The International Space Station (ISS) is currently experiencing a troubling leak. Instead of resolving the issue, NASA and the Russian space agency Roscosmos are caught in disagreements over it. The leakage is occurring in the Russian module PrK, which connects the Zvezda service module to the space station.
Both NASA and Roscosmos have been aware of this leak since 2019, yet the cause remains unidentified. Several attempts were made to seal the leak, but to no avail, often threatening the safety of the station. Currently, there is controversy between Russia and the United States regarding the leak's severity.
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This dispute might lead to difficulties for astronauts, including Sunita Williams, aboard the Space Station. Recent reports from NASA indicate that if this leakage continues, the station might be rendered inoperative by 2030. Bob Cabana, head of the ISS Advisory Committee, warned of potential catastrophe due to this leak.
Daily Loss of 1.1 Kg of Air Could Lead to Explosion
NASA disclosed that the leak in the Russian module results in an air loss between 0.9 and 1.1 kilograms daily, causing imbalances. As of April this year, this leak increased to 1.7 kilograms per day. If unresolved, the rate of air escape may escalate further.
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Additionally, NASA plans to install extra pallet seats in the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule to rescue its astronauts, ensuring they return safely to Earth. Michael Barratt, a NASA astronaut, remarked that the space station is aging and at risk of developing more cracks soon. Efforts are ongoing to keep it operational until 2030, after which it will be deorbited and will burn up in the Earth's atmosphere.
Major Problems May Arise from Leakage
According to CNN, people at the Russian space agency have underestimated the risks posed by this leakage, which may lead to grave operational issues for the Space Station. The station has been continuously manned since November 2000, serving as a floating laboratory in space for nearly 25 years.
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If unchecked, this leak could culminate in an explosion, fracturing the station into thousands of pieces. The station is already perpetually threatened by orbiting space debris, satellite fragments, and rocket parts, elevating the danger imposed by the leak.
