top of page
Search

🚀 Mission Ax-4 Launch Delayed Again – Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Waits in Orbit! 🌌

TL;DR: NASA has postponed the June 22 launch of the Axiom‑4 (Ax‑4) mission carrying India’s very own Shubhanshu Shukla and three international astronauts, due to safety checks on the ISS's aging Russian Zvezda module and earlier liquid oxygen and weather delays. This marks the sixth rescheduling since May 29. A new launch date will be revealed soon. The mission is crucial for international space cooperation and low-cost science in low Earth orbit. 🚀🧑‍🚀

What’s the Scoop? 🧐

NASA announced today, June 20, 2025, that the full crew liftoff set for June 22 has been stood down until further notice while they evaluate operational integrity of the ISS, especially after recent repairs in the Russian Zvezda service module .

Supported by Axiom Space, NASA and SpaceX have iterated multiple delays—not just this one. Launch had already been held back due to:

  1. Liquid oxygen (LOX) leak in the Falcon 9 booster during June 10 post-fire checks.

  2. Weather conditions affecting the ascent trajectory.

  3. Pressure leak concerns in the Zvezda module detected on June 12.

Why Is This Delay a Big Deal?

  • It’s the sixth delay since the mission first targeted a launch on May 29 .

  • Crew safety is paramount, and NASA is cautious due to the Zvezda module's age (launched in 2000) and prior air leaks that were temporarily sealed .

  • Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become the first Indian pilot to dock at the ISS (second Indian in orbit after Rakesh Sharma in 1984) .

Mission Crew Snapshot 🧑‍🚀

  • Peggy Whitson — Commander (USA), veteran astronaut.

  • Shubhanshu Shukla — Pilot (India, ISRO).

  • Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski — ESA astronaut (Poland).

  • Tibor Kapu — ESA astronaut (Hungary).

They were prepared for a 14–21 day voyage, featuring experiments from 31 nations focusing on microgravity's effects on algae, muscle, microbes, and human physiology .

What Happens Next? 🔭

NASA and Roscosmos (Russian space agency) continue detailed leak testing and pressure monitoring in Zvezda. Once systems are confirmed stable, they'll confirm a new launch date. The U.S. partners emphasize range availability and schedule alignment .

Why You Should Care

This delay highlights global space missions' fragility—international cooperation alone doesn’t guarantee smooth launches. For India, it's a critical step in ISRO’s Gaganyaan roadmap, demonstrating capability, safety, and scientific return . It also cements the evolution of private-public space ventures (NASA, Axiom Space, SpaceX) into normalcy.

⚙️ MediaFx Take (From the Working Class Corner)

It’s only right that spaceship launches aren’t rushed—crew safety trumps all. But let’s not fetishize expensive missions for the elite. India and its poorer cousins must fight for resources—NASA-Axiom missions should come with cost caps and benefits prioritizing common people, not billionaires. Show us how fruits from this mission—like seed-sprout research—help small farmers or public health. That’s real progress. ☭🛠️

Over to You, Gen-Z Fam!

Drop in the comments what excites you:

  • Seeing an Indian on ISS? 🇮🇳

  • Curious about microgravity research?

  • Want a debate on space vs. social spending?

Let’s hear your voice! ⬇️

bottom of page