India’s Shubhanshu Shukla Launch to ISS Delayed to 11 June Due to Weather
| 2025-06-10
Axiom Space's handout photo from 6 September 2024 shows Ax-4 crew members Shubhanshu Shukla and Slawosz Uznanski reviewing a procedure checklist.
The Axiom-4 mission carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station has been postponed to 11 June due to adverse weather conditions.
The highly anticipated Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, which will carry four astronauts including India’s Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS), has been delayed by a day owing to adverse weather conditions along the launch path.
Originally scheduled for 10 June, the mission will now lift off on 11 June at 5:30pm IST (8:00am EDT) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The announcement was made by ISRO, which cited weather constraints as the reason for the delay.
“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 June 2025,” ISRO posted on the social media platform X.
SpaceX, which is responsible for the launch vehicle and spacecraft, confirmed the delay in a separate update, stating that teams were monitoring weather along the ascent corridor. A backup launch window is available on 12 June, if required.
Historic Flight for India
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will become the first Indian to reach the International Space Station and the second Indian to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharma’s historic 1984 journey aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft.
The Ax-4 mission will be launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and will carry four crew members: Commander Peggy Whitson of the United States, Tibor Kapu of Hungary, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland, and Shukla, who will serve as the mission pilot.
All crew members completed a full rehearsal of launch day procedures on Sunday, according to Axiom Space. Static fire testing of the Falcon 9 was also successfully carried out in advance of the launch.
Science and Diplomacy in Orbit
During their 14-day stay on the ISS, the Ax-4 astronauts will conduct scientific research and outreach engagements. The mission includes plans for a live interaction with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, students, and members of the space science community.
Shukla’s role on the mission is particularly significant for Indian space science. He will be carrying out seven experiments developed by ISRO, in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA.
These include studies in space nutrition and the development of life support systems that could play a vital role in future long-duration missions. Additionally, he will participate in five joint studies planned by NASA as part of its human research programme.
India’s Minister of Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, hailed the mission as “a proud global acknowledgement of India’s space capabilities” and called it “a befitting tribute to the founding fathers Vikram Sarabhai and Satish Dhawan.”
ISRO’s Presence in Florida
ISRO Chairman V Narayanan and a team from the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC), including Gaganyaan mission flight surgeons, are already in Florida to oversee the mission. The Axiom-4 mission serves as a crucial milestone in India’s broader ambitions for crewed space exploration.
Officials from both ISRO and Axiom Space stressed that the delay is temporary and solely due to weather. Preparations for the mission are otherwise complete, with the spacecraft and crew on standby for launch.
Context: India’s Expanding Space Ambitions
The Axiom-4 mission is part of a growing collaboration between India and private international space companies. It also provides crucial experiential groundwork ahead of ISRO’s own human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, which aims to send Indian astronauts into low-Earth orbit on an indigenous spacecraft.
By participating in commercial missions like Ax-4, India is further establishing its role in the global space community, both scientifically and strategically. Shukla’s mission not only marks a personal milestone but also strengthens international ties and technological exchange in the evolving landscape of space exploration.
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