'Leak now at 3.7 pounds per day': NASA warns of worsening 5-year issue on ISS. Is astronaut safety at risk?
Produced by: BT Desk Designed by: Manoj Kumar
1. Tunnel leak
A persistent air leak in the Russian Zvezda module of the ISS has been ongoing since 2019, increasing to 3.7 pounds per day by April 2024, presenting a significant challenge for maintaining the station's integrity.
2. Rising risk
NASA’s latest risk assessment ranks the leak as a level 5 threat—the highest rating—highlighting growing concerns about the station's long-term operability through 2030.
3. Managing repairs
Repair work on the ISS leak, conducted by NASA and Roscosmos, remains ongoing. While no root cause has been found, efforts are focused on welds in the module's structure.
4. Temporary fixes
Roscosmos has stated that if the situation worsens, they can close the hatch to isolate the module. However, losing access to this port would affect cargo deliveries and require additional resources to maintain the ISS's orbit.
5. Ageing infrastructure
The ISS, now over two decades old, faces increasing maintenance challenges. Anything from supply chain delays to micrometeoroid impacts could exacerbate existing problems or create new ones.
6. Leak history
The tunnel leak first arose in 2019 and has since been a key issue. Despite consistent monitoring and multiple attempts to manage the problem, a permanent solution remains elusive.
7. International collaboration
NASA and Roscosmos continue working closely to address the leak, exploring both internal and external cracks. However, they have yet to agree on the acceptable leak rate before the situation becomes critical.
8. Debris threat
Space debris remains another critical risk to ISS operations. The OIG suggests revisiting tracking practices to better protect the station from potential collisions as it ages.
9. Deorbit plan
With a planned deorbit by 2030, NASA selected SpaceX to develop a spacecraft capable of safely removing the ISS from orbit. Cost, schedule, and technical risks surrounding this mission are still under review.