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First Post
15 minutes 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
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First Post
21 minutes ago
- Politics
- First Post
Israel-Iran Conflict Day 8 LIVE: Missile hits Beersheba tech park near Microsoft building
Israel-Iran conflict live updates: Iran has launched a fresh wave of attacks against Israel, with missiles targeting the southern city of Beersheba, where a hospital was struck yesterday. The air strikes reportedly hit a tech park in the city and fires were reported near a Microsoft office read more With neither country backing down, the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany, along with the European Union foreign policy chief, were due to meet in Geneva with Iran's foreign minister to try to de-escalate the conflict on Friday. "Now is the time to put a stop to the grave scenes in the Middle East and prevent a regional escalation that would benefit no one," said British Foreign Minister David Lammy ahead of their joint meeting with Abbas Araqchi, Iran's foreign minister. Israel and Iran's air war entered a second week on Friday and European officials sought to draw Tehran back to the negotiating table after President Donald Trump said any decision on potential US involvement would be made within two weeks. Iran has launched a fresh wave of attacks against Israel, with missiles targeting the southern city of Beersheba, where a hospital was struck yesterday. The air strikes reportedly hit a tech park in the city and fires were reported near a Microsoft office. Meanwhile, Israeli air attacks have killed 639 people in Iran, said the Human Rights Activists News Agency. Those killed include the military's top echelon and nuclear scientists. Israel has said at least two dozen Israeli civilians have died in Iranian missile attacks. Reuters could not independently verify the death toll from either side. British, German and French foreign ministers will meet their Iranian counterpart Abbas Argachi in Geneva for nuclear talks, in a first diplomatic sit-down between Europe and Iran as Trump weighs US involvement. Israel has targeted nuclear sites and missile capabilities, and sought to shatter the government of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Western and regional officials. 'Are we targeting the downfall of the regime? That may be a result, but it's up to the Iranian people to rise for their freedom,' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping both condemned Israel and agreed that de-escalation is needed, the Kremlin said on Thursday. The role of the United States remained uncertain. Lammy also met Trump's special envoy to the region, Steve Witkoff, on Thursday in Washington, and said they had discussed a possible deal. With inputs from Reuters
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First Post
21 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- First Post
Shah Rukh Khan's Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa costar Suchitra Krishnamoorthi apologises after claiming Ahmedabad crash survivor Vishwas Ramesh was 'lying': 'Seems to be false news circulated for...'
While the miraculous survival of Vishwas Ramesh gave a moment of rare hope amid devastation, Suchitra Krishnamoorthi in a now deleted tweet questioned his account and accused him of fabricating a false referring to a social media rumour. read more Shah Rukh Khan's Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa costar Suchitra Krishnamoorthi recently garnered controversy after she questioned the credibility of Vishwas Ramesh, the sole survivor of the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash, which took the lives of 270 people. While the miraculous survival of Vishwas gave a moment of rare hope amid devastation, Suchitra in a now deleted tweet questioned his account and accused him of fabricating a false referring to a social media rumour. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'So this #vishwaskumarramesh lied about being a passenger on the plane & the only survivor? This is seriously weird. Didn't his family in the UK corroborate his story? What about his brother's funeral that he was seen giving kandha to?" she wrote, adding, Vishwas 'deserved serious punishment or a mental asylum." Took out my last tweet on the air india crash survivor. Seems to be false news circulated for God knows what reason. My apologies — Suchitra Krishnamoorthi (@suchitrak) June 19, 2025 Suchitra quickly came under the radar for sharing an unverified story with several journalists and netizens pointing out that Vishwas' survival has been officially confirmed by the hospital in Ahmedabad, along with extensive coverage of the credible news outlets. The actress deleted the tweet and soon issued a public apology in the next tweet, where she wrote, 'Took out my last tweet on the Air India crash survivor. Seems to be false news circulated for God knows what reason. My apologies." She also clarified that the misinformation was shared by one of his friends and she regrets reposting it without verifying. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On the professional front, the actress was last seen in Guilty Minds. The legal drama was released in 2022 on Amazon Prime Video. The show also featured Shriya Pilgaonkar, Varun Mitra, Sugandha Garg, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Virendra Saxena, Karishma Tanna and Satish Kaushik among others in prominent roles.
