Axiom 4 Mission to be launched on June 25 after multiple delays

New Delhi (India) June 24: Axiom Space, SpaceX and NASA are planning to launch the Axiom-4 mission, which will take India's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three other people to the International Space Station (ISS), at 2.31am Eastern Time (about midday IST) on June 25.

NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida's Launch Complex 39A will be the launchpad for the mission. After taking off on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, the crew will board a brand-new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to reach the ISS. On Thursday, the desired docking time is roughly 7.30 a.m. Eastern Time (approximately 4.30 p.m. IST).

NASA said, "NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are targeting 2:31am EDT, Wednesday, June 25, for launch of the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Axiom Mission 4" in a statement 

NASA also added, "The crew will travel to the orbiting laboratory on a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft after launching on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket. The targeted docking time is approximately 7 a.m. Thursday, June 26. NASA will provide more details and its coverage information shortly."

After multiple delays, the mission partners announced early last week that they would aim for a launch on June 22 or 23. However, by Friday, June 18, NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX announced that they were cancelling the launch because NASA needed more time to continue assessing ISS operations after recent repairs in the Zvezda service module's aft (back)most segment.

Isro had previously stated that the launch, which was initially scheduled for May 29, was postponed to June 8 when a problem with the Crew Dragon module's electrical harness was discovered. After that, it was rescheduled for June 10 after being postponed by one day to June 9.

The launch date of June 10 was postponed once more. On June 8, SpaceX engineers discovered a liquid oxygen (LOX) leak in Falcon-9 while getting ready for a hot fire test. One of the engine actuators was also determined to have a problem, and it was later replaced along with its controller.

The mission was originally delayed for June 11 in anticipation of a speedy resolution to the LOX leak. According to Isro, staff safety was emphasised at review meetings. The mission partners subsequently agreed to further delay the launch in order to test the implemented fixes.

Private astronauts are involved in the Axiom-4 mission. The mission team consists of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as the designated pilot, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary as mission specialists, and Dr. Peggy Whitson from the United States as mission commander.

The team will carry out over 60 scientific investigations and STEM outreach activities while they are on board the orbiting lab.

Aadrika Tayal