SCIENCE · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
NASA Delays Crew‑13 Launch Over Dragon Oxidizer Leak
WHY IT MATTERS
The delay postpones the crew’s arrival at the ISS, affecting mission timelines and prompting a safety review that could influence future launch schedules and operational costs.
What happened
NASA and SpaceX have postponed the Crew‑13 launch after detecting an oxidizer leak in the Dragon spacecraft’s propulsion system during pre‑launch preparations. The four‑person crew, bound for the International Space Station, will not depart until engineers resolve the issue.
The leak was discovered while the vehicle was being readied for flight, prompting an immediate halt to the launch schedule.
Investigators are examining the propulsion system to determine the cause and ensure the spacecraft’s safety before the next launch attempt.
DEVELOPING STORY
Story timeline
PRIMARY SOURCES
NASA delays Crew-13 launch after leak found on SpaceX Dragon
ScienceDaily · Discovery only; verify against the cited research or institution when available