File photo of a Falcon 9 / Crew Dragon launching from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
The delayed launch of Axiom 4 to the International Space Station will have to wait a little bit longer. The company announced today that the “space agency needs additional time to continue evaluating International Space Station operations after recent repair work in the aft (back) most segment of the orbital laboratory’s Zvezda service module.”
The delay is labeled as “indefinite” and no new launch target date has been announced.
The crew remains in quarantine, and the Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon planned for the flight remain in healthy condition and ready for the flight.”
The root cause of the delay is a series of micro-leaks in the Zvezda module, first detected months ago but considered under control after previous repair efforts. However, on June 14, cosmonauts aboard the ISS noted a fresh pressure signature in the aft segment of Zvezda, indicating that some seals may have degraded or reopened under flight conditions. Although the module has held pressure more consistently since the latest inspections, NASA and its Russian partners determined that more data were needed to rule out any risk to incoming crew.
On a blog update published last week, NASA detailed the troubleshooting steps taken by cosmonauts: interior surfaces were inspected, suspect seals were re-torqued, and additional leak-rate measurements were conducted. “Following the most recent repair, pressure in the transfer tunnel has been stable,” NASA wrote, “but additional time is required for Roscosmos and NASA to evaluate whether further action is necessary.” This review window now overlaps with the Monday launch opportunity, effectively ruling it out until the investigation concludes.
There are also ISS logistics to consider: Ax-4’s launch window is tightly constrained by orbital mechanics and ISS traffic. The current opportunity closes on June 30 to accommodate other scheduled resupply and crewed flights. Pushing through before fully resolving the leak could risk mission safety and station integrity, particularly given the interconnected life-support systems aboard the ISS. Axiom Space President Michael Suffredini emphasized that while commercial missions must adhere to tight timelines, safety remains the non-negotiable priority.
Axiom 4, the privately operated crewed spaceflight, now has a confirmed launch date of June 22, 2025. The mission is slated to lift off at 3:42 AM ET, from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.
Originally scheduled for June 19, the flight window was pushed back as engineers addressed technical issues and concerns about the ISS leaks. The new timeline promises a mission duration ranging from 14 to 21 days to complete its planned research program.
“No one remembers launch delays, but no one ever forgets a real problem.”
–V.L. Pinson Sr., former ABMA and NASA veteran
The mission will utilize a Falcon 9 to carry the newly built Crew Dragon spacecraft C213 into low Earth orbit, marking the final Crew Dragon capsule to enter service in SpaceX’s original slate of capsules. The four-person crew—veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson commanding, Indian pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, ESA’s Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Hungarian specialist Tibor Kapu—will conduct science and technology demonstrations aboard ISS during their flight.
Axiom Space first announced on April 3 that Ax-4 would launch no earlier than May, reflecting a cautious approach as technical reviews and ISS scheduling took shape.
By mid-April, the Ax-4 team was gearing up for a busy agenda aboard ISS with a target window of no earlier than late May. The packed schedule—includes biological experiments, materials science tests, and station maintenance tasks.
After some shifts to the right on the schedule, the mission stood ready to launch on June 10th, but weather in the ascent corridor forced mission managers to call of any launch attempt that day. The ascent corridor is the zone where Crew Dragon and its crew would land in the unlikely event of an abort. The zone extends offshore in the Atlantic Ocean from Kennedy Space all the way to Ireland, and weather inside it must be suitable — just in case.
The next day, the first launch attempt on June 11 was scrubbed after engineers detected a propellant leak in the rocket’s liquid oxygen system and called off the launch to remediate the issue.
Next, a pressure leak in the Zvezda service module on the ISS prompted NASA and Roscosmos to stabilize the module before approving further dockings, contributing to another postponement announced on June 12.
NASA, SpaceX and Axiom have now agreed on a launch attempt in the predawn hours of the first full day of summer: June 22nd. Falcon 9’s leaks have been resolved, the Space Station leak issue is now under control, and at this point, weather on the 22nd looks as though it will be acceptable for Axiom 4’s ascent into orbit.
