ISS Leak Spurs Delay of Upcoming Mission

A recent air leak in the International Space Station’s Russian segment has become a key concern for upcoming missions. This unforeseen issue is the latest in a series of setbacks, leading to delays and putting missions on hold.

ISS Air Leak Impacts Mission

Reports this week indicated that the Russian section of the ISS is experiencing an air leak. While the details remain scant, the leak appears to be in a different location compared to a prior incident in 2019. Experts believe this complicates the task of pinpointing the precise source of the current air loss.

Air began to leak from the Russian segment of the ISS international space station. This time, however, it is probably not from the transition part where the escape first appeared in September 2019. The situation is thus more complicated to find a new place of escape. More information will be available on Monday. pic.twitter.com/4XvI6eFRdJ

– Michal Vaclavik (@kosmo_michal) June 14, 2025

According to a report from Reuters, the Russian space corporation Roskosmos has stated the leak in its ISS segment was resolved. Roskosmos assured that the seven astronauts currently aboard the orbiting complex are safe. The ISS orbits Earth at roughly 17,500 mph; a leak at this altitude, if unchecked, could have dire consequences for the crew.

Mission Postponement

The air leak in the Russian section of the orbital lab has also contributed to the indefinite postponement of a commercial mission to the ISS by Axiom Space. The mission, which would have involved private astronauts, was put on hold by NASA. Initial delays were due to a separate issue on Earth.

The AX-4 crew, comprised of Šubhánshu Šukla, Tibor Kapu, Slawosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Peggy Whitson, was scheduled to launch from the Kennedy Space Center.