Int'l Space Station in Critical Condition, No Plans to Retire it Safely

On Friday, NASA confirmed that the International Space Station (ISS) is passing through the most complicated stage since its journey in space in 1998.

The safety committee said that if serious decisions are not made, its end could come sooner than expected.

These issues, including unresolved cracks, several manufactured parts, and a limited budget, are pushing the station into a high-risk situation.

In addition, there is no solid plan to retire it safely.

The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) warned that the ISS entered the most unstable phase of its existence.

The cracks in its Russian module, the lack of spare parts and the absence of an emergency retirement plan form a combination that worries experts like Rich Williams.

The Russian module Zvezda has been dragging problems since 2019. In April 2024, the air leak in the PrK transfer tunnel reached its highest level, the area had to be completely closed, and there is no plans for this. 

ASAP has classified the problem at the highest risk level: 5 out of 5. NASA and Roscosmos will hold a meeting in Moscow to see the solutions to save the situation, although for now there is no consensus between the parties.