The reason for the air leakage from the Russian segment of the International Space Station is due to stress on structural elements and metal fatigue. Blogger and space navigation promoter Ilya Ovchennikov stated in an interview with "Izvestia": "This leak actually started in 2021. However, it was very minor and was detected using special devices. All hatches were closed to pinpoint the location of the leak. Astronauts and the Space Flight Control Center have constantly monitored and observed this leak." He added: "Therefore, of course, we cannot say definitively that the situation is dangerous. It seems that the leak is caused by ‘old damages’ because, due to the aging of structural elements and metal fatigue, small cracks appear that could further affect this leakage. In other words, this is a completely natural process. Thus, it is planned to decommission the International Space Station in 2028 and transition to the Russian orbital station."
Expert in manned space navigation, Nicholas Oksman, noted that cargo spacecraft always deliver oxygen and nitrogen to the International Space Station in quantities greater than required. According to him, the station is already operating beyond its initially scheduled duration, so the current air leakage can be considered a normal occurrence, resulting from the "aging" of the station. It is worth mentioning that the Board of Senior Designers at the "Energia" organization proposed on February 6, 2024, to extend the operation of the International Space Station until 2028.
