Russia Might Be Ready to Give Up on Its Leaky ISS Module
Roscosmos may decommission the PrK module to stop a persistent air leak. This leak has affected the station since 2019. Recent repair efforts involved high-risk drilling operations.
What changed
Reports indicate Russia may now permanently seal the PrK module after failed repair attempts.
Live updates
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Roscosmos Considers Permanently Sealing Leaky PrK Module
confidence 80%Roscosmos may decommission the PrK module to stop a persistent air leak. This leak has affected the station since 2019. Recent repair efforts involved high-risk drilling operations.
What's confirmed:
- The PrK module has had a persistent air leak since 2019.
- NASA sheltered 5 astronauts in a Dragon capsule on June 5 while Roscosmos planned to drill into a leaking module.
Still unconfirmed:
- Roscosmos is planning to decommission the PrK module.
- Russia may seal the leaking module.
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Russia May Abandon Leaky ISS Module After Failed Repairs
confidence 80%NASA and Roscosmos are managing air leaks that have persisted for seven years. Recent high-risk repair attempts forced astronauts into emergency shelters. Russia's deteriorating modules are accelerating its withdrawal from the station.
What's confirmed:
- Air leaks in the International Space Station have existed for seven years.
- NASA and Roscosmos are working on a collaborative approach to address the leaks.
Still unconfirmed:
- Russia's withdrawal from the ISS is accelerating due to worsening leaks in aging modules.
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Russia Considers Abandoning Leaky ISS Module Amid NASA Dispute
confidence 90%Russia may permanently seal the leaking PrK tunnel to reduce air loss. This follows a period of tension between NASA and Roscosmos over repair strategies. Astronauts were briefly evacuated as repair efforts were attempted and then halted.
What's confirmed:
- The International Space Station has experienced air leaks first detected in 2019.
- NASA and Roscosmos have disagreed over how to address the station cracks.
- Astronauts were temporarily moved to a safe haven during repair attempts.
- Repair efforts were halted and crew members have since returned to the station.
- Roscosmos recently abandoned a plan to cut into a section of the space station.
Still unconfirmed:
- Air is leaking from the Russian module at a rate of about one pound per day.