Axiom Mission 4 Launch Delayed Again: What Caused the Setback?
Launch Postponed Due to Technical Issues
The highly anticipated Axiom Mission 4 has encountered yet another delay in its launch schedule, attributed to the discovery of leaks during the post-static fire booster inspections. Initially set for launch on Wednesday, June 11, SpaceX has announced the postponement of the Falcon 9 rocket's Ax-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) via a post on X.
In their announcement, SpaceX stated, “We are standing down from tomorrow’s Falcon 9 launch of Ax-4 to the @SpaceStation to allow additional time for our teams to address the LOx leak identified during the inspections. Once the repairs are completed and pending Range availability, we will provide a new launch date.”
ISRO Acknowledges the Delay
Following SpaceX's announcement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) confirmed the delay as well. This news means that many Indians eagerly awaiting the launch will need to exercise more patience. This mission holds particular significance for India, as it is set to transport the first Indian Gaganyatri, Shubhanshu Shukla, to the ISS. Shubhanshu Shukla will become India’s second national astronaut to venture into space since 1984.
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. Once complete – and pending Range availability – we will share a new launch date pic.twitter.com/FwRc8k2Bc0
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 11, 2025
Details of the Technical Issue
ISRO elaborated on the situation via a post on X, stating, “The Axiom 04 mission, originally scheduled for launch on June 11, 2025, to send the first Indian Gaganyatri to the ISS, has been postponed. During the launch vehicle preparation, a seven-second hot test was conducted on the launch pad, during which a LOX leak was detected in the propulsion bay. Following discussions between ISRO and experts from Axiom and SpaceX, it was decided to rectify the leak and conduct necessary validation tests before proceeding with the launch.”
Postponement of Axiom 04 mission slated for launch on 11th June 2025 for sending first Indian Gaganyatri to ISS.
As part of launch vehicle preparation to validate the performance of booster stage of Falcon 9 launch vehicle, seven second of hot test was carried out on the launch…
— ISRO (@isro) June 11, 2025
International Crew on Ax-4 Mission
It is noteworthy that the Ax-4 crew comprises astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each nation's inaugural mission to the space station and the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over four decades.