NASA Almost Evacuated The ISS Because Russia Wanted To Drill The Hull And Use A Saw To Fix A Leak

Key Points:

• NASA ordered the Crew-12 astronauts to prepare for emergency evacuation from the ISS on June 5 due to a persistent air leak in the Russian segment, specifically the PrK transfer tunnel connected to the Zvezda module.
• The leak, which has existed for years, worsened after Russian cosmonauts attempted risky repairs involving drilling and sawing the station’s hull in space, prompting NASA to intervene and order astronauts into the SpaceX Dragon capsule for safety.
• Following international pressure and safety concerns, Russia decided to decommission the PrK tunnel, ceasing its pressurization and preventing further risk of explosion, although this limits cargo transfer capabilities at the affected dock.
• The incident highlights tensions between NASA and Roscosmos amid plans to extend the ISS's operational life to 2032, raising concerns about future cooperation and the safety of ongoing maintenance on the aging station.
• While the US plans to transition to private-sector space stations, Russia intends to continue using its half of the ISS, including the PrK tunnel, posing questions about the long-term safety and viability of their segment.