The much-anticipated Axiom-4 mission, featuring Indian Air Force pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, has encountered yet another delay. SpaceX, the aerospace company managing the mission, identified a leak involving liquid oxygen (LOX) during post-static fire inspections of the Falcon 9 rocket. As a precautionary measure, the launch has been postponed to allow time for repairs and revalidation testing.
Originally scheduled to lift off on June 11, 2025, the mission aims to transport Shukla and three other astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Dragon spacecraft. However, the plan has faced multiple delays, with this latest setback stemming from technical concerns identified in the booster segment of the rocket.
SpaceX issued an update via social media, explaining: “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.” They added that a new launch date will be determined after repairs and based on availability of the launch range.
ISRO also confirmed the development, stating that a brief seven-second hot test conducted on the Falcon 9’s booster stage revealed the LOX leakage. The issue emerged during propulsion bay inspection, prompting a joint review by ISRO, Axiom Space, and SpaceX teams. It was mutually agreed that the leak must be corrected and follow-up testing completed before proceeding with the launch.
The Axiom-4 mission holds historical significance as it marks the first time an Indian astronaut, under the private Gaganyatri initiative, will participate in an international space mission coordinated by Axiom Space and SpaceX. Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey to the ISS has garnered wide attention both in India and abroad.
Meanwhile, weather conditions at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida are also being closely monitored. The launch had already been pushed back by a day due to unfavorable atmospheric conditions along the rocket’s planned trajectory. William Gerstenmaier, SpaceX’s Vice President, noted during a press briefing that engineers had previously resolved other technical snags in the Falcon 9, which were not detected during its post-flight refurbishment.
With repairs underway and weather updates pending, a new schedule for Axiom-4 is expected soon, as anticipation builds for India’s first Gaganyatri to venture into space.
