Latest news with #AX-4
India Today
15 hours ago
- Science
- India Today
Launch of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla postponed for the 7th time. Here's why
Just over a day after announcing the launch of the Ax-4 mission to space on June 22, Nasa has pulled the plug again. This marks the seventh postponement of the much-awaited launch of the private mission with Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Ax-4 mission was initially planned to launch on May 29, 2025. However, technical snags, weather conditions and leaks aboard the Space Station have repeatedly pushed the mission beyond its timeline. advertisementThe 14-day mission was scheduled to liftoff on Sunday before Nasa announced an indefinite delay to the IS AX-4 LAUNCH POSTPONED THIS TIME? The latest postponement follows Nasa's concerns over a recent repair work in the aft (back) most segment of the orbital laboratory's Zvezda service module."The space agency needs additional time to continue evaluating International Space Station operations after recent repair work ," Nasa said in an update. It added, "because of the space station's interconnected and interdependent systems, NASA wants to ensure the station is ready for additional crew members, and the agency is taking the time necessary to review data."The American space agency confirmed that the crew remains in quarantine in Florida, and the astronauts stand ready to launch when the station is ready to receive Whitson, former Nasa astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, will command the commercial mission, while Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as pilot. The two mission specialists are European Space Agency project astronaut Sawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary."It is not uncommon for the agency and its international partners to adjust launches around changes in operations aboard the space station. Teams are making progress evaluating the transfer tunnel configuration, resulting in an updated launch opportunity for the private astronaut mission," Nasa had said. The decision comes as Nasa requires more time to evaluate ISS operations. (Photo: Axiom) ISRO MONITORING CLOSELYWith the launch now delayed almost a month and no next date announced yet, the Indian space agency is rushing to replenish the biological samples planned for the Space Indian astronaut is scheduled to conduct seven space-based studies in the flying laboratory, while the entire mission will see over 60 such experiments to enhance our understanding of biological and physiological processes in space. The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, originally scheduled for May 29, 2025, faced several delays due to technical and weather-related setbacks. It was first postponed to June 8 after issues with the Crew Dragon's electrical harness, then pushed to June 9 due to Falcon 9 readiness delays. Poor weather in the ascent corridor led to another slip to June pre-launch tests, an oxygen leak and an engine actuator anomaly were found on June 8. After replacing the faulty components, the launch was rescheduled for June 11 and then to June 12 before it was pushed to June 22 owing to leaks detected aboard the InMust Watch
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
Axiom-4 mission: ISRO coordinating with Axiom Space to refresh time-sensitive experimental specimens
With the launch of Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's mission to the International Space Station (ISS) scheduled for June 19, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is coordinating with Axiom Space to refresh time-sensitive experimental specimens. ISRO announced on Monday that it, along with the Indian Principal Investigators (PIs), is coordinating with Axiom Space ahead of the Axiom-4 mission's (AX-4) scheduled launch. ISRO has shortlisted seven microgravity research experiments proposed by Indian (PIs) from various national R&D laboratories and academic institutions which Group Captain Shukla would be conducting during his 14-day stay at the ISS. The seven experiments include impact of microgravity radiation in ISS on Edible Microalgae, sprouting salad seeds in space, survival, revival, reproduction and transcriptome of Tardigrades in space, effect of metabolic supplements on muscle regeneration under microgravity, analysing human interaction with electronic displays in microgravity, comparative growth and proteomics responses of cyanobacteria on urea and nitrate in microgravity and impact of microgravity on growth and yield parameters in food crop seeds. 'The experience gained through this effort in implementation of these experiments will nurture a microgravity research ecosystem in the country resulting in the induction of advanced microgravity experiments in various disciplines in the Indian space programme,' ISRO had said earlier while announcing the experiments. 5 more experiments In addition to these seven experiments, ISRO and NASA will be conducting five more experiments which will mainly be on human research programmes which Group Captain Shukla will be participating in. The mission has been rescheduled four times due to various issues ranging from observation in electrical harness in Crew Dragon Module, delay in preparedness of the Falcon 9 vehicle, unfavourable weather, liquid oxygen leak on Falcon 9 and a snag in the Zvezda service module aboard the ISS.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Axiom Space astronaut launch delayed again, this time due to trouble on space station
