Are Indian astronauts being called back from US as Ax-4 mission is postponed?
Senior officials in the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have firmly denied widespread social media rumours suggesting that Indian astronauts slated for the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission are being recalled following the mission's indefinite postponement. Sources within ISRO clarified that only the ISRO chairman and the Indian support team stationed in the United States are returning to India, while the astronauts themselves remain in Florida, ready to launch once a new date is set.advertisementTwo Isro astronauts are in Florida for the mission. While Go Capt Shubhanshu Shukla is primary, Gp Capt P Balakrishnan Nair is backup.
The Ax-4 mission, which was to carry Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS), has faced multiple delays due to technical issues and recent repair work aboard the ISS, particularly in the Russian Zvezda service module. NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX jointly announced that the mission, originally scheduled for June 22, has been postponed indefinitely as further evaluation of the ISS's readiness is required.Despite the postponement, the Ax-4 crew—which includes Shukla along with international astronauts from Poland and Hungary—remains in quarantine in Florida, adhering to medical and safety protocols. 'The crew is in good health and high spirits and looks forward to launch,' Axiom Space confirmed in a recent update. advertisementISRO sources reiterated that the astronauts have not been recalled and continue to prepare for the mission, standing by for a new launch date once NASA and its partners complete their assessments.The Ax-4 mission is historic for India, marking the country's return to human spaceflight after more than four decades. ISRO officials emphasised that the indefinite delay is a precautionary measure to ensure crew safety and mission success, not a cancellation or withdrawal of Indian participation.Only the support team is returning, while the astronauts remain mission-ready in the US as the launch awaits reschedulingMust Watch
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