The much-anticipated Axiom-4 mission, featuring Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, has faced a series of frustrating hurdles, with multiple delays pushing the launch date further each time. What was poised to be a historic return to space for India, Hungary, and Poland after four decades is now a timeline defined by a series of setbacks. However, after facing seven postponements, the Axiom-4 mission is now rescheduled for launch on Wednesday, June 25.
The Axiom-4 mission was initially set for launch on May 29, with Shukla and his international crewmates ready to embark on a journey to the International Space Station (ISS). However, a technical snag in the electrical wiring of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft forced the first rescheduling.
The misison is slated to be a first government-sponsored flight in 40 years, and the second human spaceflight mission in history for the three nations. It is special for India and Shukla as it would be the first time in four decades that an Indian will go to space after Rakesh Sharma’s nearly eight-day voyage aboard a Russian Soyuz in 1984. He will also become the first Indian to set foot in the ISS and first member of the Gaganyaan team to visit space.
As part of the misison, the crew, which includes Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kamu, will spend 14 days docked to the ISS to carry out scientific experiments. However, each delay increased their time in quarantine in Florida.
Here is a timeline of the delays and setbacks that have stalled the mission launch:
Delay 1- May 29
The mission was initially set to launch on May 29, but was delayed to June 8 due to “observations in an electrical harness in the Crew Dragon Module,” according to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Delay 2 – June 8
On June 8, the Falcon 9 rocket was underprepared for launch, which further delayed to the mission to next day.
Delay 3 – June 9
The launch was delayed by a day again due to unfavourable weather conditions.
Delay 4 – June 10
On June 10, an oxygen leak in the engine and a fault in an actuator were detected, prompting another postponement as teams scrambled to resolve the issue. ISRO expected the issue would be resolved swiftly, but the launch was subsequently delayed by 24 hours again.
Delay 5 – June 11
On June 11, NASA announced it was investigating a pressure change in the Russian-built Zvezda module, suggesting a possible leak in the rear section of the station.
While on-ground readings were favourable, NASA announced work with the Russian Space Agency, which delayed the launch again.
Delay 6 – June 19
Following consultations between Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX, and discussions involving teams from ISRO, Poland, and Hungary, June 22 was announced as launch day, taking into account the evaluations of factors such as weather and crew health.
Delay 7 – June 20
Just two days ahead of the launch date, NASA announced yet another further delay.
“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.” NASA said in a press release dated June 19.
June 25
The mission is finally scheduled for lift off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on Wednesday, June 25.
“NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are targeting 2:31 a.m. EDT (12:01 IST), Wednesday, June 25, for launch of the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Axiom Mission 4,” a NASA statement said.
“The targeted docking time is approximately 7 am (4:30 pm IST) Thursday, June 26,” it added.
