Jakarta – The International Space Station (ISS) is experiencing a leak, which NASA considers highly dangerous, while Russia’s Roscosmos appears to have a different perspective.
The leak has been detected in the Russian segment of the station, known as the PrK module. NASA and Roscosmos have been aware of it since at least 2019, but the root cause remains a mystery. Since its discovery, cosmonauts have attempted to minimize its impact, including sealing the segment when not in use.
However, Roscosmos and NASA now disagree on the severity of the leak. According to NASA reports, the leak has worsened to the point of posing risks to the ISS’s goal of operating until 2030. Some NASA officials believe the leak could lead to major failures on the ISS.
According to Live Science, Russian space officials downplay the severity of the leak, insisting it will not jeopardize the future operations of the ISS.
The ISS has been continuously occupied since November 2000. Much of its infrastructure is a quarter of a century old, making it possible that years of mechanical stress have caused minor cracks in certain parts. Additional pressure from impacts with tiny debris and micrometeoroids has also contributed to the issue.
NASA and Roscosmos have agreed to seal the leaking section if the air loss rate becomes unsustainable. However, they have yet to agree on what constitutes an “unsustainable rate.” Currently, air is escaping at a rate of about 0.9 to 1.1 kilograms per day. In April, the rate spiked to 1.7 kilograms per day.
Both agencies are collaborating to monitor the situation. NASA plans to add extra seats to the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft in case evacuation of astronauts becomes necessary. “The station is not young anymore. We will see more damage in various places,” said NASA astronaut Michael Barratt.
The space station is expected to operate until 2030, after which it will be deorbited into Earth’s atmosphere for destruction. NASA currently has no plans to build a replacement for the ISS, as it shifts its focus to crewed missions to the Moon and Mars.