The Indian Connection
For India’s space program, Ax-4 represents a milestone: it provides the first opportunity for an Indian astronaut to fly to ISS. Pilot and Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu “Shux” Shukla, part of ISRO’s cadre of astronauts, will carry out experiments developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation in fields ranging from microbial adaptation to muscle atrophy studies.
His flight will be the precursor to his upcoming flight aboard ISRO’s Gaganyaan-1, India’s first domestically built crewed orbital spacecraft. At 39, Shukla is a veteran test pilot, having flown everything from MiG-21s to Su-30s.
Gaganyaan capsule Photo: ISRO
One Of America’s Most Astronauts Commands
Tibor Kapu, courtesy Axiom Space
Axiom 4 will be commanded by Peggy Whitson—a former NASA chief astronaut and current Director of Human Spaceflight at Axiom Space—Ax-4 brings seasoned leadership to this venture. Whitson holds multiple Station records and is tasked with overseeing the flights to and from ISS. She has spent 665 days in space so far.
Poland and Hungary Returning To Spaceflight After 40 Years
Joining Whitson and Shukla is Sławosz Uznański, a Polish engineer and the first representative of his country in space since 1978. Back then, it was Mirosław Hermaszewski aboard a Soviet Soyuz. This time, it’s Uznański flying under the banner of the European Space Agency as a mission specialist. A former CERN engineer and ESA reserve astronaut, Uznański’s path to space was defined more by science than by spectacle. His role on Ax-4 emphasizes research, including a number of biomedical and Earth-monitoring experiments designed by Polish institutions.
Sławosz Uznański, courtesy Axiom Space
Hungary, too, is returning to space after a four-decade absence. Tibor Kapu, an engineer selected under the Hungarian government’s HUNOR program, became only the second Hungarian to ever fly in space. He beat out nearly 250 applicants for the role. The first, Bertalan Farkas, flew aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft in 1980.
Kapu’s mission is both technical and symbolic. “This is not just a mission for Hungary,” he said before launch. “It’s for all the small nations looking toward the stars and asking if they can be part of the next chapter.”
The Axiom 4 mission is apparently back on track after two unrelated leaks—one in orbit and one on the ground—were resolved, clearing the way for the launch of Axiom Space’s next private mission to the International Space Station.
SpaceX plans to launch a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a new Crew Dragon capsule with four private astronauts aboard for the Ax-4 mission. No official launch date or time has been set yet, but there has been some speculation about a Thursday pre-dawn liftoff at 4:53 AM ET. Given the lack of any official notifications of the launch attempt, it seems highly unlikely one will happen on that date.
The mission faced multiple delays last week. Poor weather conditions offshore in the ascent corridor scrubbed a planned Monday launch, and a liquid oxygen leak discovered in the rocket’s first-stage booster pushed back Tuesday’s attempt. SpaceX conducted a successful retest of the booster last Thursday, confirming the leak had been fixed.
The International-Space-Station-in-2021
Photo: NASA
Just as that issue was resolved, NASA put another hold on the launch due to a long-standing problem on the International Space Station: a years-old leak on the Russian segment. Engineers needed time to confirm recent repairs had sealed it for good. On Saturday, NASA reported that pressure in the affected area had stabilized—a sign that the small leaks may finally be closed.
While Russia’s space agency Roscosmos continues to monitor the situation, NASA has cleared SpaceX and Axiom Space to proceed towards a launch of Axiom 4, but again, no official announcement of a day or time has been made by NASA, SpaceX or Axiom Space.
Ax-3 On The Launch Pad. AX-4 will be almost identical Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
The fourth private mission to ISS is set to head to Station Wednesday morning at 8:22 AM ET, weather and technicals permitting. Weather offshore in the ascent corridor forced a scrub for Tuesday, due to unacceptable conditions on Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon’s path towards ISS.
The Mission
The mission—organized by Houston-based Axiom Space—represents a growing shift in space exploration: national pride and private enterprise, working hand in hand. It’s the first time astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary will fly to the ISS, and the vehicle taking them there is no less historic. The Crew Dragon capsule, designated C213, is the final capsule SpaceX plans to build under its current production schedule. This is its first flight.
C213’s official name has not been released to the public, and tradition calls for the first crew to fly it to also name the spacecraft. Expect to hear that name prior to the launch tomorrow.
