A New Leak Threatens the ISS!

Hold onto your helmets—there's another leak on the International Space Station (ISS), and NASA is keeping quiet about it! This latest problem has already caused delays in a crew launch set for the orbiting laboratory.

What We Know So Far

Multiple insiders have revealed to Ars that this leak poses a serious threat to the space agency, especially given that the ISS is nearing three decades in space. Since 2019, air leaks in the aluminum structure have been a rising concern—primarily linked to the aging Russian Zvezda service module.

This transfer tunnel, known by its Russian acronym PrK, connects to docking ports for Soyuz crewed and Progress resupply spacecraft and has been plagued by slow, but steady, air loss—around two pounds a day!

Could Repairs Be Fooling Us?

Just recently, Roscosmos announced they had completed repairs on the PrK module, claiming it was now "completely sealed." NASA concurred, indicating that the leak rate had stabilized. But here’s the twist: overall air pressure on the ISS is still dropping!

If the PrK module isn’t leaking, what’s the culprit? Experts speculate that seals surrounding the hatch may be the hidden problem, allowing air to escape unnoticed, giving the illusion that the repairs worked.

NASA's Cautious Approach

NASA is now closely monitoring the situation, preparing for any potential fallout. A senior source shared that NASA's leadership is understandably "worried" about the implications of this leak.

This anxiety led to the decision to postpone the Axiom-4 mission, which was scheduled to launch four astronauts. In an official statement, NASA said, "The postponement provides additional time for evaluation and troubleshooting of the leak." The tentative new date has been set for June 18, but that hinges on resolving the leak issues.

What Happens If It Gets Worse?

Here’s where it gets serious: the ongoing leaks could signal a phenomenon called "high cycle fatigue" in the station's metal structure. Think of it like bending a metal hanger repeatedly. Eventually, it snaps. If any metal components are similarly compromised, it could lead to catastrophic failure.

NASA has classified the structural cracking concern as the highest level of risk on its assessment scale—making this a situation to watch closely.

NASA’s Silence Speaks Volumes

Despite the escalating tension and numerous questions from the media, NASA has remained tight-lipped, only saying, "The crew aboard the ISS is safely conducting normal operations." Are we facing a crisis in orbit? Only time will tell!