Standing down from Falcon 9’s launch of Ax-4: SpaceX

This handout image released courtesy of SpaceX and taken on September 11, 2024 shows Ax-4 crew members (L/R) Tibor Kapu, Shubhanshu Shukla, Peggy Whitson and Slawosz Uznanski posing inside the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft at an undisclosed location. Photo: SpaceX via AFP

SpaceX has said that it is standing down from Falcon 9’s launch of Axiom Space Ax-4 mission which will carry Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s to the International Space Station.

“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,” SpaceX said.

The last update by the American space technology company on late Tuesday (June 10, 2025) night said that 85% of the weather is favourable for the launch of Axiom Space Ax-4 mission.

“Weather is 85% favorable for liftoff, with teams continuing to monitor high-winds in the ascent corridor,” SpaceX said in its last update prior to postponing the launch.

ISRO also said that the launch has been postponed.

“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, ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan said.