India’s astronaut joins international Axiom 4 mission; liquid oxygen leak prompts safety delay ahead of launch.
India’s second astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is preparing for a historic journey to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the international Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)—a private human spaceflight mission organized by Axiom Space, a U.S.-based aerospace company, in collaboration with NASA and SpaceX.
Shukla will fly aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Crew Dragon from Kennedy Space Center, as part of a 14-day mission involving astronauts from multiple countries. His inclusion represents a key milestone for India’s human spaceflight vision, even though the mission itself is not led by India’s space agency.
⚠️ Liquid Oxygen Leak Triggers Delay
Just days before the scheduled liftoff, the launch was postponed due to a liquid oxygen (LOX) leak—a crucial component in the spacecraft’s fueling system.
Speaking exclusively to the media, Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, called the situation “unpredictably dangerous.”
“Even minor leaks in LOX systems can escalate rapidly under high temperatures and pressure. There is no margin for error when human lives are involved,” he explained.
He emphasized the complexity of rocket science, particularly when handling liquid propellants:
“It’s not like assembling a machine and expecting it to work like magic—it doesn’t,” he said, reflecting the harsh realities of human spaceflight.
International Coordination in Action
The leak was detected and resolved by SpaceX engineers, and the decision to delay the launch was collectively taken by Axiom Space, NASA, SpaceX, and other stakeholders, including ISRO, which is involved in India’s astronaut training and support coordination.
Professor Sood commended the joint decision, calling it a model of international collaboration:
“This is what co-development looks like. Everyone shares responsibility. Safety is the one thing that no one compromises on.”
India’s Role and the Gaganyaan Connection
Although Axiom 4 is not an Indian mission, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s participation is backed by ISRO and the Indian government, as part of India’s long-term plan to develop indigenous crewed missions under the Gaganyaan programme.
This collaboration gives India hands-on experience in international human spaceflight operations—an important step toward eventually sending astronauts from Indian soil aboard Indian rockets.
With enthusiasm across the country, the Indian public remains hopeful, but officials are firm: safety comes first.
Professor Sood summed up the mission’s current status with confidence:
“Every delay so far has been the right call, taken for the right reasons. I’m confident we’ll see a successful launch once all systems are perfectly ready.”
As the countdown resumes, Axiom Mission 4 is not just a voyage to space—it’s a symbol of India’s place in global space exploration, built on partnership, safety, and scientific ambition
( Inputs -NDTV)
