India's Shubhanshu Shukla's space launch postponed again due to Space Station leak
The highly anticipated launch of Axiom Mission 4, which includes Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, has been postponed yet again — this time due to a leak detected aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and ongoing technical issues with the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The mission, which would mark India's return to human spaceflight after 41 years, was originally scheduled for June 11, 2025, but now faces an indefinite delay as Nasa, Axiom Space, and Isro prioritise crew safety and technical validation.advertisementNasa and Axiom Space announced the postponement after a new pressure signature was detected in the aft segment of the ISS's Zvezda service module, following recent repairs.
Cosmonauts aboard the station conducted thorough inspections, sealed potential leak points, and measured the current leak rate. While the segment is now holding pressure, Nasa and Roscosmos are taking extra time to ensure the integrity of the module before clearing any new missions to dock. Simultaneously, SpaceX engineers discovered a liquid oxygen (LOx) leak in the propulsion bay of the Falcon 9 rocket during routine pre-launch testing. Liquid oxygen is a critical component of the rocket's fuel system, and even a minor leak can pose significant risks during launch. SpaceX and ISRO teams have decided to repair the leak and conduct additional validation tests before setting a new launch date.advertisementThe Axiom-4 crew — led by former Nasa astronaut Peggy Whitson, with Shukla as pilot, and mission specialists Sawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary — will eventually launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Nasa officials have emphasised that there are multiple launch windows available through June and July, but a new date will only be announced once all safety concerns are resolved. This cautious approach highlights the complexities and high stakes of human spaceflight, especially as commercial and international partnerships expand the frontier of space exploration.Tune InMust Watch
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