NASA Delays Axiom-4: Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Awaits New Launch Date
- NASA has postponed Axiom Mission 4 to the ISS, originally set for June 22, 2025.
- The delay is due to ongoing evaluations after repair work on the ISS’s Zvezda module.
- Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is part of the four-member international crew awaiting a new launch date.
NASA has postponed the much-anticipated launch of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS), led by Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. The mission, initially scheduled for June 22 (Sunday), has been delayed as NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX continue to assess ISS readiness following recent technical repairs.
The ISS, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), announced: “@NASA, @Axiom_Space, and @SpaceX continue reviewing launch opportunities for Axiom Mission 4. NASA is standing down from a launch on Sunday, June 22, and will target a new launch date in the coming days”.
The delay comes as NASA evaluates station operations after repair work conducted on the aft segment of the Zvezda service module, a critical component of the Russian segment of the ISS. Given the highly integrated nature of onboard systems, additional time is required to ensure the orbital lab is ready to safely accommodate the incoming four-member crew.
Highlighting the global significance of Ax-4, the ISS stated that the agencies 'appreciate the historic nature of this mission for the nations of India, Poland, and Hungary, as well as the world'.
The Ax-4 mission is to be commanded by Peggy Whitson, a seasoned former NASA astronaut and now Director of Human Spaceflight at Axiom Space. Shubhanshu Shukla, from India’s space agency ISRO, will serve as the pilot, marking a significant milestone in India’s human spaceflight ambitions. Mission specialists include Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, affiliated with the European Space Agency (ESA), and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.
All four astronauts are currently in pre-launch quarantine in Florida, remaining on standby for a final clearance. The mission will launch aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft, both in good condition and positioned at Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
Earlier, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh confirmed the mission would not launch before June 22 due to pending safety assessments. Speaking at a press conference, he remarked, “We have been told that it won’t be before June 22. There is a safety angle also involved here”.
He further shared an update on social media, stating, “Axiom Mission 04 to the ISS… After assessing key parameters, including module fitness, crew health, and weather, @Axiom_Space has indicated that June 22, 2025, may be the next likely launch date of Axiom-04 Mission carrying, among others, the Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla”.
Dr. Singh also took the opportunity to highlight achievements under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 11-year leadership, especially in administrative reforms. “The administrative reforms that happened in the last 11 years were not limited to governance. They had extreme socio-economic ramifications”, he stated. He emphasized efforts toward digital governance, improved citizen services, and targeted reforms for marginalized communities, linking the success of India's space progress to broader national development.
As the world awaits the next launch window, Axiom Mission 4 stands as a symbol of international cooperation, technological advancement, and India’s growing presence in space exploration. Further updates on the rescheduled launch are expected in the coming days.
