What's Holding Up Axiom Mission-4 As Launch Window Closes & Crew Waits? Explained
Last Updated:
With a tight timeline, further delays in lift-off could disrupt pre-scheduled July missions carrying cargo and critical supplies to the ISS, pushing back AX-4 by months
The launch window for the much-anticipated Axiom Mission-4 is rapidly closing as the crew remains on standby in Florida, while National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) scrambles to complete the last-minute troubleshooting on the International Space Station (ISS).
The lift-off – now postponed for the fifth time in three weeks – remains without a confirmed new date.
Two days before the scheduled lift-off, NASA announced that it has again decided to stand down from a launch on June 22, and target a new launch date in the coming days. While the initial air leak in the ISS's Zvezda module has already been halted by the crew on-board, NASA said it needed 'additional time to evaluate the station after recent repair work".
The space station currently has seven people on board as part of Expedition 73, with four docked spacecraft — two crew and two cargo. NASA's SpaceX Crew 11 mission is also in waiting as it also planned to dock into the ISS in July.
However, NASA highlighted that the AX-4 crew including Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla remains on standby and 'ready to launch when the station is ready to receive them", and it continues to review the launch opportunities along with Axiom Space and SpaceX.
Axiom Mission-4 has faced a string of delays – from initial weather concerns to a last-minute liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon-9 booster that scrubbed the June 11 launch. While SpaceX has since resolved the issue, the latest setback stems from the ongoing repairs to the ISS's Zvezda module, which NASA and Roscosmos are currently addressing.
The ISS was built like a Lego set, with each piece built in various countries around the world, then launched and assembled in space. Five partner agencies, Canada, Europe, Japan, NASA in the US and Russia's Roscosmos operate the ISS with each partner responsible for managing and controlling the hardware it provides. They continue to monitor it to ensure safe habitation for astronauts, carry out repairs and replacements.
Over the last 25 years, ISS has hosted astronauts from multiple countries who live and work aboard it. Last week, cosmonauts aboard the ISS detected some air leaks in the back segment of ISS's Zvezda module during regular inspections. It is a core component of the Russian orbital segment, which acts as a primary living space, and provides life support. The air leak in the pressurised module was sealed immediately, but NASA said that it needs additional time to evaluate the ISS after recent repair work.
'Because of the space station's interconnected and interdependent systems, NASA wants to ensure that the station is ready for additional crew members, and it is taking that time to review data," it highlighted. The issue needs to be resolved and validated before any new spacecraft can dock with the ISS.
CAN AXIOM MISSION-4 STILL MAKE IT TO ISS NOW?
The tension is mounting on the space agencies, as the current launch window is available only till June 30. The lift-off possibilities are narrowing with each passing day, as it was originally designed to be a 14-day mission. There is limited time, considering further delay jeopardises the subsequent missions in July, including some carrying cargo or other essential supplies — a timeline for which is locked in months in advance.
Also, ISS has limited docking ports which need to be available, especially for a private spaceflight lasting 14 days. Four ports are already occupied by spacecraft – two crew and two cargo. NASA's SpaceX Crew 11 mission is also in waiting as it also planned to dock into the ISS in July. The launch is also subject to the weather conditions at the launch site near Florida coast, as well as the ascent path of the rocket.
Moreover, the four astronauts have been in quarantine for nearly three weeks, and the delay affects their mission readiness. Compounding the urgency are also the 60 carefully chosen science experiments for the 14-day mission, including the seven shortlisted by ISRO—all of which have a limited viability window. On the ground are additional challenges—technical, logistics, financial—which continue to put added strain on all space agencies involved.
top videos
View all
ISRO, which has invested almost Rs 550 crore in this private spaceflight collaboration, has made it clear that it does not intend to take any chances. Riding on it are hopes and dreams of billions, as Gaganyaan astronaut-designate Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to become the first Indian astronaut to enter the International Space Station.
