International Space Station Air Leak Concerns Rise

Conflicting assessments between NASA and Russia's Roscosmos regarding a leak in the International Space Station's (ISS) Russian segment have escalated tensions. The leak, first detected in 2019, is located in the Zvezda service module's vestibule, with current air loss rates reportedly reaching 1.7 kilograms per day. NASA officials express concerns about potential catastrophic failure due to the leaks, while Russian engineers attribute the issue to 'high cyclic fatigue' from micro-vibrations and maintain that operations are safe. Bob Cabana, chair of NASA's ISS Advisory Committee, highlighted the lack of consensus on the severity and causes of the leaks during a recent meeting. Despite ongoing repairs and sealant applications by Roscosmos, the situation remains a critical safety concern for the ISS crew and their families. The disagreement reflects broader tensions in U.S.-Russia space cooperation amidst the aging infrastructure of the ISS.