Dust monitoring can help locate ISS air leaks

The cosmonauts who are now on the ISS drew attention to the pictures of dust particles moving in the room. It is possible that with their help they will help to find the place of air leakage at the station.

According to the agency RIA News, learned about this from the recordings of the station's crew with the Earth, which are broadcast by NASA.

The dust grains were captured in the Russian Zvezda module of the International Space Station. Cosmonauts from Russia Ivan Wagner and Anatoly Ivanishin installed GoPro cameras in the intermediate chamber of the module for the night from Sunday to Monday. Presumably, somewhere there is an air leak.

The cameras were supposed to record where the air goes, observing the behavior of indicators, that is, thin strips on which air microflows act. The strips are made of plastic and confetti. After reviewing the images, the crew noticed two dust particles moving towards the starboard side.

Ivanishin transferred this information to the Russian Mission Control Center. There he was promised to carefully study the pictures.

An air leak on the ISS was discovered more than a year ago, but they did not pay attention to it. They began to search for her after the air began to leave five times faster. If in September last year the station was losing 270 grams of air per day, then a year later the leak reached 1,4 kilograms. It does not pose a threat to life and health, but because of this, according to Sergei Krikalev, director of manned programs of the state corporation Roscosmos, it will be necessary to replenish air supplies more often. But the air is delivered to the station from the Earth.

Comments

[Thrifty]

Alternatively, damage to the outer skin by a micrometeorite, possibly of artificial origin. They were clearly not ready for such a scenario of events on Earth in the MCC, since they have not been able to find this microhole for so long.

[Grandfather]

If in September last year the station was losing 270 grams of air per day, then a year later the leak reached 1,4 kilograms. She does not pose a danger to life and health,

yes well nafig ... where is the guarantee that everything will not work out instantly? after all, the loss is increasing, which means ... the "hole" is becoming more and more. And there is a "critical" point when ... it is scary to even think further.

[Hypertension]

Quote: Dead Day

after all, the loss is increasing, which means ... the "hole" grows more and more.

That's just it. As soon as the tubes of food begin to fly out, by that time the hole will be found.
In general, it is gratifying to realize that the billions that are spent on the ISS are not being wasted. Scientific work is in full swing!

After reviewing the images, the crew noticed two dust particles moving towards the starboard side.

Ivanishin transferred this information to the Russian Mission Control Center. There he was promised to carefully study the pictures.

[Shurik70]

And what, there are no external cameras on the ISS? The air contains water vapor; in a vacuum, water instantly crystallizes, becoming a visually visible "geyser".
And the inside of the ISS is full of fans. Cooling of appliances, air regeneration systems. So the microflows of air there are a real labyrinth.
Finally, even from the first orbital stations, a rule was introduced - there should be no debris in the air, since sooner or later this debris will fall into the throat.

[slipped]

Quote: eklmn

By Tuesday morning, it was revealed that the leak was occurring in the Zvezda service module, the main module on the Russian side of the station.

In the transition chamber. It is a small, hermetically sealed service area behind the living quarters leading to the rear axial docking station.

[eklmn]

Yes, thanks, the article has about this:
"But by Wednesday they (NASA and Roscosmos) have narrowed it down to the cylindrical 'transition chamber' of the Star, a small chamber at the module toilet that leads to the docking port."
I just do not understand the editorial office - a week has passed, and she (the editorial office) does not yet possess the information!

[slipped]

If the leak is not found, this chamber will have to be temporarily closed until they figure out how to find where it flows.

[DymOk_v_dYmke]

As an option: close the chamber and increase the pressure in it within the permissible range, so that the "whistle" is more intense.

[Maximilian37]

What if it explodes, then once and for all?

[K-36]

H. slipped ... I always read your comments with interest (balanced, informative, and, most importantly, objective). I ask you to forgive me for the personal question: Do you know Tolya Ivanishin (who is now on board the ISS)?
Best regards,

[slipped]

With him - no. Somehow I didn't have to meet.

[g1washntwn]

Quote: Thrifty

micro-hole

And if multiple nano-holes, and even in different places?

[Infinity]

It is because of this that I do not like the idea of ​​extending the operation of the station, as already proposed, until 2028. That depressurization in our segment, the leakage of ammonia in September in the American one, then benzene ... You can, of course, laugh about the next "drilling", but, most likely, this is the design itself. It's a pity, of course, the ISS is an epoch-making project, but nothing is eternal. And huge financial resources can be spent on new, no less interesting projects. On a circumlunar station, for example, projects for the exploration and colonization of the Moon and Mars, the national OS.

[slipped]

Quote: Infinity

And huge financial resources can be spent on new, no less interesting projects. On a circumlunar station, for example, projects for the exploration and colonization of the Moon and Mars, the national OS.

