What Happens If Russia Shuts The Door On Their Leaky ISS Module?
NASA and Roscosmos are debating the cause and severity of air leaks in the Zvezda module. NASA has confirmed the problem has reached the highest level of risk. Both agencies are searching for expert solutions to the safety risk.
What changed
New reports indicate a high-level risk assessment and ongoing disagreements between agencies over the leak's cause.
Live updates
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NASA and Roscosmos Dispute Zvezda Module Air Leaks
confidence 70%NASA and Roscosmos are debating the cause and severity of air leaks in the Zvezda module. NASA has confirmed the problem has reached the highest level of risk. Both agencies are searching for expert solutions to the safety risk.
Still unconfirmed:
- NASA is concerned that the air leak in the Russian module has reached the highest level of risk.
- NASA and Roscosmos are clashing over the cause and severity of the Zvezda module leak.
- A program office had a runaway fire on their hands regarding station problems.
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Russia Considers Permanent Seal of Leaking ISS Module
confidence 90%Roscosmos may permanently seal the PrK tunnel to stop persistent air leaks. This follows a tense June 5 incident where NASA astronauts evacuated to a SpaceX Dragon capsule while Russians performed drilling and cutting in the Zvezda module. Repair efforts have since stopped and astronauts returned to the station.
What's confirmed:
- NASA ordered astronauts into a SpaceX Dragon capsule during a risky Russian repair attempt on June 5, 2026.
- Roscosmos cosmonauts drilled and cut into the walls of the Zvezda module to find leaks.
- Astronauts returned to the station after repair efforts were halted.
- NASA and Roscosmos experienced tension and disagreement over the repair plan.
Still unconfirmed:
- Roscosmos plans to decommission the PrK module to isolate a leak that has persisted since 2019.
- Sealing the PrK tunnel would reduce air loss but limit station flexibility.
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NASA and Roscosmos Consider Closing Hatch to Leaky ISS Module
confidence 90%NASA and Roscosmos are evaluating the permanent closure of the hatch to the Zvezda module to stop air leakage. This follows a high-risk repair attempt on June 5, 2026, that forced NASA astronauts into emergency shelter. The agencies continue to monitor cracks in the Russian segment.
What's confirmed:
- On June 5, 2026, NASA ordered five astronauts to take shelter in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule while cosmonauts attempted repairs.
- NASA and Roscosmos are considering permanently closing the hatch leading to the Zvezda module to stop air leakage.
- Roscosmos previously planned to drill and saw into a wall of the leaky segment, but later backed down.
- A leak in the PrK transfer tunnel loses approximately 3.7 pounds of air per day.
- NASA and Roscosmos disagree on the causes and risks of the leaks in the Russian segment.
Still unconfirmed:
- The air leak could lead to the possibility of a catastrophic failure.
- Russia may now seal the leaky module.