Latest news with #PeggyWhitson
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First Post
9 hours ago
- Science
- First Post
6 delays and counting: What's going wrong with Axiom-4 mission carrying Shubhanshu Shukla?
Axiom Space has announced that Nasa has once again deferred the launch of the Axiom-4 mission, which was set for Sunday, June 22. This is the sixth delay for the mission that is to carry Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, along with three other crew members, to the ISS. The mission was originally scheduled for liftoff on May 29. The current launch window remains open until June 30. If the mission does not launch by then, the next available window will be in mid-July read more Once again, the launch of the Axiom-4 mission, which includes Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others, has been pushed back. This is the since the mission was first scheduled to lift off on May 29. It will now not take place on June 22 as previously planned. A new launch date is expected to be announced soon. ALSO READ | What is Shubhanshu Shukla carrying to space? Aam ras, halwa and more STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The current launch window remains open until June 30. If the mission does not take off by then, the next possible window will come up in mid-July. Why has the mission been delayed so many times? What caused each of the six postponements? Let's take a look at the answers: Axiom-4 mission: What's behind the repeated delays? Axiom Space has said that Nasa has once again called off the planned launch of the Axiom-4 mission , which was scheduled for Sunday, June 22. A new launch date will be shared in the coming days. The delay comes as the space agency continues to assess ongoing operations on board the International Space Station (ISS), following recent repair work in the rear section of the station's Zvezda service module. Axiom Space said in a statement, 'Given the space station's complex and interdependent systems, Nasa is taking the necessary time to review data and ensure it is ready to support additional crew members.' This is now the sixth delay since the mission was first scheduled to launch on May 29. The mission crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson, along with specialists Tigor Kapu from Hungary and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, apart from Shukla. X/@NASASpaceOps Here's a breakdown of what happened each time: May 29: The launch was called off after an 'observation in the electrical harness' of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, where the crew is seated for their journey to the ISS. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD June 8: The launch was delayed by a day as the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle was not ready. June 9: Bad weather along the rocket's ascent path led to another 24-hour delay. June 10: An oxygen leak was found, along with an issue in one of the actuators. 'Anticipating the quick resolution of LOx (liquid oxygen) leak issue, the launch was rescheduled to June 11, 2025,' the space agency said. June 11: Nasa said it was working with Russia's space agency to look into a 'new pressure signature,' which could point to a leak in the rear section of one of the Russian modules on the ISS. June 19: The launch was pushed to June 22. Axiom Space said the change was to give Nasa more time to continue checks on the ISS after repairs in the Zvezda module. June 22: The most recent delay was also linked to 'operational and safety concerns' being worked on at the ISS. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is now the sixth delay since the mission was first scheduled to launch on May 29. Image: Nasa Axiom Space said in a statement that the space agency needs more time to assess operations on the International Space Station following recent repairs in the rear section of the Zvezda service module. As the space station's systems are closely linked and rely on one another, Nasa wants to make sure it is fully prepared to support more crew members and is reviewing all necessary data, the statement added. Axiom-4 mission: What is it? Who are the crew members? The Axiom-4 mission will see its crew conducting nearly 60 scientific experiments during their time on the International Space Station. Axiom Space has said that the research is specifically designed for microgravity conditions and is being carried out on behalf of organisations from around the world. Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will lead food and nutrition-related studies, developed in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from Nasa. These experiments aim to find better ways to improve space nutrition and develop self-sustaining life support systems, both essential for future long-duration missions. The crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson, along with mission specialists Tigor Kapu from Hungary and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, in addition to Shukla. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This mission is India's return to human spaceflight after 41 years. The last Indian to travel to space was Rakesh Sharma, who flew aboard Soviet Russia's Soyuz spacecraft in 1984. With inputs from agencies
Times of Oman
10 hours ago
- Science
- Times of Oman
NASA postpones Axiom Mission 4 launch, new date to be announced soon
Washington: 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. 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.
