NASA, Boeing assist Russia in probing to find cause of cracks in ISS module

National Aeronautics and Administration (NASA) is assisting Russia in its probe into likely reasons for International Station's (ISS) cracks and air leaks. At a panel discussion on Sunday, September 26, Paul Hill, a member of NASA's Aero Safety Advisory Panel, said Lyndon B Johnson Center, Langley Research Center, panel itself, and Boeing business are all undertaking engineering analyses of problem. Russian Rocket and Corporation Energia believes that constant air leaks on ISS could be result of welding mistakes committed three decades ago inside Zarya and Zvezda modules, reported Sputnik. In September 2019, a mir air leak was discovered at ISS. According to Russia's ncy Roscosmos, crew subsequently located and patched cracks but air continues to leak. However, leak poses threat to anyone onboard station, it added. 

Speaking to news ncy, Vladimir Soloviev, Energia's First Deputy General Designer, said that in an attempt to identify source of air leaks, Russian cosmonauts will install highly sensitive vibration sensors within Russian portion of ISS. He also warned that fissures could expand in near future. Earlier in month of July, Russian research module Nauka onboard International Station had experienced a technical issue after it was accidentally reactivated. Seven crew members were thrown off ir typical flight path as a result of unexpected event. According to NASA, after losing control of ISS trip for 45 minutes, flight director had declared an emergency. 

' ISS to be decommissioned in 2024'

Back in 1998, NASA launched as many as 42 rockets to put massive orbiting laboratory International Station into orbit. Since n, it has welcomed astronauts from over 19 countries on missions. However, International Station will be decommissioned soon, with replacement planned by NASA. ISS has been permitted to operate only until December 2024, according to Angela Hart, manr of NASA's Commercial Low Earth Orbit Program Office. After that, NASA's agreements with its international partners will expire, she said in a statement. It should be mentioned here that International Station is a global collaboration project including five ncies that include, NASA (USA), Roscosmos (Russia), CSA (Canada), ESA (Europe) and JAXA (Japan).

(Im: PTI/AP)