Latest news with #VNarayanan
Time of India
4 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Not June 19, now Ax-4 launch may happen on June 22 or 23
Crew members of Axiom-4 mission BENGALURU: The launch of Axiom-4 mission , which has been delayed multiple times owing to a reasons ranging from glitches in the spacecraft, leak and snag in the rocket, weather and leaks at the International Space Station , is now being targeted for June 22 or 23. Nasa , Axiom Space, and SpaceX are now targeting no earlier than Sunday, June 22, the Houston-based firm, which is implementing its fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS), said. 'Launch is targeted for 3.42 am Eastern Time on June 22, with a backup opportunity available on June 23 at 3.20am,' SpaceX said.. Isro said that its team, along with those from Poland and Hungary engaged in a detailed discussion with Axiom Space regarding the probable launch timeline. Following this, Axiom Space held consultations with Nasa and SpaceX to assess multiple readiness parameters. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Most Expensive Cars In The World '...Based on the readiness status of the SpaceX Falcon-9 launch vehicle, the Dragon spacecraft, repairs in the ISS' Zvezda module, ascent corridor weather conditions, and the health and preparedness of the crew in quarantine, Axiom has informed that the next probable launch date is June 22,' it added. The revised schedule gives Nasa additional time to assess the ISS operational readiness, following recent repair work in the aft segment of its Russian-built Zvezda service module. The launch, originally targeted for May 29, was deferred to June 8 following the detection of an issue in the electrical harness of the Crew Dragon module, Isro had said earlier. It was then postponed by a day to June 9, which was not publicly announced, and then rescheduled to June 10. The June 10 launch was rescheduled once again. During preparations for a hot fire test on June 8, SpaceX engineers detected a liquid oxygen (LOX) leak in Falcon-9. An anomaly was also found in one of the engine actuators, which was subsequently replaced along with its controller. Expecting a quick resolution of the LOX leak, the mission was initially rescheduled for June 11. Isro said it had stressed on crew safety in review meetings. Mission partners then decided to postpone the launch further to conduct a test to validate the corrections carried out. On whether the multiple delays have affected the payloads India is planning to send on the mission, Isro chairman V Narayanan, who is leading the Isro delegation in Florida, told TOI: 'We have to review before deciding whether there needs to be some action on that. As of now, there is nothing to report.' When TOI had, during its visit to Florida, asked another member of the Isro team about a potential problem with the payload, the member had said on June 12: 'Payload-loading happens the last. They are secure until then. At this juncture, we have nothing to worry about. We will review the situation again later.' However, storage of payloads, especially biological payloads , may require attention if stored for prolonged periods of time. Narayanan said: 'I will get back after a review.' Commanded by former Nasa astronaut Peggy Whitson , the mission will see Isro's astronaut group captain Shubhanshu Shukla take the role of pilot. The other two crew members, both mission specialists, are Polish ESA astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Hungary's Tibor Kapu.
News18
4 days ago
- Science
- News18
Tension Builds As Axiom Mission-4 Targets Launch: Why June 19 Is A Must-Meet
Last Updated: India has invested Rs 550 crore in the mission led by US-based Axiom Space, which is now aiming for one of the last viable launch windows before a major delay derails the efforts With all four astronauts in extended quarantine for nearly three weeks, the clock is ticking for Axiom Space to launch its much-awaited fourth mission before a major delay derails the effort. After recent setbacks, the crucial spaceflight is now targeting a Thursday launch but the pressure is mounting as space agencies complete last-minute troubleshooting to avoid a costly postponement. While NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX have announced that they are reviewing launch opportunities no earlier than Thursday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which has invested Rs 550 crore in the private collaboration, has made it clear that 'safety and mission integrity remains its top priorities". The high-stakes mission is India's first collaborative human spaceflight since 1984, and nothing is being left to chance. Riding on it are hopes and dreams of billions, as Gaganyaan astronaut-designate Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to become the first Indian astronaut to enter the International Space Station. But the mission launch has been affected by weather, and then the liquid oxygen leak in the Falcon-9 booster that caused the last-minute postponement of the mission on June 11. While SpaceX has already resolved the observations on Falcon-9 Liquid Oxygen Leak, as confirmed by ISRO, another significant issue with the ISS Zvezda module is being addressed by NASA with Roscosmos. This is critical because it can impact the docking and other key ISS operations. The issue came to light during inspections by cosmonauts aboard ISS, who then sealed the leak in