Axiom-4 Mission with Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Set for June 22 Launch After Multiple Delays

Axiom-4 Mission Cleared for Launch after Series of Delays

After a series of postponements due to technical issues and weather, Axiom Space has announced a new launch date for its fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The Ax-4 mission, featuring Indian Air Force pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, is now scheduled to lift off aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 22.

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The mission has faced a challenging path to the launchpad. Originally slated for late May, the launch was pushed back multiple times due to a variety of issues, including concerns with the Crew Dragon’s electrical harness, Falcon 9 vehicle readiness, and unfavorable weather. The most recent postponement on June 12 was caused by a pressure leak detected aboard the ISS, which required time for evaluation and repair by the teams on board the orbiting laboratory.

The four-person international crew is led by Commander Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut who is now the director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space. Serving alongside her as pilot is ISRO astronaut and serving IAF test pilot Shubhanshu Shukla. The crew is rounded out by mission specialists Sławosz Uznański of Poland, an ESA project astronaut, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary.

The primary objective of the Ax-4 mission is to conduct approximately 60 scientific experiments in the unique microgravity environment of space. Shukla will lead seven of these studies on behalf of India. With the technical hurdles now overcome and a firm launch date set, the crew, currently in quarantine, is in the final phase of preparations for their ambitious scientific journey to the ISS.