Axiom Space Ax-4 will launch with former NASA astronaut, a swan, and new SpaceX Dragon

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A week away from their private mission to the International Space Station, four astronauts talked to the media from quarantine on June 3, showing off a plush toy they will be bringing with them into space.

It's a swan named Joy, which has special significance to this Axiom crew, made up of astronauts from the United States, India, Poland and Hungary.

"The swan is rich in cultural symbolism. (It) stands for wisdom in India, resilience in Poland, and grace in Hungry," said Mission commander and former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson.

The four astronauts sat in front of the camera from quarantine in Florida to talk about their mission onboard a new SpaceX Dragon , which will launch no earlier than 8:22 a.m. June 10.

The swan, Whitson said, symbolizes "grace and elegance." But it's more than just a fun companion to take in the new Dragon, it will also "signal our arrival in microgravity shortly after launch" signifying the crew has reached orbit.

Organized by Axiom Space in partnership with NASA, the international crew is set to liftoff on an approximately two week mission to the space station. While the crew plans about 60 scientific experiments, 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. NASA plans to shift low Earth orbit activities to contracts with private space companies, and Axiom is one of the companies paving the way with planned Axiom Station.

"For me, returning to space is always a special experience," Whitson said during the June 3 press briefing. "Every mission is different. Every crew brings something new to the table."

Whitson said it was a joy to work with her fellow three crew members: Shubhanshu Shukla, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Tibor Kapu.

As for Joy, the swan may turn out to be even more than just a zero-g indicator, the crew suggested.

Axiom Mission 4 names new SpaceX Dragon

It is noteworthy that the Axiom Mission 4 will be flying on a brand new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, and it's tradition that the first crew to fly in a spacecraft gets to name it. This Dragon was originally set to ferry NASA's Crew-10 to the ISS back in March, but technical delays forced NASA and SpaceX to fly Crew-10 on another Dragon spacecraft.

"The reason we selected this one may become more obvious once you hear the name of the vehicle," Whitson said with a laugh when questioned about the swan.

The exact name of the spacecraft has yet to be revealed, but it's expected to be announced soon. SpaceX currently has four other Crew Dragon spacecrafts in rotation: Freedom, Endeavour, Resilience, and Endurance.

It was Hungarian crew member, Kapu, who came up with the name for the swan.

"We are focused, we are committed, but above all, we are joyful," said Kapu. "And joy is a sign of trust, resilience, and in my mind, friendship."

Kapu spoke of swans flying over Lake Balaton in Hungary. "Now one will soar a little bit higher," he said.

With the mission now set to lift off no earlier than June 10 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A, here's a look at the multinational crew flying to the ISS.

Who are the astronauts on the Axiom Mission 4?

The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) will be Axiom Space's fourth astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The company's first mission, Axiom Mission 1, flew to the ISS in April of 2022. The last mission, Axiom Mission 3, flew to the ISS in January 2024.

The crew of four will launch atop a Falcon 9 rocket. The crew consists of:

• Whitson, who is a former NASA astronaut and only crew member who has flown to space. Whitson also served as commander on Axiom Mission 2 in 2023. Whitson holds title of most time accumulated in space by an American. She was recently inducted to the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.
• Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla from India. India is currently creating its own human spaceflight program, with plans for two crewed and six uncrewed launches by 2028.
• Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland. He will be the first Polish astronaut to visit the ISS.
• Mission Specialist Kapu from Hungary. Kapu will be the second Hungarian to fly to space, and the first to visit the ISS.

Heading to space with experiments

When is the next launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, Axiom, ULA rocket launch schedule at Cape Canaveral

The mission marks the first government-sponsored spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary in more than 40 years. For this reason, it is stated to “realize the return” to spaceflight for these countries.

The crew will carry 60 scientific studies from 31 countries to the ISS. These Axiom astronaut missions are also working to pave the way for Axiom's planned space station. The first module is planned for attachment in 2027.

The plan is for NASA to transition to the Axiom Station, and have SpaceX safely deorbit the aging ISS. The earliest parts of the ISS have been in orbit since 1998.

A launch date for the first module of the Axiom Station has yet to be announced.

Be sure to follow the FLORIDA TODAY Space Team for the latest on Axiom Mission 4.

Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.