Latest news with #Ax-04
India.com
21 hours ago
- Science
- India.com
All Eyes On June 19: Axiom's India-Backed Rs 550-Crore Astronaut Mission Cleared For Liftoff
New Delhi: There is a renewed sense of anticipation around India's space community. After five reschedules and an anxious wait, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's mission to the International Space Station is now tentatively set for June 19. The update came from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which confirmed that the issues delaying the launch have been addressed through a coordinated effort involving Axiom Space, SpaceX and NASA. This mission, India's first foray into commercial spaceflight with Axiom, is symbolic for more than one reason. It marks the country's growing presence in global human spaceflight and also reaffirms the trust placed in international collaboration when things do not go as planned. Originally scheduled for May 29, the mission had to be pushed back several times due to a mix of technical glitches and weather-related complications. One delay came after a liquid oxygen leak was discovered during a pre-launch check on the Falcon 9 rocket. Another was triggered by a pressure anomaly aboard the International Space Station (ISS), where the astronauts will be staying for 14 days. Yet through every twist, engineers and mission planners chose caution over compromise. 'Postponement was the right call. When human lives are involved, every variable must be triple-checked,' said ISRO Chairman Dr. V Narayanan in an earlier statement. The recent coordination between ISRO, Axiom and SpaceX confirmed that the Falcon 9 rocket is now launch-ready. The liquid oxygen leak has been successfully resolved, and preparations are underway for a new liftoff window. While Axiom, NASA, and SpaceX have not officially announced June 19, ISRO has said the target date stands unless there is another last-minute development. Also known as Ax-04 or informally as Mission Akash Ganga, Axiom's fourth mission is a important step for India. The country has invested Rs 550 crore to secure a seat for Group Captain Shukla, who would become the second Indian astronaut in history to go to space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984. The all-international crew includes seasoned astronaut Dr. Peggy Whitson – who holds the American record for most cumulative days in space – as mission commander. Joining her are mission specialists from Poland and Hungary. Shukla, who serves as the pilot, will contribute to scientific experiments as well as participate in an educational outreach initiative – connecting with people back on Earth from orbit. During their time at the ISS, the crew is expected to carry out over 60 scientific experiments, including seven designed by Indian researchers. These projects span areas like space medicine, microgravity materials and life-support systems. Group Captain Shukla is currently in quarantine, healthy and ready for what could be the defining journey of his life. This mission, in many ways, represents something bigger than just one astronaut's voyage. It is a reflection of India's emerging role in commercial human spaceflight and Axiom Space's commitment to making space more accessible, one launch at a time.
Time of India
a day ago
- Science
- Time of India
Shubhanshu Shukla's Ax-04 mission: Liquid oxygen leak resolved; June 19 new launch date
Captain Shubhanshu Shukla with his group. NEW DELHI: The liquid oxygen leak detected in the Falcon 9 launch vehicle , which postponed the launch of Ax-04 mission , has been fixed, the Indian Space Research Organisation ( Isro ) announced on Saturday. The new launch date being targetted is June 19. At a subsequent coordination meeting involving ISRO, Axiom Space , and SpaceX, confirmation was received that the liquid oxygen leak detected in the Falcon 9 launch vehicle had been effectively addressed. In a separate development, Axiom Space reported their ongoing collaboration with Nasa to evaluate the pressure irregularity discovered in the Zvezda Service Module aboard the International Space Station. In a press release, Isro said, "During a follow-on coordination meeting between ISRO, Axiom Space, and SpaceX, it was confirmed that the liquid oxygen leak observed in the Falcon 9 launch vehicle has been successfully resolved. Separately, Axiom Space informed that they are working closely with NASA to assess the pressure anomaly in the Zvezda Service Module onboard the International Space Station. Axiom Space is now targeting June 19, 2025 for the launch of the Ax-04 mission." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The astronauts were originally scheduled for lift-off on May 29, which was put off to June 8, June 10 and June 11, when SpaceX, the providers of the launch rocket and the space capsule, detected a liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon-9 rocket. Former Nasa astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, Peggy Whitson, will command the commercial mission, while ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as the pilot. The two mission specialists are European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. The 14-day mission will "realise the return" to human spaceflight for India, Poland and Hungary.