A SpaceX Crew Dragon on the launch pad earlier in 2024.
The Crew
Peggy Whitson, courtesy Axiom Space
Leading the crew is Peggy Whitson, a name already etched into American spaceflight history. A retired NASA astronaut and now Axiom’s Director of Human Spaceflight, Whitson has spent more time in orbit than any other American—675 days in total. She’s flown on both the Space Shuttle and Soyuz, and this marks her fifth trip to space. Despite all that experience, she said the diversity and ambition of this mission makes it feel new again.
“It’s an exciting time to be part of space exploration,” Whitson told reporters before launch. “This is about opening access, building partnerships, and pushing science forward.”
Shubhanshu Shukla, courtesy Axiom Space
Sitting beside Whitson in the cockpit is Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, making history as the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS. At 39, Shukla is a veteran test pilot, having flown everything from MiG-21s to Su-30s. He was part of India’s astronaut corps for the upcoming Gaganyaan program, and this mission is seen as a critical stepping stone for India’s human spaceflight ambitions.
For Shukla, the symbolism runs deep. “To represent India in this way is both humbling and thrilling,” he said. He’s carrying with him a suite of Indian microgravity experiments—including studies on tardigrade survival, plant growth, and stem cell behavior—that could lay the groundwork for India’s long-term research goals in orbit.
Sławosz Uznański, courtesy Axiom Space
Joining them is Sławosz Uznański, a Polish engineer and the first representative of his country in space since 1978. Back then, it was Mirosław Hermaszewski aboard a Soviet Soyuz. This time, it’s Uznański flying under the banner of the European Space Agency as a mission specialist. A former CERN engineer and ESA reserve astronaut, Uznański’s path to space was defined more by science than by spectacle. His role on Ax-4 emphasizes research, including a number of biomedical and Earth-monitoring experiments designed by Polish institutions.
Hungary, too, is returning to space after a four-decade absence. Tibor Kapu, an engineer selected under the Hungarian government’s HUNOR program, became only the second Hungarian to ever fly in space. He beat out nearly 250 applicants for the role. The first, Bertalan Farkas, flew aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft in 1980.
Tibor Kapu, courtesy Axiom Space
Kapu’s mission is both technical and symbolic. “This is not just a mission for Hungary,” he said before launch. “It’s for all the small nations looking toward the stars and asking if they can be part of the next chapter.”
Together, the Ax-4 crew brings four national flags and a shared sense of purpose to orbit. Their flight to the ISS will last roughly 14 days and includes more than 60 research projects from 31 countries—an international science effort that spans biology, medicine, technology, and Earth science. The scope is ambitious: studies on glucose regulation that could impact diabetes treatment, advanced materials testing in zero gravity, and new methods for monitoring joint health in long-duration missions.
Trajectory
About 45 degrees from true north.
An easterly looking view of Axiom 4’s flight trajectory. The first stage activities are labeled. The second stage (and crew) will follow the arcing line over the horizon. Graphic: Charles Boyer using Google Earth Pro.
This is a Return to Landing Site mission, meaning Booster B1094 will be landing at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Landing Zone 1, the site of the old LC-13. A sonic boom will herald the arrival of the booster to the Space Coast.
Falcon 9’s booster flight profile for Axiom 4 Graphic: Charles Boyer using Google Earth Pro.
The Weather
The 45th Weather Squadron on Space Launch Delta 45 released their L-1 (one day prior to launch) forecast for Axiom 4: 95% go at the launch site, but a high risk in the ascent corridor.
This necessitated a scrub, with events now moved to NET Wednesday, June 11th. The weather on Wednesday is somewhat worse at the launch site: a 1-in-5 chance of a weather-related scrub at the launch site (80% GO) and only slightly better conditions on the spacecraft’s path towards orbit.
Why This Matters
If something goes wrong during launch (engine failure, system anomaly, etc.), the crew capsule—SpaceX’s Crew Dragon—has the ability to abort and separate from the rocket at any point in the ascent. After separation, it parachutes down into the Atlantic Ocean.