the pressurised module, but the two agencies are in the process of completing the last-minute troubleshooting. ISRO chairman Dr V Narayanan remains stationed in Florida with his team to oversee mission readiness. The launch window is narrowing with every passing day. ISS, which has been orbiting the Earth for almost 25 years, has a tightly managed schedule coordinated by NASA. Any more delay could jeopardise the subsequent missions, some carrying cargo or other essential supplies and station maintenance—a timeline for which is locked in months in advance after considering complex logistical and operational factors. The rocket launch also must be precisely timed to align with ISS's orbital pass, so it can also enter the same plane and trajectory in order to successfully dock with it. But a more important consideration is that ISS has limited docking ports which need to be available, especially for a private spaceflight lasting 14 days. The launch is also subject to the weather conditions off the Florida coast, around the launch site, as well as the ascent path of the rocket. But what makes the situation more daunting is that the four-member crew who has trained extensively for the past year have now been in extended quarantine for almost three weeks, which may affect their overall fitness and readiness. Compounding the urgency are also the 60 carefully chosen science experiments for the 14-day mission, including the seven shortlisted by ISRO—all of which have a limited viability window. While scientists are reviewing their current status, further delays could compromise their success rates. On the ground are additional challenges—technical, logistics, financial—which continue to put added strain on all space agencies involved. While the weather over the Florida coast remains favourable for the launch on Thursday, a formal go-ahead from meteorologists is awaited as they continue to monitor conditions both at the launch site and along the rocket's ascent path. The mission is critical for India, Hungary and Poland which are looking to make history by sending their first-ever astronaut to the International Space Station. Shukla, who has been training for the mission for the last one year, is already in quarantine. The crucial mission was postponed last week after a liquid oxygen leak was detected just hours before the scheduled launch. The leakage was detected during a routine seven-second hot test to validate the performance of Falcon-9's booster—a standard part of pre-launch checks. It was traced to the propulsion bay. After ISRO's discussions with Axiom and Space X, the decision was made to stand down from the mission, rectify the issue and re-validate it before clearing for the next launch attempt. Now, after weeks of delays, and amid growing logistical strains, the spotlight is now squarely on Axiom Space and its launch partner SpaceX to deliver. So, when the SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket stands poised at the launch pad on June 19, the pressure to execute will be palpable. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: June 18, 2025, 08:18 IST News world Tension Builds As Axiom Mission-4 Targets Launch: Why June 19 Is A Must-Meet
News18
7 days ago
- Science
- News18
'Safety, Mission Integrity Top Priorities': How ISRO Helped Flag Rocket 'Leak' In Axiom-4 Mission
Last Updated: While this further delayed India's return to spaceflight, it ensured that a potential disaster was prevented as ISRO insisted on thorough repairs After ISRO demanded due diligence, a major disaster was averted with the timely detection of a fault in the Falcon-9 rocket, which is the Russian module of the ISS. While this has further delayed India's return to spaceflight as part of the Axiom-4 private mission, it ensured that a potential disaster was prevented as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) insisted on thorough repairs. The fault was detected after a demand for due diligence by chairman Dr V Narayanan, reported NDTV. 'NASA and Axiom Space are postponing the launch of Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station," a NASA statement said on June 12. Falcon-9 will carry India's Shubhanshu Shukla, along with three other astronauts, and is scheduled to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 commercial mission. But this has now been put on indefinite delay as the space agencies involved address issues that have cropped up ahead of the launch. 'Safety and mission integrity remain our top priorities," Narayanan said in a post on X. Narayanan said ISRO is working closely with Axiom Space, NASA and SpaceX, as they responsibly address the ISS Zvezda module observation causing the delay. The astronauts were originally scheduled for lift-off on May 29, which was put off to June 8, June 10 and June 11. The 14-day mission will 'realise the return" to human spaceflight for India, Poland and Hungary. 'Setbacks and delays are a normal part of spaceflight. Our Ax-4 crew remains upbeat and looking forward to a safe and successful flight to the Space Station," Whitson said in a post on X. HOW DID ISRO HELP? According to the NDTV report, the fault has been fixed even as ISRO confirmed the new launch date for the mission to be June 19. Experts were quoted in the report that the rocket could have suffered a major failure during liftoff since liquid oxygen can cause a fire. So, the space agencies set about fixing a 'crack in an oxidiser liner".
