The launch of the crewed Axiom Space mission is delayed indefinitely yet again, but those waiting to see a rocket launch will not have to wait long.
The astronauts of private space company, Axiom Space, have seen delays due to spacecraft, weather, and rocket issues − and now most recently due to a recent repair onboard the International Space Station (ISS). When they do launch, the crew of four is traveling to the ISS for a two-week science mission stay.
Axiom Space is working with NASA to create a space station which will attach to the current ISS before the planned 2030 decommission of the ISS.
On June 12 a pressure issue was detected in the Russian Zvezda service module on the International Space Station. The crew onboard was not in danger, but NASA is still monitoring the situation.
After announcing the launch would be attempted no earlier than the coming weekend, NASA released the following statement late June 19.
“The space agency needs additional time to continue evaluating International Space Station operations after recent repair work in the aft (back) most segment of the orbital laboratory’s Zvezda service module. Because of the space station’s interconnected and interdependent systems, NASA wants to ensure the station is ready for additional crew members, and the agency is taking the time necessary to review data.”
The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) will be commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, who holds the record for most time spent in space by an American. Whitson retired from NASA in 2018, but wasn’t yet finished with space travel. In 2022, she brought her expertise to Axiom Space, flying on the Axiom Mission 2 in 2023. Ahead of this flight, she has 675 days in orbit racked up.
Joining Whitson are Shubhanshu Shukla from India, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. These three crew members will bring a return to spaceflight for their respective countries,: In over 40 years these countries have not seen a government sponsored astronaut.
SpaceX rocket launch from Cape Canaveral this weekend
The delay of Axiom Mission 4 does not mean no SpaceX launches.
While SpaceX has yet to confirm, navigational warnings show a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch occurring between 1:47 a.m. and 6:17 a.m. early Sunday, June 22 from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The mission, known as Starlink 10-23, will be the latest batch of Starlink internet satellites.
SpaceX traditionally favors early in the launch window, but factors such as weather play a role in timing.
The FLORIDA TODAY Space Team will provide live coverage beginning 90 minutes prior to liftoff at FloridaToday.com/Space.
ULA has announced the ULA Amazon Project Kuiper 2 mission will now launch no earlier than 6:54 a.m. on Monday, June 23 from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This mission is the second batch of Amazon internet satellites, a service comparable to SpaceX’s Starlink.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: What we know: Axiom crew launch delayed, SpaceX rocket launch in Florida planned Sunday
Reporting by Brooke Edwards, Florida Today / Florida Today
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