That means the entire flight path up the East Coast, from Florida to somewhere past Ireland, must have acceptable weather conditions for:
Rescue operations (search-and-rescue boats and helicopters need to reach the crew quickly)
Survivability (waves, wind, and visibility must not endanger the capsule or the astronauts)
Recovery asset safety (ships and aircraft can’t operate in dangerous storms)
Even if the launch pad weather is perfect, bad weather anywhere along the ascent corridor can delay a launch. NASA and SpaceX have multiple pre-designated splashdown zones, and each one must meet strict criteria for wind speeds, wave heights, lightning risk, and cloud cover during launch.
Privately Operated Missions: The Way of the Future
Axiom Space has carved out a unique model for missions like this. Unlike traditional government-led flights, the Ax-4 mission is privately operated and commercially funded, with participating countries contributing financially or technically in exchange for astronaut slots. This hybrid approach allows smaller spacefaring nations to engage in human spaceflight without launching their own rockets or building their own stations.
The capsule they’re riding in—Crew Dragon C213—is another milestone. It’s the fifth and final new Dragon that SpaceX plans to produce under its current human spaceflight program. From here on, the company will rely on reusing existing vehicles. That C213 is debuting with such a historic, multicultural mission underscores the symbolic weight of the moment.
Axiom Space released this rendering of Axiom Station
Axiom Space is also developing its own privately-owned commercially operated space station. Axiom Station is currently under construction. The first module, the Payload Power Thermal Module (PPTM), are scheduled to be launched to the International Space Station (ISS) no earlier than 2027, according to Axiom Space and Wikipedia. The Habitat One (Hab-1) module is expected to launch no earlier than 2028. The Axiom Station is planned to be a commercial space station, with Axiom Space aiming to start operating a free-flying platform as early as 2028.
Ax-4 Flight Plans
Once aboard ISS, the crew will be integrated into daily life on the station, conducting experiments while also taking time for public outreach and cultural exchange. Whitson noted that the crew has trained extensively not just in operations but in working across language and cultural lines—an increasingly relevant skill set in today’s globalized approach to space.
The crew’s return is scheduled for late June after a roughly two-week stay aboard the orbiting outpost, though the exact splashdown date will depend on weather and recovery conditions in the Pacific. SpaceX recently moved crew landing operations to the Pacific offshore from southern California due to finicky conditions here in Florida.
Ax-4 crew members Tibor Kapu, Peggy Whitson, Sławosz Uznański, Shubhanshu Shukla during underwater training. Photo: Axiom Space
Axiom Space has released new information about the scientific and technological goals for its upcoming Ax-4 mission to the International Space Station, scheduled for launch no earlier than May 2025.
Commanded by veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson (U.S.), the Ax-4 crew includes pilot Shubhanshu Shukla (India), mission specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (ESA/Poland), and mission specialist Tibor Kapu (Hungary). The team will launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule from the Eastern Range no earlier than late May.
Ax-4 Will Perform The Most Research-Driven Axiom Mission To Date
The mission will carry roughly 60 science and research payloads involving partners from 31 countries — including the U.S., India, Hungary, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, the UAE, and others across Europe. This marks the most research-driven mission Axiom has led to date, reinforcing the growing international momentum behind low-Earth orbit science and commercial space collaboration.
Much of the research on the mission will be driven by the crew members’ home countries, including experiments from India’s ISRO, Poland in partnership with the European Space Agency, Hungary’s HUNOR program, and the United States. Axiom is also collaborating with research institutions and universities to study how spaceflight affects the human body and how these insights can improve healthcare back on Earth.
Ax-4 Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, Commander Peggy Whitson, and Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski [Right] have been training to live and work aboard the space station for the past eight months in preparation for their mission, which is targeted to launch no earlier than May 2025.
Ax-4 is a key step in building a sustainable research and business environment in orbit — and in paving the way for Axiom Station, the company’s planned commercial space station.
Axiom has been making strides in getting their Station completed, launched and connected to ISS — a multi-pronged highly complex program. They recently demonstrated a successful detailed simulation of the capturing and attaching Axiom Station to ISS, a key milestone on the way towards launching the real thing sometime in 2027.
