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Backdrop of a Brewing Storm
As earlier reported, ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan attracted global attention and domestic criticism for prematurely announcing a launch date for the Axiom-4 mission and for overstating ISRO’s role in ensuring mission safety. What initially appeared to be a communication lapse has now evolved into a deeper controversy, casting shadows over leadership judgment, and institutional integrity.
SpaceX Clarifies, Postponement Confirmed
In a fresh statement, SpaceX confirmed that the Axiom-4 mission remains indefinitely postponed, citing the need to coordinate with NASA on the ISS Zvezda module anomaly. SpaceX further noted that all technical concerns, including the LOX leak, had been detected and addressed through their standard safety protocols — a clear counterpoint to Dr. Narayanan’s earlier claims suggesting ISRO’s decisive role in flagging the issue. The clarification underscores that SpaceX’s internal procedures were functioning as intended.
Extended Stay in US Raises Eyebrows
Despite the mission’s indefinite delay, Dr. Narayanan had prolongeded his stay in the United States, reportedly accompanied by his family. This raised eyebrows within ISRO and among government watchers, as many questioned the necessity and propriety of his prolonged presence abroad when critical matters required his leadership at home. The absence of any official explanation in this regard fueled speculation about personal motives overshadowing professional responsibilities.
Call for Accountability Grows Louder
In this backdrop, space experts are calling for greater transparency and stricter protocols governing ISRO’s external communications and international engagements. There is growing consensus that India’s rise in global space affairs must be underpinned by credibility and precision, not posturing.
Postscript Tuesday 24 June 2025: SpaceX is targeting no earlier than Wednesday, June 25 for 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. Launch is targeted for 2:31 a.m. ET, with a backup opportunity available on Thursday, June 26 at 2:09 a.m. ET.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about two hours prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.
This is the first flight for the Dragon spacecraft supporting this mission. This will be the second flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched a Starlink mission. Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will land on Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
During their time on the orbiting laboratory, the crew will conduct more than 60 scientific experiments and demonstrations focused on human research, Earth observation, and life, biological, and material sciences. – Space X
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