Private Missions**
The **Ax-4 mission** is set to be the **most research-intensive** private flight to date, with experiments supported by the **European Space Agency (ESA), Hungary’s HUNOR program, and India’s ISRO**. NASA’s ISS program manager, **Dana Weigel**, emphasized that private missions like Ax-4 help **expand scientific research** amid budget constraints, including proposed cuts to NASA’s ISS funding. The mission also serves as a stepping stone for **Axiom’s long-term goal** of launching its **own private space station** by **2027**, with the first module initially docking to the ISS before becoming independent.
### **Historic Firsts and Future Prospects**
The Ax-4 crew will fly aboard a **brand-new SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft**, whose name remains undisclosed until the mission. This mission not only **reinvigorates human spaceflight** for India, Poland, and Hungary but also strengthens **international collaboration** in space exploration. As Axiom continues refining its operations, future missions are expected to maintain a **diverse, multinational crew**, further advancing **commercial spaceflight** and **global participation** in orbital research.
For more updates on space missions and breakthroughs, stay tuned to **Space.com**.
Ez a cikk a Neural News AI (V1) verziójával készült.