Ax-4 crew member Sławosz Uznański holds a silver packet up to a machine. Photo: Axiom Space
Ax-4 Crew and Launch Plans
Axiom-Led Research
Axiom’s research program spans critical areas in space health and biology. Highlights include:
Supporting astronauts with insulin-dependent diabetes during spaceflight.
Studying how microgravity affects brain function, joints, blood flow, and psychological adaptation.
Gathering health data using wearables and smart devices.
Investigating cancer progression and stem cell behavior in space.
Monitoring radiation exposure and its effects on human tissue.
India: ISRO
India’s space agency, ISRO, is running several biology and materials science experiments in partnership with NASA and ESA. Focus areas include:
Visual and cognitive responses to screen use in microgravity.
Microgravity effects on algae and cyanobacteria strains.
Studying muscle degeneration and crop seed germination in orbit.
Identifying genetic resilience to extreme space environments.
Poland / ESA
With ESA support, Poland is conducting a wide-ranging scientific package focused on astronaut health, physiology, and advanced technology. Research will explore:
Mental health and behavioral responses in space.
Bone loss, gut microbiome changes, and immune system function.
Wearable tech performance and biomedical data monitoring.
New pharmaceutical storage methods and radiation sensors.
Microgravity experiments with algae, tardigrade genes, and neurofeedback tools.
Hungary: HUNOR Program
Hungary’s national space research initiative is contributing a diverse set of studies covering biology, physics, propulsion, and education:
Microbiome studies of astronauts.
Effects of spaceflight on cognition, cardiovascular function, and motor control.
Advanced propulsion experiments using low-melting-point metals.
Demonstrating 3D printing behavior, microfluidic drug testing, and smart clothing technologies in orbit.
Collaborative educational physics experiments simulating gravity and atmospheric dynamics.
Boeing Starliner CFT leaving the factory and heading towards SLC-41 last year. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
NASA and Boeing are advancing the certification process for Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft following its Crew Flight Test to the International Space Station (ISS). Joint teams are addressing in-flight anomalies and planning propulsion system tests in preparation for Starliner’s upcoming missions.
Starliner’s Flights Have Been Issue-Filled
Rendering of Starliner docked at ISS.
Graphic courtesy Boeing
Boeing’s Crew Flight Test (CFT) of the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft encountered several technical challenges that impacted the mission:
Reaction Control System (RCS) Thruster Failures: During the approach to the International Space Station (ISS), multiple RCS thrusters experienced malfunctions. Initially, two thrusters failed, prompting manual intervention by Commander Butch Wilmore. Subsequently, a total of four thrusters became inoperative, compromising the spacecraft’s attitude control.
Wilmore later told Ars Technica that during that phase of flight, “I don’t know that we can come back to Earth at that point. I don’t know if we can. And matter of fact, I’m thinking we probably can’t.”
Clearly, it is an utter imperative for NASA and Boeing to demonstrably resolve these issues prior to any flight, much less a crewed one.
Helium Leaks: The spacecraft experienced multiple helium leaks in its propulsion system. A single leak detected after a launch scrub expanded to three by the time of docking, and eventually, five leaks were identified. These leaks affected the pressurization of the propulsion system, essential for thruster operation and orbital maneuvers.
Extended Mission Duration: Originally planned as an eight-day mission, the CFT was extended due to the aforementioned technical issues. Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams remained aboard the ISS for over nine months as engineers unexpectedly.
These challenges prompted NASA and Boeing to conduct thorough investigations and implement corrective measures to ensure the spacecraft’s safety and reliability for future missions.
Ken Bowersox, Photo: NASA
Ken Bowersox, NASA’s associate administrator for Space Operations, emphasized the importance of commercial partnerships: “NASA’s strategy for crew transportation is critical for assured access to space using American private industry.”
He further noted, “Our investment in commercial crew transportation capabilities is providing the needed flexibility to operate in space as safely as possible and respond to changes quickly when they arise. NASA is seeing the commitment from Boeing to adding the Starliner system to the nation’s crew transportation base.”
Data Analysis on Starliner CFT Nearly Complete
Since the uncrewed Starliner capsule’s return from the ISS, NASA and Boeing have analyzed post-flight data. Over 70% of flight observations and in-flight anomalies have been addressed at program-level control boards. Major in-flight propulsion system anomalies are expected to remain under review into 2025, pending outcomes of ground testing and potential system upgrades.
