NASA and Axiom Space Delay Axiom-4 Launch Due to Air Leak Concerns on ISS

NASA and Axiom Space announced that the launch of the Axiom-4 crew to the International Space Station has been postponed indefinitely due to a small but persistent air leak in a Russian compartment. The mission originally scheduled for Tuesday included commander Peggy Whitson and other international crew members; however, the launch faced delays from adverse weather and issues with the Falcon 9 rocket before finally being postponed when engineers needed more time to address the air leak situation.

In a recent communication, flight controllers stated that they were reassessing the timeline for the launch, attributing the halt to an ongoing investigation into the air leak located in the PrK vestibule, which connects the Zvezda module to other docked spacecraft. NASA provided updates indicating that inspections had been performed by the station's cosmonauts, and while some areas were sealed, the leak rate remains a concern.

The issue of the leak has been acknowledged since its initial detection in 2019 and discussed during various NASA briefings. Astronaut Mike Barratt noted that the ISS, having been operational since 2000, is experiencing natural wear and tear, which has resulted in cracks contributing to the leak.

Efforts to address the suspected cracks have had mixed results, leaving engineers uncertain about the root causes and severity of the leaks. While Russian officials maintain that operations remain safe, U.S. engineers have expressed concern over the structural integrity of the compartment. In response to the situation, safety measures have been implemented, such as closing hatches between the U.S. and Russian segments of the ISS during certain operations to mitigate risks associated with the leaks.