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First Post
21 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- First Post
Varun Dhawan, Ishaan Khatter to Siddhant Chaturvedi: Looking at New-Age Collaborations of Pooja Hegde
With acclaimed films and collaborations, Pooja Hegde is surely rising to prominence. By spreading her wings in Bollywood and South, Pooja has established a fanbase read more Pooja Hegde has longtime been celebrated as a pan-Indian actress, whose work seamlessly transcends language barriers. Her work is speaking volumes, it is resonating with viewers, and her audiences are loving her for going the extra mile in exploring various genres and versatile characters. While she is experimenting with nuanced storylines, she is also working alongside a combination of well-established actors and new-age actors. Pooja Hegde's latest blockbuster is Retro, for which she collaborated with Suriya, and registered another strong title to her growing body of work. Currently, she is shooting for her upcoming Bollywood film, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. Touted to be a lighthearted rom-com, the film will see her alongside Varun Dhawan in a breezy plot. Both actors carry unique individual energies, and also a playful side. With this collaboration, it would be interesting to see their energies collide in this David Dhawan directorial. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In addition to working with Varun Dhawan in Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, Pooja Hegde is also collaborating with fresh faces Ishaan Khatter and Siddhant Chaturvedi. Though there is no clarity on their upcoming project, a photo of the trio had gone viral a few days ago, suggesting that they are teaming up for something interesting. With acclaimed films and collaborations, Pooja Hegde is surely rising to prominence. By spreading her wings in Bollywood and South, Pooja has established a fanbase, with audiences who are eager to see her step into more diverse roles. At times when actresses often find comfort in predictability, Pooja Hegde is determined to break conventionality.
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First Post
32 minutes ago
- Politics
- First Post
Appeals court allows Trump to keep control of National Guard troops deployed to LA protests
The decision halts a ruling from a lower court judge who found Trump acted illegally when he activated the soldiers over opposition from California Gov. Gavin Newsom read more California National Guard stand in formation guarding the federal building in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. AP An appeals court on Thursday allowed President Donald Trump to keep control of National Guard troops he deployed to Los Angeles following protests over immigration raids. The decision halts a ruling from a lower court judge who found Trump acted illegally when he activated the soldiers over opposition from California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The deployment was the first by a president of a state National Guard without the governor's permission since 1965. In its decision, a three-judge panel on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously concluded it was likely Trump lawfully exercised his authority in federalizing control of the guard. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It said that while presidents don't have unfettered power to seize control of a state's guard, the Trump administration had presented enough evidence to show it had a defensible rationale for doing so, citing violent acts by protesters. 'The undisputed facts demonstrate that before the deployment of the National Guard, protesters 'pinned down' several federal officers and threw 'concrete chunks, bottles of liquid, and other objects' at the officers. Protesters also damaged federal buildings and caused the closure of at least one federal building. And a federal van was attacked by protesters who smashed in the van's windows,' the court wrote. 'The federal government's interest in preventing incidents like these is significant.' It also found that even if the federal government failed to notify the governor of California before federalizing the National Guard as required by law, Newsom had no power to veto the president's order. The California governor's office and the White House didn't immediately respond to emails seeking comment. The court case could have wider implications on the president's power to deploy soldiers within the United States after Trump directed immigration officials to prioritize deportations from other Democratic-run cities. Trump, a Republican, argued that the troops were necessary to restore order. Newsom, a Democrat, said the move inflamed tensions, usurped local authority and wasted resources. The protests have since appeared to be winding down. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Two judges on the appeals panel were appointed by Trump during his first term. During oral arguments Tuesday, all three judges suggested that presidents have wide latitude under the federal law at issue and that courts should be reluctant to step in. The case started when Newsom sued to block Trump's command, and he won an early victory from U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer in San Francisco. Breyer found that Trump had overstepped his legal authority, which he said only allows presidents can take control during times of 'rebellion or danger of a rebellion.' 'The protests in Los Angeles fall far short of 'rebellion,'' wrote Breyer, who was appointed by former President Bill Clinton and is brother to retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. The Trump administration, though, argued that courts can't second guess the president's decisions and quickly secured a temporary halt from the appeals court. The ruling means control of the California National Guard will stay in federal hands as the lawsuit continues to unfold. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
