The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew has successfully completed their training with SpaceX, marking another critical step toward their upcoming mission to the International Space Station. With launch day approaching on June 8, the crew is now fully prepared to board SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft ahead of the Falcon 9 rocket launching the Ax-4 crew to orbit.
SpaceX’s training program is designed to immerse astronauts in every aspect of the launch, flight, and return experience. For the Ax-4 crew, this meant months of intensive sessions at SpaceX’s human spaceflight training facilities inHawthorne, California. There, they trained inside high-fidelity simulators that replicate the Dragon spacecraft’s interior, practicing everything from launch procedures and orbital maneuvers to docking with the International SpaceStation.
The training emphasized crew coordination, spacecraft systems management, and real-time decision-making. Each astronaut learned how to operate Dragon’s touch screen interface, respond to in-flight anomalies, and communicate effectively with SpaceX’s Mission Control. The crew also rehearsed ingress and egress procedures, suited up in SpaceX’s custom flight suits, and conducted full mission simulations to ensure seamless execution on launch day.
This hands-on experience with the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft systems is essential for ensuring crew safety and mission success. The Ax-4 astronauts are now thoroughly familiar with the vehicle that will carry them to low-Earth orbit. Their journey aboard Falcon 9 and Dragon will mark another milestone in commercial spaceflight as India, Poland, and Hungary readies for their first mission aboard the International Space Station.
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