Indian astronaut's launch to Space Station postponed due to bad weather
The much-anticipated launch of the Axiom-4 mission, which will send Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS), has been postponed for the third time.The Indian Space & Research Organisation (Isro) on Monday said that the launch has been postponed due to bad weather in the launch area. Meanwhile, SpaceX said high winds in the ascent corridor is why the launch would be no earlier than Wednesday. advertisementThe Ax-4 mission with astronauts from India, US, Poland and Hungary will launch on June 11, 2025, due to unfavourable weather conditions at the Kennedy Space Center on June 10.
The new targeted launch time is set for 5:30 PM IST on June 11.
The mission, a landmark event for India's space ambitions, is a collaborative effort involving Axiom Space, NASA, SpaceX, and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It marks India's return to human spaceflight more than four decades after Rakesh Sharma's historic 1984 journey.Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a decorated Indian Air Force pilot and Isro astronaut, will serve as the mission's pilot, joining mission commander Peggy Whitson (former NASA astronaut) and specialists from Hungary and Poland.advertisementDr. V. Narayanan, Chairman of Isro, confirmed the delay.The Axiom-4 crew will travel aboard a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, launched by a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.The mission was initially scheduled to launch on May 29 and was delayed to June 8. The launch was then pushed to June 10 due to technical issues.
The mission was initially scheduled to launch on May 29. (Photo: Axiom)
The Ax-4 mission, once underway, will see the astronauts spend up to 14 days aboard the ISS, conducting a suite of scientific experiments, many of which are led by Indian researchers. These experiments will focus on advancing understanding in microgravity, life sciences, and material sciences, and will involve collaboration with scientists from over 30 countries.The postponement, while a minor setback, shows the complexities of spaceflight and the importance of weather in launch operations.The global space community, including millions in India, continues to watch with anticipation as the Axiom-4 mission prepares for its new launch window.Must Watch
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Indian Express
20 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Axiom-4: Weather favourable, Shubhanshu Shukla space mission set for liftoff today
THE AXIOM-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others, remained on schedule for a launch at 5.30 pm India time Wednesday, with weather said to be 85 per cent favourable for a lift-off at that time. The mission was earlier scheduled for a launch on Tuesday but had to put off due to bad weather. 'SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, June 11 for Falcon 9's launch of Axiom Space's Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Launch is targeted for 8:00 am ET (eastern time, 5.30 pm IST), with a backup opportunity available on Thursday, June 12 at 7:37 am ET (5.07 pm IST),' a statement on the website of SpaceX said. The Ax-4 mission is using Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket of SpaceX for the trip to the ISS, the world's largest private space company. At a pre-launch press conference early Tuesday (India time), Jimmy Taeger, Launch Weather Officer at US Space Force, said there were small chances of isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms on the mornings of Wednesday and Thursday in areas near the launch site, but was hopeful that the launch would go through. The astronauts onboard Ax-4 mission, one each from India, Poland, Hungary and the US, will spend two weeks at the ISS, and would be involved in about 60 experiments, scientific studies and outreach programmes. India, Poland and Hungary are sending their first astronauts to space in over 40 years, and the first ones to the space station. 'This mission will launch the first ISRO astronaut to the (International Space) station, enabling joint onboard collaborations between NASA and the Indian space agency. The collaboration delivers on a commitment to send the first Indian astronaut to the station as part of a joint effort between NASA and the Indian space agency and was highlighted by President (Donald) Trump and Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi during the Prime Minister's recent visit to Washington DC last February,' Dana Weigel, Manager, International Space Station Program, at NASA, said at the pre-launch press conference. 'As part of NASA and ISRO collaboration on this upcoming mission, the space agencies are participating in five joint science investigations and two outreach demonstrations. Science investigations include studying microalgae, sprouting salad seeds, tardigrade survival adaptations, muscle repair, and assessing electronic displays,' Weigel said. The mission is being managed and operated by Axiom Space, a private US space company, and has been facilitated by NASA which has been encouraging private participation in human spaceflights to the ISS and low-earth orbits. 'This is a really incredible time for human spaceflight, with more opportunities to access space and to grow and thriving commercial economy around it,' Weigel said. The Ax-4 mission will take 28 hours after the launch to reach and dock with the International Space Station, which orbits the Earth at a distance of about 400 km from the Earth's surface.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Weather still a factor: Last call on Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 launch early today
CAPE CANAVERAL (FLORIDA): The rescheduled launch of Shubhanshu Shukla-piloted Axiom-4 mission remained unchanged at 5.30pm IST on Wednesday after a 'weather call' taken at Kennedy Space Centre on Tuesday (8pm IST). However, the weather continues to be a key variable as the stakeholders will take a final call after the 'L-8 hour weather briefing ', scheduled around midnight in US (around 10am IST). At the mission readiness review briefing, Jimmy Taeger, launch weather officer with 45th Weather Squadron of US Space Force, said conditions across central Florida is being shaped by a high-pressure system to the southeast. The system is expected to move north in the coming days, which could shift the winds and bring in scattered showers. While wind conditions are projected to improve mid-week, forecasters are keeping a close eye on the risk of passing showers, especially as launch windows approach. "Though winds are likely to improve, Wednesday looks better, and Thursday even better. The one thing we are going to be watching closely is the possibility of showers moving into the area," Taeger said. Liquid oxygen leak detected during fire test on Falcon-9 William Gerstenmaier, SpaceX vice-president, build and flight reliability, stressed on the company's continued focus on safety and precision, noting that "space flight is really hard, and we're learning every day". During a static fire test of the Falcon-9, SpaceX engineers discovered a liquid oxygen leak that had initially gone undetected during the booster's post-flight refurbishment. "We discovered that we had not fully repaired the booster ... we're installing a purge that will essentially mitigate the leak if it continues," he said. In addition, a thrust vector control issue with engine five was also identified. The affected components have since been replaced.
India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh felicitates NCC cadets who scaled Mt Everest
New Delhi [India], June 10 (ANI): Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, on Tuesday felicitated NCC cadets who successfully summited Mt Everest as part of the NCC's third Everest Expedition. According to the Indian Air Force (IAF), ten cadets -- five boys and five girls -- reached the summit of Mt Everest on May 18. In a post on X, the IAF stated, 'Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, met and felicitated NCC cadets who successfully summited Mt Everest on 18 May 2025, as part of NCC's third Everest Expedition. Flagged off by Hon'ble Raksha Mantri on 03 April 2025, the success of this expedition represents courage, resilience, and the adventurous spirit of India's youth. Ten cadets -- five boys and five girls, all novice climbers, trained rigorously to achieve a 100% summit success rate, earning praise from Sherpas and international climbers alike.' Earlier in the day, Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh interacted via video conference with Group Captain Shubahanshu Shukla, who is set to embark on the Axiom-4 space mission, an official statement from the Indian Air Force (IAF) said. Air Chief Marshal Singh extended wishes to Group Captain Shukla, who will be India's second astronaut to go to space since 1984. In a post on X, the IAF said, 'As Group Captain Shubahanshu Shukla prepares to embark on the Axiom-4 space mission tomorrow, Chief of the Air Staff and all Air Warriors of IAF wish him and the entire crew of Axiom-4 all the best for a safe and successful trip to the International Space Station. This will add a new chapter to the Indian Space Odyssey.' Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is part of Axiom Space's fourth private astronaut mission (Ax-4), marking a historic moment for India's space collaboration with NASA. (ANI)
