The launch of the highly anticipated Axiom-4 mission, which was set to send Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS), has been postponed once again. This marks the fifth delay in the mission, originally scheduled for June 11, 2025. SpaceX, the aerospace company leading the rocket launch, cited a technical glitch in the Falcon 9 rocket's propulsion system specifically, a liquid oxygen (LOx) leak as the reason behind the deferment.
In an official statement posted on X, SpaceX confirmed that engineers had identified the LOx leak during post-static fire booster inspections. The leak occurred in the propulsion bay, prompting the company to halt preparations for the launch until repairs are completed and further validation tests are successfully conducted. SpaceX stated that a new launch date will be announced once the issue is resolved and dependent on availability at the Kennedy Space Center’s launch range.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a decorated test pilot with the Indian Air Force, is set to become the first Indian to fly to the ISS under a private space mission. His participation in Axiom-4 is part of a joint collaboration between Axiom Space, NASA, and ISRO. This mission is particularly significant as it marks India's return to manned space missions four decades after Rakesh Sharma's historic flight in 1984 aboard the Russian Soyuz.
The Axiom-4 crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson, a retired NASA astronaut; Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland; and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. Once launched aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, the four-member crew will dock with the ISS and spend up to 14 days conducting scientific research, commercial demonstrations, and educational outreach activities.
ISRO Chairman Dr. V Narayanan confirmed the details of the fault, noting that the LOx leak was detected during a hot test at the launch pad. He explained that ISRO experts, in collaboration with Axiom and SpaceX engineers, decided to postpone the mission until all issues were fully addressed and revalidated. This decision reflects the rigorous safety protocols followed in manned spaceflight missions, where even minor technical flaws can lead to launch holdbacks.
This latest delay comes after previous postponements caused by adverse weather conditions. Despite the setbacks, the mission remains a milestone for India’s human spaceflight program. Shukla’s journey is expected to provide critical hands-on experience that will inform India's future Gaganyaan mission the country’s first indigenous crewed spaceflight initiative.
While aboard the ISS, Shukla will conduct seven key experiments in the fields of agriculture, food systems, and human biology. These experiments aim to explore the effects of microgravity on living organisms and contribute to long-term space habitation research. His mission is also intended to enhance India's understanding of launch operations, in-orbit safety, and international space collaboration.
The Axiom-4 launch is one of the most closely watched international space missions of 2025. Though delayed, the mission continues to generate excitement across India and among global space enthusiasts, as it represents a significant leap in India's space diplomacy and astronaut training efforts.
