Axiom Space Flight Readiness Review Complete, Ax-4 Proceeds to Next Mission Milestone

Axiom Space has successfully completed its internal Flight Readiness Review (FRR) for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), marking a significant step forward as the crew prepares for their upcoming launch. The FRR assessed the readiness of both the company and the crew for the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, confirming that all systems and personnel are on track for the mission’s next phase.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Ax-4 crew aboard a Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sunday, June 8 at 9:11 a.m. ET. During their 14-day mission docked to the orbiting laboratory, the Ax-4 astronauts will conduct global outreach initiatives, microgravity research, and technology demonstrations, making it the most research-intensive Axiom Space mission to date.

The international Ax-4 crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson of the U.S., Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary. Each astronaut brings a unique background and expertise to the mission. Whitson, a former NASA astronaut and Axiom Space’s director of human spaceflight, holds the U.S. record for the most cumulative time spent in space. Shukla, Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Kapu will represent India, Poland, and Hungary respectively, each becoming the second astronaut from their countries to fly to space and the first to reach the International Space Station.

The Ax-4 crew has undergone extensive training over the past several months at Axiom Space, NASA’s Johnson Space Center, and SpaceX. Their preparation has included simulations of launch and docking procedures, emergency response drills, scientific payload operations, and space station systems training.  

The next major mission milestone is the Launch Readiness Review (LRR), scheduled for Saturday, June 7. During the LRR, leaders from Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX will evaluate the final status of the Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon spacecraft, and International Space Station systems.