Shubhanshu Shukla’s Spaceflight Delayed Due to Liquid Oxygen Leak in Axiom-4 Rocket

Axiom-4 Mission With India’s Shubhanshu Shukla Delayed Again Due to Liquid Oxygen Leak.

The much-anticipated Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission to the International Space Station (ISS), which includes Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, has been postponed yet again. SpaceX confirmed the delay late Tuesday, citing a liquid oxygen (LOx) leak discovered during post-static fire booster inspections.

“Standing down from tomorrow’s Falcon 9 launch of Ax-4 to allow additional time for SpaceX teams to repair the LOx leak,” SpaceX announced in a post on X. The company added that a new launch date would be shared once repairs are completed and approved by the range authorities.

The delay comes despite favourable weather predictions for liftoff. Just hours before the announcement, SpaceX had said there was an 85% chance of favourable conditions, though it continued monitoring high winds in the ascent corridor.

India’s space agency, ISRO, also issued a statement confirming the delay. “As part of launch vehicle preparation to validate the performance of the booster stage of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle, a seven-second hot test was carried out on the launch pad. It is understood that LOx leakage was detected in the propulsion bay during the test,” ISRO posted on X.

“Based on discussions between ISRO, Axiom Space, and SpaceX teams, it has been decided to fix the leak and conduct all necessary validation tests before proceeding. Therefore, the launch of Axiom-4, scheduled for June 11, 2025, to send India’s first Gaganyatri to the ISS, is postponed,” the statement added.

This marks the fourth delay for the Axiom-4 mission. Earlier postponements were attributed to adverse weather, including strong winds and a 45% chance of rain at the launch site.

A collaborative effort involving Axiom Space, NASA, SpaceX, and ISRO, the Axiom-4 mission represents a historic moment for India—its return to human spaceflight after 41 years, following Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 journey.

Once launched, the Ax-4 crew is expected to spend up to 14 days aboard the ISS. The mission will include scientific research in microgravity, life sciences, and materials science, conducted in partnership with scientists from over 30 countries.