The much-awaited Axiom-4 mission, carrying Indian Air Force pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, has been postponed due to a technical snag in the Falcon 9 rocket by SpaceX.
Official Statement by SpaceX:
“Standing down from tomorrow’s Falcon 9 launch of Ax-4 to the @Space_Station to allow additional time for SpaceX teams to repair the LOx leak identified during post static fire booster inspections. Once complete – and pending Range availability – we will share a new launch date.”
What is LOX Leak?
- LOX (Liquid Oxygen) is a critical component of Falcon 9’s propulsion system.
- During a 7-second static hot fire test at the launch pad, SpaceX detected LOX leakage in the propulsion bay.
- The leak must be repaired and validated through fresh testing before the launch can proceed.
What Did ISRO Say?
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) confirmed the details, adding:
“As part of launch vehicle preparation to validate the performance of the booster stage, a seven-second hot test was carried out. LOX leakage was detected. After discussions with SpaceX and Axiom experts, it was decided to fix the issue and retest before the final launch clearance.”
Not the First Delay
- Initial Date: June 10, 2025 (postponed due to unfavourable weather)
- Rescheduled: June 11, 2025
- Now: Delayed indefinitely till leak is fixed and revalidated
Who is Shubhanshu Shukla?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla |
| Profession | Indian Air Force Fighter Pilot |
| Mission Role | Pilot, Axiom-4 |
| Mission Partner | Axiom Space, NASA, SpaceX, ISRO |
| Historical Status | First Indian at ISS, after Rakesh Sharma |
Shukla will represent India’s Gaganyatri program, marking a milestone in Indian human spaceflight efforts.
Why This Mission Matters for India
✅ First Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS)
✅ Second Indian in space after 41 years (after Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 Soyuz mission)
✅ Private Collaboration: India’s participation in a private space mission (Axiom Space + NASA + SpaceX + ISRO)
✅ Paves way for Gaganyaan: Strengthens India’s position ahead of ISRO’s planned Gaganyaan mission
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