NASA has delayed the launch of the Ax-4 mission, which includes Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, for the third time. The launch, initially scheduled for June 11, was moved to June 19 and then to June 22. However, NASA has postponed the June 22 launch as well. A new launch date will be announced in the coming days.
NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are reassessing the launch opportunities. The postponement is to allow for a thorough evaluation of the International Space Station’s operations following recent repairs to the Zvezda service module. The agency needs to ensure the station is ready for the incoming crew.
The Ax-4 mission will include astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary, marking a historical first for each nation. This also represents the second government-sponsored human spaceflight in over 40 years. The mission will feature about 60 scientific studies and activities with participation from 31 countries, including the U.S., India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, the UAE, and nations across Europe. This mission is considered one of the most research-intensive missions by Axiom Space on the ISS to date.
Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force Test Pilot and Astronaut from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, will be part of this mission. He was inspired by the 1999 Kargil War and later cleared the UPSC exam. He graduated from the National Defence Academy in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.