Fact Check: "The International Space Station has experienced air leaks since 2019."
What We Know
The claim that the International Space Station (ISS) has experienced air leaks since 2019 is supported by multiple credible sources. According to a report from NASA's Office of the Inspector General (OIG), the leak has been ongoing in the Russian segment of the ISS, specifically in the Zvezda service module, since 2019. This report highlighted that NASA and its Russian counterpart, Roscosmos, have identified 50 "areas of concern" related to this leak, which has been classified as a top safety risk for astronauts aboard the station, rated at a 5 out of 5 on NASA's internal risk assessments (Space).
NASA officials have confirmed that they are actively monitoring the situation and have implemented various repairs, including sealing cracks with a combination of sealant and patches (Space). The leak rate has fluctuated over the years, with recent reports indicating a temporary increase in air loss to 2.4 pounds per day, although this was later reduced by repair efforts (Space).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim is robust, coming from reputable sources such as NASA and various space news outlets. The ongoing nature of the leaks has been documented since 2019, with NASA's OIG explicitly stating that the leaks are a significant safety concern (Space, Ars Technica).
While some reports indicate that repairs have been made, they have only managed to slow the leak rather than completely eliminate it. For instance, Roscosmos has confirmed that it completed sealing efforts, yet the overall air pressure in the ISS continues to drop, suggesting that there may be additional leaks or issues with the seals (Ars Technica, CBS News).
The reliability of the sources is high; NASA is a primary authority on the ISS, and the OIG's reports are typically thorough and fact-based. However, there may be some bias in how different agencies report on the severity of the leaks, particularly between NASA and Roscosmos, which have had differing opinions on the urgency and methods of addressing the leaks (Live Science).
Conclusion
The claim that the International Space Station has experienced air leaks since 2019 is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that these leaks have been ongoing for several years, are a significant safety concern, and have required continuous monitoring and repair efforts.
Sources
- google mail
- ISS leaks among 50 'areas of concern' for astronaut safety: report | Space
- There's another leak on the ISS, but NASA is not saying much about it
- NASA warns of potential 'catastrophic failure' on leaking ISS — but ...
- NASA evaluating data indicating air leaks aboard space ...
- Gmail : une messagerie sans frais, privée et sécurisée | Google …
- NASA says ISS has sprung a leak. How bad is it? - The Hill
- The ISS is cracking. But air leaks are just one of its problems.
