The highly anticipated launch of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, featuring Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, has been postponed for the third time, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) confirmed on Monday. The launch, originally scheduled for June 10, has now been rescheduled to 5:30 PM IST on June 11, 2025, due to unfavorable weather conditions at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
ISRO Cites Bad Weather for Fresh Delay
The delay was announced by ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan, who emphasized that the weather in the launch area was not suitable for takeoff. The Ax-4 mission was initially planned for May 29, but has now faced three separate delays — first to June 8, then to June 10, and now to June 11.
Now targeting no earlier than Wednesday, June 11 for Falcon 9 to launch @Axiom_Space‘s Ax-4 mission to the @Space_Station due to high winds in the ascent corridor → https://t.co/LU1wyD8uZ0 pic.twitter.com/7jygzWEUwD
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 9, 2025
The Ax-4 mission is a landmark for Indian space exploration, marking India’s return to human spaceflight more than 40 years after Rakesh Sharma’s historic mission in 1984.
ALSO READ: Final rehearsal done, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla all set for maiden space voyage with Ax-4 mission
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force officer and ISRO astronaut, will serve as the pilot on this international mission. He will be joined by mission commander Peggy Whitson, a veteran NASA astronaut, and mission specialists from Hungary and Poland.
A Global Collaboration: Axiom Space, NASA, SpaceX, and ISRO
The mission is a collaborative effort between Axiom Space, NASA, SpaceX, and ISRO, and will be launched aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft powered by a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.
Launch of Axiom-4 mission to International Space Station:
Due to weather conditions, the launch of Axiom-4 mission for sending Indian Gaganyatri to International Space Station is postponed from 10th June 2025 to 11th June 2025.
The targeted time of launch is 5:30 PM IST on 11th…
— ISRO (@isro) June 9, 2025
Once launched, the Ax-4 crew will spend up to 14 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS). During their stay, they will conduct scientific experiments, many of which are led by Indian research institutions.
The focus areas include:
- Microgravity research
- Life sciences
- Material sciences
These experiments involve collaboration with scientists from over 30 countries, making Ax-4 a truly international scientific effort.
Setback Underscores Complexity of Space Missions
While the delay is seen as a minor setback, it serves as a reminder of the complexities of spaceflight and the critical role of weather in launch operations.
ALSO READ: Who is Shubhanshu Shukla? IAF Group Captain onboard Ax-4 space mission set to make history
Despite the rescheduling, the global space community, and particularly millions of hopeful Indians, continue to eagerly watch for the historic liftoff that will put an Indian astronaut in space once again.
