The Axiom Mission 4, involving Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, has been postponed. NASA and SpaceX have now confirmed a revised launch date.

In a recent joint announcement, NASA and SpaceX revealed that the highly anticipated Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) launch, originally scheduled for mid-June, has been officially deferred due to operational readjustments and ongoing safety evaluations. This marks a brief delay in India’s proud moment, as Shubhanshu Shukla was set to be among the few Indian astronauts to journey to the International Space Station (ISS) through a private mission.

The new launch window has been shifted to late July 2025, with final preparations ongoing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The delay, while minor, is part of SpaceX’s and NASA’s cautious approach to ensure maximum crew safety and mission precision.

Axiom Space, the private company managing the mission, stated that the delay will not impact the training timelines or operational scope of the mission. Shukla, along with his international crewmates, continues intensive training with both NASA and SpaceX experts.

The Ax-4 mission will use the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to transport the crew to the ISS for an 8-day scientific and technological mission. The team will conduct over 30 microgravity experiments, further strengthening global research in space.

For Shubhanshu Shukla, this mission represents not only a personal milestone but also a historic moment for India’s growing presence in global space exploration.