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As India's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares for his maiden space mission with Axiom Space, he will be joined on the trip by Polish project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski as part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4).
Axiom Space announced its collaboration with India, Hungary, and Poland through the European Space Agency (ESA) to send three national astronauts to the ISS on this mission.
Uznanski, an European Space Agency project astronaut, will serve as a mission specialist under the command of Axiom Space’s Chief Astronaut Peggy Whitson. Joining them is mission specialist Tibor Kapu from Hungary.
The mission awaits approval from the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP), which includes representatives from NASA, ESA, Roscosmos, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency.
Ax-4 marks the second commercial human spaceflight mission featuring an ESA project astronaut.
"ESA is continuing to support its Member States with exploration through commercial access to space. With the upcoming Axiom 4 mission, ESA is working closely with Poland and helping drive forward technological advancements, highlighting Poland's capabilities in space exploration," said ESA’s Director of Human and Robotic Exploration, Daniel Neuenschwander.
Frank De Winne, ESA’s ISS Programme Manager, emphasised the importance of commercial ventures in shaping the future of space exploration. "This mission signifies our ongoing commitment to innovation and collaboration with commercial partners, driving forward new opportunities for growth and scientific advancement," he said.
The Ax-4 crew will launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in a Dragon spacecraft from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission, expected to last up to 14 days, will involve conducting microgravity research and educational activities at the ISS.
Uznanski is currently undergoing intensive training to prepare for the challenges of living and working in space. In August, he will begin training at Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX facilities in the US alongside the rest of the crew from India, US and Hungry.
Axiom Space’s CEO, Michael Suffredini, highlighted the mission's significance in expanding commercial space activities and international collaboration. "Ax-4 represents Axiom Space’s continued efforts to build opportunities for countries to research, innovate, test, and engage with people around the world while in low-Earth orbit," he said.
