Expanding Air Leak in Russian Part of ISS Identified as Significant Threat, Information Unveils
The International Space Station (ISS) dwells at an altitude of 250 miles above Earth, housing astronauts in a primarily enclosed environment. Over the past five years, there's been a substantial increase in air leaking from a passage connecting a docking port to a Russian module. This issue was highlighted in a new report, revealing its potential hazards for the crew.
The latest report, published by NASA's Office of Inspector General, addressed this leak as a major concern due to its potential consequences. The heightened risk was primarily due to a significant increase in the rate of air escaping from the Russian Zvezda module. This rate doubled from one pound of air per day to over two pounds by early 2024.
The report underlined various risks, including feasible evacuation options during emergencies, the absence of a deorbit vehicle within the ISS rescue plan, and escalating maintenance costs for the space station.
report, published Thursday by NASA’s Office of Inspector General, details how the ISS program had elevated the air leak to the highest level of risk based on its likelihood and severity. The heightened risk probability was the result of a noticeable increase discovered in February in the rate of air that has been leaking from Russia’s Zvezda module, which had
The air leak was first detected in September 2019, with Roscosmos revealing an air leak in the vestibule (PrK) connecting the docking port to the Russian Zvezda module. The leak rate further increased a week prior to the launch of the Progress MS-26 cargo spacecraft. The hatch connecting the module to the ISS remained open for five days while the crew offloaded cargo, but was subsequently shut.
In May and June, discussions took place between NASA and Roscosmos concerning the ISS air leak. NASA officials confirmed that Roscosmos was confident in their ability to monitor and close the hatch before the leak became a major problem. However, there was a disagreement on defining the "untenable level" for the leak.
doubled from one pound of air per day to a little over two pounds.
While NASA continues to monitor the leak and prepare to shut the hatch when not in use, efforts are being made to minimize air loss and isolate the leak from the rest of the space station. If necessary, the hatch could be permanently closed, which would result in one less docking port for cargo delivery and an increased requirement for propellant to maintain the ISS's altitude and attitude.
Despite raising the issue to its highest level of concern, NASA downplayed the magnitude of the hazard during a recent press conference. Robyn Gatens, ISS program director at NASA, reported a reduction in the leak rate by about one-third.
reported.
The origin of the leak remains a mystery, as there have been no other air leaks reported on the ISS as of June. The ISS, in orbit for nearly 25 years, has faced the demands of space's harsh environment, and its designated retirement date is 2031. However, given potential delay in its replacements, NASA is considering extending the ISS's lifespan, which would necessitate significant funding for continued operations and maintenance and pose challenges due to aging infrastructure.
This issue raises concerns about the ISS's future, as a new era of commercialized spaceflight approaches. NASA must navigate this transition while prioritizing safety and maintaining access to low Earth orbit.
plunging itself towards an isolated region of the Pacific Ocean, NASA is now considering extending its operations should its commercial replacements not be ready to take its place by that time. However, extending the ISS’s lifespan increases the risk posed by its aging structures and demands “significant funding” for continued operation and maintenance, according to the inspector general report.
References:
- NASA’s Management of Risks to Sustaining ISS Operations Through 2030
- Gizmodo
- SpaceNews
An Excruciatingly Detailed Breakdown of How NASA Plans to Destroy the ISS
Insights:- The ISS air leak is primarily attributed to stress fracture cracks in the Russian Zvezda module's structure.- The leak is considered a significant safety risk for astronauts and the ISS's structural integrity.- Efforts are underway to monitor and mitigate the leak, but a potential permanent hatch closure could pose challenges.- The ISS's condition poses security risks during docking operations.- Stakeholders are evaluating options for extending the ISS's operational life to address aging infrastructure and safety concerns.
- According to the report published by NASA's Office of Inspector General, the air leak in the International Space Station (ISS) has been elevated to the highest level of risk due to its significant severity and likelihood.
- The increase in the rate of air escaping from the Russian Zvezda module, as detailed in the report, has led to concerns about feasible evacuation options during emergencies and the absence of a deorbit vehicle within the ISS rescue plan.
- In an attempt to minimize air loss and isolate the leak from the rest of the space station, efforts are being made to close the hatch connecting the Zvezda module to the ISS when not in use, although this could result in one less docking port for cargo delivery.
- With the ISS's designated retirement date being 2031, NASA is considering extending its operations due to potential delays in its replacements, which would necessitate significant funding for continued operations and maintenance, and pose challenges due to aging infrastructure.