### Ongoing Air Leak on Russian Side of Space Station Sparks Concern

The hatch between the Russian and U.S. sides of the International Space Station (ISS) remains frequently closed due to a persistent air leak on the Russian side, which has been an issue for the past five years. Although NASA insists that the leak does not pose an immediate danger to the crew, there is disagreement between NASA and Roscosmos over the cause and potential long-term risks associated with the leak.

This ongoing issue has prompted both space agencies to take precautionary measures. While the Russian Progress cargo spacecraft currently docked to the ISS is expected to remain in place until 2025 before re-entering Earth's atmosphere with trash and unwanted items, other Russian vehicles have faced their own set of problems. Notably, in December 2022, a Soyuz crewed spacecraft experienced a significant coolant leak that was severe enough to necessitate sending a replacement vessel for the safe return of three astronauts. This incident led to the extension of their six-month mission to a full year.

A similar coolant leak occurred just two months later, in February 2023, with another Progress cargo spacecraft. These technical issues highlight the ongoing challenges faced by both space agencies in ensuring the safety and integrity of the ISS amidst unresolved mechanical problems.