Axiom-4 launch not expected before June 22 due to safety concerns: Union Minister Jitendra Singh

New Delhi [India], June 18 (ANI): Union Minister  Jitendra Singh on Wednesday said that the much-anticipated Axiom-4 space mission, which includes participation by Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is not expected to launch before June 22, citing safety as a key factor in finalising the launch date.

During a press conference, Singh said, "We have been told that it won't be before 22nd June. There is a safety angle also involved here."

Following the rescheduling of the launch, Axiom Space said in an official statement that NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are now targeting no earlier than Sunday, June 22, for the launch of the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Axiom Mission 4.

The change in the targeted launch date allows NASA time to continue evaluating space station operations after recent repair work in the aft (rear) segment of the International Space Station’s Zvezda service module, the statement added.

Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and now Director of Human Spaceflight at Axiom Space, will command the mission, while ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as the pilot. The two mission specialists will be ESA project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary.

The crew will launch aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida."

In a post on X, Dr Jitendra Singh confirmed the updated launch timeline, writing:

"Axiom Mission 04 to the International Space Station (ISS)... After assessing key parameters, including module fitness, crew health, and weather, @Axiom_Space has indicated that June 22, 2025, may be the next likely launch date of Axiom-04 Mission carrying, among others, the Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, to the ISS."

He added, "Further updates, if any, shall be shared accordingly."

On the occasion of the 11th anniversary of the Modi government, Singh stated, “The administrative reforms that happened in the last 11 years were not limited to governance. They had extreme socio-economic ramifications.” He emphasised that the thrust on digital governance aimed to enhance the ease of living, particularly for the common citizen.

He noted that such changes created an environment that functioned like an automated system, helping the government achieve key administrative milestones.

Singh added that since taking office, PM Modi’s primary focus has remained on the welfare of the poor.

"During the 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, not only has governance improved but also had significant socio-economic consequences," he said during the press conference.

He cited several initiatives that reflected the government’s intent to build a more inclusive system. “PM Modi pledged that the sections of society who did not get complete justice and were deprived of their rights will be taken care of,” Singh said, pointing to schemes and reforms that have catered to marginalised groups. (ANI)