Persistent Russian Module Leak Threatens ISS Long-term Viability

Despite NASA's January announcement of a stable pressure configuration, the Russian PrK module's atmospheric leak has returned within three weeks, revealing the difficulty of permanently resolving microscopic structural cracks in aging ISS hardware. While publicly downplayed, internal NASA risk assessments classify the leak as having both high likelihood and high consequence, with potential for catastrophic failure. This recurring issue raises fundamental questions about the International Space Station's long-term viability and maintenance of 25-year-old orbital infrastructure.