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The International Space Station (ISS) encountered a strange phenomenon during a recent spacewalk when cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub discovered a number of holes on a radiator panel that had sprung a leak. The holes had even edges and appeared as though they had been drilled through. In addition to the holes, a growing “blob” of liquid coolant was also observed near the radiator.

During the spacewalk, Kononenko got so close to the “blob” that one of his tethers became contaminated and had to be discarded outside the ISS. The radiator in question is located on the Nauka module, which serves as a multipurpose laboratory and was launched in 2021. It functions as a backup radiator to regulate temperature inside the lab.

To prevent further leakage, Kononenko and Chub closed several valves to cut off the radiator from its ammonia supply. It is believed that the “blob” formed from residual ammonia that was disturbed when the valves were being shut. Ammonia is a toxic liquid and could pose risks to the crew on board the space station.

Russian engineers will analyze the data collected during the spacewalk to determine the cause of the leak and develop a plan to fix the radiator. However, the origin of the mysterious holes remains unknown. Further investigation will be necessary to understand how they were formed and if they contributed to the radiator leak.

Ensuring the safety and functionality of the ISS is crucial for the astronauts living and working in space. Discovering and addressing issues such as this radiator leak is an ongoing challenge that requires careful monitoring and maintenance. The findings from this incident will provide valuable insights for future space missions and the continued operation of the International Space Station.

Sources: Space.com

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