NASA and SpaceX have delayed the launch of Crew-13 to the International Space Station after engineers identified an oxidant leak in the propulsion system of the mission’s Dragon spacecraft.
The oxidant leak was discovered during routine prelaunch processing of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Oxidizers help fuel burn inside rocket and spacecraft engines, making them critical for propulsion, maneuvering and safe operations in orbit.
NASA and SpaceX engineers are conducting additional inspections, testing and data reviews to determine the cause of the leak. The Dragon spacecraft must be repaired and cleared for flight before the Crew-13 mission can launch. NASA has not announced a new target launch date.
Four astronauts will join Expedition 75
NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney are scheduled to serve as the Crew-13 commander and pilot, respectively.
They will be joined by mission specialists Joshua Kutlik of the Canadian Space Agency and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergei Teteryatnikov.
After arriving at the International Space Station, the four astronauts will become members of Expedition 75. The station’s long-duration crew will conduct scientific research, perform maintenance and support other operations aboard the orbiting laboratory.
Approximately two weeks before launch, the Crew-13 astronauts will enter quarantine at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. The precaution is designed to reduce the risk of illness before the crew travels to space.
Crew-13 will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket
Once NASA and SpaceX complete the spacecraft testing and repairs, Crew-13 will travel to the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft designed to transport astronauts to and from orbit.
The Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. NASA and SpaceX will announce a new Crew-13 launch date after reviewing the test results and completing all required work.
Source: www.sciencedaily.com