Latest news with #IndianGaganyatri
NDTV
an hour 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
16 hours ago
- Science
- Time of India
Close watch on weather at NASA's Florida spaceport ahead of Axiom-4 launch on Wednesday
SpaceX, NASA and Axiom Space are closely watching weather patterns at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida where Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others look forward to their travel to the International Space Station (ISS), now scheduled for Wednesday. Addressing a pre-launch press conference, SpaceX Vice President William Gerstenmaier said engineers had fixed some snags in the Falcon-9 rocket that were discovered during the static fire test and had gone unnoticed during the post-flight refurbishment of boosters. The Axiom-4 commercial mission to the ISS had to be put off by a day to Wednesday evening due to inclement weather conditions in the flight path of the SpaceX rocket that would lift off from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3.5, 4.5 BHK Homes starting at ₹4.89 Cr.* Hero Homes Learn More Undo Gerstenmaier said engineers had discovered a locks leak that was previously seen on the booster during its entry on the last mission and was not fully repaired during the refurbishment. "We are continuing to troubleshoot that. We should get that completed today and we will have that back in configuration. We are installing a purge that will essentially mitigate the leak if it still continues... on the launch day," he said. Live Events Gerstenmaier said engineers also discovered an engine 5 thrust vector control problem and the components associated with that have already been changed. "We will be complete with all our work this (Tuesday) evening and we will be ready to support launch as early as Wednesday," he said. Indian Space Research Organisation ( ISRO ) Chairman V Narayanan said on Monday that due to weather conditions, the launch of the Axiom-4 mission for sending Indian Gaganyatri to the ISS was postponed from June 10 to June 11. "The targeted time of launch is 5:30 PM IST on 11th June 2025," Narayanan said in a post on X on Monday. Jimmy Tager, the Launch Weather Officer, 45th Weather Squadron of the US Space Force, said there was surface high pressure to the south east of central Florida, which typically produces south west flow across the area. "Now over the next couple of days, the surface high pressure is going to move further towards the north and that is going to switch our primary flow towards the south east. South east flow does tend to create some more isolated scattered showers to thundershowers in the morning time," he said. He added that even though the Probability of Violation (POV) was lower for the initial attempt (June 10), for the next attempt on Wednesday, the POV does increase to 20 per cent. "And as we get to Thursday (June 12), the backup opportunity POV increases a little bit more to about 25 per cent. So though it is on the lower end, it does look like there could be a possibility of isolated scattered thunderstorms near the area at the launch time," Tager said. "But for the ascent corridor, even though the winds are pretty strong right now, it does look like winds are going to be improving over the next couple of days. As we get to Wednesday, winds will be even better, and Thursday, even better than Wednesday," he added. Dana Weigel, Manager, International Space Station Programme, NASA, said that there are launch opportunities till June 30. She was responding to questions on the launch window for the Axiom-4 mission due to unfavourable weather conditions. "I think we will have the vehicle ready, the crews trained and the cargo loaded. I think we're ready from a hardware standpoint. It is just kind of waiting for the weather to get there. In terms of launch opportunities, we have launch opportunities all the way through June 30," Weigel said. She said the Russian cargo vehicle 'Progress' will undock from the ISS later and a new one will dock for which there would be a brief cut-off for other launches. "Then, we have a brief cut-off for high Solar Beta. Then we pick up again like in the middle of July. So, plenty of opportunities to fly the vehicle," Weigel said. The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission comprises Commander Peggy Whitson, pilot Shukla and specialists Tigor Kapu of Hungary and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland. The 14-day mission will "realise the return" to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary.
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First Post
a day ago
- Science
- First Post
Bad weather delays Shubhanshu Shukla's space travel, Axiom-4 launch now at 5.30 pm IST tomorrow
Shukla will be the second Indian astronaut to fly to space since 1984 after Rakesh Sharma. He is part of Axiom Space's fourth private space mission, marking a significant moment for India's space exploration in collaboration with Nasa read more Shubhanshu Shukla was named the 'Prime' astronaut for the Indo-US mission to the International Space Station in August last year. Image: Axiom Space The Axiom-4 space mission, which will take Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS), has been delayed by a day due to unfavourable weather conditions. The Ax-4 crew includes astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary — each representing their country's first mission to the space station. According to Axiom Space, it also marks the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years. Shukla will be the second Indian astronaut to fly to space since 1984 after Rakesh Sharma. He is part of Axiom Space's fourth private space mission, marking a significant moment for India's space exploration in collaboration with Nasa. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why has the mission been delayed? The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said in a statement, 'Launch of Axiom-4 mission to International Space Station: Due to weather conditions, the launch of Axiom-4 mission for sending Indian Gaganyatri to International Space Station is postponed from 10th June 2025 to 11th June 2025. The targeted time of launch is 5:30 PM IST on 11th June 2025: Dr V Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO/ Secretary DOS / Chairman Space Commission.' Launch of Axiom-4 mission to International Space Station: Due to weather conditions, the launch of Axiom-4 mission for sending Indian Gaganyatri to International Space Station is postponed from 10th June 2025 to 11th June 2025. The targeted time of launch is 5:30 PM IST on 11th… — ISRO (@isro) June 9, 2025 About the Ax-4 mission Besides Shukla, the Ax-4 crew includes members from Poland and Hungary, marking each nation's first mission to the ISS in history and the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years. Shukla will conduct seven experiments in space that are aimed at encouraging microgravity research in India, which hopes to build its space station by 2035 and send astronauts to the moon by 2047. The Ax-4 crew will spend 14 days orbiting the laboratory. NASA has previously overseen three private astronaut missions to the ISS. Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) took place in April 2022, lasting 17 days. Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) followed in May 2023, with four private astronauts spending eight days in orbit. The most recent mission, Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3), launched in January 2024, with its crew staying aboard the ISS for 18 days.
