Russian segment of ISS experiences third coolant leak in less than a year

NEW DELHI: The Russian segment of the

International Space Station

(ISS) has encountered its third coolant leak in less than a year. While officials emphasize that the crew members aboard the

ISS

are not in danger, these recurring incidents have raised questions about the reliability of Russia's space endeavors, as per the Guardian.
The latest incident was captured on an official live feed of the orbital lab provided by Nasa, where frozen coolant flakes were observed spraying into space. Radio chatter between US mission control and astronauts on the ISS confirmed the issue. The Russian space agency Roscosmos, via Telegram, stated that the coolant leak occurred in the external backup radiator circuit of the Nauka module, also known as the Multipurpose Laboratory Module-Upgrade (MLM), which was delivered to the station in 2012. Fortunately, temperatures in the affected unit remained within normal parameters.
Upon noticing the issue, US mission control in Houston directed astronauts on the American side of the ISS to investigate further. Jasmin Moghbeli, one of the astronauts, reported, "There's a leak coming from the radiator on MLM."
This incident marks the third coolant leak to affect the Russian segment of the ISS in less than a year. The first occurrence, on December 15, 2022, saw white particles resembling snowflakes streaming from a docked Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft for several hours. Speculation about the cause initially revolved around a potential impact from a tiny space rock or micro-meteorite. However, further incidents, including a leak in mid-February that impacted the Russian Progress

MS-21 cargo ship

, suggest a more systemic issue.

Space analyst Jonathan McDowell commented on the situation, noting, "You've got three coolant systems leaking – there's a common thread there. One is whatever, two is a coincidence, three is something systemic." He speculated that a subcontractor company might be at fault, emphasizing the deteriorating reliability of Russian space systems.
These incidents come against the backdrop of ongoing challenges in the Russian space sector, including funding shortages, mission failures, and corruption scandals.

The ISS remains one of the few areas of continued cooperation between Moscow and Washington, despite strained relations due to Russia's offensive in Ukraine and subsequent international sanctions. The recurring coolant leaks highlight the importance of addressing the reliability of space systems in the face of challenging conditions.