NASA astronauts must evacuate the International Space Station (ISS) immediately to prevent a deadly disaster, a space expert has warned. Nick Pope, who managed the British Government’s UFO project in the past, shared his thoughts about NASA and ISS during his interview with MailOnline and said that the “wait and see” attitude of the space agency could lead to devastating consequences: “If it is too late, not only the astronauts but also NASA’s reputation will be damaged.” “There may be a disaster that could lead to
This warning comes after NASA said it was monitoring 50 different areas of concern related to increasing leakage on the Russian side of the ISS. American astronauts were instructed to wait near the escape hatch in case of emergency evacuation when the hatch to the leaking compartment was open. NASA now considers this leak to be the “biggest security risk.” However, it is said that astronauts will continue to stay at the station.
The leak, which was first detected in 2019 in Russia’s Zvezda Service Module Transfer Tunnel, which provides station living spaces, life support systems, electrical power distribution and data processing, flight control and propulsion systems, has still not been resolved by NASA and Roscosmos astronauts and cosmonauts. and its source is not fully known. Additionally, leakage has accelerated in recent years, even as space agencies cover potential cracks with some combination of fillers and patches.
Leak continues to increase
The amount of air, which temporarily rose to 1.08 kg per day in February, broke a new record in April and rose to 1.68 kg per day, according to NASA’s statement. This ongoing leak was declared a “top security risk” in September, moving to the top level on NASA’s risk scale.
According to the statement made by NASA officials, an agreement was reached with Roscosmos on the issue and it was decided to open the hatch to the section where the leak was located only when necessary and to keep it closed in the evenings. While the hatch was open, NASA instructed all astronauts to remain on the American side of the station to be closer to their spacecraft in case of an emergency.
However, as Nick Pope points out, this confusion leaves NASA in a very difficult situation. “Withdrawing from the ISS too soon will increase the rift between NASA and Elon Musk and make NASA look like a declining power,” Pope said. However, being too late could lead to a disaster,” he says.
While NASA argues that the cover of the Zvezda module should remain closed as much as possible, if the leaks become serious, there may be a rapid loss of pressure and oxygen in the station. In the event of such an emergency, all astronauts will need to board the capsules that will serve as “lifeboats” assigned to them, approaching the station. These capsules will save a little extra time by having emergency suits that will allow the crew to quickly don the appropriate equipment while escaping from the orbiting laboratory.
SpaceX is in the leading role again
NASA Commercial Crew Program Manager Steve Stich says that in the event of an emergency, SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft can be launched within minutes. But the space agency also acknowledges that the ISS was not adequately prepared for capsule failures that could leave some astronauts stranded in space.
According to NASA’s statement, the high costs and limited budget, as well as the lack of sufficient vehicles ready for launch, will reduce the ability to intervene if the crew vehicles are seriously damaged and are not safe enough to use. So, for example, if a micrometeor hits the station at just the right angle, the astronauts’ escape route could become nearly impossible to achieve. However, since the cost of an update to the space station is astronomical, it seems that the station, which is rapidly approaching the end of its life, will not be able to gain more defense.
Almost all experts do not believe that the leak in the Zvezda module will lead to a catastrophic failure, and the leak can be controlled no matter how quickly by closing the hatch to the Zvezda. Therefore, although some experts say that it will terminate access to certain parts of the station and docking points, it is stated that the disaster can be avoided by permanently closing Zvezda if necessary. Although this may make it difficult to resupply the space station, it will ensure that it continues to function.
NASA maintains that the station is currently safe and states that they continue to work with Roscosmos to solve the problem as soon as possible. However, if the risk of leakage increases, work on the space station may need to be terminated earlier than planned.
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