
SpaceX's Ax-4 Astronaut Launch Halted Indefinitely Due to ISS Woes
2025-06-12
Author: Li
Another Delay for SpaceX's Ax-4 Mission
The highly anticipated launch of four private astronauts on SpaceX's Ax-4 mission has hit a snag yet again. Initially set for liftoff from Florida's Space Coast, the mission was grounded due to a propellant leak in its Falcon 9 rocket booster.
But the setbacks didn't stop there. A new leak was detected in the Zvezda service module of the International Space Station (ISS), prompting NASA to announce that the launch would be postponed indefinitely.
A Persistent Issue
Cosmonauts recently identified a "new pressure signature" in the ISS's Russian segment, provoking concern among NASA officials. This isn’t the first time the Zvezda module has faced issues; a similar leak was first identified back in 2019, leading to ongoing monitoring and repairs.
Following the latest discovery, Russian cosmonauts took immediate action by sealing off additional problematic areas and measuring the leak rate. As a result, NASA reported that the module is currently maintaining pressure, but the Ax-4 mission remains on hold as further evaluations are conducted.
Looking Ahead: No Launch Date In Sight
Both Axiom Space, the Houston-based company behind the Ax-4 mission, and NASA have confirmed that postponing the launch is the most prudent choice. The future of the mission hinges on collaborative assessments between NASA and Roscosmos, Russia's space agency.
As for now, there’s no new target launch date set. The Ax-4 mission, intended to last roughly two weeks, will be commanded by the record-holding former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, who serves as Axiom's director of human spaceflight.
History in the Making
The mission crew comprises pilot Shubhanshu Shukla from India, mission specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland, and mission specialist Tibor Kapu from Hungary. This diverse team is poised to make history, as no astronauts from India, Poland, or Hungary have ever visited the ISS. They’re eager to make their mark on space exploration once the Ax-4 is finally cleared for launch.