Russia is reportedly preparing to permanently seal off a stubborn air leak aboard the International Space Station by closing the hatch to the affected transfer tunnel. First detected in 2019, the leak originates in the PrK transfer tunnel, which connects a docking port to the Russian Zvezda module. Despite numerous collaborative efforts between NASA and Roscosmos over the years, the leak proved impossible to fix, eventually reaching a peak rate of 3.7 pounds of lost air per day in early 2024.
Tensions between the two space agencies escalated earlier this year when NASA reportedly raised concerns over risky repair methods proposed by Roscosmos. Cosmonauts had been instructed to use a saw to access suspected leak areas, a strategy NASA officials warned could elevate structural risks. Reports indicate that NASA ultimately pressured the Russian agency into abandoning invasive repairs and opting instead to decommission the tunnel entirely to protect the orbital outpost.
The permanent closure of the Zvezda transfer chamber means Russian crew members will lose access to the tunnel, forcing future resupply missions to utilize alternative docking ports such as the Poisk module. The impending closure of the PrK tunnel highlights the escalating physical challenges of maintaining the aging orbital laboratory as it approaches the later stages of its operational lifespan.
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