Space & Astronomy

Leak on ISS was 'drilled from the inside'

By T.K. Randall
September 4, 2018 ·  43 comments

Image: International Space Station
Credit: (PD) NASA Originally thought to have been the result of a meteorite impact, the tiny hole was discovered last week after flight controllers picked up an unexplained drop in cabin pressure.

The leak turned out to be aboard the Soyuz MS-09 spacecraft that is currently docked at the station.

While the astronauts were able to successfully seal off the hole with tape, worrying evidence has since been found suggesting that a small space rock might not have been responsible after all.

Instead, according to a special commission set up by Russia's space agency Roscosmos, the hole appears to have been made from the inside of the capsule using a drill."We are considering all the theories," said Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin. "The one about a meteorite impact has been rejected because the ship's hull was evidently impacted from inside."

"It was done by a human hand - there are traces of a drill sliding along the surface."

"It is a matter of honor for Energia Rocket and Space Corporation to find the one responsible for that, to find out whether it was an accidental defect or a deliberate spoilage and where it was done - either on Earth or in space."

ISS Leak summary:

First thought was MMOD strike.

Then NASA released pics. Lots of people: "Hmmm, doesn't look like MMOD". NASA deleted the photos.

Top Russian news site RIA NOVOSTI reported - via sources but apparently confirmed by Mr. Rogozin - it was a drill hole. pic.twitter.com/520kHK0TMc

— Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) September 3, 2018

Source: Science Alert | Comments (43)

Tags: ISS, Astronauts