A recent report from NASA’s inspector general highlights serious concerns over leaks in the tunnel connecting the Russian segment of the International Space Station (ISS) to a docking port.

The report describes ongoing cracks and air leaks as a major safety risk, with the leak rate increasing significantly from under 1 pound per day in February to 3.7 pounds in April.

NASA and Roscosmos are working to identify the root cause, focusing on internal and external welds, but fixing the issue may be complicated by supply chain challenges.

If leaks persist, they may have to close the hatch to the affected tunnel, limiting access to one of the station’s docking ports, Futurism has reported.

Both agencies are uncertain about the threshold for an “untenable” leak rate, and while NASA plans to deorbit the ISS by 2030, there are discussions about extending its operational life, which would require significant funding and acceptance of increased risks.

Written by B.C. Begley