Particle.news

Download on the App Store

First Indian, Polish and Hungarian Astronauts Dock at ISS Aboard Axiom-4 Crew Dragon

The mission marks a key step toward India’s 2027 Gaganyaan program, underscoring the growing role of private operators in ISS transport

Overview

  • After a technical delay from early June, Falcon 9 launched the Crew Dragon capsule on June 25 and it docked at 10:45 GMT on June 26 at the International Space Station
  • The four-person crew comprises commander Peggy Whitson (USA) alongside Shubhanshu Shukla (India), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary)
  • Astronauts will conduct about 60 microgravity experiments over two weeks, ranging from micro-algae cultivation to tardigrade biology and materials science
  • India considers the flight a rehearsal for its independently crewed Gaganyaan mission scheduled for 2027
  • Axiom Space’s partnership with SpaceX highlights NASA’s reliance on the Crew Dragon as the only US-certified spacecraft for ISS crew transport