SpaceX halts Axiom-4 mission carrying Shubhanshu Shukla due to Falcon 9 propellant leak

SpaceX Halts Axiom-4 Mission Carrying Shubhanshu Shukla Due to Falcon 9 Propellant Leak (Image: SpaceX)

The launch of Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission, carrying Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station, has been postponed due to a detected leak during a prelaunch engine test. SpaceX and ISRO confirmed that further checks are needed before a new date is announced.

Leak Detected During Prelaunch Hot Test on Falcon 9
SpaceX postponed the launch of Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission. It was scheduled to fly from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre. Liftoff was originally planned for 10 June at 8:22 am ET. Weather conditions were mostly favourable, with 85% chance of launch.

However, a leak changed the timeline just hours before liftoff. A short seven-second hot test was carried out at the site. During the test, teams detected LOX leakage in the propulsion bay. This led to talks between ISRO, SpaceX and Axiom experts. Following discussions, they decided to repair the fault first. Further checks will be conducted before setting a new date.

Standing down from tomorrows Falcon 9 launch of Ax-4 to the @Space_Station 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 pic.twitter.com/FwRc8k2Bc0
SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 11, 2025

ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan confirmed the launch postponement. He said Shukla’s mission to ISS will resume after validation. The launch now awaits clearance following safety tests.

Shukla’s Mission, A First for India’s Space Dreams
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will ride aboard Dragon spacecraft. He is one of four astronauts on the Ax-4 mission. The crew will travel to the ISS in about 28 hours. Their arrival is expected on 11 June around 10 pm IST. After docking, the astronauts will spend 14 days in orbit.

Shukla is part of ISRO’s elite Gaganyaan programme. He is set to become India’s first astronaut on a private mission. Speaking to the Press Information Bureau, he shared his excitement. “I want to share this thrilling experience with all Bharatvaasis,” he said. “This journey belongs to 1.4 billion people.”

Axiom 4 to Conduct 60 Experiments in Space
The mission carries science, outreach and commercial objectives on board. A total of 60 experiments are part of the Ax-4 schedule. Seven of them come from India’s ISRO team. NASA will also run five studies under its human research programme. Shukla will join five NASA-led experiments during his stay.

The mission is part of Axiom Space’s larger goal in orbit. The company plans to build a private space station in future. Ax-4 is also a proud moment for Poland and Hungary. Both countries are sending astronauts to the ISS for the first time.

The Ax-4 crew includes veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson as commander. She is joined by Hungary’s Tibor Kapu and Poland’s Slawosz Uznański. Group Captain Shukla represents India with pride and purpose.

Though delayed, the journey is far from over. India’s flag will soon rise above Earth’s skies.