The agencies are finalizing the scope and timelines for propulsion system test campaigns and analyses scheduled for spring and summer. Testing at White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico will include integrated firing of key Starliner thrusters within a single service module doghouse. This aims to validate thermal models and inform potential propulsion and spacecraft thermal protection system upgrades.
Operational solutions under consideration involve adding thermal barriers within the doghouse to better regulate temperatures and modifying thruster pulse profiles in flight to prevent overheating. Concurrently, teams are testing new helium system seal options to mitigate the risk of future leaks.
Starliner’s Next Flight: Crewed Or Uncrewed?
NASA’s Steve Stich
Photo: from NASA Livestream
Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, commented on the testing schedule: “Once we get through these planned test campaigns, we will have a better idea of when we can go fly the next Boeing flight.” He added, “We’ll continue to work through certification toward the end of this year and then go figure out where Starliner fits best in the schedule for the International Space Station and its crew and cargo missions. It is likely to be in the timeframe of late this calendar year or early next year for the next Starliner flight.”
Mission managers are planning for the next Starliner flight to be a crew-capable post-certification mission. However, NASA retains the flexibility to fly only cargo, depending on the agency’s needs.
One person that will not be a part of the next Starliner flight is Boeing Starliner CFT backup astronaut Mike Fincke. He has been assigned to Crew 11 aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon.
Starliner CFT on the launch pad in the spring of 2024.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Axiom Space announced today that the Ax-4 private mission to ISS will launch No Earlier Than May 2025. No specific launch date was given, and will be announced in the future as the launch draws closer. Commanded by veteran former NASA astronaut and current Axiom Space’s Director of Human Spaceflight Peggy Whitson, the crew of four will fly to ISS aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon.
The crew is scheduled to spend up to 14 days aboard the ISS, engaging in a variety of scientific research, outreach initiatives, and commercial activities.
In addition to Whitson, Shubhanshu Shukla, an officer in the Indian Air Force and astronaut with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), will serve as the pilot. Mission specialists include Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, a project astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA) representing Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. Notably, this mission marks the first time astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary will visit the ISS, representing each nation’s first government-sponsored human spaceflight in over 40 years.
Ax-3 On The Launch Pad
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Ax-4 Mission Objectives
Ax-4 will be a busy mission, as it is slated to conduct approximately 60 scientific experiments and activities involving participants from 31 nations, such as the United States, India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, the United Arab Emirates, and various European countries. This marks the highest number of research initiatives undertaken on an Axiom Space mission to the International Space Station (ISS) thus far, highlighting the mission’s global importance and collaborative spirit in advancing microgravity research in low-Earth orbit (LEO).
The mission places a particular emphasis on scientific endeavors led by the countries represented in the Ax-4 crew, including the United States, India, Poland (in collaboration with the European Space Agency), and Hungary. The research conducted will enhance global understanding in areas such as human health, Earth observation, and life, biological, and material sciences, reflecting the space research capabilities of the crew’s home countries.
Axiom Space is also collaborating with research organizations and academic institutions to further investigate the effects of spaceflight on the human body and to explore how space-based research can lead to improvements in health and medical treatments on Earth. The mission underscores the significance of commercial and academic partnerships, as Axiom Space spearheads the development of a global research community and a sustainable economic ecosystem in LEO. The mission also sets the stage for Axiom Station, the first commercial space station, which will provide a permanent platform for research, manufacturing, and human spaceflight.
Lightning in the distance as Fram2 rises. Photo: Richard P. Gallagher, Florida Media Now
The Fram2 privately crewed mission lifted off from Kennedy Space Center right on time at 9:46 PM ET yesterday. The launch came despite lightning threats in the Space Coast area, with visible strokes in storms south of the launch pad from a passing storm that dumped some much needed rain on the region.
The launch was successful and is SpaceX’s 37th mission out of year so far, out of 91 days since the calendars flipped into 2025. That’s a launch every 2.46 days, putting the company on a 147 launch pace for the year.
