Axiom-4 Mission Launch Postponed; ISRO Says Delay Due To Rocket Issue

The Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station, featuring Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, has been postponed due to a rocket issue. SpaceX has said a new launch date will be announced soon.

"It is understood that LOX leakage was detected in the propulsion bay during the test. Based on the discussion on this topic by ISRO team with the experts of Axiom and SpaceX it has been decided to correct the leak and carry out necessary validation test before clearing for the launch," ISRO said in a post on X.

Billionaire Elon Musk-owned SpaceX in a post on X said the delay is due to additional time required to fix a leak in the Falcon 9 rocket.

Initially set for June 10, 2025, this mission is significant for India as Shukla will be the first Indian in space since Rakesh Sharma's 1984 journey aboard a Soviet spacecraft.

Shukla, an Indian Air Force officer and ISRO astronaut, is one of the pilots for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) on a private astronaut mission to the International Space Station.

This mission features an international crew comprising astronauts from the United States, India, Poland and Hungary.

The crew will travel to ISS onboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft which was set to be launched by a Falcon 9 rocket.