The Axiom-4 mission to take Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla aboard the Worldwide House Station (ISS) has been delayed for the second time inside two days due to a liquid oxygen (LOx) leak within the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Initially deliberate for June 11 at 5:30 PM IST, the launch from NASA’s Kennedy House Middle in Florida is now ready to be scheduled once more, SpaceX and the Indian House Analysis Organisation (ISRO) mentioned.
Newest Delay Due To Technical Concern
SpaceX aborted the launch to repair a LOx leak present in post-static hearth booster inspections. “Standing down from tomorrow’s Falcon 9 launch of Ax-4 to supply extra time for SpaceX groups to work on repairing the LOx leak discovered throughout post-static hearth booster inspections,” SpaceX introduced on X, noting {that a} new launch date could be posted as soon as restore work is finished and vary availability is confirmed.
ISRO defined that the leak was detected within the propulsion bay throughout a seven-second sizzling check on the launchpad. “Primarily based on deliberations by the ISRO staff with Axiom and SpaceX specialists, it has been determined to rectify the leak and conduct required validation assessments previous to clearing for launch,” ISRO mentioned on X. The LOx, which is warehoused within the Falcon 9’s first stage with rocket-grade kerosene, performs an important function within the rocket’s 9 Merlin engines, so the issue is a critical subject.
Postponement of Axiom 04 mission slated for launch on eleventh June 2025 for sending first Indian Gaganyatri to ISS.
As a part of launch automobile preparation to validate the efficiency of booster stage of Falcon 9 launch automobile, seven second of sizzling check was carried out on the launch…
— ISRO (@isro) June 11, 2025
A String Of Delays
The mission, initially scheduled for Could 29, was pushed to June 8 due to ISS schedule modifications, then to June 10, after which to June 11 due to inclement climate, ISRO mentioned. “Due to climate circumstances, the Axiom-4 mission launch for taking Indian Gaganyatri to ISS is postponed from tenth June 2025 to eleventh June 2025,” ISRO shared on X. The brand new technical glitch has additional postponed India’s historic ISS mission.
Axiom-4 Mission And Crew
Axiom-4 is a historic mission for India, Poland, and Hungary, representing every nation’s first government-backed ISS go to and second manned spaceflight in additional than 40 years, in line with Axiom House. The mission crew consists of:
Shubhanshu Shukla (India): A 39-year-old Indian Air Drive Group Captain, who would be the first Indian on board ISS, finishing up meals and vitamin experiments for ISRO and Division of Biotechnology.
Peggy Whitson (US): Commander of a mission with 675 days of time in house, most skilled US astronaut and first girl to have commanded the ISS twice.
Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland): Scientist at CERN engaged on analysis in microgravity.
Tibor Kapu (Hungary): Mechanical engineer who was chosen underneath the HUNOR program.
The astronauts will carry out nearly 60 experiments in microgravity over their 14-day ISS go to, selling world scientific data and India’s Gaganyaan program.
Why The Delay Issues
The LOx leak highlighted the extent of accuracy demanded in house missions, the place the orbits and gas effectivity are paramount. The primary stage of the Falcon 9, with its aluminium-lithium alloy gas tanks, has to carry out with none hitch for the spacecraft to rendezvous with the ISS after a number of Earth orbits. ISRO prioritized security, saying, “Rigorous checks are important for astronaut security.”
What’s Subsequent?
SpaceX, ISRO, and Axiom House are addressing the leak with validation assessments to be performed earlier than a brand new launch timeline is set. X posts seize public expectation, with people comparable to @SpaceIndia2025 urging everybody to train endurance for Shukla’s historic journey. As fixing continues, the mission stays a logo of India’s house goals, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing it as a “milestone for Viksit Bharat” on X.