Liftoff of Fram2 Photo: SpaceX
Around 8.2 minutes after liftoff, Booster B1085 completed its sixth mission when it touched down on ASDS ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’, which was stationed offshore in the Atlantic to await the booster.
Now in orbit, Fram2’s crew will begin their suite of experiments, observations and photo/filmmaking. Their return is anticipated to occur in three days.
Launch Replay
Next Launch
Saturday evening, SpaceX will return to launching Starlink satellites.
Upcoming SpaceX Starlink Mission
Organization
SpaceX
Location
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Rocket
Falcon 9
Pad
Space Launch Complex 40
Status
To Be Confirmed
Status Info
Awaiting official confirmation – current date is known with some certainty.
Window Opens
Saturday, 04/05/2025 10:40:00 PM
Window Closes
Sunday, 04/06/2025 3:11:00 AM
Destination
Low Earth Orbit
Mission Description
A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.
SpaceX is set to launch the privately-crewed Fram2 mission aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon this evening from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. Liftoff is scheduled for 9:46 PM ET, with subsequent launch windows at 11:20 PM ET, followed by 12:53 AM and 2:26 AM on Tuesday, April 1st.
The Fram2 crew. From left, Eric Philips, Rabea Rogge, Jannicke Mikkelsen and Chun Wang, Photo: SpaceX
What Is Fram2?
The mission draws its name from the polar exploration ship Fram, which served Norwegian explorers such as Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen between 1893 and 1912. Fram became well-known for its polar expeditions, and now resides in a museum in Oslo. While Fram navigated icy waters of Eart’s polar regions, Fram2 will explore those same areas from a polar orbit.
Mission Commander Chun Wang, a Maltese citizen, will lead a diverse crew that includes filmmaker and artist Norway’s Jannicke Mikkelsen as the vehicle commander, Australia’s Eric Philips as the vehicle pilot, and Germany’s Rabea Rogge as a mission specialist.
This will be the crew’s first trip to space.
Trajectory
The trajectory of Fram2 presents a unique challenge and opportunity. Unlike standard launches, this mission will employ a polar trajectory heading southward nearly 90 degrees from its launch site. This has never been done before on a crewed mission, but the trajectory will allow passes over each pole every orbit.
As the spacecraft ascends, it will skirt along Florida’s east coast before crossing the Straits of Florida and flying over Cuba. The trajectory will offer dramatic views as Fram2 passes overhead of the Palm Beach area in south Florida before easing farther offshore. For residents of that region, tonight’s flight will offer them the closest view of a Falcon 9 ascending as they have ever seen.
Weather
The 45th Weather Squadron has not published any Launch Mission Execution Forecast for the mission this evening.
The National Weather Service’s general forecast for Kennedy Space Center is calling for a 30% chance of storms in the area this evening. They continue that the storms are expected to taper off after 9PM, good news for a planned 9:26 PM liftoff so long as the timing of the storms diminishes on time and before final launch preparations begin.
Fram2 Scientific Objectives
Fram2’s mission objectives include investigating “unusual light emissions resembling auroras.” The crew will specifically focus on green fragments and mauve ribbons of light, phenomena that echo the characteristics of STEVE (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement), previously noted at altitudes of approximately 400 to 500 kilometers above Earth. This study could provide new insights into atmospheric physics, potentially shining light on phenomena that have puzzled scientists for years.
The Fram2 crew will undertake studies to gain more knowledge of the causes and effects of Space Motion Sickness (SMS), which affects roughly 60% to 80% of astronauts within the first few days of their exposure to microgravity.
Its symptoms mirror those of traditional motion sickness—nausea, vomiting, fatigue, general discomfort, and a loss of appetite. SMS is considered part of Space Adaptation Syndrome (SAS), a broader condition that also includes headaches, back pain, and facial congestion due to fluid redistribution toward the head.
Fram2’s astronauts will also continue the work started by researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Those researchers are seeking a deeper understanding of the effects on the human body of short-term spaceflights, and the Fram2 crew will undergo before and after MRI tests in order to provide data to that end.
All four Fram2 passengers will undergo the same MRI scans that the Polaris Dawn crew did. This research aims to expand scientists’ understanding of how stints in microgravity, which is known to shift fluids in the brain, affect astronauts.
