ThisisNews Network
ISRO’s Premature Announcement Draws Flak
In what has turned into an embarrassing episode for India’s space program, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan finds himself at the center of controversy over his handling of the Axiom-4 mission involving Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission, led by SpaceX and Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA, has been indefinitely postponed — but not before a series of questionable moves and misleading statements by India’s top space official.
On June 14, Dr. Narayanan and ISRO prematurely declared that the Axiom-4 mission, delayed earlier, was rescheduled for June 19. The Minister of State (PMO), Dr. Jitendra Singh, relying on this announcement, even tweeted confirmation of the new date. This was despite the fact that NASA had not confirmed any revised timeline, given the seriousness of a leak in the Russian Zvezda module of the ISS.
Facing mounting pressure from NASA and stakeholders in the US, ISRO was forced to delete the June 19 date from its communications, replacing it with a vague assurance that the “earliest possible launch date” was being worked out. The Ministry was left red-faced, with the Minister’s tweet still standing despite the factual inaccuracy.
Dubious Claims Over Safety Intervention
What added fuel to the fire was Dr. Narayanan’s public claim that ISRO’s intervention prompted SpaceX to detect and act on a critical LOX leak, potentially averting disaster. While ISRO’s emphasis on safety is commendable, independent sources suggest that SpaceX identified the issue during routine post-static fire checks, as part of its standard pre-launch protocols — not solely because of ISRO’s insistence.
Moreover, SpaceX is known globally for its rigorous safety and quality assurance systems. The suggestion that SpaceX would have overlooked such a critical issue without ISRO’s nudge sparked consternation in the US space community, with experts privately calling the claim exaggerated and diplomatically insensitive.
Questions Over ISRO Chief’s Intentions
Insiders in ISRO and observers in government corridors are now questioning Dr. Narayanan’s motivations. Despite the indefinite postponement of the launch by NASA, the ISRO chief has chosen to extend his stay in the US, reportedly accompanied by his family. Critics allege that the chairman misled the government and the media by planting stories suggesting ISRO was dictating the safety protocols of SpaceX and Axiom — stories that have since been debunked.
NASA and SpaceX have their own checks and balances. To claim otherwise is not just inaccurate — it damages India’s credibility in international collaborations.
A Costly Gaffe for India’s Space Diplomacy
The episode has not only undermined India’s standing in a high-profile international mission, it has also exposed serious lapses in communication strategy at the highest levels of ISRO. The misstep highlights the urgent need for greater prudence and accountability when representing India in sensitive global ventures.
As the world awaits the next steps on the Axiom-4 mission, the damage to India’s image in space diplomacy will take longer to repair.
Postscript: On 16 June 2025, at 23:33 hrs India time, Space X on its official website said the following about the AX-4 MISSION:
SpaceX is standing down from Falcon 9’s launch of Axiom Space’s Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, June 11, to allow additional time for SpaceX teams to repair the LOx leak identified during post static fire booster inspections. Once complete – and pending Range availability – we will share a new launch date.
The post below is also self-explanatory
This is News 
