NASA Delays Crew Launch: ISS Leak Investigation
- NASA and Axiom Space have postponed the Axiom-4 mission to the International space Station (ISS) because of a persistent air leak.
- The Zvezda module serves as a command center for Russian cosmonauts.
- According to NASA, cosmonauts recently inspected the module's interior, sealed areas of interest, and measured the leak rate.
NASA has indefinitely postponed the Axiom-4 mission to the international Space Station (ISS) due to an ongoing air leak, a critical development impacting space exploration. The leak, originating in the Russian Zvezda module, is under investigation by NASA and Roscosmos, causing a delay that raises concerns about the ISS’s structural integrity. Engineers are debating the cause and severity of this space station air leak, with conflicting viewpoints emerging. The Zvezda module, a vital command center, is now subject to enhanced monitoring and cautious operational procedures. News Directory 3 keeps you up-to-date on these notable developments in space travel. Will the delay impact future missions? Discover what’s next…
Axiom-4 Launch Delayed Amid ISS Air Leak Concerns
Updated June 14, 2025
NASA and Axiom Space have postponed the Axiom-4 mission to the International space Station (ISS) because of a persistent air leak. The leak is located in the Russian PrK vestibule of the Zvezda module, which was launched in July 2000.
The Zvezda module serves as a command center for Russian cosmonauts. It also provides crew quarters and docking ports. The air leak was first detected in 2019.Since then, NASA has openly discussed it during reviews and briefings.
According to NASA, cosmonauts recently inspected the module’s interior, sealed areas of interest, and measured the leak rate. The agency said the delay allows NASA and Roscosmos to further evaluate and troubleshoot the air leak situation. The space station air leak has varied around 1 to 2 pounds per day.
astronaut Mike Barratt noted wear and tear is expected on the aging station. “The station is not young,” Barratt said last November. “It’s been up there for quite a while,and you expect some wear and tear,and we’re seeing that in the form of some cracks that have formed.”
Bob Cabana, former astronaut and NASA manager, said U.S. and russian engineers disagree on the leak’s cause and severity. Cabana said in November that the Russian position is that the most probable cause of the PrK cracks is high cyclic fatigue caused by micro vibrations. NASA believes the PrK cracks are likely multi-causal including pressure and mechanical stress, residual stress, material properties and environmental exposures.
Currently, the hatch to the PrK is closed during daily operations. It is only opened when a Russian Progress cargo ship arrives. NASA also closes the hatch between the U.S. and Russian segments when the PrK hatch is open.
Barratt said this approach is a “conservative” agreement between both sides. Cabana added that while Russia believes catastrophic disintegration is not realistic, NASA has concerns about the PrK’s structural integrity.
What’s next
NASA and Roscosmos will continue to assess the air leak and determine the next steps for the International Space Station and the Axiom-4 mission.