A persistent air leak on the International Space Station (ISS) continues to pose a risk to its operation despite recent repairs. The leak, first reported in September 2019, has been traced to a vestibule connecting the Russian Zvezda module to the station.
Initial attempts to fix the issue led to a temporary reduction in air leakage, but long-term observations show that it persists. Roscosmos officials stated that while progress has been made, the leak is not yet completely sealed.
The situation was deemed critical enough for NASA to raise its level of risk, with the leak doubling from one pound per day to nearly two pounds per day over six years. Tensions between the space agencies were temporarily eased when a new pressure signal indicated potential success in sealing the leak.
However, further repairs have proven challenging, and Roscosmos remains committed to resolving the issue. The agency is exploring permanent solutions, including shutting off access to the Russian module if necessary. This could limit docking ports for spacecraft delivering cargo to the crew but ensure the station’s overall stability.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/the-space-stations-russian-segment-wont-stop-leaking-air-2000637333