Hey space fans, buckle up for an unexpected twist in our journey to the stars! A chartered spaceflight set to launch the first astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary in decades has been delayed indefinitely due to leak concerns at the International Space Station (ISS).
NASA announced that they are closely monitoring the cabin pressure on the Russian side of the orbiting lab after recent repairs produced a "new pressure signature." Although SpaceX had already postponed the launch this week because of bad weather and technical hiccups, the latest leak issue has added an extra layer of safety checks.
The three Russians aboard the station inspected the aging Zvezda service module—launched in 2000—and a connecting tunnel, sealing some areas and measuring the leak rate. Officials emphasize that the seven astronauts currently on board remain safe while the situation is evaluated.
The mission, arranged by Houston-based Axiom Space and led by retired NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, now awaits a new launch date. Both NASA and the Russian Space Agency are taking the necessary time to ensure that everything is in top shape before welcoming more visitors aboard.
With plans to operate the ISS until 2030 before transitioning to private space stations, this delay serves as a reminder that safety always comes first in space exploration. Stay tuned as we follow this cosmic adventure! 🚀
Reference(s):
Space station air leaks trigger delay to private astronaut mission
cgtn.com
