The highly anticipated launch of the Axiom-4 mission, which includes Indiaโs first astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS), has been postponed by one day due to adverse weather conditions. Originally scheduled for June 10, the mission will now lift off on June 11 at 5:30 PM IST from NASAโs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The delay was prompted by high winds in the ascent corridor, which could affect the stability of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, as confirmed by NASAโs 45th Weather Squadron.
The mission is a collaborative effort involving the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), NASA, and Axiom Space. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a decorated Indian Air Force pilot, will become the second Indian to travel to space and the first to visit the ISS, 41 years after Rakesh Sharmaโs historic 1984 journey aboard a Soviet Soyuz capsule. Shuklaโs participation marks a key milestone for ISRO as it gears up for the Gaganyaan program, which aims to place Indian astronauts in orbit by 2027.
Commanded by veteran NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, the Axiom-4 crew includes Polish astronaut Sลawosz Uznaลski-Wiลniewski and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, the latter becoming Hungaryโs first spacefarer in over four decades. The mission will utilize a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, with docking at the ISS expected approximately 28 hours after launch. The crew will stay aboard the station for two to three weeks, conducting over 60 experiments contributed by 31 countries, with research focused on microgravity effects on human health, Earth imaging, and new materials.
ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan emphasized the missionโs broader importance, noting that the operational experience gained will be invaluable for Indiaโs future human spaceflight ambitions. While the launch delay may be a minor setback, officials stressed that strict adherence to safety protocols is paramount in ensuring mission success. The rescheduled launch will be broadcast live, offering audiences across the globe an opportunity to witness a defining moment in Indiaโs space journey.
