tech
After half a decade, the Russian space station segment stopped leaking
“NASA and Roscosmos continue to monitor and investigate the previously observed cracks.”
TL;DR
- Microscopic structural cracks in the PrK module on the Russian segment of the ISS caused persistent atmosphere leaks for years.
- The rate of leakage doubled in 2024, leading NASA to label it a high likelihood and high consequence risk.
- Russian cosmonauts have been using a sealant, Germetall-1, to repair the cracks since 2019.
- Recent inspections and sealing activities appear to have stopped the leaks, with the pressure in the module now holding steady.
- A launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome has been offline since November after a mobile platform crashed into the flame trench.
- NASA's internal schedule shows upcoming Progress and Soyuz missions, indicating potential confidence in future launch capabilities.