Astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary in Over Four Decades Launch to ISS

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Four private astronauts have successfully reached orbit aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The mission, known as Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), launched in the early hours of Wednesday from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

This all-private astronaut mission is the fourth of its kind to the International Space Station (ISS), showcasing how space travel is becoming more global and commercially driven.

On board the mission are:

Peggy Whitson, a veteran NASA astronaut and now Axiom Space’s director of human spaceflight, serving as mission commander.

Shubhanshu Shukla, representing India’s space agency ISRO, flying as pilot.

Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, a project astronaut from the European Space Agency (ESA) representing Poland.

Tibor Kapu, part of Hungary’s HUNOR astronaut program.

This launch marks the first time in over four decades that astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary have traveled to space.

NASA’s Acting Administrator Janet Petro congratulated Axiom Space and SpaceX, calling the mission "a powerful example of American leadership bringing nations together in pursuit of science, discovery, and opportunity." She also noted that the launch follows through on a commitment made between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send an Indian astronaut to the ISS.

NASA and ISRO are jointly conducting five science investigations and two in-orbit educational and technology experiments as part of this mission. The collaboration highlights the growing international cooperation in space exploration.

The Dragon spacecraft is expected to dock with the ISS at around 7 a.m. on Thursday, June 26. Live coverage begins at 5 a.m. on NASA+.

Once aboard, the visiting crew will be welcomed by Expedition 73 members, including astronauts from the U.S., Japan, and Russia. During their two-week stay, the Ax-4 crew will conduct scientific research in microgravity, engage in educational outreach, and support commercial experiments.

This mission reflects NASA’s broader vision of building a strong low-Earth orbit economy, where the agency works alongside private industry. By shifting some space operations to commercial partners, NASA is able to focus more on deep space goals, including the Artemis missions to the Moon and eventually to Mars.