Russian Space Agency Roscosmos will add oxygen to the International Space Station (ISS) if the leak gets worse.
The International Space Station (ISS) is losing oxygen but the situation is still under control, Russian space agency Roscosmos announced on December 19. The agency is also ready to provide additional oxygen to the station if the problem worsens.
The incident affected Russian ships on the ISS station, most likely the source of the leak was located at the entrance to the Zvezda module. However, the experts could not find the exact location.
“The leak has been around for a while. The leak rate is very slow and there is no problem. One of the leak points has been discovered and partially fixed, but the problem is still not resolved.” , Said Sergei Krikalev, program director in Roscosmos. The pressure to find the source of the leak increases as oxygen supplies and air pressure continue to decrease.
In October, astronauts found a 4.5cm gap on the ISS station thanks to a tea bag and repaired. Then they realized that there was another source of leakage in the same area. However, the astronauts could not find the source of the leak during the November space walk. They plan to close the affected compartment and use stored oxygen, but this will affect performance. common dynamics of the ISS station.
Roscosmos confirmed that the crew of the ISS station consisting of four Americans, two Russians and a Japanese were not in danger. Dmitry Rogozin, head of Roscosmos, assured that the ISS station has oxygen in reserve and that the freight train in February next year will bring oxygen to the station,
“First of all, the ISS has oxygen in reserve, which can be used if oxygen and nitrogen are needed when atmospheric pressure drops. We will also launch a freighter to the station in February, carrying additional oxygen. If necessary, we can trade with NASA and send some of the cargo, including oxygen, to the same US shipment. Nothing to worry about. Everything is fine and under control. “Rogozin said.