News18
12 hours ago
- Science
- News18
NASA Suspends June 22 Launch Of Axiom-4 Space Mission Carrying India's Shubhanshu Shukla
Last Updated: The Axiom-4 mission carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station has seen several delays. The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has decided to stand down from the launch of the Axiom-4 space mission, scheduled on June 22 (Sunday), and will target a new launch date in the coming days. The mission was supposed to take four astronauts, including Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, to the International Space Station (ISS) on board SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket. 'NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX continue reviewing launch opportunities for Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station. NASA has made the decision to stand down from a launch on Sunday, June 22, and will target a new launch date in the coming days," NASA said. The agency said it needed additional time to continue evaluating ISS operations after recent repair work in the aft (back) most segment of the orbital laboratory's Zvezda service module. NASA said it wanted to ensure that the station was ready for additional crew members and was reviewing data, in lieu of the space station's interconnected and interdependent systems. . @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 'NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX appreciate the historic nature of this mission for the nations of India, Poland, and Hungary, as well as the world. The crew remains in quarantine in Florida, and the astronauts stand ready to launch when the station is ready to receive them," it said. The Axiom-4 mission to the ISS will be commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, and Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as the pilot. European Space Agency's Slawosz Uznanski from Poland and Hungary's Tibor Kapu are the mission specialists. The crew will be taken to the space station via SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft. Initially planned for May 29, the launch faced several delays due to a detected liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon 9 boosters and problems with the aging Russian module of the International Space Station. It was subsequently rescheduled to June 8, then June 10, then June 11 and ultimately to June 19. The space crew will carry out around 60 experiments during their 14-day stay in space, ranging from life science to technology demonstrations to diabetes research. There have been concerns over repeated delays in the mission, as the launch window is narrowing with every passing day. The ISS, which has been orbiting the Earth for almost 25 years, has a tightly-managed schedule coordinated by NASA. First Published: June 20, 2025, 06:57 IST
NDTV
12 hours ago
- Science
- NDTV
Shubhanshu Shukla's Space Mission Postponed Again, No New Date In Sight
Better safe than sorry, this is what NASA and its partners are practising for their much awaited launch of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), which is set to carry Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to space. The mission will no longer launch on Sunday, June 22, with a new date to be announced in the coming days. This is the seventh delay in lift-off, as the space agency is evaluating International Space Station operations after recent repair work. "@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 said in a statement. The crew, which has been in quarantine since May 14, continues to be in Florida to "maintain all medical and safety protocols", and the astronauts stand ready to launch when the station is ready to receive them. The window for the lift-off is open till June 30. But if, for some reason, the deadline is missed, another opportunity will present itself in mid-July. Axiom Mission 4 Axiom Mission 4 is a planned private spaceflight to the International Space Station operated by Axiom Space in partnership with SpaceX and NASA. Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, will command the commercial mission. ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as pilot, making him the second Indian to go to space, nearly four decades after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma made history in 1984. The two mission specialists are ESA (European Space Agency) project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary.
India Today
13 hours ago
- Science
- India Today
Shubhanshu Shukla-led Axiom-4 mission delayed again, no launch on June 22
The Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) has been postponed once again. The ISS official X handle wrote on Friday morning that NASA is standing down from a launch on Sunday, June 22, and will target a new launch date in the coming this comes after Axiom Space said in a statement, "NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are now targeting no earlier than Sunday, June 22, for the launch of the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Axiom Mission 4."advertisementThe decision comes as NASA requires more time to evaluate ISS operations following recent repair work in the aft section of the Zvezda service module. Given the complex and interconnected systems aboard the station, NASA is taking a cautious approach to ensure the ISS is fully prepared to accommodate additional crew members. Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut and now director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, will lead the upcoming commercial mission as commander. ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to serve as the mission's pilot. Joining them as mission specialists are Sawosz Uznaski-Winiewski, a project astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA) from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft remain in good condition at Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in scheduled for launch on May 29, the mission has faced several delays - first to June 8, then to June 10 and 11 - after engineers identified a liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon 9 rocket's boosters. Additional concerns over leaks in the ageing Russian module of the International Space Station further contributed to the postponements.
