SpaceX is gearing up for the upcoming Ax-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), with a new launch date set for Thursday, June 19. The collaboration between SpaceX, Axiom Space, and NASA has faced technical challenges in recent days, leading to a delay from the initially scheduled launch date of June 12. One of the key issues that needed addressing was small leaks in the ISS’s Zvezda service module.
The Zvezda module has been a point of concern for NASA and Roscosmos due to leaks in its aft segment. While stable pressure in the transfer tunnel was maintained, the teams worked diligently to assess and repair the leaks. By adjusting pressure levels and monitoring the situation over time, the teams were able to evaluate the condition of the transfer tunnel and the hatch seal between the station and the back of Zvezda.
In addition to resolving the leaks in the Zvezda module, SpaceX also tackled a liquid oxygen leak discovered during post-static fire inspections of the Falcon 9 rocket. Following successful repairs and a wet dress rehearsal to confirm readiness, the stage is set for the Ax-4 mission to proceed. This mission marks Axiom Space’s fourth private astronaut trip to the ISS, launching from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a Falcon 9 rocket with a new Crew Dragon capsule.
The crew for the Ax-4 mission is led by Peggy Whitson, Axiom Space’s director of human spaceflight and former NASA astronaut. Joining Whitson are ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla as pilot, and mission specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. This international team highlights Axiom’s commitment to fostering global collaboration in space exploration.
During its stay at the ISS, the Ax-4 mission will conduct scientific research to support Axiom’s vision of establishing a commercial space station. The mission’s updated launch date and successful resolution of technical issues position it as a key player in advancing private space exploration and driving innovation in space-based research.