By News Today India | June 12, 2025

India’s dream of sending astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to space hit a small bump. The Axiom-4 mission, which was supposed to take Shubhanshu to the International Space Station (ISS), has been delayed. The reason? A leak in the liquid oxygen tank of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. This article explains what happened, why liquid oxygen is important, and what’s next for this exciting Indian space mission.

What Is the Axiom-4 Mission?

The Axiom-4 mission is a special space trip planned by NASA, Axiom Space, SpaceX, and India’s space agency, ISRO. It was set to launch Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot, to the ISS. Shubhanshu, who has flown planes for over 2,000 hours, would be the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS. He was chosen to pilot the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and do seven science experiments during a 14-day stay in space.

The launch was planned for June 11, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. But a problem with the rocket has pushed the launch to a later date.

Why Was the Launch Delayed?

Before a rocket launches, engineers do a test called a “static fire test.” This means they fire the rocket’s engines for a few seconds while it stays on the ground. During this test, they found a leak in the liquid oxygen tank of the Falcon 9 rocket. Liquid oxygen is a key part of making the rocket work. They also found a problem with one of the rocket’s engines, which helps steer it during flight.

SpaceX, the company behind the Falcon 9, said they might need to take the rocket off the launch pad to fix it. This could take a week or more. Safety is the top priority, especially since this mission carries humans, including Shubhanshu.

What Is Liquid Oxygen and Why Is It Important?

Liquid oxygen, or LOx, is a super-cold liquid used in rockets. It’s kept at minus 183 degrees Celsius to stay liquid. Rockets need oxygen to burn fuel, just like a car engine needs air to burn petrol. In space, there’s no air, so rockets carry liquid oxygen to mix with fuel (in this case, a type of kerosene called RP-1).

When liquid oxygen and fuel mix in the rocket’s engines, they create a powerful explosion that pushes the rocket into space. The Falcon 9’s engines use this mix to lift off and carry astronauts like Shubhanshu to the ISS.

Why Is Liquid Oxygen Tricky to Use?

Using liquid oxygen isn’t easy. Here’s why:

• It’s Very Cold: Liquid oxygen must be kept super cold, or it turns into a gas and escapes. Special tanks and pipes are needed to keep it cold.
• Leaks Are Dangerous: If liquid oxygen leaks, it can mix with fuel and cause fires or explosions. Even a tiny leak can be a big problem.
• It’s Hard on Materials: Liquid oxygen can damage metal parts if they’re not made of special materials that resist it.
• Handling Before Launch: Extra liquid oxygen must be removed safely before the rocket takes off, which takes careful planning.

The leak in the Falcon 9’s tank was found after the test, showing how carefully engineers check everything to keep the astronauts safe.

What Happens Next?

ISRO and SpaceX are working to fix the leak and the engine problem. They’ll test the rocket again to make sure it’s safe. NASA said there are new launch dates possible until June 30, 2025, or even in mid-July. These dates depend on the ISS’s schedule and things like the sun’s angle, which affects how hot the spacecraft gets.

Shubhanshu and his team are ready to go once the rocket is fixed. They’ve trained for years in India, Russia, and the USA. Shubhanshu will do experiments in space, like studying how the human body works in zero gravity and growing plants in space. He’ll also do yoga and bring Indian items to the ISS to share our culture.

Why This Mission Matters to India

Shubhanshu Shukla’s trip to the ISS is a big moment for India. It’s only the second time an Indian will go to space, after Rakesh Sharma in 1984. This mission is part of ISRO’s bigger plan to send Indian astronauts into space with the Gaganyaan program. It shows India’s growing strength in space exploration and inspires young people to dream big.

Stay Updated with News Today India

The delay is a small setback, but safety comes first. News Today India will keep you updated on Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey to the ISS and other exciting space news. Stay tuned for more about India’s space adventures!