Latest news with #Axiom04
India.com
2 days ago
- Science
- India.com
Axiom-4 Launch Postponed: ISRO, SpaceX Share Crucial Update On Space Mission
The much-awaited multi-nation space mission Axiom-4 has been delayed due to a technical issue. A liquid oxygen (LOX) leak was detected during a 7-second hot test of the Falcon 9 booster, prompting a joint review by ISRO, Axiom, and SpaceX teams. However, with the June 11 launch postponed, all eyes on the next date and time for the Space mission. Sharing an update about the issue, SpaceX said, "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." Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said that it has been decided to correct the leak and carry out necessary validation test before clearing for the launch. "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," said ISRO on X. The Axiom-4 mission 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.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
‘He is fit and ready, we are mentally prepared': Shubhanshu Shukla's family reacts to Axiom-4 launch delay
Following the postponement of the Axiom 4 mission, 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. Live Events 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.
India.com
2 days ago
- Science
- India.com
Shubhanshu Shuklas Space Quest Stalled: How Falcon 9 Leak Halted Axiom-4 Again? Know Here
The launch of the Axiom-4 mission to take Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS) was halted after a liquid oxygen (LOx) leak was detected in SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, the second such delay in two days. SpaceX and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that a new launch date will be announced after repairs and after completion of the validation tests. 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… — ISRO (@isro) June 11, 2025 Technical Snag Halts Launch SpaceX stated on X that extra time is necessary to correct a LOx leak discovered on post-static fire booster inspections. "Standing down from tomorrow's Falcon 9 launch of Ax-4 to the @Space_Station to allow SpaceX teams to repair the LOx leak," the company said, noting that a new launch date will be based on repair progress and availability of the launch range. ISRO gave additional information, stating that the leak was detected in the propulsion bay during a seven-second hot test on the launch pad. "It has been decided to fix the leak and perform necessary validation tests prior to clearing for launch," ISRO tweeted on X. The move came after consultations among ISRO, Axiom Space, and SpaceX experts. Second Postponement In Days The Axiom-4 mission, which was initially planned for June 10, 2025, was initially postponed to June 11 at 5:30 PM IST due to inclement weather, as notified by ISRO on Monday. The new technical snag has again postponed the mission, which will take Shukla, India's first "Gaganyatri" under the Gaganyaan program, to the ISS for a 14-day scientific mission. Mission Significance Shukla, a 39-year-old Indian Air Force Group Captain and test pilot, was chosen for the Axiom-4 mission, a three-way collaboration between ISRO, Axiom Space, and NASA. The mission will consist of experiments in microgravity, outreach, and technology demonstrations, a new milestone for India's human spaceflight program. Shukla's journey was expected to motivate millions, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasising its importance to India's space program. Next Steps SpaceX and ISRO are attempting to fix the LOx leak, with testing validation necessary before a new launch can be dated. The postponement has led to debate on X, with users disappointed but understanding the priority on safety. ISRO highlighted that tough checks guarantee astronaut safety, explaining, "The mission will proceed only after all systems are fully validated." More information on the launch timeline should soon be available as teams work to resolve the technical problem and watch for weather at Florida's Kennedy Space Center.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
Axiom Launch To Send Shubhanshu Shukla To Space Deferred For Rocket "Repair"
The launch of the Axiom-4 mission that will carry India's second astronaut to space was postponed for a fifth time on Wednesday. In a post on X, SpaceX said the mission to the International Space Station (ISS) was deferred due to a technical glitch in its Falcon 9 rocket that is being used for the launch. The new date for the launch is yet to be decided. "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," it posted on the microblogging site. The LOx leak refers to an oxygen 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 — SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 11, 2025 Group Captain Shukla will be the first Indian to fly to the ISS under the private astronaut mission that will launch aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule on a Falcon 9 rocket, from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The mission is jointly being undertaken by Axiom Space Inc, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). According to ISRO, the oxygen leak was detected in the propulsion bay during a performance test. "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," ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan said on X. 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… — ISRO (@isro) June 11, 2025 The mission was scheduled to take off on Tuesday but was kept on hold due to bad weather. The last time it was deferred was from June 8 to June 10 - again on grounds of adverse weather conditions. Thirty-nine-year-old Shukla will be accompanied by Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut and mission commander, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. Once docked, the astronauts are scheduled to spend up to 14 days aboard the orbiting laboratory, conducting a mission comprising science, outreach and commercial activities. Group Captain Shukla's travel to space comes four decades after Rakesh Sharma's iconic spaceflight onboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft in 1984. He will serve as the Mission Pilot. A decorated test pilot with the IAF, Mr Shukla was shortlisted under ISRO's Human Spaceflight Program (HSP) and is among the top contenders for the Gaganyaan mission, India's first indigenous crewed orbital flight. His journey aboard the Axiom Mission 4 is expected to provide critical hands-on experience in spaceflight operations, launch protocols, microgravity adaptation, and emergency preparedness - all essential for India's crewed space ambitions. The Group Captain will conduct seven experiments in the fields of agriculture, food and human biology when he travels to the ISS next month.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Axiom 04 mission to send Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to ISS postponed again. Here's why
The much-anticipated launch of the Axiom 04 (Ax-4) mission, which was set to send Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS), has been postponed once again. The mission, originally scheduled for June 10, 2025, and later rescheduled to June 11 at 5:30 PM IST, now faces an indefinite delay with no new date announced. In a statement posted on X, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) explained the reason behind the postponement. 'As part of launch vehicle preparation to validate the performance of the booster stage of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle, a seven-second hot test was carried out on the launch pad. A LOX (liquid oxygen) leakage was detected in the propulsion bay during the test,' ISRO said. — isro (@isro) Following discussions with experts from Axiom Space and SpaceX, the teams decided to correct the leak and conduct additional validation tests before clearing the mission for launch. The Ax-4 mission is a landmark in India's space exploration history, as it will make Shubhanshu Shukla the first Indian astronaut to travel to space in over 40 years—since Rakesh Sharma 's historic 1984 mission aboard a Soviet spacecraft. Live Events Shukla will be joined on this 14-day mission by Tigor Kapu of Hungary and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland. All three represent a new chapter in human spaceflight for their respective countries, made possible through Axiom Space's government-supported commercial spaceflight initiative. The Indian government has allocated ₹550 crore for participation in the Ax-4 mission, underscoring the strategic importance of the collaboration. While on board the ISS, Shukla will carry out a series of India-specific scientific experiments developed by ISRO and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA. These include research on growing fenugreek and green gram in microgravity, aimed at developing self-sustaining life-support systems for future deep-space missions. The seeds grown in space will be brought back to Earth for multi-generational studies.
