Axiom-4 Mission with Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Targets June 19 Launch
The Axiom-4 commercial space mission to the International Space Station, featuring Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, is now scheduled for a June 19 lift-off. The mission, commanded by Peggy Whitson, faced delays due to a resolved liquid oxygen leak in SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket and an ongoing assessment of a pressure anomaly in the ISS's Zvezda Service Module. This 14-day mission marks India's return to human spaceflight.
Unpacked:
The Axiom-4 mission is historic because it marks the first time astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary will visit the International Space Station. It is also the first government-sponsored human spaceflight for these nations in over 40 years, making it a significant milestone in their space programs.
The Ax-4 crew will undertake around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries. These focus on human research, Earth observation, and life, biological, and material sciences, aiming to advance microgravity research and foster international collaboration.
The Ax-4 mission was delayed due to a liquid oxygen leak in SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket and an ongoing assessment of a pressure anomaly in the ISS's Zvezda Service Module. Repairs and safety reviews are ongoing, with no new launch date confirmed yet.
The Crew Dragon spacecraft debuting on Ax-4 includes improvements such as updated storage areas and enhanced propulsion systems, making it more reliable and reusable compared to previous models. These upgrades aim to increase mission safety and efficiency.