India's Shubhanshu Shukla's Ax-4 mission to launch on June 19

Days after Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's Ax-4 mission was postponed indefinitely, Isro has announced the new launch date.Shukla is set to make history as he prepares for his maiden voyage to space aboard the Axiom-4 (Ax-04) mission, now officially scheduled for launch on June 19, 2025.The mission will lift off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, aboard SpaceX's reliable Falcon 9 rocket.advertisement
The confirmation of the launch date follows a crucial coordination meeting between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Axiom Space, and SpaceX.
During the meeting, officials addressed recent technical concerns, most notably a liquid oxygen leak previously detected in the Falcon 9 launch vehicle.SpaceX engineers have since resolved the issue, ensuring the rocket is ready for its next ambitious mission.Shukla, a serving Indian Air Force pilot and ISRO's newest astronaut, will join an international crew for the Ax-04 mission. This marks a significant milestone for India's human spaceflight program, as Shukla becomes one of the few Indians to travel to the International Space Station (ISS).advertisementMeanwhile, Axiom Space is working closely with NASA to monitor a separate issue—a pressure anomaly detected in the Zvezda Service Module aboard the ISS. While this anomaly is unrelated to the Ax-04 launch, it underscores the complex coordination required for international space missions.Axiom Space has assured all partners that they are taking every precaution to ensure crew safety and mission success.The Ax-04 mission is part of Axiom Space's broader goal to expand commercial access to low-Earth orbit and eventually build the world's first commercial space station.For India, Shukla's participation is a proud moment, inspiring a new generation of scientists and space enthusiasts.He will be conducting 7 experiments designed by India and will participate in other joint studies with Nasa aboard the ISS.Tune InTrending Reel
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