SpaceX delays Axiom-4 carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to June 11: Here's why

Originally scheduled for June 10, 2025, the launch will now take place on June 11 at 5:30 PM IST, due to unfavorable weather conditions at the launch site in Florida. The launch of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), which marks a historic moment for India, has been postponed by a day. According to a post by ISRO and SpaceX via a post on X. The mission will launch from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with a backup opportunity available on 12 June at 7:37 AM ET. A live webcast will begin approximately two hours before liftoff.

Tropical storm activity behind the launch delay

The delay is due to tropical weather disturbances in the Pacific. According to the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Barbara is forecast to become the first hurricane of the 2025 season, while Tropical Storm Cosme is also expected to reach near-hurricane strength before weakening. These storms are developing west of Mexico, creating a potential risk for launch conditions along the Falcon 9 rocket’s ascent corridor.

Meanwhile, two tropical waves are being tracked in the Atlantic, and a large dust plume from Africa is projected to reach Florida by 13 June, adding further unpredictability.

Axiom Mission 4 Overview

Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is the fourth private astronaut mission organised by Axiom Space to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission includes astronauts from India, the United States, Hungary, and Poland.

From India, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an officer from the Indian Air Force, is flying as the pilot of the mission. His participation marks India’s return to human spaceflight after more than 40 years, since Rakesh Sharma’s space journey in 1984. ISRO has supported and recognised the mission as an important step in international collaboration.

Axiom Mission 4 crew to spend 14 days on ISS

The Ax-4 crew will spend about 14 days aboard the ISS. During their stay, they will carry out more than 60 scientific experiments. These studies will focus on human health, material science, biological research, and Earth observation. The experiments aim to benefit people on Earth and improve future space missions.

The mission also shows how governments and private companies can work together in space. Scientists and organisations from 31 countries are part of this mission through different experiments and research activities.

Axiom Space is using missions like Ax-4 to prepare for building the first commercial space station, which is planned to launch in the next few years. The company believes that such missions help test technology, train astronauts, and build partnerships for long-term space exploration.

For India, Ax-4 is also seen as a stepping stone towards the country’s own Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, which aims to send Indian astronauts to space on an Indian rocket in the near future.

(This is a developing story, stay tuned for more updates)