NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX now are targeting no earlier than Sunday, June 22, for launch of the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Axiom Mission 4.
NASA Shares New Space Station Ops, Axiom Mission 4 Launch Update


NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX now are targeting no earlier than Sunday, June 22, for launch of the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Axiom Mission 4.

Exercise research and spacesuit checks were the top duties aboard the International Space Station on Tuesday. The Expedition 73 crew also continued inspecting the orbital outpost’s windows and photographing Earth landmarks.

Science maintenance supporting physics research gear and window inspections kicked off the beginning of the week for the seven-member Expedition 73 crew living and working aboard the International Space Station. Meanwhile, NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are reviewing launch opportunities no earlier than Thursday, June 19, for the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Axiom Mission 4.

NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX now are reviewing opportunities no earlier than Thursday, June 19, for launch of the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Axiom Mission 4.

The Expedition 73 crew wrapped up the week with another light duty day working half a shift filled with vein scans, a pharmaceutical study, and International Space Station maintenance.

NASA and Axiom Space are postponing the launch of Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station. As part of an ongoing investigation, NASA is working with Roscosmos to understand a new pressure signature, after the recent post-repair effort in the aft most segment of the International Space Station’s Zvezda service module.

The Expedition 73 crew members lightened their schedule on Wednesday following several days of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) preparations including readying International Space Station systems, tablet computers, and temporary crew quarters. The orbital residents relaxed throughout the day while setting aside some time to continue ongoing human research and orbital maintenance.

NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are standing down from the launch opportunity on Wednesday, June 11, of Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station to allow additional time for SpaceX teams to repair a liquid oxygen leak identified during post-static fire Falcon 9 rocket inspections. A new launch date for the fourth private astronaut mission will be provided once repair work is complete, pending range availability.

Expedition 73 continues preparing for the arrival of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew targeted to launch to the International Space Station on Wednesday. Meanwhile, space science operations continued for advancing human health, promoting future missions, and observing Earth landmarks.

The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew is at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center counting down to a launch aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft targeted for 8 a.m. EDT on Wednesday to the International Space Station.