Axiom Mission 4 Launch Delayed Amid ISS Repairs and Technical Issues

BENGALURU, India — Axiom Space‘s fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS), known as Axiom Mission 4, is now targeted for launch on June 22 or 23 after multiple delays. The launch was postponed due to technical issues, weather conditions, and concerns related to the ISS.

Axiom Space, in coordination with NASA and SpaceX, announced the new launch window following consultations with teams from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Poland, and Hungary. Axiom stated, “Launch is targeted for 3:42 a.m. Eastern Time on June 22, with a backup opportunity available on June 23 at 3:20 a.m.”

This delay comes in light of an ongoing investigation into leaks in the Russian-built Zvezda service module, which have affected operations on the ISS. NASA noted that flight controllers have been monitoring these leaks, which first emerged in 2019 but intensified in 2024.

“Recent repairs have stabilized pressure in the affected area,” NASA said in a release. “The postponement allows for additional evaluation and ensures crew safety.”

Axiom Mission 4 will be commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson. She will be joined by ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla acting as pilot, along with mission specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.

This mission marks a historic return for Hungary and Poland, as their astronauts have not ventured into space for over four decades. Axiom Space’s preparation has included extensive discussions about the payloads being sent aboard, emphasizing crew safety.

“We are hopeful that the new launch window will hold, but we remain vigilant,” said ISRO chairman V Narayanan. The mission has undergone changes due to various setbacks, including a liquid oxygen leak in SpaceX’s Falcon 9 that was identified during a static fire test.

The Axiom team plans to monitor the conditions and adjust the timeline as necessary, with NASA confident that the repairs to Zvezda will contribute to a successful launch of Axiom Mission 4.