NASA's Axiom-4 Mission Launch Delayed: New Date to Be Announced Soon

NASA has announced a delay in the Axiom-4 mission launch, initially scheduled for June 22. This mission, which includes Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, aims to send a crew to the International Space Station. The agency is currently assessing the operational status of the ISS after recent repairs. A new launch date will be announced soon, as all astronauts remain in quarantine and ready for launch once the station is prepared. This mission marks a significant achievement for several countries, including India.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 20, 2025, 15:50 IST

NASA Postpones Axiom-4 Mission Launch

The United States space agency, NASA, has announced a delay in the launch of the Axiom-4 mission, which was originally set for June 22. A new launch date will be revealed shortly. This mission aims to send four astronauts, including Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, to the International Space Station (ISS) using SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket.

The International Space Station shared on their X account that, 'NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are continuing to evaluate launch opportunities for Axiom Mission 4. NASA has decided to postpone the launch originally scheduled for June 22 and will announce a new date soon.'

In a statement, NASA confirmed that it is collaborating with Axiom Space and SpaceX to explore alternative launch opportunities for the Axiom-4 mission. The agency has opted to delay the launch planned for June 22 while determining a new date.

NASA indicated that additional time is required to evaluate the operational condition of the space station following recent repairs to the Zvezda service module. The agency aims to ensure the station is fully equipped to safely accommodate new crew members, thus reviewing data on the interconnected systems of the space station.

Furthermore, NASA emphasized that the Axiom-4 mission represents a significant milestone for nations such as India, Poland, and Hungary, and is taking all necessary precautions in its preparations. Meanwhile, the astronauts involved in the mission are currently in quarantine in Florida and will be ready for launch once the station is prepared.

Details of the Axiom-4 Mission

The mission will be led by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, with Shubhanshu Shukla serving as the pilot. The team also includes mission specialists Slavoj Uznanski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.

SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket and Dragon capsule will transport this four-member crew to the ISS. The launch was initially set for May 29 but faced multiple delays due to a liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon-9 boosters and technical issues with the ISS's older Russian module. It was subsequently rescheduled for June 8, 10, 11, and finally June 19.