![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/iss066e080193.jpg?w=1041\")
<\/a><\/figure>The Zvezda service module<\/a>\u2019s transfer tunnel, known as the PrK, on the International Space Station<\/a> has experienced cracks since 2019 that have resulted in small atmosphere leaks and prompted ongoing monitoring and repair efforts by Roscosmos. NASA and Roscosmos have worked together to identify the root cause while Roscosmos has been applying leak mitigation measures, including temporary and permanent sealants.<\/p>\n The week of June 1, during Progress 95 spacecraft<\/a> cargo operations, Roscosmos noted an increase of the previous leak rate to two pounds per day and identified new suspected leak areas in the PrK. Following this observation, Roscosmos made the decision to begin work toward a more extensive inspection and structural repair effort Friday morning. This revised approach involved cutting a bracket to better access an area identified as a possible leak source for further inspection, using a method that could have resulted in elevated risk to the structure in the area. In response, NASA directed the four SpaceX Crew-12<\/a> members and NASA astronaut Chris Williams<\/a>, who flew to station aboard the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft<\/a>, to take a heightened safety posture, known as a safe haven, inside the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft during the procedure.<\/p>\n Later Friday morning, Roscosmos paused and did not perform the structural repair work in favor of conducting additional measurements and data assessments, which included inspection of suspected areas of interest and review of areas where sealant was previously applied. NASA strongly supported that decision, and as a result, following that decision, Crew-12 and Williams ended their safe haven activities and returned to normal operations aboard the orbiting laboratory.<\/p>\n NASA will continue to work with our Russian counterparts, along with the rest of the international partners that support the space station, to assess and ensure a resolution to this matter.<\/p>\n Learn more about station activities by following the <\/em>space station blog<\/em><\/a>, <\/em>@space_station<\/em><\/a>on X, as well as the <\/em>ISS Facebook<\/em><\/a> and <\/em>ISS Instagram<\/em><\/a> accounts.<\/em><\/p>\n Get the latest from NASA delivered every week. <\/em>Subscribe here<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Powered by WPeMatico<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n Get The Details…<\/a><\/p>\n Mark A. Garcia <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Zvezda service module\u2019s transfer tunnel, known as the\u00a0PrK,\u00a0on the\u00a0International Space Station\u00a0has experienced cracks\u00a0since 2019\u00a0that\u00a0have\u00a0resulted in\u00a0small atmosphere\u00a0leaks and\u00a0prompted\u00a0ongoing monitoring and repair efforts by Roscosmos.\u00a0NASA\u00a0and Roscosmos\u00a0have worked together to\u00a0identify\u00a0the root cause while\u00a0Roscosmos has been\u00a0applying\u00a0leak\u00a0mitigation measures, including temporary and permanent sealants.\u00a0 Continue reading