Has the International Space Station seen better days? That is the question as NASA and Roscosmos debate a persistent air leak. They disagree on the cause and severity of the Russian section’s air leak. There is ongoing repair work, but no detailed plan for fully resolving the situation. There are concerns about a potentially catastrophic incident.
Causes of the Leak Dispute
The International Space Station (ISS) is dealing with a major air leak in its Russian segment. The leak is primarily located in the PrK vestibule of the Zvezda service module, a problem that has existed for several years. NASA and Roscosmos cannot agree on the underlying cause. NASA blames the problem on environmental stressors, as well as pressure and mechanical factors, while Roscosmos cites “high cyclic fatigue” caused by micro-vibrations within the structure.
The inspector general of NASA has raised serious safety concerns about the air leaks. Leakage rates increased significantly, from less than one pound of atmosphere per day in February to 3.7 pounds per day in April, though repairs have recently reduced the rate. Despite lower leak rates, NASA remains concerned about the possibility of catastrophic failure if the underlying cause is not addressed, emphasizing the importance of structural and pressure integrity for crew safety and mission viability.
Ongoing Investigations and Challenges
NASA and Roscosmos technical committees are still investigating potential leak causes, with a particular emphasis on weld deficiencies in the PrK’s structure. NASA has raised the issue to the highest level of concern on its risk matrix and hired an independent team to investigate the leak. Concerns have been raised that unresolved leaks may force the permanent closure of affected modules, limiting access to some docking ports and complicating operations.
“Although the teams continue to investigate the causal factors for the crack initiation and growth, the U.S. and Russian technical teams don’t have a common understanding of what the likely root cause is or the severity of the consequences of these leaks” – Bob Cabana
Furthermore, supply chain issues can have an impact on repairs and overall operations, as evidenced by differing opinions on what constitutes an untenable leak rate. Both parties have yet to agree on how critical the leak has become and its implications for the ISS’s future, a problem exacerbated by the fact that the ISS is scheduled to be deorbited by 2030, with decisions on its operations pending beyond 2028.
The Following Steps for International Cooperation
NASA and Roscosmos are collaborating, recommending a shared understanding of PrK’s structural integrity and seeking to involve outside experts. While immediate repairs have helped to control the situation, long-term plans to protect the station’s integrity are still being discussed. The possibility of obtaining funds to extend the ISS’s life beyond 2030 is contingent on addressing these engineering challenges and ensuring safety remains a top priority.
“According to NASA, Roscosmos is confident they will be able to monitor and close the hatch to the Service Module prior to the leak rate reaching an untenable level,” – inspector general report
Both agencies are aware of the ISS’s aging components and have stated that wear and tear is to be expected. The ongoing efforts indicate that collaboration will be critical to preserving the space station’s legacy until its operations are officially concluded.
The recent hospitalization of returning astronauts on Dragon 8 has raised questions about whether the situation on the ISS was a factor. One was kept for a couple days. There is no evidence that there is a link between the two situations.
Sources:
- NASA Inspector Issues Warning About Growing Cracks Leaking Air From Space Station
- NASA and Roscosmos disagree on cause and severity of ISS air leak
