ISS Air Leak Doubles to 2 Pounds Per Day, Astronauts Briefly Shelter

Five astronauts aboard the International Space Station sheltered in their Dragon spacecraft for roughly two hours on June 5 as Russian cosmonauts attempted to repair a worsening air leak. The leak in the Zvezda service module’s transfer tunnel doubled from one pound to two pounds per day, prompting NASA to take precautions. Roscosmos paused repairs and the crew returned to normal operations after measurements were assessed.

Leak Worsens During Cargo Operations

The air leak in the Zvezda module’s transfer tunnel, called the PrK, has existed since 2019 but escalated during the week of June 1. Roscosmos detected the leak rate doubled to two pounds per day during Progress 95 cargo operations. The Russian space agency also identified two new suspected leak areas in the tunnel. NASA and Roscosmos have worked together to identify the root cause while applying temporary and permanent sealants over the past seven years.

Astronauts Take Shelter as Repairs Begin

At 9:04 a.m. ET on June 5, NASA ordered four Crew-12 astronauts and one additional NASA astronaut to enter their Dragon spacecraft and don spacesuits. The move came as Roscosmos planned to cut a bracket to access a suspected leak source. NASA deemed this method risky enough to warrant precautions. The five crew members sheltered for approximately two hours while two Russian cosmonauts worked on the repair.

Repairs Paused, Crew Returns to Station

Roscosmos paused the structural repair efforts and instead conducted measurements and data assessments. NASA strongly supported this decision. The crew ended their safe haven procedures and returned to normal operations aboard the station. Roscosmos reported that cosmonauts found two potential leak sites, sealed one, and prepared to address the second.

A Six-Year Problem Persists

The PrK tunnel has leaked continuously since September 2019, with microscopic cracks in its walls slowly releasing air. The leak rate had remained relatively stable at about half a pound per day until recently. NASA classified the leak as the station’s highest-level safety risk. Engineers on both sides have debated repair approaches for months without a permanent solution.

Final Thoughts

The ISS leak doubled to two pounds per day on June 5, but Roscosmos paused risky repairs after two hours. All crew members returned safely to the station. This persistent problem requires ongoing monitoring and collaborative fixes between NASA and Roscosmos.

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