Cause Still Unknown: Leak on the ISS Worsens
A leak on the International Space Station is causing increasing problems. This time, heightened safety measures had to be implemented for the ISS astronauts.
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A leak on the International Space Station is causing increasing problems. This time, heightened safety measures had to be implemented for the ISS astronauts.
By Christian Bernhard
A Russian module continues to pose significant problems for the International Space Station (ISS). More specifically, a leak in the transition tunnel of the Russian service module "Zvezda," also known as PrK.
New Suspicious Areas Found
The cracks in the tunnel were first discovered in 2019. According to a press release from NASA, they led to "minor air losses" and prompted the Russian space agency Roscosmos to continuously monitor the object and initiate repair measures: Temporary and permanent sealants were used to address the leak.
In early June, Roscosmos identified new suspicious areas in the PrK region and noted that the leak had worsened. The result: the commencement of a more comprehensive inspection and repair process, which also affected the ISS crew.
Astronauts Had to Move to Safety Area
NASA instructed the five astronauts on the ISS, according to Axios, to prepare for an urgent retreat. Specifically, the four members of the "SpaceX Crew-12" and NASA astronaut Chris Williams, who had flown to the station aboard the "Soyuz MS-28" spacecraft, moved to the so-called "Safe Haven" inside the SpaceX spacecraft "Dragon" as part of heightened safety precautions.
Later that Friday, Roscosmos suspended the work and canceled the planned structural repair.
Cause of the Leak Still Not Found
Instead, additional measurements and data evaluations, such as inspecting suspicious areas and checking regions where sealants had previously been applied, were conducted. During this time, the ISS crew was able to end their stay in the safety area and resume their normal activities on board.
However, the causes of the leak remain unclear. NASA stated that they will continue to work together to "bring about a solution." It is quite possible that the leak will continue to pose problems for the time being.
