Four astronauts representing India, Poland, Hungary, and the United States have commenced their return journey to Earth after completing an 18-day scientific mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The mission, known as Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), is notable for including the first government-sponsored astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary to visit the orbiting laboratory.
The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, named "Grace," undocked from the ISS at 7:15 a.m. EDT on July 14, beginning its journey back to Earth. The capsule is expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California early on July 15.
The Ax-4 crew includes veteran U.S. astronaut Peggy Whitson, who served as mission commander and now holds the record for the most cumulative days in space by any American, approaching 700 days. Accompanying her were Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. Each astronaut represented a government agency and collaborated with Axiom Space and the European Space Agency.
The mission launched on June 25 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. It was the fourth private astronaut mission organized by Axiom Space, a company developing commercial access to low-Earth orbit and future private space stations. During their stay, the crew conducted over 60 microgravity experiments focused on life sciences, medical research, materials studies, and technology development.
For India, Poland, and Hungary, this mission marks the first time their astronauts have visited the ISS through a nationally funded program. It also represents a significant milestone for their respective space ambitions. Shubhanshu Shukla’s participation is particularly important for India, as it serves as a precursor to the country’s upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission planned for 2027.
The mission had faced some delays due to a minor air leak in the Russian-built Zvezda service module of the ISS, which was identified and resolved in mid-June. Final safety checks were cleared before the launch went ahead.
The safe return of the Ax-4 crew will mark another successful demonstration of international collaboration in space through commercial partnerships. It also underlines the increasing role of private spaceflight in expanding global access to orbital research and human space exploration.
Recovery teams are prepared to retrieve the crew upon splashdown. Further assessments of their health and scientific data from the mission will follow in the coming days.