Axiom Mission 4 to ISS Delayed Due to ISS Repairs
New Delhi / Houston: The much-anticipated launch of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS), featuring Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, has been rescheduled to June 22, Axiom Space has officially announced.
Originally slated for mid-June, the mission was postponed following a series of operational checks at the ISS, particularly in the Russian-built Zvezda service module, which recently underwent maintenance. According to a post shared by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on social media, the revised launch date has been confirmed after thorough coordination between NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX, and careful evaluation of several mission-critical factors.
Teams from @isro, Poland, and Hungary engaged in a detailed discussion with @Axiom_Space regarding the probable launch timeline of Axiom Mission 4. Following this, @Axiom_Space held consultations with @NASA and @SpaceX to assess multiple readiness parameters.
Based on the…
— ISRO (@isro) June 18, 2025
The revised timeline considers the readiness of the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle, the Dragon spacecraft, the post-repair stability of ISS systems, the prevailing weather conditions at launch, and the health and preparedness of the Ax-4 crew, who are currently in quarantine to prevent last-minute health-related delays.
Speaking on the development, Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said the new launch date was finalized after evaluating key safety and technical parameters. “This mission is of immense national pride, as it marks a significant step forward in India’s role in international human spaceflight missions,” he stated.
Axiom Mission 4 is the fourth private astronaut mission to the ISS and will be commanded by NASA veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson. Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot selected by ISRO, will take on the role of mission pilot, showcasing India’s increasing participation in global space exploration. The crew also includes Sławosz Uznański from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, both serving as mission specialists.
The mission is being conducted under Axiom Space’s broader goal of commercializing low-Earth orbit missions and developing the world’s first commercial space station. It is also a significant demonstration of international cooperation in the space sector.
If successful, the Ax-4 mission will not only advance scientific research aboard the ISS but also solidify India’s footprint in collaborative human spaceflight missions, ahead of ISRO’s own ambitious Gaganyaan mission expected in the near future.
The launch will take place from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with the liftoff scheduled for the early hours of June 22 (local time), subject to final pre-flight assessments.
