SpaceX Halts Axiom-4 Mission Carrying Shubhanshu Shukla Due to Falcon 9 Propellant Leak (Image: SpaceX) The launch of Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission, carrying Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station, has been postponed due to a detected leak during a prelaunch engine test. SpaceX and ISRO confirmed that further checks are needed before a new date is announced. Leak Detected During Prelaunch Hot Test on Falcon 9 SpaceX postponed the launch of Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission. It was scheduled to fly from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre. Liftoff was originally planned for 10 June at 8:22 am ET. Weather conditions were mostly favourable, with 85% chance of launch. Story continues below Advertisement SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 11, 2025 ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan confirmed the launch postponement. He said Shukla’s mission to ISS will resume after validation. The launch now awaits clearance following safety tests. Shukla’s Mission, A First for India’s Space Dreams Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will ride aboard Dragon spacecraft. He is one of four astronauts on the Ax-4 mission. The crew will travel to the ISS in about 28 hours. Their arrival is expected on 11 June around 10 pm IST. After docking, the astronauts will spend 14 days in orbit. Shukla is part of ISRO’s elite Gaganyaan programme. He is set to become India’s first astronaut on a private mission. Speaking to the Press Information Bureau, he shared his excitement. “I want to share this thrilling experience with all Bharatvaasis,” he said. “This journey belongs to 1.4 billion people.” Related stories