Mint
a day ago
- Science
- Mint
Axiom-4 mission: Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's space journey delayed. Here's why
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that the Axiom-4 mission, carrying Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS), has been postponed to June 11 at 5:30 pm due to unfavourable weather conditions. 'Launch of Axiom-4 mission to International Space Station: Due to weather conditions, the launch of Axiom-4 mission for sending Indian Gaganyatri to International Space Station is postponed from 10th June 2025 to 11th June 2025. The targeted time of launch is 5:30 PM IST on 11th June 2025: Dr V Narayanan, Chairman ISRO/ Secretary DOS / Chairman Space Commission,' ISRO stated on X. Union minister Dr Jitendra Singh also shared, 'Update on Axiom-4 Mission to to adverse weather, the launch of the Axiom-4 mission carrying Indian Gaganyatri to the International Space Station is rescheduled from June 10 to possibly June 11, 2025. Further update, if any, will be accordingly shared. New Launch Date: June 11, 2025 Time: 5:30 PM IST.' The Ax-4 crew consists of members from India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each nation's first mission to the space station as watershed moment and the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years as per Axiom Space. Since 1984, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be India's second national astronaut to go to space. He joins Axiom Space's fourth private astronaut mission (Ax-4), marking a milestone in India's space collaboration with NASA. He will be only the second Indian to go to space, after Rakesh Sharma went on a Soviet mission. According to Axiom Space, the Ax-4 mission will "realise the return" to human spaceflight for India, Poland and Hungary, each undertaking its first government-sponsored mission in over four decades. Although this will be only the second human spaceflight in history for these nations, it will be the first time all three participate in a mission aboard the International Space Station. This groundbreaking mission underscores Axiom Space's role in expanding access to low-Earth orbit and strengthening national space programs around the world. Ax-4 will also be the second commercial spaceflight to feature national astronauts sponsored by their governments and the European Space Agency. For India, Poland, and Hungary, Ax-4 stands as a symbol of opportunity, enabling each country to advance its space ambitions on a global stage. The Ax-4 research complement comprises nearly 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries like the US, India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations across Europe. According to Axiom Space, this mission will feature the highest number of research and science-focused activities ever conducted on an Axiom mission aboard the ISS. It highlights the mission's global importance and collaborative spirit in advancing microgravity research in low-Earth orbit (LEO). SpaceX Vice President of Build and Flight Reliability, William Gerstenmaier, underscored the company's emphasisis on safety and reliability in its Dragon capsule missions, stating the 'design changed several propulsion components to make them reliable and more useful'. "So this isn't just the same Dragon capsule you're flying. We've actually made some improvements and actually made it better to continue to keep flying safe. So far this year, SpaceX teams have long spring drag missions, two of which were human spaceflight missions, with all of them launching within 38 days of one another. And while we were working on those, the teams were also looking ahead and preparing for action," he said. He added, 'It gives us the opportunity to review data regularly, and it allows us to look for data, look for small things, fly things, improve things, and continue to fly to NASA axiom and the partners on this mission. India, Poland and Hungary, thanks for their trust and close collaboration on this very important mission.'
India.com
a day ago
- Science
- India.com
Why Shubhanshu Shuklas ISS Launch Was Halted? ISRO Drops Stunning Reason
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's historic flight to the International Space Station (ISS) has yet again been delayed due to poor weather, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said on Monday. The US-based Axiom Space is now scheduled carry Shukla along with three others, to the ISS from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on June 11 at 8 a.m. ET (5.30 p.m. IST). The mission was initially scheduled for launch on May 29, but was later deferred to June 8 and then June 10. "Due to weather conditions, the launch of Axiom-4 mission for sending Indian Gaganyatri to International Space Station is postponed from 10th June 2025 to 11th June 2025," Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman ISRO, shared in a post on social media platform X. "Now targeting no earlier than Wednesday, June 11 for Falcon 9 to launch at Axiom Space's Ax-4 mission to the Space Station due to high winds in the ascent corridor," added SpaceX, the launch partner for the mission. SpaceX has also arranged for a backup opportunity on June 12 at 7.37 a.m. ET. With the success of the flight, Shukla will become the first Indian on ISS. He will also be the second to go to space, after Rakesh Sharma flew to space station Salyut 7 in 1984. Earlier today, his family said they are filled with "immense pride". "We are definitely feeling proud; our son has done something that brings pride in itself...", Shukla's mother told IANS from Lucknow. Shukla will pilot the mission along with Commander Peggy Whitson, from the US. Other crew members include mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary). Once aboard the ISS, IAF Group Captain Shukla is expected to conduct exclusive food and nutrition-related experiments. The experiments -- developed under a collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA -- aim to pioneer space nutrition and self-sustaining life support systems vital for future long-duration space travel. The experiment will examine the impact of microgravity and space radiation on edible microalgae -- a high-potential, nutrient-rich food source. The study will focus on key growth parameters and the changes in transcriptomes, proteomes, and metabolomes of various algal species in space compared to Earth conditions.