Updated with completion of SpaceX static fire. The launch is Axiom Mission 4 (AX-4) is delayed again ― this time not due to weather or rocket issues, but a leak on the Russian side of the International Space Station (ISS). Originally set to launch earlier this week, the launch of the crew to the ISS was scrubbed due to poor weather in the ascent corridor. Additionally, SpaceX discovered a liquid oxygen leak on the Falcon 9 rocket during a prelaunch checkout, further delaying the mission. The rocket was on the launch pad and set to see a static fire test Thursday, according to Kennedy Space Center alerts, but yet another issue was made known. The morning of Thursday, June 12, it was reported that after recent repairs, a pressure issue was detected in the Russian Zvezda service module on the International Space Station. Astronauts onboard are not in danger, but an investigation is ongoing. As for the Falcon 9, SpaceX reported on the afternoon of June 12 that the static fire was completed. SpaceX is now waiting for direction from NASA and Axiom Space. Shortly beforehand, NASA has posted to X (formerly Twitter) that a new launch date was still to come. "Cosmonauts aboard the space station recently performed inspections of the pressurized module's interior surfaces, sealed some additional areas of interest, and measured the current leak rate. Following this effort, the segment now is holding pressure. The postponement of Axiom Mission 4 provides additional time for NASA and Roscosmos to evaluate the situation and determine whether any additional troubleshooting is necessary," the statement read. NASA deferred comment to Roscosmos. The earliest parts of the ISS have been in orbit since 1998, and it is currently set for decommission by 2030. SpaceX is contracted to safely deorbit the space station in a remote area of the ocean sometime after 2030. Issues on the aging ISS are not new. A NASA Office of Inspector General report released late last year raised concerns about whether it would be safe or even affordable to operate past the 2030 date. When is the next Florida launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, Axiom, ULA rocket launch schedule at Cape Canaveral The international effort of Axiom Space, a Houston based private company, is paving the way for its Axiom Station. Axiom Station will be a new space station which attaches to the current ISS, allowing for a transfer before the decommission of the ISS in 2030. As for the Axiom Mission 4, it is the fourth crewed mission of Axiom Space, all before the first moduel of Axiom Station is launched. Commanded by former NASA astronaut, and record-breaking space flier, Peggy Whitson, the Axiom Mission 4 is set to spend two weeks onboard the ISS. Joining Whitson are Shubhanshu Shukla from India, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. The mission will bring a return to human spaceflight for these three countries, which in over 40 years have not had a government-sponsored astronaut. As of the afternoon of June 12, a new launch date for the Axiom Mission 4 has not been announced. Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@ or on X: @brookeofstars. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: After SpaceX rocket issue, Ax-4 launch delayed due to issue on ISS
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
International Space Station leak investigation prompts delay in Axiom Space crew launch
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. – Axiom Space's fourth private crew to the International Space Station is awaiting a new launch date as Nasa and Roscosmos investigate a leak on one of the station's modules. The Axiom Mission 4 crew, commanded by Axiom Space's director of human spaceflight and former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, was set to launch Wednesday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, but a leak with SpaceX's rocket at the space station has delayed the private mission. On Thursday, NASA said the Ax-4 launch was postponed as part of an ongoing investigation to understand a "new pressure signature, after the recent post-repair effort" on the space station's Zvezda service module. "Cosmonauts aboard the space station recently performed inspections of the pressurized module's interior surfaces, sealed some additional areas of interest, and measured the current leak rate," NASA said. "Following this effort, the segment now is holding pressure." Watch Explosions From Sun In First Video From Nasa Mission Seeking To Improve Space Weather Predictions The space agency said pushing the launch will provide more time for NASA and Rosmoscos to evaluate the situation and determine if any additional fixes are needed. The AX-4 crew includes Indian Space Research Organization astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, European Space Agency project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, of Poland, and Tibor Kapu, of Hungary. The ISS leak investigation comes as SpaceX looks into a different leak on the ground with the Falcon 9 rocket. On Tuesday, SpaceX said it was standing down from a launch attempt Wednesday because of a liquid oxygen (Lox) leak discovered during a post-static fire booster inspection. This will be the first flight of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and the second launch for the Falcon 9 first stage booster. SpaceX often launches and reuses its booster more than a dozen times. A new launch date has not been article source: International Space Station leak investigation prompts delay in Axiom Space crew launch
India Today
11-06-2025
- Science
- India Today
We are all proud: PM Modi hosts all-party Op Sindoor delegations at his house
The launch of the AX-4 mission, including Captain Subhanshu Shukla, has been delayed due to technical snags in the Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceX discovered issues during the static fire test, including a liquid oxygen leak. The delay could extend into the next week, with no new launch date announced. The reusable Falcon 9 booster had previously launched Starlink satellites and may need to be removed from the launch pad for further inspection.
