Axiom-4 Mission Docking Today: Time, Live Streaming Details And What Happens Next
The long-delayed mission finally launched aboard a brand-new SpaceX Crew Dragon, triggering widespread celebrations across India.
The Axiom-4 crew, carrying Indian astronaut Subhanshu Shukla, is set to dock with the International Space Station (ISS) at 1100GMT, around 4:30 p.m. (IST), on Thursday. Shukla is part of this historic mission, joined by crewmates from the US, Poland and Hungary.
Axiom-4 mission will "realise the return" to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, with each nation’s first government-sponsored flight in more than 40 years.
The mission launched from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, the United States, at 12:01 p.m. IST on Wednesday, marking India’s presence in commercial spaceflight and a new chapter for Indian space advancement.
The long-delayed mission finally launched aboard a brand-new SpaceX Crew Dragon, triggering widespread celebrations across India. In Lucknow, Shukla’s parents watched the historic liftoff from his former school, City Montessori, where students and staff had also gathered to cheer him on.
NASA had earlier announced it was "standing down" from the previously scheduled June 22 launch of the Axiom-4 mission due to some operational considerations. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, in a post on X on June 20, had confirmed the rescheduling.
Axiom-4 Mission Docking Live Streaming: How To Watch?
The live streaming of Axiom-4 Mission Docking will begin at 2:30 p.m. (IST), which can be watched at axiom.space/live.
NASA will also broadcast the event through its official channels. During the broadcast, viewers will be able to watch the Axiom-4 crew arrive at the International Space Station and hear the official welcome remarks as they join the ISS crew.
NASA’s YouTube channel will commence the livestream at 2:30 p.m IST.
What Happens Next For Axiom-4 Crew?
Besides Shukla, the Axiom-4 crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson, a veteran NASA astronaut; Sławosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.
Once their spacecraft is docked with the ISS, it will mark the beginning of their 14-day mission. During this time, they will conduct microgravity research, carry out technology demonstrations, and participate in educational and outreach activities, as outlined on the Axiom Mission 4 website. In total, the crew will conduct nearly 60 experiments during their stay at the ISS.
With this mission, Shukla has become India’s second national astronaut to go to space since 1984.
