Nasa, Axiom Space reviewing Indian astronaut's Axiom-4 launch readiness
Days after the launch of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 mission was postponed, Nasa and Axiom Space are reviewing launch opportunities.The Axe-4 mission is currently scheduled to launch on June 19; however, a launch time has yet to be released."It is not uncommon for the agency and its international partners to adjust launches around changes in operations aboard the space station. Teams are making progress evaluating the transfer tunnel configuration, resulting in an updated launch opportunity for the private astronaut mission," Nasa said. advertisementWHY WAS AX-4 MISSON LAUNCH POSTPONED?
The launch of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, initially set for May 29, 2025, faced multiple postponements due to a series of technical and environmental issues. It was first delayed to June 8 after observations related to the Crew Dragon's electrical harness.A further slip to June 9 occurred due to Falcon 9 vehicle readiness delays. Unfavourable weather in the ascent corridor pushed the date to June 10.During pre-launch tests on June 8, an oxygen leak and an engine actuator anomaly were discovered; the actuator and its controller were replaced, and the launch was rescheduled for June 11. On June 10, a joint technical review led ISRO to recommend in-situ repairs and a low-temperature leak test to ensure integrity.
The launch of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission was initially set for May 29, 2025. (Photo: Axiom)
advertisementThen, on June 11, NASA reported a new pressure signature indicating a potential leak in the Russian Zvezda module aboard the ISS. Coordination with Roscosmos is underway, prompting further delay of Ax-4."The leaks, located in the aft (back) most segment of the International Space Station's Zvezda service module, have been monitored by flight controllers for the past few years. Following the most recent repair, pressure in the transfer tunnel has been stable. Previously, pressure in this area would have dropped. This could indicate that the small leaks have been sealed. Teams are also considering the stable pressure could be the result of a small amount of air flowing into the transfer tunnel across the hatch seal from the main part of the space station," Nasa said.The mission would mark India's return to human spaceflight after 41 years as Nasa, Axiom Space, and Isro prioritise crew safety and technical validation.Tune InTrending Reel
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