SpaceX has announced a delay in the launch of Falcon 9’s Axiom Space Ax-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), originally scheduled for Tuesday, June 10, 2025. The mission, which includes Indian Air Force officer Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as a crew member, has been postponed to Wednesday due to weather concerns, and now further delayed for technical reasons.
The last update from SpaceX late Tuesday night noted that weather conditions were 85% favorable for liftoff, though high winds in the ascent corridor remained under observation.
In a statement released by SpaceX, the company said:
“SpaceX is standing down from Falcon 9’s launch of Axiom Space’s Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, June 11, to allow additional time for SpaceX teams to repair the LOx leak identified during post static fire booster inspections. Once complete – and pending Range availability – we will share a new launch date.”
A handout image from SpaceX, taken on September 11, 2024, shows the Ax-4 crew members—Tibor Kapu, Shubhanshu Shukla, Peggy Whitson, and Slawosz Uznanski—inside the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft at an undisclosed location.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) also confirmed the delay. According to ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan:
“As part of launch vehicle preparation to validate the performance of booster stage of Falcon 9 launch vehicle, seven second of hot test was carried out on the launch pad. It is understood that LOX leakage was detected in the propulsion bay during the test. Based on the discussion on this topic by ISRO team with the experts of Axiom and SpaceX it has been decided to correct the leak and carry out necessary validation test before clearing for the launch. Hence the launch of Axiom 04 slated for 11th June 2025 for sending first Indian Gaganyatri to ISS is postponed.”
This mission marks a significant milestone as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become the first Indian Gaganyatri to visit the ISS.