Propulsion Bay Leak Postpones Axiom-4 Mission Again; Repair Efforts Underway

The Axiom-4 space mission, initially set for launch on June 11, has been delayed once more due to a leak in the propulsion bay identified during pre-launch checks, according to SpaceX.

“Standing down from tomorrow’s (June 11) Falcon 9 launch of Ax-4 to the ISS to allow additional time for SpaceX teams to repair the LOX leak identified during post-static fire booster inspections. Once complete—and pending Range availability—we will share a new launch date,” SpaceX said in a post on X.

ISRO Confirms Postponement of Historic Indian Mission

ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan also addressed the issue publicly:

“The Axiom 04 mission, slated for launch on 11th June 2025 to send the first Indian Gaganyatri to the ISS, has been postponed. As part of launch vehicle preparations to validate the performance of the booster stage of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle, a seven-second hot test was carried out on the launch pad. During the test, a LOX (liquid oxygen) leak was detected in the propulsion bay.”

He added:

“Following discussions between ISRO, Axiom, and SpaceX experts, it has been decided to correct the leak and conduct the necessary validation tests before clearing the mission for launch. Hence, the launch of Axiom 04 has been postponed.”

India's Landmark Role in Axiom-4

The mission, operated by US-based Axiom Space, is critical for India's space aspirations. It aims to send Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS), making him the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS and only the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984.

Axiom-4 Crew Details

• Commander: Peggy Whitson (USA)

• Pilot: Shubhanshu Shukla (India)

• Mission Specialists: Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), Tibor Kapu (Hungary)

Space Nutrition Research at the Core of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s Mission

Once aboard the ISS, Shukla will be tasked with conducting biotechnology experiments focusing on nutrition and food sustainability in space. This project is a joint initiative by ISRO and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with technical support from NASA.

Key Research Objectives:

• Assessing the growth and productivity of edible microalgae in microgravity

• Studying transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic changes in space

• Comparing space-grown algae with Earth-based control samples

• Aiming to develop self-sustaining life support systems for deep-space missions

A History of Delays

The Axiom-4 launch has been rescheduled multiple times—originally slated for May 29, then pushed to June 8, June 10, and June 11, before the most recent delay caused by the propulsion system issue.

The revised launch schedule is expected to be shared once SpaceX completes repairs and validates the system, and pending range availability.

Conclusion

The Axiom-4 mission stands as a historic leap for India’s space program, marking the country’s first human presence aboard the International Space Station. Despite the recent setback caused by a propulsion bay leak, the mission’s delay underscores the rigorous safety standards upheld by SpaceX, ISRO, and Axiom Space.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey will not only be a moment of national pride but also a major scientific milestone, with cutting-edge research in space nutrition and sustainability on the agenda. This collaboration between India and international space agencies highlights the growing importance of global partnerships in space exploration.

While the rescheduling of the launch is a temporary pause, it reaffirms the commitment to mission success and crew safety. Once cleared, Axiom-4 is expected to open new frontiers in India’s space ambitions and inspire a new generation of scientists, researchers, and explorers across the country and beyond.