ISS Leaks: Experts Say Station's Age and Use Contribute to Air Loss

Several astronauts temporarily left sections of the International Space Station (ISS) as engineers worked to repair air leaks in the Zvezda module. The four members of the SpaceX Crew-12 and US astronaut Chris Williams relocated to the Dragon spacecraft while two leak locations were addressed.

Experts view these leaks as an expected occurrence for a structure as large and aged as the ISS. Jan Wörner, former head of the European Space Agency (ESA), told dpa that while some leakage at connections is normal for such a vast infrastructure, critical situations arise from localized material failure, such as a faulty seal, which can lead to uncontrolled leakage. He noted that the evacuation was a precautionary measure.

Roscosmos stated that one leak was immediately sealed, and preparations were underway for the second. However, NASA later gave the five astronauts permission to return to the station, suggesting the repair work was paused. Roscosmos assured that crew safety and onboard systems were not endangered, with pressure levels remaining stable.

Russian space expert Georgi Trischkin attributed the leaks to wear and tear in the Zvezda module, citing micro-cracks in old welds and component defects. He specifically pointed to the module's docking port, which has undergone 66 docking procedures, more than any other module, placing significant stress on its structure. Trischkin noted that these leaks have been an ongoing issue for seven years with varying success in repairs. This latest leak is new and not a result of previous repairs, making its cause more difficult to pinpoint.