Launch of Indian astronaut to space postponed. It's not due to Op Sindoor
The highly anticipated launch of Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS) has been postponed.The postponement comes amid the backdrop of a major escalation in tensions between Indian and Pakistan that led to the Indian Air Force calling back one of the astronauts part of the Gaganyaan Mission o his unity. This has led to concern if Shubhanshu Shukla's launch was postponed due to this.advertisementHowever, that is not the case.
Instead, the delay comes after a minor technical issue was discovered during pre-launch checks, as confirmed by officials from Axiom Space and NASA.Originally scheduled for May 29, Shukla's historic flight as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew will now lift off on June 8, 2025, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.The mission will use SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft atop a Falcon 9 rocket, carrying Shukla and three international crewmates: mission commander Peggy Whitson (USA), Sawosz Uznaski-Winiewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary).Shukla, serving as mission pilot, is set to become the first Indian to visit the ISS and only the second Indian in space since Rakesh Sharma's 1984 flight.Axiom Space and NASA cited the need to review the ISS flight schedule and ensure operational readiness for several upcoming missions as the reason for the postponement.advertisementThe minor technical glitch identified during routine checks is not considered a major concern, and both agencies have expressed confidence in the reliability of the launch vehicle and mission systems.The schedule adjustment also allows for finalising mission plans and logistics, ensuring the safety and success of the crew.During the Ax-4 mission, expected to last up to 14 days, Shukla will conduct a series of scientific experiments, including studies on muscle loss, microgravity adaptation, and bio-farming.These experiments are closely tied to India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, with findings expected to inform future missions.
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