NASA defers launch of Axiom-4 mission carrying Shubhanshu Shukla for sixth time

United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has decided to stand down the launch of the Axiom-4 mission scheduled for June 22. This is the sixth time the space agency has deferred the launch of the much-anticipated mission carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others to the International Space Station. 

 

 

The space agency is yet to finalise a new launch date for the mission. In a statement, NASA said the launch was called off owing to repair works in one of the modules of ISS. "NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX continue reviewing launch opportunities for Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station. NASA has made the decision to stand down from a launch on Sunday, June 22, and will target a new launch date in the coming days," it said.

 

NASA said it needed to ensure the ISS was ready to host additional crew members. "The space agency needs additional time to continue evaluating ISS operations after recent repair work in the aft (back) most segment of the orbital laboratory’s Zvezda service module," NASA said. "Because of the space station’s interconnected and interdependent systems, NASA wants to ensure the station is ready for additional crew members, and the agency is taking the time necessary to review data," it added. 

 

The space mission includes crew members from NASA, ISRO and the European Space Agency. Peggy Whitson, director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, is commanding the commercial mission and ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as pilot for the mission. According to NASA, mission specialists are Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary.

 

"The crew remains in quarantine in Florida, and the astronauts stand ready to launch when the station is ready to receive them," NASA stated. The space agency said the launch vehicle SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft remain healthy on the launch pad in Florida.

 

Sci/Tech