Follow Al Rai
The Russian "Roscosmos" corporation is considering permanently isolating the "PrK" transition compartment on the International Space Station, following persistent air leaks since 2019 and the failure of repair attempts.
According to the Gizmodo website, citing journalist Anatoly Zak, the leak rate increased from 450 grams per day to 1.7 kilograms by April 2024. Despite signs of it stopping in the summer of 2025, pressure levels began to drop again.
In early 2026, Russian experts proposed cutting a metal support to reach the potential leak site, but NASA opposed the move for fear of damaging the station's structure, according to Ars Technica.
Isolating the compartment may help limit air loss, but it will change the mechanism for transporting cargo inside the station. Neither NASA nor Roscosmos has officially announced a final decision on the matter, while cooperation between the two sides regarding the station's operation continues until 2030.
Know more about this story?Send us a tip
Ask about this report — answers stay grounded in its text.
