Space Station is leaking air and Nasa is worried

Nasa is actively addressing concerns about a persistent air leak in the Russian segment of the International Space Station (ISS), while emphasizing recent progress in reducing the leak rate.
The issue, first detected in 2019 in the Zvezda module’s PrK vestibule, has been a subject of ongoing investigation and mitigation efforts.
A recent report by Nasa’s Office of Inspector General highlighted the severity of the leak, which had increased to nearly 1.7 kilograms per day by April 2024, prompting the ISS program to elevate it to the highest risk level.
However, Nasa officials have reported significant improvements, with recent repair work reducing the leak rate by approximately one-third.
The root cause of the leak remains under investigation, with both Nasa and Roscosmos focusing on internal and external welds.

As a precautionary measure, station crews keep the hatch to the affected area closed when not in use, effectively mitigating the leak’s impact on overall station operations.
While Nasa and Roscosmos continue to collaborate on understanding and addressing the leak, they have yet to reach an agreement on what constitutes an “untenable” leak rate.
If the situation worsens, a potential long-term solution involves permanently sealing the hatch, though this would result in the loss of a docking port for Progress and Soyuz spacecraft.
The leak is just one of several challenges Nasa faces in maintaining ISS operations through the end of the decade. Other concerns include potential supply chain issues for spare parts, ongoing certification of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner for crew transportation, and increasing orbital debris risks.
As the ISS approaches its planned end-of-life between 2028 and 2030, Nasa is also focusing on deorbit plans. The agency has contracted SpaceX to develop a deorbit vehicle based on the Dragon spacecraft, though the project faces potential budget and schedule risks.
Despite these challenges, Nasa remains committed to the safe operation of the ISS and continues to work closely with international partners to address and mitigate risks to the station’s long-term viability