This is bad and shows that the cracks will start to spread over time, said Vladimir Solovyov, chief engineer at the Energia rocket and space corporation.
Russian astronauts have discovered new cracks in a segment of the International Space Station (ISS), Reuters reported.
“Surface cracks have been found in some places in the Zarya module,” Vladimir Solovyov, chief engineer at the Energia rocket and space corporation, told RIA Novosti. . “
He did not specify whether the cracks were leaking air.
Soloviev said earlier that much of the ISS’s equipment was becoming obsolete and warned of an “avalanche” of damage after 2025.
There have been a series of incidents on the ISS recently. A software malfunction and a possible lack of human attention brought the station out of control. The engines of the new module “Science” suddenly started a few hours after its docking and the whole station changed course with a crew of seven. Last month, Roscosmos also reported a drop in the pressure of the Zvezda module caused by an air leak. Astronauts live in it.
Roscosmos has stated that it will participate in the ISS until 2024 and the country is ready to extend the life of the station.
Meanwhile, NASA announced that the American cargo SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft successfully docks automatically with the International Space Station (ISS).
The space agency broadcast the link directly to its website. The jump was controlled by astronauts Shane Kimbrow and Megan MacArthur.
“Congratulations to SpaceX and NASA (for the successful connection), no one had given me such a birthday present,” said MacArthur, who turned 50 today.
The cargo ship “Dragon” provided the ISS with equipment for conducting scientific experiments, in particular devices that can detect vision problems and help deal with them, as well as useful materials – concrete, composites and substances capable of providing protection. from radiation.
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