Shubhanshu Shukla’s Axiom-4 launch on June 25
The much-anticipated launch of India’s Shubhanshu Shukla aboard the Axiom-4 mission has faced several delays due to technical issues. Engineers initially detected a liquid oxygen leak in the boosters of the Falcon-9 rocket, prompting an immediate halt to launch preparations to ensure crew safety. These issues necessitated thorough inspections and repairs, pushing back the mission’s launch window multiple times. The mission team remains optimistic, with the new target date now set for June 25, pending final clearance from all spaceflight authorities.
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) is now targeting a launch on June 25, 2025, NASA confirmed in an official statement released on Tuesday, June 24. The mission, part of an international collaboration, marks a historic return to space for India, Hungary, and Poland.
Originally slated for lift-off on May 29, the mission has faced a series of postponements. Engineers discovered a liquid oxygen leak in the boosters of the Falcon-9 rocket, which led to the initial delay. Compounding the situation, NASA identified additional complications involving the ageing Russian module aboard the ISS, including a minor leak, which required urgent assessment and repairs.
The mission was later re-targeted for June 19 and again for June 22, but the date was pushed further to allow NASA engineers more time to evaluate the functionality of the ISS following maintenance work on the Russian module.
Now, NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX have confirmed a new launch window for Wednesday, June 25. Lift-off is scheduled for 2:31 a.m. EDT (12:01 p.m. IST) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.
The Axiom-4 mission is led by veteran NASA astronaut and commander Peggy Whitson. Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as the mission pilot, while Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu and Poland’s Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski will join as mission specialists. This is the fourth private astronaut mission to the ISS and continues Axiom Space’s efforts to pave the way for commercial human spaceflight.
With Shukla’s participation, India is poised to make a significant mark in international space collaboration. The mission aims to conduct scientific research, demonstrate new technologies, and promote international cooperation aboard the orbiting laboratory.
If successful, Axiom-4 will be another milestone in global space exploration, contributing valuable data and fostering stronger international ties in the realm of science and technology.