Latest news with #Axiom_Space
India.com
11 hours ago
- Science
- India.com
Shubhanshu Shuklas ISS Mission Delayed: NASA Awaits New Date
NASA has postponed the planned launch of Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station (ISS). The Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla-led mission was rescheduled for June 22 (Sunday). The ISS said on Friday morning that NASA is standing down from a launch on Sunday, and that it will target a new launch date in the coming days. "@NASA, @Axiom_Space, and @SpaceX continue reviewing launch opportunities for Axiom Mission 4. NASA is standing down from a launch on Sunday, June 22, and will target a new launch date in the coming days," the ISS wrote in a post on X. .@NASA, @Axiom_Space, and @SpaceX continue reviewing launch opportunities for Axiom Mission 4. NASA is standing down from a launch on Sunday, June 22, and will target a new launch date in the coming days. — International Space Station (@Space_Station) June 19, 2025 According to the ISS, additional time is needed to evaluate station operations following recent repair work in the aft segment of the Zvezda service module. Due to the highly interconnected nature of the orbital laboratory's systems, NASA is reviewing relevant data to ensure readiness for the arrival of additional crew members. Highlighting the global significance of the mission, ISS noted that the agencies "appreciate the historic nature of this mission for the nations of India, Poland, and Hungary, as well as the world." The four-member crew remains in quarantine in Florida and is prepared to launch once the station is cleared to receive them. Axiom Mission 4 will be commanded by Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut and now Axiom Space's Director of Human Spaceflight. Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla from ISRO will serve as the mission's pilot. The mission specialists are ESA project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft remain in good condition and are stationed at Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Earlier, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that the Axiom-4 space mission -- which includes Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla -- will not launch before June 22, as safety assessments are still underway before clearing the final launch timeline. "We have been told that it won't be before 22nd June. There is a safety angle also involved here," Singh said at a press conference. Following the rescheduling, Axiom Space had said in a statement earlier that NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX were targeting no earlier than Sunday, June 22, for the launch. The change allows NASA time to continue evaluating station operations after recent repairs in the Zvezda service module. In a post on X, Dr. Jitendra Singh confirmed the updated launch timeline, writing: "Axiom Mission 04 to the International Space Station (ISS)... After assessing key parameters, including module fitness, crew health, and weather, @Axiom_Space has indicated that June 22, 2025, may be the next likely launch date of Axiom-04 Mission carrying, among others, the Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, to the ISS." He added that further updates would be shared accordingly. On the 11th anniversary of the Modi government, Singh also highlighted the socio-economic impact of administrative reforms over the past decade. "The administrative reforms that happened in the last 11 years were not limited to governance. They had extreme socio-economic ramifications," he said. He emphasized the push toward digital governance aimed at enhancing ease of living for common citizens, and noted that reforms created a more automated system that helped the government achieve key milestones. "During the 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, not only has governance improved but also had significant socio-economic consequences," Singh said. He added that schemes and reforms were aimed at ensuring justice for marginalised groups.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Science
- Hans India
Ax-4 mission delayed again
New York: The much-anticipated launch of the Ax-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), featuring Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, has been postponed once again due to technical observations related to the Zvezda module of the ISS. NASA announced the delay on social media, citing safety concerns. 'Together with @Axiom_Space, we are postponing the launch of #Ax4 to the @Space_Station. A new launch date will be provided once available,' NASA wrote in a post on X. India's space agency ISRO also acknowledged the development and reassured its commitment to mission safety and coordination with international partners. 'ISRO is working closely with @Axiom_Space, @NASA, @SpaceX as they responsibly address the ISS Zvezda module observation causing the Ax 4 delay. Safety and mission integrity remain our top priorities. With regards Dr. V. Narayanan, Secretary DOS/Chairman ISRO & Chairman Space Commission,' ISRO wrote in an X post. The Ax-4 mission, operated by US-based Axiom Space, was scheduled for launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 11 at 8 a.m. local time (5:30 p.m. IST). The mission has now faced multiple delays, having initially been scheduled for May 29 and then successively postponed to June 8, June 10, and June 11. This mission holds historic significance for India. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station and only the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma's flight in 1984. Shukla will serve as the pilot of the mission alongside Commander Peggy Whitson of the United States. The other crew members include Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, both serving as mission specialists.
