Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's Ax-4 mission, which has been postponed three times, is on the verge of being launched to the International Space Station (ISS), with NASA now unveiling the potential schedule. Shubhanshu is set to become the first Indian to embark on an ISS mission. This marks a significant milestone in India's space exploration journey. When exactly will Shubhanshu head to the space station, and what has caused these delays?
Launch Window
Dana Weigel, manager of NASA’s International Space Station Program, has revealed that launch windows for Ax-4 will remain open until June 30, 2025. Additional options will become available mid-July following a temporary operational pause.
Read more: Shubhanshu Shukla’s Space Mission—India's Crucial Step Forward? Insights from an ISRO Scientist
Source: aajtak
Why the Delay?
The schedule has been hampered by several challenges...
Technical issues: The mission was initially deferred from June 8 to June 10 due to technical hitches.
Weather concerns: Adverse weather on June 10, 2025, forced another postponement.
LOX leakage: A liquid oxygen (LOX) leakage detected on June 11 on the Falcon 9 rocket led to further delays.
ISS traffic: Current spacecraft operations on the ISS also impact launch scheduling.
ISS Traffic
The planned traffic on the ISS is influencing the launch schedule. This includes...
Russia's Progress Cargo Vehicle:
Scheduled for undocking in early July.
Arrival of other spacecraft:
Expected to dock with the ISS in early July.
These activities necessitate careful time and space management on the ISS, affecting the launch windows.
Shubhanshu’s Mission
Shubhanshu Shukla is slated to spend 14 days on the ISS, conducting seven critical research experiments that hold great significance for Indian agencies and future space exploration endeavors. His journey to the space station is anticipated between June 30 and mid-July 2025, contingent on ISS activities and the resolution of technical issues. This mission not only represents a monumental leap for India’s space technology but also holds global importance. We eagerly await Shubhanshu’s successful launch and mission in the coming days.