India Gazette
7 days ago
- Science
- India Gazette
Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 mission reschedule for June 19: Union Minister Jitendra Singh
New Delhi [India], June 14 (ANI) Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday said that the upcoming Axiom-4 Mission carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station is rescheduled for June 19. In a post on X, Singh, who is also the Union Minister of State for Space, said, 'Launch date of the Axiom-4 mission carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station is, as of now, rescheduled for June 19, 2025.' 'Also, the SpaceX team has confirmed that all the issues that led to the earlier postponement of the launch have been duly addressed,' he clarified. A day earlier, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said it was working closely with Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX as they responsibly addressed the ISS Zvezda module observation, causing the Ax-4 delay. V Narayanan, the Secretary of DOS/Chairman of ISRO and Chairman of the Space Commission, said that safety and mission integrity were their priorities. V Narayanan, the Secretary of DOS/Chairman of ISRO and Chairman of the Space Commission, said that safety and mission integrity were their priorities. On June 11, SpaceX announced the postponement of the Falcon 9 launch of the Ax-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), citing the need for additional time to repair a liquid oxygen (LOx) leak. 'Standing down from tomorrow's Falcon 9 launch of Ax-4 to the @Space_Station to allow additional time for SpaceX teams to repair the LOx leak identified during post-static fire booster inspections. 'Once complete - and pending Range availability - we will share a new launch date,' the company said in a post on X. Despite the delay, the Axiom-4 mission remains significant. The Ax-4 crew includes members from India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each nation's first mission to the space station in history and the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years, according to Axiom Space. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be India's second national astronaut to go to space since 1984. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is part of Axiom Space's fourth private astronaut mission (Ax-4), marking a historic moment for India's space collaboration with NASA. According to Axiom Space, the Ax-4 mission will 'realise the return' to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each nation's first government-sponsored flight in more than 40 years. (ANI)
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
After fourth delay, Axiom Mission to get new launch date; ISRO says safety top-priority
The launch of Axiom Mission-04 (Ax-04), carrying India's second astronaut, Shubhanshu Shukla , along with three other members, to the International Space Station (ISS) was postponed multiple times due to technical issues and safety reviews this week. The Indian Space Research Organisation ( ISRO ) on Friday said the revised launch schedule will be announced by NASA and Axiom after the activities and technical reviews are satisfactorily completed. So far, the launch has been postponed four times due to issues in the electrical harness in the Crew Dragon module, unpreparedness of the Falcon 9 -- the launch vehicle, weather conditions and the oxygen leakage in the engine bay of the ISS, being the latest. The Indian space agency said its delegation recommended carrying out in-situ repairs or replacement and conducting a low-temperature leak test to validate system performance and integrity, before proceeding with launch clearance. 'ISRO is working closely with Axiom Space, NASA and SpaceX as they responsibly address the ISS Zvezda module observation causing the Ax‑4 delay. Safety and mission integrity remain our top priorities,' V Narayanan, chairman, ISRO, said in a statement on Friday. The success of Ax-4 is critical for India to provide hands-on experience in spaceflight operations, launch protocols, microgravity experiments, and emergency preparedness. ISRO is counting on Shukla's insights to prepare for the highly anticipated Ganganyaan mission , during which a crew of three members will be launched to an orbit of 400 km for a three-day mission. Following the first human spaceflight mission from India, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station will be built. India paid Rs 550 crore for a seat on the Ax-4 mission to understand the technicalities of operating such a mission on its own. Meanwhile, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, after the postponement of the mission, has again voiced concerns about the ISS. 'There are potentially serious concerns about the long-term safety of the @Space_Station (ISS). Some parts of it are simply getting too old and obviously that risk grows over time,' he wrote on X. The billionaire added that though his firm SpaceX earns billions of dollars from transporting astronauts and cargo to the ISS, 'I nonetheless would like to go on record recommending that it be deorbited within 2 years.' Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories The construction of Zarya, the firstcontrol module of the ISS, started in November 1998 and was completed in 2011. Zvezda, on which the oxygen leakage was found, is the third module to have docked with the Zarya module on July 25, 2000.
