A long-running air leak in the Russian segment of the International Space Station (ISS) has been identified as the top safety risk according to a recent NASA audit.
The leak is located in a transfer tunnel that connects the Russian Zvezda module to one of the ISS docking ports. It has been ongoing for 5 years.
In February 2024, the leak rate was measured at 2.4 pounds per day, up from a historic low of 0.2 pounds per day. By April 2024, it had increased further to 3.7 pounds per day.
NASA and Roscosmos have been working to investigate and mitigate the leak, but have not yet determined the root cause or agreed on what leak rate would be untenable.
The leak poses no immediate risk to astronauts, but could impact cargo delivery if the hatch to the module needs to be closed. It also requires use of propellant to maintain the ISS orbit.
The leak is seen as emblematic of wider risks to operating the aging ISS until 2030 as originally planned, such as maintenance challenges and potential impacts of micrometeoroid strikes.
Source: Space