The commercial collaboration was designed so that it could provide him the necessary training and exposure in space, before India's Rs 20,000 crore Gaganyaan – maiden human spaceflight mission. ISRO Chairman Dr. V Narayanan remains stationed in Florida with his team to oversee mission readiness, and emphasised that 'safety and mission integrity remain India's top priorities".
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First Published:
June 21, 2025, 08:00 IST
News explainers What's Holding Up Axiom Mission-4 As Launch Window Closes & Crew Waits? Explained
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What's Holding Up Axiom Mission-4 As Launch Window Closes & Crew Waits? Explained
Last Updated: With a tight timeline, further delays in lift-off could disrupt pre-scheduled July missions carrying cargo and critical supplies to the ISS, pushing back AX-4 by months The launch window for the much-anticipated Axiom Mission-4 is rapidly closing as the crew remains on standby in Florida, while National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) scrambles to complete the last-minute troubleshooting on the International Space Station (ISS). The lift-off – now postponed for the fifth time in three weeks – remains without a confirmed new date. Two days before the scheduled lift-off, NASA announced that it has again decided to stand down from a launch on June 22, and target a new launch date in the coming days. While the initial air leak in the ISS's Zvezda module has already been halted by the crew on-board, NASA said it needed 'additional time to evaluate the station after recent repair work". The space station currently has seven people on board as part of Expedition 73, with four docked spacecraft — two crew and two cargo. NASA's SpaceX Crew 11 mission is also in waiting as it also planned to dock into the ISS in July. However, NASA highlighted that the AX-4 crew including Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla remains on standby and 'ready to launch when the station is ready to receive them", and it continues to review the launch opportunities along with Axiom Space and SpaceX. Axiom Mission-4 has faced a string of delays – from initial weather concerns to a last-minute liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon-9 booster that scrubbed the June 11 launch. While SpaceX has since resolved the issue, the latest setback stems from the ongoing repairs to the ISS's Zvezda module, which NASA and Roscosmos are currently addressing. The ISS was built like a Lego set, with each piece built in various countries around the world, then launched and assembled in space. Five partner agencies, Canada, Europe, Japan, NASA in the US and Russia's Roscosmos operate the ISS with each partner responsible for managing and controlling the hardware it provides. They continue to monitor it to ensure safe habitation for astronauts, carry out repairs and replacements. Over the last 25 years, ISS has hosted astronauts from multiple countries who live and work aboard it. Last week, cosmonauts aboard the ISS detected some air leaks in the back segment of ISS's Zvezda module during regular inspections. It is a core component of the Russian orbital segment, which acts as a primary living space, and provides life support. The air leak in the pressurised module was sealed immediately, but NASA said that it needs additional time to evaluate the ISS after recent repair work. 'Because of the space station's interconnected and interdependent systems, NASA wants to ensure that the station is ready for additional crew members, and it is taking that time to review data," it highlighted. The issue needs to be resolved and validated before any new spacecraft can dock with the ISS. CAN AXIOM MISSION-4 STILL MAKE IT TO ISS NOW? The tension is mounting on the space agencies, as the current launch window is available only till June 30. The lift-off possibilities are narrowing with each passing day, as it was originally designed to be a 14-day mission. There is limited time, considering further delay jeopardises the subsequent missions in July, including some carrying cargo or other essential supplies — a timeline for which is locked in months in advance. Also, ISS has limited docking ports which need to be available, especially for a private spaceflight lasting 14 days. Four ports are already occupied by spacecraft – two crew and two cargo. 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Riding on it are hopes and dreams of billions, as Gaganyaan astronaut-designate Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to become the first Indian astronaut to enter the International Space Station. The commercial collaboration was designed so that it could provide him the necessary training and exposure in space, before India's Rs 20,000 crore Gaganyaan – maiden human spaceflight mission. ISRO Chairman Dr. V Narayanan remains stationed in Florida with his team to oversee mission readiness, and emphasised that 'safety and mission integrity remain India's top priorities". Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Axiom Space nasa news18 specials Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 21, 2025, 08:00 IST News explainers What's Holding Up Axiom Mission-4 As Launch Window Closes & Crew Waits? Explained
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