India, Poland, and Hungary send first astronauts to ISS in decades

On June 25, 2025, India, Poland, and Hungary successfully launched their first astronauts in over 40 years on a private mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch took place at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, utilizing SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. The crew included India's Shubhanshu Shukla, Hungary's Tibor Kapu, and Poland's Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, alongside veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson from the United States. These astronauts, none of whom were alive during their countries' first space missions, signify a historical moment in international space collaboration as they embark on a two-week stay at the ISS. The mission, dubbed Ax-4, was delayed for two weeks due to concerns over a leak at the space station, causing a switch in SpaceX capsules that allowed an earlier mission to conclude ahead of schedule. The astronauts are expected to arrive at the ISS the following morning, where they will conduct around 60 scientific experiments across various fields, including biology and earth observation, engaging with partners from 31 different countries. This mission marks a significant step forward for the three countries, highlighting their growing capabilities in space exploration. Each nation sponsored a government-backed astronaut for this mission, marking their respective first forays into human spaceflight in decades. As part of cultural representation, the astronauts carried traditional food items to share with fellow crew members aboard the ISS. This collaboration not only underscores the importance of peaceful international cooperation in space but also builds experience for future missions in space, particularly for India, which plans to launch its own Gaganyaan human spaceflight program. Axiom Space has become instrumental in providing these nations access to human spaceflight, eliminating the need for their own launch systems while coordinating with NASA for ISS access. The involvement of SpaceX adds a modern transportation solution that has been effectively carrying astronauts to orbit since 2020. The successful launch of Ax-4 could lead to additional missions as Axiom seeks to establish a commercial space station that may eventually succeed the current ISS, projected for retirement as early as 2030.