A SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying the four-person Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew has successfully undocked from the International Space Station (ISS). The departure marks the beginning of the crew's return journey to Earth after completing their mission in low Earth orbit.
The private astronaut mission, operated by Axiom Space, includes Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu. The undocking occurred on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, initiating the final phase of their orbital flight.
Key Takeaways
- The Ax-4 crew successfully undocked from the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.
- The mission is commanded by veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson of Axiom Space.
- The crew also includes Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu.
- This mission highlights the growing role of commercial companies like Axiom Space and SpaceX in human spaceflight.
Departure from the Orbiting Laboratory
The Crew Dragon capsule detached from the ISS as scheduled, slowly drifting away from the orbiting complex. Mission control confirmed the successful separation, and video feeds from the station showed the spacecraft maneuvering to a safe distance before beginning its trip back to Earth.
The undocking procedure is a carefully choreographed sequence of events managed by both the crew aboard the Dragon and ground controllers from SpaceX and Axiom Space. After a series of system checks, the physical latches connecting the capsule to the station's docking port were released. Small thruster firings then gently pushed the spacecraft away.
According to the mission timeline, the departure took place in the evening, with mission control re-acquiring a stable signal from the spacecraft shortly after it cleared the station's immediate vicinity. This confirmed that all communication and telemetry systems were functioning correctly for the return flight.
The Rise of Private Astronaut Missions
Axiom Space is a key player in the emerging commercial spaceflight industry. The company organizes and manages end-to-end private missions to the ISS for research, commercial, and national astronaut programs. These missions utilize launch services and spacecraft provided by partners like SpaceX.
An International and Experienced Crew
The Ax-4 mission is notable for its international crew and experienced leadership. The four individuals represent a blend of veteran spaceflight expertise and new national astronauts.
Commander Peggy Whitson
Commanding the mission is Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut who now serves as the Director of Human Spaceflight for Axiom Space. Whitson is one of the most accomplished astronauts in history, holding multiple records for time spent in space.
Record-Breaking Commander: Peggy Whitson has spent more cumulative time in space than any other American or any woman worldwide, with over 675 days in orbit across her career before this mission.
The Ax-4 Mission Team
Whitson is joined by a diverse team, each with a specific role and background:
- Shubhanshu Shukla: Serving as the mission's pilot, Shukla is responsible for monitoring spacecraft systems and assisting the commander during dynamic phases of flight.
- Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski: A mission specialist from Poland, representing the European Space Agency (ESA). His participation marks a significant step for Poland's involvement in human spaceflight.
- Tibor Kapu: The second mission specialist, representing Hungary. His flight is part of a national program to send a Hungarian astronaut to space for research purposes.
The presence of astronauts from Poland and Hungary underscores a new model for space access, where nations can partner with commercial companies to conduct scientific research and technology demonstrations in orbit without developing their own crewed launch capabilities.
The Journey Home: Deorbit and Splashdown
With the Dragon spacecraft now flying independently, the crew will spend several hours preparing for re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. The journey from the ISS to splashdown is a critical phase that involves several key maneuvers.
The spacecraft will perform a series of engine burns to adjust its trajectory and lower its orbit. The final and most significant of these is the deorbit burn, which slows the capsule enough for it to begin its descent. This burn must be timed precisely to ensure the spacecraft lands in the designated recovery zone off the coast of Florida.
"The safe departure of Ax-4 from the space station is a testament to the robust partnership between commercial providers and government agencies. Each successful mission phase builds confidence in the future of the low Earth orbit economy," an Axiom Space representative noted in a statement.
Upon hitting the upper atmosphere, the Dragon's heat shield will protect the crew from the extreme temperatures generated by friction. Following this fiery re-entry, a sequence of parachutes will deploy to slow the capsule's final descent, culminating in a gentle splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico. Recovery teams will be on standby to retrieve the crew and the spacecraft.
The Future of Commercial Space
The Ax-4 mission is another successful chapter in the story of commercial spaceflight. Companies like Axiom Space and SpaceX are not only providing transportation services to NASA but are also creating new opportunities for science, commerce, and international cooperation in space.
Axiom Space is also developing its own commercial space station, with the first modules planned to attach to the ISS before eventually separating to become a free-flying orbital platform. Missions like Ax-4 are crucial for building the operational experience needed to manage and inhabit future commercial destinations in orbit.
As the Ax-4 crew makes their way home, their mission serves as a clear indicator that access to space is expanding, driven by a new generation of private companies working to make low Earth orbit more accessible for a wider range of activities.