Ten days after NASA instructed its astronauts on the International Space Station to take temporary refuge in a Crew Dragon capsule, sources say the persistent cracks in the station’s PrK module have been repaired. The fissures, located where the Russian Zvezda service module connects to the ISS, have troubled the orbiting laboratory since 2019 and sparked a quiet dispute between NASA and Roscosmos.
Russian cosmonauts have tried a series of patchwork solutions, frequently applying a sealant known as Germetall‑1, but the problem lingered and raised concerns about the station’s structural integrity. The recent emergency maneuver highlighted the issue, prompting intensified repair efforts.
According to insiders quoted by Ars Technica, the latest fixes have finally sealed the cracks, ending the standoff. Neither agency has issued a formal statement, but the resolution should restore confidence in the ISS’s safety and eliminate the need for future emergency shelter drills.
