The Expedition 73 crew has adjusted their schedule for Wednesday ahead of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), with several days of preparations and activities completed in the past few days. The astronauts spent the day relaxing while still managing ongoing human research and maintenance tasks.
A liquid oxygen leak was discovered during a post-static fire inspection on the Falcon 9 rocket, prompting NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX to postpone the Ax-4 launch date. The new launch window will be determined once repair work is completed.
The crew members made the most of their lighter schedule by focusing on space science duties and upkeep. Station Commander Takuya Onishi conducted research on protein behavior in microgravity, while NASA Flight Engineers Jonny Kim, Anne McClain, and Nichole Ayers worked on life support maintenance tasks.
Ryzhikov and Zubritskiy studied the effects of microgravity on blood exchange, while Ryzhikov also serviced equipment. Meanwhile, Peskov documented and organized cargo space in the Nauka science module with Flight Engineer Kirill Zubritsky.
The crew’s activities were not limited to maintenance tasks, as they continued their ongoing research into human biology and the effects of microgravity on the body. The Expedition 73 crew remains committed to conducting vital scientific research during their stay on the International Space Station.
Source: https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2025/06/11/light-duty-day-aboard-station-as-crew-awaits-axiom-mission-4