NASA is currently investigating a long-running air leak on a Russian module of the International Space Station (ISS). The leak, which recently doubled in magnitude, is located in the Zvezda service module but does not pose a safety risk to the crew or vehicle operations, according to Joel Montalbano, NASA ISS program manager. The leak increased about a week before the launch of the Progress MS-26 cargo spacecraft to the station on February 14. Despite keeping the hatch closed for 24 hours after docking the spacecraft, the leak remained unaffected.
The leak is specifically located in a vestibule known as PrK, situated between the docking port and the rest of the module. This section can be sealed off to minimize air loss from the rest of the station. Montalbano mentioned that the leak has now increased to a rate of over 0.9 kilograms of air lost per day, double the previous rate detected in that part of Zvezda. The hatch will remain closed until early April while NASA collaborates with their Russian counterparts to determine the next steps, including accessing the vestibule and studying the leak further.
The PrK leak was initially detected in 2019 and has since been extensively analyzed by both Roscosmos and NASA. Attempts to address the issue have included applying Kapton tape to plug the leak and installing gauges to measure stresses on the module that could potentially cause cracks. In November, Robyn Gatens, ISS director at NASA Headquarters, described the leak rate as “manageable” and stated that it could be addressed by measures such as closing the hatch. She emphasized that although there is always concern when a structure is leaking, it does not pose an existential threat to the ISS itself.
The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel at NASA has also been monitoring the PrK leak. While concerns about the leak and its implications for the station have been raised in past meetings, it was not discussed in the panel’s most recent public meeting held on February 28. The lack of a briefing on the station during this quarterly meeting likely contributed to the omission of the topic.
NASA’s ongoing investigation into the air leak on the Russian ISS module highlights the collaborative efforts between international space agencies to ensure the safety and functionality of the space station. While the leak has increased in magnitude, it is reassuring to know that it does not currently pose a risk to the crew or vehicle operations. As NASA continues to work with their Russian colleagues to address the issue, future plans to access the vestibule and study the leak further will be crucial in maintaining the integrity of the International Space Station.