SpaceX probably took leak in Axiom-4 rocket lightly, our scientists insisted they be examined: ISRO chief

Narayanan said it was at the insistence of ISRO scientists that SpaceX examined the leak detected in the oxidiser lines that carry liquid oxygen to rocket engines and discovered a crack that could have proved fatal

New Delhi: Indian Space Research Organisation's chief V Narayanan on Thursday said the US space firm SpaceX which ferried Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three other astronauts to space in its Falcon rocket took the critical issue of liquid oxygen leak “little lightly” and didn’t share key information citing confidentiality.

Narayanan said it was at the insistence of ISRO scientists and engineers that SpaceX examined the leak detected in the oxidiser lines that carry liquid oxygen to the rocket engines and discovered a crack that could have proved fatal, if the rocket was allowed to fly with the crack.

“They had to call off the launch on June 10 evening at 5:15 pm. The launch was supposed to take place the next morning. The management gave a direction to find the leak location. When it was located, it was found to be a crack,” he said.

“During the test, the leak was increasing continuously. The data is available with us. If the rocket lifts off with the crack, it will give away the moment it lifts off due to the vibrations. Once it gives away, it is a catastrophe, nothing else,” the ISRO chairman said.

Narayanan was addressing a press conference here along with Union Science Minister Jitendra Singh, Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and his back up Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair.

The ISRO team that has been working on liquid oxygen powered engines for over 40 years, insisted on a complete correction, which was carried out by the SpaceX team. A 13-member ISRO team was present at the launch site in the USA.

"But for the complete correction, it would have ended in a catastrophic situation. We have saved the lives of four astronauts," he said.

This is a two-stage rocket, first stage has nine engines that need liquid oxygen and kerosene. Before a rocket is moved, an eight second test is to be done to understand the performance before giving the clearance.

“They completed the tests, but did not open up the results. They said the committees had cleared and we were going ahead with the launch programme,” he said.

“Probably, they thought it was a minor leakage. When it came in the press, we asked where the leak was. To our surprise, they said they could not find out the location of the leak. We were shocked.”

“We asked what is the leak rate? They said, it is confidential and they cannot reveal it,” the ISRO chairman disclosed.

“When we probed again and again, out of 14 questions only two were handled and we were not comfortable. Main advantage for us was that our team has been working in this area for 40 years. If it is a small block, no problem, but if it is a crack it cannot be allowed.”

At ISRO’s insistence the launch was called off after initial authorisation. “Then only they were trying to locate what happened. To their surprise also, it was a crack. Finally, everything had to be corrected. Probably, they took it a little lightly,” Narayanan said.

India spent Rs 548 crore on the Axiom-4 mission in which Group Captain Shukla and three other astronauts travelled to the International Space Station where they spent 18 days carrying out 60 scientific experiments including seven India-specific ones.