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The Axiom-4 mission, carrying four astronauts including Indian Space Research Organisation's (Isro) Shubhanshu Shukla, is set to be launched today at 12:01 pm (IST) for its journey to the International Space Station (ISS) after facing several postponements.
Ahead of the mission's launch, SpaceX reported that the weather is 90 per cent favourable for the launch. In a post on X, it said, "All systems are looking good for Wednesday’s launch of Axiom_Space's Ax-4 mission to the Space Station, and weather is 90 per cent favorable for liftoff. Webcast starts at 12:30 a.m. ET (sic)."
Nasa, Axiom Space, and SpaceX scheduled the fourth mission for June 25. The launch will commence from Launch Complex 39A at Nasa's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Axiom-4 crew will be utilising a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, launched by its Falcon 9 rocket, for their journey to the ISS.
Follow Axiom-4 mission launch LIVE updates
The scheduled docking is expected at 4:30 pm (IST) on Thursday, June 26. Peggy Whitson, former Nasa astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, will command the commercial mission, while Shukla will serve as pilot.
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Where to watch Axiom-4 mission live
The webcast of the launch of the Axiom-4 mission will begin at 12:30 am ET or 10 am IST. The launch will be telecast on SpaceX and Nasa+Axiom Space channels.
The docking event will be livestreamed at around 2:30 pm on June 26.
Axiom-4 mission delays
The mission has witnessed several delays in the past. The first delay happened because of the inclement weather, following which leaks were detected on SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket and later on the Russian module of the International Space Station.
The launch opportunity comes after Nasa and Roscosmos officials discussed the status of the recent repair work in the transfer tunnel at the aft (back) most segment of the orbital laboratory's Zvezda service module, Nasa said.
In a statement, Acting Nasa Administrator Janet Petro said, "Nasa and Roscosmos have a long history of cooperation and collaboration on the International Space Station. This professional working relationship has allowed the agencies to arrive at a shared technical approach, and now Axiom Mission 4 launch and docking will proceed."
Axiom-4 mission
Shubhanshu Shukla, who will be on a 14-day mission to the ISS, is expected to carry out experiments including research into food and nutrition. These experiments have been developed under a joint initiative between Isro and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from Nasa.
During the mission, interactions are also scheduled between the Axiom-4 crew and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, school students, and members of the space industry.
In a YouTube video posted by the Ax-4 mission, Shubhanshu Shukla expressed excitement for the mission and said, "It has been an amazing journey. These are moments that really tell you that you are getting to be a part of something that is much larger than yourself. I can only say how extremely fortunate I am to be a part of this. It is my sincere endeavour through my mission to inspire an entire generation back home in the country. I want to use this opportunity to ignite curiosity among kids. Even if this story, my story, is able to change one life, it would be a huge success for me."
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