Ax-4 Launch Scrubbed: Indian Astronaut’s ISS Journey Halted by Booster Issue

The Ax-4 mission, which includes Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, has been postponed due to a liquid oxygen (LOx) leak. The launch, which was set for June 11, was postponed by SpaceX after the issue was found during post-static fire booster inspections. SpaceX announced the delay on X and stated that the issue requires additional time to fix. The new launch date will be announced later. ISRO also confirmed the delay, and the mission is particularly significant as it is the first to send an Indian Gaganyatri to the ISS. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the astronaut, will be the second Indian in space since 1984. The issue arose from a seven-second hot test on the Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The Ax-4 mission represents a historic moment as it is set to carry members from India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each nation’s first mission to the space station.