Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom mission postponed: SpaceX detects LOx leak; Falcon 9 liftoff on hold pending repairs

NEW DELHI: Axiom-4 launch to the
Space Station
was postponed again on Wednesday after a
LOx leak
was identified during post
static fire booster inspections
.
LOx stands for
Liquid Oxygen
, a cryogenic, pale blue liquid used as a powerful oxidiser.
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It is commonly used in rocket propulsion and industrial applications, but is highly reactive and can cause explosive combustion.
"Standing down from tomorrow's
Falcon 9
launch of Ax-4 to the Space Station to allow additional time for
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," posted SpaceX on X.
The rescheduled launch of Shubhanshu Shukla-piloted Axiom-4 mission was set to take place at 5.30pm IST on Wednesday after a 'weather call' taken at Kennedy Space Centre on Tuesday (8pm IST).

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