India Today
07-06-2025
- Science
- India Today
SpaceX rolls out Falcon-9 to launch India's Shubhanshu Shukla to space
SpaceX has rolled out the much-awaited mission for India to the launch pad as the Falcon-9 with the Dragon spacecraft reaches the launch Dragon spacecraft that will be piloted by Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to the Space Station has been rolled out on the launch pad integrated atop the SpaceX reusable Falcon-9 Ax-4 mission will launch from the Kennedy Space Centre on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 to the International Space Station on a 14-day mission with four astronauts from four different countries including 9 and Dragon rolled out to pad 39A in Florida earlier today ahead of Tuesday's launch of @Axiom_Space's Ax-4 mission to the @Space_Station SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 7, 2025advertisement Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will be piloting the spacecraft and has been trained for the mission by SpaceX and Axiom Space. He will be responsible for supervising the launch and docking operations of the vehicle, which is completely autonomous and does not require human spacecraft was brought to the Nasa launch pad by SpaceX, just hours before the dramatic spat between US President Donald Trump and SpaceX chief Elon Musk, who were earlier close of the launch, Shukla in a media briefing urged India to pray for the success of the mission. The spacecraft was brought to the Nasa launch pad by SpaceX. (Photo: Axiom) advertisement"I carry not just technical equipment but the hopes and dreams of 1.7 billion Indians. I will be conducting seven scientific experiments that could contribute significantly to our understanding of microgravity and pave the way for future space research. In many ways, I see myself as a bridge between Earth and space, and I'm proud to carry artefacts designed by the National Institute of Design, symbolising India's creativity and innovation," Shukla added that this mission is a milestone and I request India to pray for the success of the mission. "Even stars are attainable, Jai Hind," Shukla Watch
Deccan Herald
07-06-2025
- Science
- Deccan Herald
Indian astronaut Shukla Axiom-4 mission set for June 10 lift-off, dock at ISS after 28-hour flight
The #Ax4 crew undergoes extensive emergency training, featuring a range of scenarios such as underwater escape drills. — Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) June 6, 2025
NDTV
06-06-2025
- Science
- NDTV
1st Picture Of Dragon Spacecraft That Will Take Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla To Space
The first picture of the Dragon spacecraft, set to carry Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on a historic mission to the International Space Station (ISS), have been made public. The spacecraft is built to transport four astronauts, who will return to Earth at the end of their mission. It has reached the hangar at pad 39A in Florida, where it is preparing for its first space flight. Astronauts from the United States, India, Poland, and Hungary will go on this thrilling adventure as part of a private mission by Axiom Space. SpaceX shared the first image of the rocket in a post on X and wrote, "Dragon arrives at the hangar at pad 39A in Florida ahead of its first flight. Falcon 9 is targeted to launch Dragon and @Axiom_Space's Ax-4 crew to the @Space_Station. Next Tuesday, June 10." Dragon arrives at the hangar at pad 39A in Florida ahead of its first flight. Falcon 9 is targeted to launch Dragon and @Axiom_Space 's Ax-4 crew to the @Space_Station next Tuesday, June 10 — SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 5, 2025 The earlier liftoff was scheduled for June 8, 2025, at 6.41 pm but was postponed by two days to June 10. While no reason was officially announced for the delay, a source said it happened to "account for the weather during vehicle transportation and completing final processing of the vehicle ahead of launch". Group Captain Shukla is scheduled to pilot the Axiom-4 mission, a private astronaut mission that will launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. In a statement, Axiom Space said, "The launch of the Axiom-4 crew will take place from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida". His space voyage is a historic one for India, coming forty years after Rakesh Sharma's iconic spaceflight on Russia's Soyuz spacecraft in 1984. It is particularly significant as it will help India's space travel program and the Gaganyaan mission. Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, Tibor Kapu from Hungary, and Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut and mission commander, will accompany Group Captain Shukla on this space trip. The astronauts will perform scientific, outreach and commercial activities on board the orbiting laboratory for up to 14 days after docking.