Additionally, the Fram2 astronauts will study blood flow, bone health, glucose regulation, cognition and other effects and procedures of spaceflight. The official list of experiments is below:
What a long, strange trip it’s been: Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams finally concluded their never-ending story of Boeing’s Crewed Flight Test of Starliner yesterday when they landed in a SpaceX Crew Dragon in the Gulf of America near Tallahassee, Florida. Also aboard were NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, with the four of them designated as Crew 9 on ISS Expedition 71/72.
The Crew 9 mission came to an end yesterday with SpaceX Crew Dragon ‘Freedom’ splashing down in the Gulf of America. Photo: NASA
After a nominal re-entry, the four landed at 5:57 p.m. EDT. Recovery teams on SpaceX vessels secured the spacecraft and assisted the crew while being circled by curious dolphins. Following their arrival on shore, the astronauts began the return procedures: extensive medical checks followed by travel to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston for debriefings and reunions with their families.
Boeing’s Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission was as an 8-10 day demonstration flight for Starliner to validate its capabilities in transporting astronauts to and from the International Space Station. However, technical concerns, including issues with the spacecraft’s propulsion system, led NASA to opt for an uncrewed return of Starliner to conduct further testing and modifications before operational flights could commence.
Starliner CST-100 in launch preparation, May 31, 2024
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Boeing CFT, Post-landing Photo: NASA
For their part, Boeing disagreed with the decision, with the company arguing internally with NASA that Starliner was safe to ferry Williams and Williams back to Earth as planned. That was not to be, as NASA decided to fold the pair into Expedition 71/72 on ISS, and to bump two of the astronauts designated for Crew 9 — NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson — from the mission.
Starliner would eventually return to Earth uncrewed in September, 2024, safely completing its mission via remote control and on-board programming.
Crew 9 Stats
During their missions, Williams and Wilmore traveled 121,347,491 miles, spent 286 days in space, and completed 4,576 Earth orbits. Hague and Gorbunov covered 72,553,920 miles, remained in orbit for 171 days, and completed 2,736 orbits. This mission marked Gorbunov’s first spaceflight. Hague has accumulated 374 days in space across two missions, Williams 608 days over three missions, and Wilmore 464 days across three flights.
Due to the unexpected long-term mission, Williams is now in second place for time spent in space by a female astronaut. Former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson has accumulated a total of 675 days in space across multiple missions, making her the most experienced astronaut in terms of cumulative days, a record that Whitson will add to she commands the private Axiom Ax-4 mission to ISS later this year.
Curious dolphins circled Crew Dragon as SpaceX secured the capsule. Photo: NASA
Crew-9’s mission included scientific research, maintenance operations, and technology demonstrations. Williams performed two spacewalks, partnering with Wilmore and Hague to remove a radio frequency antenna, collect external surface samples, and install protective patches on an X-ray telescope’s light filters. Williams set a new record for cumulative spacewalking time by a female astronaut, logging 62 hours and 6 minutes outside the station.
The crew conducted over 150 scientific studies and technology tests, dedicating more than 900 hours to research. Their work included plant growth experiments, stem cell technology investigations for treating blood disorders and cancer, and evaluations of circadian rhythm-supporting lighting systems. They also launched the first wooden satellite and studied microorganism survival in space by analyzing external samples from the station.
The mission marked the fourth flight of the Dragon spacecraft named Freedom, previously used for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-4 and Axiom Missions 2 and 3. Following retrieval, the spacecraft will undergo inspections and refurbishments at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in preparation for future missions.
Shift Change
Crew-9’s comes shortly after the launch and docking at ISS of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10, which completed the Crew 9 rotation. NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers; JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi and Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov will now spend several months aboard Station, and will advance the scientific and engineering work planned for their stay.
![Ax-4 Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, Commander Peggy Whitson, and Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski [Right] have been training to live and work aboard the space station for the past eight months in preparation for their mission, which is targeted to launch no earlier than May 2025.](https://i0.wp.com/old-man-par.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/67ed572d67ee3f8a01fa865e_Ax4_Axiom_PAMIntegratedRoutineOps1_ALL_20241219_0771_Web.webp?resize=762%2C508&ssl=1)
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