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NASA Downplays Safety Concerns Despite Watchdog’s Warning on International Space Station Cracks and Leaks

Despite its own inspector general’s report warning of significant air leaks and cracks in the International Space Station (ISS), NASA appears to be minimizing the gravity of the situation. The Washington Post reported that NASA’s recent internal assessment highlighted aging issues in the Russian segment of the ISS, pointing out cracks in the tunnel leading to that section. The report expressed concerns about the increasing severity of air leaks, which have grown worse over time.

The inspector general’s report identified these leaks as a “top safety concern,” citing that their ongoing increase could pose long-term risks to the space station’s integrity and the safety of astronauts. While cracks in space station structures can result in air loss, endangering the crew’s environment, NASA has not publicly expressed alarm.

When questioned about the report, NASA Associate Administrator James Free acknowledged that the leaks were discussed with Russian space agency Roscosmos multiple times, including during his visit to Russia earlier this year. “We have conveyed the seriousness of the leaks multiple times,” Free said in a statement to the Washington Post, adding that Roscosmos had agreed to close the affected hatch in the evenings to minimize air loss. However, there has been no public clarification about concrete steps being taken to fix the underlying structural issues.

In response to concerns, Roscosmos has reportedly applied sealant to some of the leaking areas, which has helped reduce the leak rate, according to NASA spokesperson Kathryn Hambleton. However, she added that not all the areas have been confirmed as cracks, and some could be surface imperfections such as scratches. Still, 50 areas of concern have been identified on the ISS, with Russian engineers continuously applying sealant where necessary.

The most pressing question is whether these temporary fixes can maintain the ISS’s functionality through 2031, the space station’s decommissioning deadline. The ISS, which was initially expected to function for 15 years, has now been in space for over 23 years, extending its lifespan beyond its original design. NASA has already commissioned contingency planning as a precautionary measure. In July 2024, the agency awarded SpaceX a $266,000 contract to develop emergency evacuation solutions for American astronauts in case the situation deteriorates. These contingency measures were initiated in response to “ongoing leak detection work.”

While NASA’s statements suggest the issue is under control, its inspector general emphasized the need for updated risk assessments and continued support from international partners, especially Russia, to ensure the ISS remains safe. As the station enters its final years of operation, these recurring safety concerns will test NASA’s ability to manage an aging structure, particularly amid increasing geopolitical tensions with Russia.

NASA has yet to release any formal plans for a long-term solution, and despite downplaying the risks publicly, the ongoing contingency preparations suggest that the agency is taking the issue seriously behind the scenes. For now, the ISS continues to operate with temporary fixes, but its future remains uncertain as the cracks and leaks remain under watchful observation.
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