‘He is fit and ready, we are mentally prepared': Shubhanshu Shukla's family reacts to Axiom-4 launch delay
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla
's father,
Shambhu Dayal Shukla
, said that his family is "mentally" prepared for the mission.
He said that his family was informed that the mission was postponed at 6 am on Wednesday and another date has not been revealed. Shambhu Dayal Shukla stated that his family is waiting for the announcement of the next date for the Axiom mission.
He further said that he spoke to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on Tuesday and said that he is "fit" and ready for the mission.
Also Read:
Axiom 04 mission to send Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to ISS postponed again. Here's why
"At around 6 AM, we were informed that the mission has been postponed. We have not been informed about the next date. We are mentally prepared for the mission to be launched, and waiting for the announcement of the next date. I spoke to my son yesterday, he is fit and ready for the mission", he told ANI.
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Earlier today
SpaceX
announced the postponement of the
Falcon 9 launch
of the
Ax-4 mission
to the International Space Station (ISS), citing the need for additional time to repair a liquid oxygen (LOx) leak.
"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," the company said in a post on X.
Following the announcement, the
Indian Space Research Organisation
(
ISRO
) also confirmed the delay of the Axiom-4 mission, which was scheduled for launch on June 11, 2025, and was set to carry the
first Indian Gaganyatri
to the ISS.
In a statement, ISRO said: "Postponement of
Axiom 04 mission
slated for launch on 11th June 2025 for sending first Indian Gaganyatri to ISS. As part of launch vehicle preparation to validate the performance of booster stage of Falcon 9 launch vehicle, seven second of hot test was carried out on the launch pad. It is understood that LOX leakage was detected in the propulsion bay during the test. Based on the discussion on this topic by ISRO team with the experts of Axiom and SpaceX it has been decided to correct the leak and carry out necessary validation test before clearing for the launch. Hence the launch of Axiom 04 slated for 11th June 2025 for sending first Indian Gaganyatri to ISS is postponed. With regards, V. Narayanan, Secretary DOS/ Chairman ISRO and Chairman Space Commission."
Despite the delay, the Axiom-4 mission remains significant. The Ax-4 crew includes members from India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each nation's first mission to the space station in history and the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years, according to Axiom Space. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be India's second national astronaut to go to space since 1984.
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.
Slawosz Uznanski, European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut, will be the second Polish astronaut since 1978.
Tibor Kapu will be the second national Hungarian astronaut since 1980.
Peggy Whitson will command her second commercial human spaceflight mission, adding to her standing record for the longest cumulative time in space by an American astronaut.
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