NASA Delays Commercial Crew Launch Over ISS Russian Module Leaks

NASA has indefinitely delayed the launch of the Axiom-4 commercial flight to the International Space Station due to concerns over a persistent air leak in the Russian segment, specifically the Zvezda Service Module. Cosmonauts aboard the station have recently inspected and sealed some areas, and the module is currently holding pressure, but NASA and Roscosmos continue to investigate the leak's cause and severity. The delay also follows previous setbacks including unfavorable weather and a Falcon 9 rocket propellant leak. The air leak issue is part of broader aging problems in the ISS's Russian segment, which has numerous cracks and areas of concern, leading to increased safety risks and influencing plans to retire the ISS by 2030. NASA currently hopes to transition to private space stations operated by commercial companies after the ISS's retirement, though timelines remain uncertain. The safety of the seven astronauts aboard the station remains uncompromised while repairs and assessments continue.