The Russian space agency is reportedly preparing to permanently seal a transfer tunnel within the Russian segment of the International Space Station. This section has been experiencing persistent air leaks since 2019, and multiple repair attempts by NASA and Roscosmos have failed to resolve the issue.
Journalist Anatoly Zak reports that the plan involves closing the hatch between the Zvezda service module and the PrK transfer tunnel. This measure aims to isolate the faulty area and reduce air loss. Consequently, Russian cosmonauts will no longer have access to this specific tunnel.
Future logistics will be adjusted to accommodate this closure. The Progress MS-36 cargo spacecraft, scheduled for launch next month, will dock via the Nauka module instead. This change ensures that supply operations continue despite the loss of the primary access point.
Disagreements persist between NASA and Roscosmos regarding the root cause, severity, and necessary repair methods for the leak. In 2024, the air leakage rate reached approximately 3.7 pounds per day, leading NASA to classify the situation as a top-tier risk. Neither agency has officially confirmed the decision to seal the tunnel.
