New Delhi: The eagerly anticipated spaceflight of Indian astronaut Shubham Shukla on the Axiom4 mission has encountered yet another setback, with the launch now pushed to June 22. This marks the fifth postponement for the groundbreaking mission, which aims to send Shukla as the first Indian to the International Space Station (ISS) and only the second Indian in space overall continuing a series of delays attributed to a combination of technical snags and, more recently, issues aboard the ISS itself.
Originally slated for May 29, the Axiom-4 mission has been consistently beset by challenges. Initial postponements were linked to unfavorable weather conditions and technical issues with the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the designated launch vehicle. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had previously highlighted a liquid oxygen (LOx) leak detected in the Falcon 9's propulsion bay during a hot test, emphasizing the need for thorough repairs and validation before proceeding with a human-crewed mission.
The most recent delay, however, stems from a "pressure anomaly" identified in the Russian-built Zvezda Service Module on the International Space Station. Both NASA and Axiom Space are collaborating with Roscosmos (Russia's space agency) to fully evaluate the situation and determine if further troubleshooting is necessary. This new complication adds another layer of complexity to the mission's already intricate preparations.
Despite the repeated delays, the significance of the Axiom-4 mission remains undiminished. Shubham Shukla, an Indian Air Force Group Captain, is set to make history as the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS. This mission also marks India's return to human spaceflight after a 41-year hiatus, following Rakesh Sharma's pioneering voyage aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft in 1984. During their planned 14-day stay on the ISS, Shukla and his international crewmates – Commander Peggy Whitson (USA), mission specialist Tibor Kapu (Hungary), and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland) – are slated to conduct nearly 60 scientific experiments focused on microgravity, life sciences, and material sciences, with contributions from over 30 countries. These experiments, particularly those related to space nutrition and food systems developed in collaboration between ISRO and NASA, are deemed crucial for India's ambitious Gaganyaan program and future long-duration space travel.
Both SpaceX and ISRO have underscored their unwavering commitment to safety as the primary driver behind these postponements. ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan previously stated his satisfaction with delaying the flight due to the human crew's involvement and the paramount importance of their safety. While the new target launch date of June 22 offers a glimmer of hope, the teams involved continue to monitor all parameters closely, ensuring every aspect of the mission's integrity is verified before the historic journey can finally commence from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.