Ax-4 launch postponed: Not just weather, SpaceX also found Falcon-9 engine issues
As SpaceX prepares to launch Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station aboard the Axiom-4 mission, the company is addressing last-minute technical snags alongside weather-related uncertainties.The Falcon 9 rocket, slated for liftoff on June 11 at 5:30 pm IST, faced a liquid oxygen (LOX) leak and a thrust vector control (TVC) system malfunction in recent pre-launch checks, underscoring the complexities of reusable rocket operations.advertisementDuring a static fire test, engineers identified a LOX leak in the booster's upper stage—a recurring issue from its previous mission. William Gerstenmaier, SpaceX Vice President of Build and Flight Reliability, explained, 'We discovered we had not fully repaired the booster during refurbishment or did not find the leak initially. We're installing a purge to mitigate it if it persists'.
The Falcon 9 uses a mix of rocket-grade kerosene and supercooled liquid oxygen, making leak containment critical for stable combustion and thrust generation.Additionally, a TVC anomaly was detected in the booster's fifth engine, which directs thrust to maneuver the rocket during ascent and landing.Gerstenmaier confirmed the affected components were replaced, and all repairs will be completed ahead of the launch window. These fixes follow a pattern of recent Falcon 9 anomalies, including a February 2025 LOX leak that caused an uncontrolled reentry over Europe.advertisementWeather remains another variable, with a 20% probability of violating launch conditions on June 11 due to isolated showers. Backup opportunities on June 12 carry a 25% risk. Despite these hurdles, SpaceX conducted a successful dry dress rehearsal, and the crew remains on schedule. Group Captain Shukla's mission marks a milestone for India's space ambitions, aligning with the Indian Air Force's vision to expand its role in space exploration. The IAF publicly endorsed the mission, calling it a 'new chapter in the Indian Space Odyssey'.As SpaceX navigates technical and meteorological challenges, the launch underscores the delicate balance between reusability innovation and operational reliability in modern rocketry. Success would not only advance international collaboration but also reinforce India's growing influence in space.Tune InMust Watch
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