NASA has delayed the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax‑4) carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla once again — this time due to extended safety evaluations on the ISS, following recent repairs to the aging Zvezda service module.
Key updates:
🚀 The launch originally set for June 22, 2025, has been stood down pending a “thorough review of station operations” — this marks at least the sixth or seventh postponement after earlier issues such as a LOx leak, unfavorable weather, and station air-leaks youtube.com+15theguardian.com+15timesofindia.indiatimes.com+15indiatimes.com.
🛰️ The latest review focuses on the aft section of the Zvezda module, where a recent repair could pose risks owing to ISS’ “interdependent systems” .
👨🚀 Shukla and the crew remain in Florida quarantine, on standby. No new launch date has been announced, though NASA and Axiom said it will come “in the coming days” .
📆 The current launch window closes June 30, adding time pressure. If missed, further rescheduling could significantly disrupt mission planning economictimes.indiatimes.com+1timesofindia.indiatimes.com+1.
Why the delay matters:
| Concern | Details |
|---|---|
| ISS structural integrity | Zvezda — launched 2000 — is leak-prone. Recent cosmonaut-led repairs require time to validate. Safety first. youtube.com+15theguardian.com+15economictimes.indiatimes.com+15 |
| Falcon 9 issues | Earlier setbacks: LOx leak after hot-fire tests and weather delays. |
| Logistical complexity | Coordinating with ISRO, ESA, SpaceX, NASA, Roscosmos — delays ripple. Crew training, experiments, flight path, approvals all hinge on launch timing. |
What’s next?
NASA/Axiom: “A new launch date will be announced soon” — perhaps early next week. economictimes.indiatimes.com+1timesofindia.indiatimes.com+1
Shubhanshu Shukla: Poised to become the first Indian on the ISS; second Indian ever in space. His flight is a milestone for ISRO’s Gaganyaan initiative. youtube.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15en.wikipedia.org+15
Summary
Launch delayed again due to safety & station readiness checks.
New date expected soon, but watch for the June 30 window.
Final deployment depends on both ISS integrity and rocket readiness.
Let me know if you’d like a timeline of all delays, more technical insight, or to track when new launch dates are confirmed.
Related News on Ax‑4 Launch Delay
FAQ
Q1: Why was the Axiom-4 mission delayed again?
The Axiom-4 mission was postponed due to ongoing safety evaluations aboard the International Space Station, particularly around the recently repaired Zvezda service module.
Q2: When will NASA announce the new Axiom-4 launch date?
NASA has not confirmed a date yet but stated it will be announced soon after station readiness reviews are complete.
Q3: Who is Shubhanshu Shukla?
Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become the first Indian to visit the ISS as part of the private Axiom-4 mission, marking a milestone in India's space collaboration efforts.
Q4: What is the new launch window for Axiom-4?
The current launch window extends till June 30, 2025. A new date is expected within this timeframe.
Q5: How does this delay affect ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission?
Though independent, Shukla’s spaceflight is symbolic of India's human spaceflight ambitions and strengthens international space cooperation.
Published on 20 june
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