As reported by RIA Novosti, Russian cosmonauts in the ISS Zvezda module began to drill holes in the area of the ill-fated crack in order to finally block the air leak, which has been going on for several months.
All this, at first glance, looks somewhat counterintuitive – to close the crack with the help of holes, and even in space. In fact, we are talking about the so-called “stop-drilling”, which is widely used in aviation, when holes made along the edges of the hole block its further growth.
The work on sealing was carried out by the Russian cosmonaut Sergei Ryzhikov after the appropriate permission from the MCC. When it was over, his report followed, confirmed by a photo. Sergei sealed the crack with a special sealant, on top of which a plaster will soon be applied.
For the first time, the problem with an air leak on the ISS was recorded back in the fall of 2019. The station crew had to work hard to find it. Finally, thanks to teabags floating in zero gravity, she was discovered in the Zvezda module at the end of last year. ROSCOSMOS and NASA confirmed then that there was no danger to the crew, nevertheless, a supply of oxygen was nevertheless delivered to the ISS.
Also, NASA used the Canadian robot Dextre, which was working outside, to find the place of the leak. ISS.