India Today
a day ago
- Science
- India Today
India's Shubhanshu Shukla's Ax-4 mission to launch on June 19
Days after Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's Ax-4 mission was postponed indefinitely, Isro has announced the new launch is set to make history as he prepares for his maiden voyage to space aboard the Axiom-4 (Ax-04) mission, now officially scheduled for launch on June 19, mission will lift off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, aboard SpaceX's reliable Falcon 9 The confirmation of the launch date follows a crucial coordination meeting between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Axiom Space, and SpaceX. During the meeting, officials addressed recent technical concerns, most notably a liquid oxygen leak previously detected in the Falcon 9 launch engineers have since resolved the issue, ensuring the rocket is ready for its next ambitious a serving Indian Air Force pilot and ISRO's newest astronaut, will join an international crew for the Ax-04 mission. This marks a significant milestone for India's human spaceflight program, as Shukla becomes one of the few Indians to travel to the International Space Station (ISS).advertisementMeanwhile, Axiom Space is working closely with NASA to monitor a separate issue—a pressure anomaly detected in the Zvezda Service Module aboard the ISS. While this anomaly is unrelated to the Ax-04 launch, it underscores the complex coordination required for international space Space has assured all partners that they are taking every precaution to ensure crew safety and mission Ax-04 mission is part of Axiom Space's broader goal to expand commercial access to low-Earth orbit and eventually build the world's first commercial space India, Shukla's participation is a proud moment, inspiring a new generation of scientists and space will be conducting 7 experiments designed by India and will participate in other joint studies with Nasa aboard the InTrending Reel IN THIS STORY#Shubhanshu Shukla
Time of India
2 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
After fourth delay, Axiom Mission to get new launch date; ISRO says safety top-priority
The launch of Axiom Mission-04 (Ax-04), carrying India's second astronaut, Shubhanshu Shukla , along with three other members, to the International Space Station (ISS) was postponed multiple times due to technical issues and safety reviews this week. The Indian Space Research Organisation ( ISRO ) on Friday said the revised launch schedule will be announced by NASA and Axiom after the activities and technical reviews are satisfactorily completed. So far, the launch has been postponed four times due to issues in the electrical harness in the Crew Dragon module, unpreparedness of the Falcon 9 -- the launch vehicle, weather conditions and the oxygen leakage in the engine bay of the ISS, being the latest. The Indian space agency said its delegation recommended carrying out in-situ repairs or replacement and conducting a low-temperature leak test to validate system performance and integrity, before proceeding with launch clearance. 'ISRO is working closely with Axiom Space, NASA and SpaceX as they responsibly address the ISS Zvezda module observation causing the Ax‑4 delay. Safety and mission integrity remain our top priorities,' V Narayanan, chairman, ISRO, said in a statement on Friday. The success of Ax-4 is critical for India to provide hands-on experience in spaceflight operations, launch protocols, microgravity experiments, and emergency preparedness. ISRO is counting on Shukla's insights to prepare for the highly anticipated Ganganyaan mission , during which a crew of three members will be launched to an orbit of 400 km for a three-day mission. Following the first human spaceflight mission from India, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station will be built. India paid Rs 550 crore for a seat on the Ax-4 mission to understand the technicalities of operating such a mission on its own. Meanwhile, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, after the postponement of the mission, has again voiced concerns about the ISS. 'There are potentially serious concerns about the long-term safety of the @Space_Station (ISS). Some parts of it are simply getting too old and obviously that risk grows over time,' he wrote on X. The billionaire added that though his firm SpaceX earns billions of dollars from transporting astronauts and cargo to the ISS, 'I nonetheless would like to go on record recommending that it be deorbited within 2 years.' Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories The construction of Zarya, the firstcontrol module of the ISS, started in November 1998 and was completed in 2011. Zvezda, on which the oxygen leakage was found, is the third module to have docked with the Zarya module on July 25, 2000.
