International Space Station Reports New Leak
▼ Summary
– The Russian segment of the International Space Station has resumed leaking atmosphere into space, a problem NASA previously believed was resolved.
– The leaks originate from microscopic structural cracks in the PrK module, a transfer tunnel attached to the Zvezda Service Module.
– After a stable configuration was achieved in January, the leak returned three weeks ago, with a loss of about one pound of pressure per day.
– Roscosmos is managing the leak by maintaining lower pressure in the module and performing small repressurizations, with no current impact on station operations.
– NASA has internally classified the leak risk as a “5” for both likelihood and consequence, with potential for “catastrophic failure” discussed in meetings.
NASA confirmed Thursday that the Russian segment of the International Space Station has started leaking atmosphere into space once more, reviving a persistent issue that the agency had recently believed was under control.
For over five years, engineers from both Roscosmos and NASA have been monitoring the rate of air escaping from a small Russian module attached to the station, which leads to a docking port. The root cause,microscopic structural cracks,has proven extremely difficult to locate and repair effectively.
In January, NASA reported that after repeated inspections and applications of sealant, the pressure inside the PrK module, a transfer tunnel connected to the Zvezda Service Module on the Russian side, had achieved a “stable configuration.” That announcement brought a collective sigh of relief across the space community, since any atmospheric leak on a pressurized vessel like the ISS is a serious concern.
The leak has resumed. About three weeks ago, the problem reappeared. After multiple sources informed Ars of the development, NASA publicly acknowledged it on Thursday. On May 1, following the unloading of cargo from the Progress 95 spacecraft, Russian cosmonauts detected a “slow pressure drop” within the PrK module.
“Teams performed data analysis, which indicated a loss of about one pound per day,” said NASA spokesperson Josh Finch. “Roscosmos allowed the pressure in the transfer tunnel to gradually decrease while monitoring the rate. The area now is being maintained at a lower pressure, with small repressurizations as needed. There are no impacts to station operations, and NASA and Roscosmos are coordinating on next steps.”
While the leak poses no immediate danger to the crew or the station’s basic functions, its return raises fresh doubts about the long-term viability of the ISS. In public statements and meetings with external stakeholders, NASA officials have historically downplayed the severity of these leaks. Behind closed doors, however, the concern is far more acute. The space agency classifies risks using a 5×5 “risk matrix,” and the Russian leaks have earned the highest rating on both likelihood and consequence. Discussions within NASA have explicitly referenced the potential for catastrophic failure.
(Source: Ars Technica)
