The International Space Station (ISS), orbiting Earth since 1998, faces increasing safety risks as it nears retirement. Astronauts living and working in microgravity, approximately 250 miles above Earth, depend on the aging station’s integrity. However, recent reports highlight several critical concerns demanding immediate attention.
The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) recently convened to discuss these growing threats. Panel member Rich Williams stated that the ISS “has entered the riskiest period of its existence,” according to SpaceNews. A primary concern is an escalating air leak within a tunnel connecting a docking port to the Russian Zvezda module.
Initially detected in 2019, this leak has worsened significantly. The leak rate has doubled from approximately one pound of air per day to over two pounds per day just before the Progress MS-26 cargo spacecraft launch in February 2024. Both NASA and Roscosmos are actively monitoring the situation and plan to meet later this year to discuss mitigation strategies. A 2024 report categorized the leak as a top-level risk due to its potential severity and increasing likelihood. The source of the leak remains unidentified. As a temporary measure, the ISS crew closes the hatch to the service module when not in use, minimizing air loss and isolating the leak.
Another pressing issue is the absence of an emergency deorbit plan for the ISS. While NASA aims to deorbit the station in a controlled manner in 2030, sending it into Earth’s atmosphere to burn up over the Pacific Ocean, there’s currently no contingency plan for an unexpected event. This lack of preparedness raises concerns about potential debris falling over populated areas should an emergency deorbit become necessary. “If there is a deorbit of the ISS before the [U.S. Deorbit Vehicle] is delivered, the risk to the public from ISS breakup debris will increase by orders of magnitude,” Williams warned.
Beyond the air leak and the missing deorbit plan, the panel also highlighted other concerns, including insufficient spare parts for life support systems and cargo delivery delays. Williams attributed these issues to “ISS budget shortfalls.” He emphasized the importance of maintaining adequate funding and resources until the ISS is safely deorbited.
In conclusion, the ISS, a symbol of international collaboration in space exploration, faces significant challenges as it approaches its planned retirement. The escalating air leak, the absence of an emergency deorbit plan, and shortages of essential supplies all pose significant risks to the crew and the mission’s success. Addressing these critical issues requires immediate action and sustained investment to ensure the safety of the astronauts and mitigate potential hazards.
