The launch of the Axiom-4 mission, which will carry Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to space, is now tentatively scheduled for June 19, 2025. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) confirmed this revised date, citing updates from Axiom Space regarding ongoing assessments of a pressure anomaly within the Zvezda Service Module aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The mission represents a collaborative effort involving NASA, ISRO, Axiom Space, and SpaceX. Union Minister Jitendra Singh, in a post on his X handle, also indicated the revised launch date and noted SpaceX’s confirmation that issues leading to previous postponements had been resolved. While the launch date has been adjusted several times, there has been no official announcement from either Axiom Space or NASA regarding the specific date. The mission, initially planned for May 29, was later shifted to June 8, then to June 9 and June 10. These previous postponements were attributed to delays in the Falcon-9 vehicle’s readiness and, in the case of June 10, unfavorable weather conditions.
Shubhanshu Shukla, a native of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, is an Indian Air Force Test Pilot and Astronaut. He completed his schooling at the City Montessori School and was inspired by the 1999 Kargil War, which led him to pursue a career in the armed forces. He earned a degree in Computer Science from the National Defence Academy in 2005 and was commissioned into the Fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in June 2006. He is a combat leader and seasoned test pilot with approximately 2,000 hours of flying experience across various aircraft.
