SpaceX’s Ax-4 Mission to ISS Delayed After Propellant Leak Identified – by Frederic Eger – –

SpaceX

SpaceX is preparing to launch Axiom Mission 4, a private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS), from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A. The mission features the debut flight of SpaceX’s fifth and final Crew Dragon spacecraft, tail number C213, which incorporates improvements in storage and propulsion systems for enhanced reliability and reusability. The original launch date was set for June 10, 2025, with a backup opportunity on June 11. The Ax-4 crew will conduct over 60 scientific experiments aboard the ISS, focusing on human research, Earth observation, and life, biological, and material sciences. The Falcon 9 first stage booster for this mission was set to fly for the second time, having previously launched a Starlink mission.

SpaceX’s Human Spaceflight Program Outlook for 2025 is busy, with six planned Dragon missions (crew and cargo) concentrated in the first half of the year. SpaceX is also developing its Starship vehicle, which is intended to eventually replace Dragon for human spaceflight and enable missions carrying dozens of people, including ambitious projects like the Polaris Program with planned spacewalks and deep space exploration.

SpaceX’s main human spaceflight news focuses on the delayed launch of Axiom Mission 4, the debut of their final Crew Dragon capsule, ongoing high launch cadence for Dragon missions, and continued development of Starship for future crewed space exploration.

BlueOrigin

Blue Origin has announced a delay in the second launch of its New Glenn heavy-lift rocket, aiming for August 15, 2025. The first launch failed due to a booster failure, and the upcoming “Never Tell Me The Odds” mission will attempt to land and recover the booster. The New Glenn rocket is central to Blue Origin’s ambitions for heavy payload launches, including national security missions and lunar exploration. The company is on track to produce eight New Glenn boosters this year, with the second mission’s booster having completed a hot-fire test in April 2025.

Blue Origin’s New Shepard suborbital vehicle completed its 32nd flight on May 31, 2025, marking the 12th human spaceflight for the program. The company is also developing the Blue Moon Mark 1 lunar lander, designed to deliver cargo to the Moon’s South Pole. The company plans a demonstration lunar spacecraft flight as early as 2025 using a New Glenn rocket.

Leadership changes within Blue Origin include the retirement of senior vice president of engines Linda Cova and a one-year sabbatical for senior vice president of the New Glenn program, Jarrett Jones, starting mid-August 2025. The company asserts continued progress on BE-4 engine development and New Glenn production.

Axiom Space

Axiom Space is set to launch its fourth private astronaut mission, Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), to the International Space Station (ISS) on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The launch was initially scheduled for June 10, but was postponed due to weather conditions and a liquid oxygen leak repair on the booster. The launch will use SpaceX’s final Crew Dragon spacecraft, capsule C213, making its maiden flight. The mission will conduct over 60 scientific experiments from 31 countries during up to 14 days docked at the ISS, covering topics such as human health in microgravity, cognitive function, crop growth, pharmaceutical shelf-life, microbiome studies, and atmospheric phenomena. This mission is the most research-intensive Axiom flight to date and is part of NASA’s private astronaut mission program, which provides commercial access to the ISS with NASA’s technical and logistical support.
Axiom Space is also developing its commercial space station, Axiom Station, which will attach modules to the ISS and later operate independently after the ISS is decommissioned. The week’s major Axiom Space news revolves around the delayed Ax-4 launch due to technical and ISS-related issues, the debut of SpaceX’s final Crew Dragon capsule, a multinational crew representing new nations aboard the ISS, and a robust scientific agenda supporting commercial human spaceflight growth.

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Virgin Galactic.

Virgin Galactic remains on track to resume space tourism flights with its new “Delta-class” spaceplanes starting in summer 2026 for research flights, followed by private astronaut flights in fall 2026. The company is currently building two Delta-class ships designed to carry six passengers each, with faster turnaround times and higher flight cadence than the retired VSS Unity The company plans to restart ticket sales in early 2026 with a new, more personalized onboarding process for customers, organized in waves to ensure a high-quality experience. Ticket prices are expected to rise above the previous $600,000 per seat, reflecting enhanced capabilities and demand . Virgin Galactic reported strong financial results for Q1 2025, including a healthy cash position of $567 million and reduced operating costs. This financial strength supports ongoing development and expansion plans The company is exploring a second spaceport location, likely in Europe or the Middle East, with Italy’s southern region being a prime candidate. This expansion would complement the existing Spaceport America facility in New Mexico and potentially increase flight frequency and accessibility . Virgin Galactic is also investigating new uses for its carrier aircraft, including government and defense applications such as airborne research, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and missile defense support. This diversification could open new revenue streams beyond space tourism . The final flight of the VSS Unity spaceplane took place in June 2024, marking the end of its operational life as Virgin Galactic shifts focus entirely to the Delta-class vehicles.

Conclusively, Virgin Galactic’s major updates this week highlight steady progress toward resuming commercial human spaceflight in 2026 with advanced spacecraft, plans for expanded operations including a potential European spaceport, a strategic increase in ticket prices, and diversification into government aerospace services.

Rocket Lab:

On June 11, 2025, Rocket Lab successfully launched its 66th Electron mission named “The Mountain God Guards,” deploying the QPS-SAR-11 synthetic aperture radar satellite for the Japanese company Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space (iQPS). This was Rocket Lab’s second mission for iQPS within 25 days and the fourth overall for this customer, marking significant progress in building a radar Earth observation constellation.

The Electron rocket continues to provide dedicated rides to orbit for small satellites, supporting commercial and government customers. Rocket Lab has a busy manifest for 2025, including multiple missions for IoT satellite constellations and scientific payloads.

Rocket Lab is making rapid progress on its medium-lift Neutron rocket, targeting a maiden flight in the second half of 2025. The company has completed major component qualifications including the complex interstage and is preparing Launch Complex 3 at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) in Virginia for Neutron launches. The launch pad infrastructure, including water deluge systems, is operational and the site is nearing official activation.

Rocket Lab is also developing a new large engine, Archimedes, which successfully completed its first hot-fire test at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, reaching 102% power and meeting key test objectives. This engine will power the Neutron rocket and represents a significant technological advancement for the company