Photo: SpaceX
After SpaceX launched the Crew-4 mission in April, the company has encountered an issue ahead of its next launch to the International Space Station.
NASA has delayed a SpaceX Dragon cargo launch originally set for June 10, due to elevated readings on the spacecraft’s Draco thruster system during the propellant loading phase, according to a statement from NASA on Monday.
During the propellant loading phase, NASA said it found “elevated vapor readings of mono-methyl hydrazine (MMH)”, which could be a fuel leak of some sort — even if slight.
The launch was set for mission CRS-25 on a course to the International Space Station, (ISS) but the Dragon spacecraft won’t be ready again until, at least, the end of the month.
FAA Delays SpaceX’s Starship Environmental Decision Again, Now to June 13 https://t.co/DxQC5GXgPY
— TeslaNorth.com (@RealTeslaNorth) May 31, 2022
In a statement, the agency said, “Once the exact source of the elevated readings is identified and cause is determined, the joint NASA and SpaceX teams will determine and announce a new target launch date.”
On Tuesday, Houston mission control for NASA told astronauts the new launch would be pushed back no sooner than June 28.
The mission will eventually make it to the ISS with a handful of supplies, experiments and other equipment.
Specifically, the mission hopes to study immunity and again and concrete alternatives in microgravity, among others.
