NASA will provide live coverage of the undocking and departure of the Axiom Mission 4 private astronaut mission from the International Space Station (ISS) on July 14, 2025. The four-member crew is set to undock from the Harmony module at approximately 7:05 a.m. EDT, marking the conclusion of their two-week mission in space.
The live broadcast will begin with hatch closing operations at 4:30 a.m. EDT on NASA+. During this time, the crew will prepare for their return journey aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The spacecraft is expected to carry over 580 pounds of cargo back to Earth, which includes NASA hardware and data from more than 60 experiments conducted during the mission.
Mission Details and Crew Composition
The Axiom Mission 4 crew features notable astronauts: former NASA astronaut and Axiom Space’s director of human spaceflight, Peggy Whitson; ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla; European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland; and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu. Their mission represents a significant collaboration in space exploration, including the first Polish and Hungarian astronauts to visit the ISS.
NASA’s coverage will include several key events leading up to the undocking. Following the hatch closing at 4:30 a.m. EDT, the crew will enter the spacecraft and secure the hatch by 4:55 a.m. EDT. The undocking coverage will begin at 6:45 a.m. EDT across NASA+, Axiom Space, and SpaceX channels.
Axiom Space will continue its live coverage after NASA concludes around 7:35 a.m. EDT, focusing on the Dragon spacecraft’s re-entry and splashdown off the California coast.
Collaborative Efforts and Future Objectives
The Axiom Mission 4 underscores the collaborative efforts between NASA and ISRO, which have engaged in joint science investigations and technology demonstrations. This partnership aligns with commitments made by former President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send the first ISRO astronaut to the ISS.
NASA’s long-standing relationship with various international space agencies aims to advance scientific knowledge and expand space exploration. The ISS serves as a vital platform for developing a low Earth orbit economy. Through its commercial strategy, NASA seeks to purchase services from private entities, allowing the agency to focus on deep space missions, including upcoming Artemis missions to the Moon.
As the Axiom Mission 4 prepares for its departure, it highlights the growing significance of private space missions and international cooperation in advancing human spaceflight and research in microgravity. For those interested in viewing the live coverage, details are available through various platforms, including social media.
For updates on NASA’s commercial space strategy, visit the official NASA website.
