Axiom Mission 4 Crew Safely Splashed Down Off The Coast Of California aboard SpaceX Dragon “Grace” on Tuesday, July 15 at 4:31 a.m. CT.
FinTech BizNews Service
Mumbai, July 15, 2025: The Axiom Mission 4 crew safely splashed down off the coast of California aboard SpaceX Dragon “Grace” on Tuesday, July 15 at 4:31 a.m. CT. Shubhanshu Shukla became India’s second national astronaut to go to space since 1984. Splashdown is the method of landing a spacecraft or launch vehicle in a body of water.
Shubhanshu Shukla, along with the Axiom Mission 4 crew safely splashed down off the coast of California.
The Ax-4 crewmembers, led by Commander Peggy Whitson of the U.S., includes Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary. For each of these countries, this mission has realized the return to human spaceflight, with all three nations sending astronauts to space for the first time in more than 40 years. Additionally, this marks the first time astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary have conducted a mission on board the International Space Station.
“The Ax-4 mission is a powerful demonstration of what’s possible through commercial space,” said Tejpaul Bhatia, CEO of Axiom Space. “By enabling astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary to carry out scientific research aboard the space station, we are supporting these nations in their contributions to human spaceflight. This mission reflects Axiom Space’s vision of a thriving low-Earth orbit economy, where access to space is no longer limited to a few, but extends to all who seek to explore, discover, and innovate.”
Over the course of their 18-day mission aboard the orbiting laboratory, the Ax-4 crew conducted more than 60 scientific experiments across a wide range of disciplines, including life sciences, materials research, Earth observation, and technology demonstrations. These investigations represented the interests of 31 countries, underscoring the mission’s global impact in advancing science and innovation in microgravity.
In addition to the scientific research, the crew participated in over 20 outreach events, connecting with a diverse global audience that included government officials, students, researchers, the media, and aspiring astronauts. These engagements served as a platform to share the mission’s goals, inspire future generations, and highlight the importance of international collaboration.
Ax-4 is the fourth in Axiom Space’s series of human spaceflight missions to the International Space Station. As the only private company to have successfully executed private astronaut missions to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Space has expanded access to low-Earth orbit by enabling governments, academic institutions, private organizations, and individuals to engage in research, technology demonstrations, and educational outreach in space. In parallel, these missions serve as a precursor for Axiom Space’s long-term vision—the launch and operation of Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station.
Axiom Space’s previous missions have included astronauts from the United States, Spain, Israel, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Türkiye, and Sweden, with support from the European Space Agency (ESA). With Ax-4, Axiom Space continues to build a foundation for the future of commercial space, demonstrating the importance of international participation.
The live video streaming was continuously undertaken. Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX provided live, joint coverage of the Ax-4 crew’s departure from the International Space Station via axiom.space/live, NASA+, and SpaceX’s website.
The Ax-4 mission “realized the return” to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, with each nation’s first government-sponsored flight in more than 40 years. While Ax-4 marks these countries' second human spaceflight mission in history, it became the first time all three nations executed a mission on board the International Space Station. This historic mission underscores how Axiom Space is redefining the pathway to low-Earth orbit and elevating national space programs globally.
Peggy Whitson, Ax-4 Mission Commander
Splashdown
Splashdown is the term used when a spacecraft or launch vehicle lands in a body of water, typically an ocean or sea. This method is employed using parachutes to slow the descent, allowing for a relatively gentle impact on the water's surface.
NASA and other space agencies have utilized splashdown for various missions, including the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs.
Ax-4 astronauts began their return to Earth after 18 days aboard the International Space Station.
Peggy Whitson, Ax-4 Mission Commander, stated: “With a culturally diverse crew, we are not only advancing scientific knowledge but also fostering international collaboration. Our previous missions set the stage and with Ax-4, we ascend even higher, bringing more nations to low-Earth orbit and expanding humanity’s reach among the stars.”
Ax-4 crew
The Ax-4 crew includes members from India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each nation’s first mission to the space station in history and second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years.
Shubhanshu Shukla became India’s second national astronaut to go to space since 1984.
Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut, is the second Polish astronaut since 1978.
Tibor Kapu is the second national Hungarian astronaut since 1980.
Peggy Whitson is commanding her second commercial human spaceflight mission, adding to her standing record for the longest cumulative time in space by an American astronaut.
Ax-4 is the second commercial spaceflight mission made up of government and ESA-sponsored national astronauts.
The Ax-4 mission stands as a beacon of opportunity for India, Poland, and Hungary, each poised to leverage this mission to advance their national space programs.
