SpaceX has announced the postponement of the Falcon 9’s launch for Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission, which was set to transport Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station. The company stated that the launch, originally planned for June 11, is being delayed to provide additional time for repairs of a liquid oxygen (LOx) leak detected during post-launch static fire booster inspections. “Once repairs are complete and subject to range availability, we will announce a new launch date,” SpaceX confirmed.
As of June 10, 2025, SpaceX indicated an 85% chance of favorable weather for the launch, although teams remained vigilant about high winds in the ascent corridor. Following the announcement of the postponement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) also confirmed the delay, stating, “During a seven-second hot test conducted on the launch pad to validate the performance of the Falcon 9’s booster stage, a LOX leak was detected in the propulsion bay. Discussions between ISRO experts and teams from Axiom and SpaceX led to the decision to address this issue and conduct necessary validation tests prior to launch clearance.”
The Ax-4 mission was significant as it aimed to send India’s first Gaganyatri, preparing for a new chapter in the country’s contributions to space exploration. Further updates will follow as the situation develops.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/axiom-4-mission-put-off-as-spacex-detects-leak-in-falcon-9-rocket/article69681336.ece
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Publish Date: 2025-06-11 06:56:00
