Weather still a factor: Last call on Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 launch early today

CAPE CANAVERAL (FLORIDA): The rescheduled launch of Shubhanshu Shukla-piloted Axiom-4 mission remained unchanged at 5.30pm IST on Wednesday after a 'weather call' taken at Kennedy Space Centre on Tuesday (8pm IST). However, the weather continues to be a key variable as the stakeholders will take a final call after the 'L-8 hour
weather briefing
', scheduled around midnight in US (around 10am IST).
At the mission readiness review briefing, Jimmy Taeger, launch weather officer with 45th Weather Squadron of US Space Force, said conditions across central Florida is being shaped by a high-pressure system to the southeast. The system is expected to move north in the coming days, which could shift the winds and bring in scattered showers. While wind conditions are projected to improve mid-week, forecasters are keeping a close eye on the risk of passing showers, especially as launch windows approach. "Though winds are likely to improve, Wednesday looks better, and Thursday even better. The one thing we are going to be watching closely is the possibility of showers moving into the area," Taeger said.
Liquid oxygen leak detected during fire test on Falcon-9
William Gerstenmaier, SpaceX vice-president, build and flight reliability, stressed on the company's continued focus on safety and precision, noting that "space flight is really hard, and we're learning every day". During a static fire test of the Falcon-9, SpaceX engineers discovered a liquid oxygen leak that had initially gone undetected during the booster's post-flight refurbishment. "We discovered that we had not fully repaired the booster ... we're installing a purge that will essentially mitigate the leak if it continues," he said.
In addition, a thrust vector control issue with engine five was also identified. The affected components have since been replaced.

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