Chennai: The four member Axiom Mission-4 (AX-4) comprising Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who piloted the mission, and three others, stayed in ISS for 433 hrs spanning 18 days and covered 288 orbits around Earth traveling nearly 7.6 million miles.
This was announced by Axiom Space, shortly after the spacecraft undocked from ISS and commenced its return journey to earth onboard the Space Dragon spcecraft from the space-facing port of the ISS Harmony Module, marking the completion of the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory AX-4.
Axiom Space said after approximately 433 hours, 18 days, and 288 orbits around Earth covering nearly 7.6 million miles since docking with the International Space Station, the Axiom Mission 4 crew is officially homeward bound.
Over 60 space experiments completed on Axiom-4
The Axiom-4 mission has successfully conducted over 60 scientific experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS), producing critical data expected to shape future space missions and improve human health in both space and terrestrial environments.
These experiments included research into muscle formation (myogenesis), bone health, microalgae sustainability, stem cell behavior, and the growth of edible sprouts in microgravity. The findings are anticipated to play a vital role in developing long-duration spaceflight strategies and enhancing biomedical understanding on Earth.
Originally scheduled to return on July 10 after a planned 14-day mission, astronauts Shubhanshu Shukla, Peggy Whitson, Alper Gezeravc (Kapu), and Slawosz Uznanski had their stay extended due to unfavorable conditions at the splashdown site, according to the European Space Agency (ESA).
Another key reason for the delay was the need to complete several ongoing experiments, which required more time for meaningful results.
Commissioned by Axiom Space, a Houston-based private space company, the mission was carried out in partnership with NASA, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), and ESA (European Space Agency). The Axiom-4 mission had two primary objectives: to enable commercial activities in space and to foster deeper international cooperation in space exploration.
The successful collaboration between major space agencies and the private sector is seen as a significant step forward in the evolving landscape of space missions, where science, commerce, and diplomacy converge in low Earth orbit.
Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, and Mission Specialists Sawosz Uznaski-Winiewski and Tibor Kapu undocked from the orbiting laboratory on Monday marking the conclusion of their onboard mission.
The crew is now en route to Earth, with splashdown off the coast of California tomorrow, July 15, at approximately 4:31 a.m. CT (1500 hrs IST).
