NEW DELHI: Axiom-4 launch to the Space Station was postponed again on Wednesday after a LOx leak was identified during post static fire booster inspections. LOx stands for Liquid Oxygen, a cryogenic, pale blue liquid used as a powerful oxidiser. It is commonly used in rocket propulsion and industrial applications, but is highly reactive and can cause explosive combustion.“Standing down from tomorrow’s Falcon 9 launch of Ax-4 to the Space Station 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,” posted SpaceX on X.The rescheduled launch of Shubhanshu Shukla-piloted Axiom-4 mission was set to take place at 5.30pm IST on Wednesday after a ‘weather call’ taken at Kennedy Space Centre on Tuesday (8pm IST).The four-member crew is to spend about 14 days aboard the ISS, during which they will carry out more than 60 science experiments, including seven from India. These include experiments on metabolic diseases, microgravity’s effects on muscle and plant growth, microbial behaviour, cognitive function, and materials testing. Researchers from more than 30 countries have contributed to the mission payload. The crew includes veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson (US) as commander, Polish engineer Slawosz Uznanski, Hungarian researcher Tibor Kapu, and Shukla, an IAF test pilot, whose role is part of a broader Indian ambition to gain spaceflight experience ahead of the Gaganyaan programme, the country’s first crewed space mission. SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, designated C213, will take roughly 28 hours after being in orbit to reach the ISS. Once their science experiments are complete, the crew will undock and splash down off the coast of California.