Washington [US], June 20 (ANI): NASA has postponed the highly anticipated launch of Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station (ISS), which was initially rescheduled for Sunday, June 22. The mission, led by Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is now awaiting a new launch date, to be determined in the coming days.
“@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 ISS posted on X.
The delay is due to ongoing assessments following repair operations in the aft segment of the Zvezda service module. Given the intricate interdependence of the space station’s systems, NASA is carefully reviewing operational data to ensure all systems are ready for the arrival of the new crew.
Recognizing the international significance of the mission, the ISS noted that the agencies “appreciate the historic nature of this mission for the nations of India, Poland, and Hungary, as well as the world.”
The four-member crew, currently under quarantine in Florida, remains prepared to launch once conditions are deemed safe. Commanding the mission is Peggy Whitson, a veteran NASA astronaut and Axiom Space’s Director of Human Spaceflight. Indian Air Force officer Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as pilot, while mission specialists include ESA astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft, which will transport the crew, are in good condition and stationed at Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Earlier this week, Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed that the launch would not occur before June 22, citing necessary safety assessments. “We have been told that it won’t be before 22nd June. There is a safety angle also involved here,” Singh stated during a press briefing.
In a post on X, Singh added, “Axiom Mission 04 to the International Space Station (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, to the ISS.”
Beyond space exploration, Singh also reflected on the Modi administration’s governance reforms during a speech commemorating 11 years of the Prime Minister’s leadership. “The administrative reforms that happened in the last 11 years were not limited to governance. They had extreme socio-economic ramifications,” he said.
Singh emphasized the role of digital transformation in governance, highlighting its impact on improving citizen services and enhancing equity. “During the 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, not only has governance improved but also had significant socio-economic consequences,” he noted.
He concluded by stating that the various reforms initiated under the current administration were designed to ensure inclusive development and deliver justice to marginalized groups. (ANI)
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