Delay for Axiom-4
The Axiom-4 mission to the ISS, which includes India’s Shubhanshu Shukla, has been postponed yet again. Initially scheduled for May 29, the mission now faces dual challenges: a technical fault in SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket and unfavorable weather conditions disrupting the flight path.
Falcon-9 under scrutiny
During post-static fire checks, SpaceX engineers discovered a liquid oxygen (LOX) leak in the Falcon-9 booster—a flaw carried over from a prior Starlink flight. The issue only surfaced during a hot test on the pad, raising concerns over refurbishment oversight.
Engine trouble adds to concerns
Alongside the LOX leak, a thrust vector control issue was found in engine five. SpaceX VP William Gerstenmaier acknowledged the difficulty, saying these challenges are part of the evolving reality of reusable launch systems and precision spaceflight. (Representative photo)
Weather plays spoilsport
As engineers addressed hardware faults, poor weather added to the delay. On June 10, liftoff was postponed due to unsafe atmospheric conditions along the rocket’s flight path, forcing mission teams to wait for a clear and stable window.
Group Captain Shubhanshu's flight on hold
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla was set to mark a major milestone for India’s human spaceflight program. With this delay, the country’s aspirations have been briefly paused, even as anticipation grows for his historic journey aboard the ISS.
A global crew with shared goals
The Axiom-4 crew includes veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson (USA), Polish engineer Sławosz Uznański, Hungarian researcher Tibor Kapu, and India’s Shukla. Their 14-day mission will focus on international cooperation and science in microgravity.
Fixes first, then flight
ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed that teams from ISRO, Axiom Space, and SpaceX agreed to complete repairs and full re-validation before setting a new launch date. Once conditions are right, Axiom-4 will proceed with renewed confidence.
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