The Russian space agency Roscosmos said on Saturday that the International Space Station was still losing oxygen but the situation was under control, adding that the agency was ready to send an extra supply of oxygen if the problem escalated.
With a defect apparently located in the section access section of the Zizveda module, this leak is affecting the Russian section of the ISS. Russian media have reported that the exact location is not yet clear.
Sergei Krikalev, director of the Roscosmos program, told Russia’s Interfax news agency: “We have had this glitch for a long time, the rate is very small, nothing has happened. A leak was found and reduced, but it is still pending.”
The pressure to find the source of the leak increases, as the oxygen reserves and air pressure continue to decrease.
The cause of the damage is unknown
The 4.5.-centimeter (1.7-inch) tear was already found in October with the help of a floating tea bag and was sealed.
The astronauts, who were unaware of the damage, then realized that another leak had come from somewhere else in the same section of the 20-year-old spacecraft. However, they failed to find fault during the spacewalk in November.
Astronauts are considering the possibility of closing the affected section and using oxygen reserves, but say this will affect the overall operation of the ISS.
‘Everything is under control’
Roscosmos said there was no threat to the seven people aboard the ISS, including four American, two Russian and one Japanese astronaut.
The head of the agency, Dmitry Rogozin, assured the people that the board had oxygen reserves and that scheduled cargo deliveries in February would include oxygen.
“First, the station has oxygen reserves. That is, if oxygen and nitrogen need to be replenished in the event of a loss of atmospheric pressure, we have such reserves. And we are going to send a cargo ship to the ISS in February.” It already has a supply of oxygen. Russia’s TASS news agency reported.
“If necessary, we can use our relationship with NASA and send a portion of the cargo, including oxygen, with the American cargo ship.” “No need to worry, everything is fine, everything is under control.”
MVB / DJ (DPA, Interfax)
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