The Ax-4 mission, set to include Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, has encountered a setback, with its launch being postponed. Post-static fire booster inspections revealed leaks, prompting SpaceX to delay the Falcon 9 launch of the mission to the International Space Station (ISS). A new launch date will be announced once the issue is addressed. ISRO confirmed the postponement, emphasizing its significance as the first mission to carry an Indian Gaganyatri, Shubhanshu Shukla. The delay stems from a LOx leakage detected during a seven-second hot test conducted as part of the launch vehicle preparation. The leak will be rectified, and validation tests will be performed before the mission proceeds.
The mission includes astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary, marking a historic milestone for all three nations. It will be only the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in more than forty years.