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The highly anticipated launch of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS)—which includes Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla—has faced yet another delay. NASA, after a series of reschedules, has decided not to proceed with the planned Sunday, June 22 launch and is now working to set a new date in the coming days.
A statement from Axiom Space confirmed NASA’s decision, citing the need for additional time to thoroughly assess the ISS following recent repair work on the Zvezda service module’s aft section. The Zvezda module, a Russian component crucial to the station’s operation, recently underwent important repairs. Given how closely all ISS systems are linked, NASA emphasized it is vital to ensure the station is fully prepared for more crew members. The agency is carefully reviewing new data from the repair to guarantee the safety and readiness of the ISS for the upcoming mission. Details can be found in NASA’s official update on the mission delay.
This latest delay is just one in a series of setbacks for Axiom-4. The original launch was intended for May 29, but was pushed back multiple times—to June 8, then June 10, and subsequently June 11—due to both technical and safety issues. Notably, a liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon-9 rocket boosters and leaks found in an aging Russian module led to these reschedulings, highlighting the complexity and interconnectedness of ISS operations. For more on recent ISS repairs and procedures, readers can visit NASA’s space station blog.
The Ax-4 mission carries major international significance. It will be the first time astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary fly government-sponsored missions to the ISS, representing a historic step in international space collaboration. This marks only the second time in more than forty years that these countries have sent national astronauts into human spaceflight. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become India’s second astronaut to reach space, following Rakesh Sharma’s historic 1984 mission. Alongside Shukla, the crew includes Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary.
At present, all crew members remain in pre-flight quarantine in Florida, strictly following health and safety protocols as they await further updates. As Axiom Space recently posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Ax-4 crew continues to train and remain mission-ready until a safe launch window is cleared.
"NASA has made the decision to stand down from a launch on Sunday, June 22, and will target a new launch date in the coming days," Axiom Space reiterated in their latest public statement.
The repeated postponements serve as a reminder of the stringent safety standards governing human spaceflight. NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are prioritizing mission safety over speed, choosing caution as they prepare their fifth and final Crew Dragon spacecraft for the mission. Those interested in live updates about SpaceX’s commercial missions can follow coverage at Spaceflight Now.
As the world eagerly awaits the new launch window for Axiom-4, this mission continues to symbolize the collaborative spirit of modern space exploration. Updates about the launch date and mission progress will continue to be available on official NASA channels and reputable news outlets such as the Times of India.
Stay tuned for more developments as NASA completes its ISS safety review, ensuring the readiness for one of the year’s most significant international missions.