Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey to the International Space Station (ISS) has been delayed for the third time. Axiom Space on Thursday, sharing the update on the launch date, stated that the agencies are now stepping back from the launch date of June 22. The mission initially slated for launch on June 11 was postponed to June 19 after leaks being detected during post static fire booster inspections. The lift-off was then scheduled to June 22, but this date is also changed now.
What Did The Agencies Say?
The statement from International Space Station read as: “@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.”
Axiom Space informed that the new launch date will be announced in the coming days. The decision has been taken as the space agency needs additional time to evaluate ISS operations following the recent repair work in the aft (back) most segment of the orbital laboratory’s Zvezda service module.
“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,” stated Axiom Space.
“The space agency needs additional time to continue evaluating International Space Station operations after recent repair work in the aft (back) most segment of the orbital laboratory’s Zvezda service module. Because of the space station’s interconnected and interdependent systems, NASA wants to ensure the station is ready for additional crew members, and the agency is taking the time necessary to review data,” it added.
Notably, the Ax-4 crew includes members from India, Poland, and Hungary. This marks each nation’s first mission to the space station in history and the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years. The Ax-4 research complement includes around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, including the U.S., India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations across Europe. It is considered to be one of the most research and science-related activities conducted on an Axiom Space mission aboard the ISS to date.
Who Is Shubhanshu Shukla?
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is an Indian Air Force Test Pilot and Astronaut. Shukla, who is a native of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, completed his schooling at the City Montessori School. He was deeply inspired by the 1999 Kargil War, after which he decided to apply for the UPSC, and he eventually cleared it. He completed his military training and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the National Defence Academy in 2005.
