Axiom-4 mission: How to watch livestream of crewed SpaceX rocket launch from Florida
Following liftoff and a brief voyage through outer space, the astronauts selected for a private mission known as Axiom Mission 4 are due to spend about 14 days at the International Space Station.
- The launch could happen as early as the morning of Wednesday, June 11, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
- Those watching from home will have plenty of options to catch a livestream of the spaceflight, including from both NASA and SpaceX.
- There will also be coverage of the SpaceX Dragon docking at the International Space Station.
This article has been updated to reflect NASA's new target launch date for the Ax-4 mission.
The latest SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to blast off from Florida's Space Coast will be carrying a crew of four international astronauts preparing for a two-week mission in orbit.
Following liftoff and a brief voyage through outer space, the astronauts selected for a private mission known as Axiom Mission 4 are due to spend about 14 days at the International Space Station. There, they will conduct dozens of science experiments before departing for a water landing off the coast of California.
The mission, known as Ax-4, is the latest in a series of human spaceflights in partnership with both NASA and SpaceX.
What also makes Ax-4 notable is that it is the first time in more than 40 years that India, Poland and Hungary have had a crew member from their respective nations on a government-sponsored spaceflight. The upcoming spaceflight is also each nation's first-ever mission to the space station.
Here's what to know about the upcoming launch, as well as how to watch a livestream of the SpaceX rocket get off the ground from Cape Canaveral, Florida:
When is the Axiom 4 launch?
The launch could happen as early as 8 a.m. ET Wednesday, June 11, from NASA's historic Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.
The Ax-4 crew are due to ride a brand-new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to orbit, which will get off the ground with the assistance of the company's two-stage Falcon 9 rocket.
Once the Dragon separates from the Falcon 9 following liftoff, the capsule will continue its independent journey to the orbital outpost, where it is expected to dock by 12:30 p.m. ET Thursday, June 12, according to NASA.
How to watch NASA, SpaceX livestream of launch
Those watching from home will have plenty of options to catch a livestream of the spaceflight.
Both SpaceX and Axiom Space will provide a webcast, with coverage beginning about two hours before the launch. SpaceX's webcast will be available on its website here, and on social media site X.
NASA will join coverage of the launch at 7:05 a.m. ET June 11 on its NASA+ streaming service.
How to watch coverage of docking at International Space Station
Live coverage will resume around 10:30 a.m. ET Thursday, June 12 as the Dragon carrying the crew approaches the International Space Station.
Once the spacecraft docks around 12:30 p.m. ET, coverage will continue as the hatches between the spacecraft and the Harmony module where it will dock open to allow the crew to enter the space station.
What is the Axiom 4 mission?
The crew members are due to undertake about 60 scientific experiments during their time aboard the International Space Station. The research was developed specifically to take place in microgravity on behalf of organizations around the world, according to Axiom Space.
The Axiom missions are also aimed at advancing the company's goals of building a space station that will attach to the ISS before its planned 2030 retirement. The Axiom missions began in 2022, with the most recent, Axiom Mission 3, taking place in January 2024.
Who is the crew of Axiom 4?
Here's a look at the four international astronauts crewing Ax-4:
- Commander Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space who previously commanded Ax-2
- Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, an astronaut with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
- Mission specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, a scientist and engineer from Poland who is part of the European Space Agency's reserve astronaut class
- Mission specialist Tibor Kapu, a mechanical engineer from Hungary
Contributing: Brooke Edwards, Paste BN Network
Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the Paste BN Network. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com