The International Space Station has been leaking for the last five years, and as the leakage is getting worse, the scientists have labelled it as "highest level risk." According to a recent report on the situation at ISS, a small Russian part of the station, which is a tunnel connecting a larger module to a docking port, is leaking.

This small PrK module is present between the Progress spacecraft airlock and the Zvezda module and has been leaking since September 2019. Reportedly, the US and Russia knew the situation of the PrK. However, the reason behind the leak is still unidentified by the two countries.

Meanwhile, NASA's inspector general published a new report highlighting the severity and latest details of the leak. During February this year, NASA identified an increase in the leak rate from less than 1 pound of atmosphere a day to 2.4 pounds a day, and in April, it touched 3.7 pounds a day. 

"Although the root cause of the leak remains unknown, both agencies have narrowed their focus to internal and external welds," a report under the signature of Deputy Inspector General George A. Scott stated.

highest level risk
Image Source: NASA

NASA's plan to handle the leakage

To reduce the risk of the leak, NASA plans to close the hatch (present on the Zvezda module). NASA would look forward to permanently shutting down the hatch if the leakage worsens. However, it was reported in Ars Technica's June report that the leakage has reached the highest level of concern.

"In May and June 2024, ISS Program and Roscosmos officials met to discuss heightened concerns with the increased leak rate," stated the report of the inspector general. 

"The ISS Program subsequently elevated the Service Module Transfer Tunnel leak risk to the highest level of risk in its risk management system. According to NASA, Roscosmos is confident they will be able to monitor and close the hatch to the Service Module prior to the leak rate reaching an untenable level. However, NASA and Roscosmos have not reached an agreement on the point at which the leak rate is untenable," it added.

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