Private Axiom Mission 4 Astronauts Set for Early Return to Earth on July 14
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The four crew members of Axiom Space’s private Ax-4 mission are preparing for an early return to Earth on July 14, concluding their two-week stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The undocking, initially scheduled for later in the day, was moved forward due to favorable weather conditions at the splashdown site off the coast of Florida. The multinational team—commanded by former NASA astronaut Michael López-AlegrÃa—includes Italian Air Force Col. Walter Villadei, Turkish Space Agency astronaut Alper Gezeravcı, and European Space Agency (ESA) reserve astronaut Marcus Wandt of Sweden. Their mission, operated by Houston-based Axiom Space, marks another milestone in the expansion of commercial spaceflight. Coverage of the undocking will begin at 6:30 a.m. EDT (1030 GMT), with live streams available via NASA Television and Axiom Space’s website. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, named *Freedom*, is expected to splash down approximately 12 hours later. Ax-4 is the latest in a series of private missions to the ISS, reflecting growing collaboration between government space agencies and commercial partners. Axiom Space aims to launch its own commercial space station by the end of the decade, with these missions serving as precursors. Additional reporting from *SpaceNews* confirms that the crew conducted over 30 scientific experiments during their stay, ranging from biomedical research to materials science. The early return ensures optimal recovery operations, with teams stationed near the landing zone for swift retrieval. As private spaceflight accelerates, missions like Ax-4 underscore the increasing accessibility of space for non-governmental astronauts, paving the way for future commercial ventures in low-Earth orbit.
