Axiom-4 mission to ISS delayed as SpaceX fixes Falcon-9 LOx leak

A Falcon 9 rocket stands at the pad before its upcoming launch of the Axiom-4 crewed mission to the International Space Station at Launch Complex 39-A in Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S., June 10, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS/Steve Nesius

Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station, carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others, has been put off for the time being as engineers sought more time to repair a leak in the SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket.

SpaceX announced that it was “standing down” from the Falcon-9 launch of the Axiom-4 mission to allow repairs of the liquid oxygen leak identified during the post-static booster inspections.

“Standing down from tomorrow’s Falcon 9 launch of Ax-4 to the @Space_Station to allow additional time for SpaceX teams to repair the LOx leak identified during post static fire booster inspections,” SpaceX said in a post on X.

“Once complete – and pending Range availability – we will share a new launch date,” SpaceX said.

Postponement of Axiom 04 mission slated for launch on 11th June 2025 for sending first Indian Gaganyatri to ISS.

As part of launch vehicle preparation to validate the performance of booster stage of Falcon 9 launch vehicle, seven second of hot test was carried out on the launch…

— ISRO (@isro) June 11, 2025