manufacturing

Space Station Air Leak Caused by Drilled Hole: Russia

It was possible that the hole was drilled while the capsule was already in orbit, Russia's space chief reportedly said

Russia's top space official says that last week's air leak at the International Space Station was a drill hole that happened during manufacturing or in orbit.

The leak, which was discovered last week, was traced to a small hole in one of the Russian Soyuz capsules docked at the station. The leak was patched over with a sealant that officials said was airtight.

Russian news agencies on Tuesday quoted Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin saying that the hole was drilled by "an unsteady hand" potentially during manufacturing. But he said that it was possible that the hole was drilled while the capsule was already in orbit. He didn't say if he suspected one of the astronauts.

Three Americans, two Russians and a German are currently aboard the station.

A representative for NASA declined to comment on the Russian reports, according to NBC News. The agency said last week that a commission would investigate the source of the leak.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us