Axiom-4 Mission Eyes June 11 Launch Amid Weather Uncertainty
The highly anticipated launch of the Axiom-4 mission (AX-4), which includes Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, has been postponed once again. Originally scheduled for June 10, the launch is now targeting June 11 due to unfavorable weather conditions in Florida, USA.
The mission aims to send Shukla and three other astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). It was set to take off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at Launch Complex 39A using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft. This delay was announced following a Launch Readiness Review (LRR) and updated weather forecasts shared during a pre-launch press conference.
Jimmy Taeger, the Launch Weather Officer of the 45th Weather Squadron, U.S. Space Force, provided an update on the weather conditions affecting the launch. He explained that a surface high-pressure system over southeastern Florida is currently influencing the southwest flow, which may soon shift to a southeast flow, typically associated with isolated morning showers and thunderstorms.
“The Probability of Violation (POV) was lower for the June 10 attempt but increased to 20% on June 11,” Taeger stated. “By June 12, the POV rises slightly to 25%. While still within acceptable limits, there is a possibility of isolated thunderstorms during the expected launch window.”
Taeger noted that wind conditions, especially along the ascent corridor, are expected to improve over the next few days, raising hopes for a successful launch on the revised date.
NASA’s Dana Weigel, manager of the ISS Program, reassured stakeholders about the availability of launch windows. “We have opportunities to launch all the way through June 30,” she confirmed. “After that, operations will pause briefly due to a Russian cargo vehicle docking and high solar beta conditions. Launch attempts can resume in mid-July.”
This mission is historic for India, as Shubhanshu Shukla will be the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma. The 14-day mission at the ISS includes scientific experiments and live interactions with Indian students and leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Axiom-4 mission showcases the growing role of public-private collaborations in space exploration and highlights India’s increasing presence in international space missions. All eyes are now on June 11, as the world awaits a favorable weather window to launch Shukla and his team into orbit.
