Hey space enthusiasts and tech buffs! 🚀 A planned private mission to the International Space Station (ISS) has hit an unexpected delay. A leak in a cabin on the Russian side of the orbiting lab has raised safety flags, prompting NASA to closely monitor the cabin pressure before welcoming new visitors.
The mission was set to be a historic one—a chartered flight marking decades since India, Poland, and Hungary saw their first astronauts venture into space. Organized by Houston-based Axiom Space, the 14-day journey was to take off with four private astronauts, led by retired astronaut Peggy Whitson, now an Axiom team member.
It wasn’t the only hiccup—the flight had already been pushed back due to bad weather and SpaceX rocket issues. But the recent leak has added another twist. For over five years, the Russian Space Agency has been managing cracks and air leaks in the aging Zvezda service module (launched in 2000), which NASA’s Office of Inspector General has flagged as a top safety risk.
After recent repairs, NASA reported a new pressure signature, confirming that the affected segment is holding pressure. This delay now provides extra time for NASA and the Russian Space Agency to evaluate the situation and decide if further repairs are needed. Meanwhile, the four astronauts remain in quarantine in Florida, ensuring every safety measure is met before a new launch date is set.
Even with these challenges, the commitment to safety in space exploration shines through. Stay tuned for more updates and keep dreaming big—the sky is not the limit! ✨
Reference(s):
Space station air leaks trigger delay to private astronaut mission
cgtn.com
