SpaceX took oxygen leak in rocket ‘lightly’: ISRO chief , Pg14

Key Highlights:

• ISRO Chairman revealed SpaceX took a pre-launch oxygen leak in the Falcon 9 rocket "lightly" before the Axiom-4 mission.
• The Axiom-4 mission, costing India ₹548 crore, successfully transported Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the ISS.
• ISRO insisted on a full test due to concerns about the leak, potentially preventing a "catastrophic failure".
• The launch was initially scheduled for June 11 but was postponed due to the liquid oxygen leak.

Detailed Insights:

• ISRO has 40 years of experience with liquid engines and insisted that the leak source be rectified, which SpaceX initially downplayed.
• ISRO requested data on the leak's location and rate, but SpaceX was hesitant to share, raising concerns about transparency.
• The crack in the fuel line was widening during tests, posing a significant risk of failure during launch due to vibrations.
• Subsequent leaks were detected in the Russian service module of the ISS, causing further delays until the eventual launch on June 25.
• Group Captain Shukla acknowledged the multiple postponements and highlighted the importance of technical expertise from ISRO.
• The Gaganyaan mission will benefit from the Axiom-4 mission's valuable information.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Oxidizer: A substance that provides oxygen for a reaction, typically combustion.
• Liquid Engine: A rocket engine that uses propellants in liquid form.
• ISS (International Space Station): A modular space station in low Earth orbit.