Recently, a project of a new Russian orbital service station was presented, it will look something like this:

[Klaus]

In the 16th century, a theological debate broke out in one of the universities in Italy: how many teeth does a horse have? Many pots were broken and spears were broken, all the scriptures and acts of the holy fathers were rummaged, and on the reasonable proposal of one of the students to bring the actual horse, and see - the learned Areopagus decided: how many teeth a horse has is a question hidden by the highest providence and divine providence, therefore unknown to science and henceforth closed.

[Klaus]

This is about Roscosmos projects and infographics

[slipped]

Quote: Klaus

This is about Roscosmos projects and infographics

Oh, again from the personal impotence of the photo toad you post? This is an infographic from an American site and it says about it.

I can give Russian :

[Klaus]

How are you in theoretical physics? Fine? Or invited Prigozhin to write and flood? I am interested purely for the sake of continuing the discussion.

[slipped]

Quote: Klaus

Or invited Prigozhin to write and flood?

Are you ill? Eka breaks you, well, keep on hurting

[Klaus]

I recommend that you start studying the space theme by mastering our CAD system Sudarushka, for example, by calculating the orbit of a simple satellite.

[Klaus]

Then you can start Kerbal space program, and Universe sundbox. Then we'll talk.

[slipped]

Quote: Klaus

Then you can start Kerbal space program, and Universe sundbox. Then we'll talk.

I have nothing to talk about with you either now or later, you live in your kerbal virtuality with your photo-toads and react very strangely and frighteningly to images from whatever is real real reality. And the reality is - here, just open and see

[Klaus]

my dear, I am not a doctor, but the presence in your appeal of so many adverbial turns of speech frightens me. You, our sick one, would go to a doctor. I definitely advise you. Sincerely.

[Klaus]

However, you know, there is not so much left to live in this reality. I'm glad I won't see all this universal shame. You will not understand ... however, live and run through the vines of Russian African carelessness. Farewell.

[slipped]

Quote: Klaus

However, you know, there is not so much left to live in this reality.

I condole on your insanity.

[Galleon]

Try to find this leak behind the multi-layer skin there. Some kind of super task. It is easier to determine the area of ​​the leak and then look outside. But there people are no worse than me, they can do without my advice. God help!

[Avior]

You cannot find outside, there is a sheathing with thermal insulation

[Galleon]

Then it's bad. There is also THERMAL insulation - and you cannot determine it with a thermal imager.

[Reptiloid]

Quote: Galleon

......... behind multilayer cladding ........ God help!

The Americans recorded numerous micro-holes caused by the impacts of relativistic heavy nuclei of solar genesis (the so-called cosmic rays) in astronauts' spacesuits, who had been in a vacuum, irradiated not only by hard EM radiation, but even worse by corpuscular radiation, for just a few hours! It's just a few hours! But spacesuits have multilayer casing too. And cosmic corpuscular radiation is a terrible thing! Evidence of this is the color of the lunar soil, Mercurian and asteroid.
Therefore, those who are in favor of replacing the ISS with a more modernized station are right. As VS Vysotsky sang --- "" the patience of the machine is the limit "".

[Galleon]

Interesting. Thanks! Only questions arise: how did the Americans come up with the idea of ​​testing spacesuits? With what equipment did they do this to detect holes in atomic values ​​?? I am not questioning your story, but interesting.

[Reptiloid]

I read this for a long time. At the end of the last century. In the magazine, I remember. Namely, no. I will look, just began to remember your question. I thought a lot about etrm np, and then, suddenly

[Blacksmith 55]

And send them a pack of cigarettes, let them smoke, maybe they will see where the smoke is drawing. ))))
They are examining airplanes and cars in a chimney in this way, is it really impossible to artificially create smoke, naturally without the danger of fire. Of course it's a joke about cigarettes.

[Blackmokona]

The problem is that the LSS systems are working at the station, the air is driven by fans, the gyrodines maintain the orientation of the station, which causes various turbulence, etc.

[APASUS]

It is possible to pump gas into the compartment, which, for example, changes the light under ultraviolet irradiation. Then scan the station from the outside for leaks. In my opinion, this is not such a difficult task. How do they solve problems in the oil industry, metalworking, gas chemistry? Again infa does not move from one industry to another

[Tsoy]

[quote] [solve problems in the oil industry, metalworking, gas chemistry? Again infa does not move from one industry to another / quote]

Don't forget that they are in space in a confined space and artificial atmosphere. Not everything is as simple as on earth. No one can guarantee what will happen if gas is used for searches. Extra risk.
According to Roskosmos, the hole is no more than 0.2-0.5 mm. Even an ultrasonic device for finding leaks has not been found for a week. A leak in the Star next to the airlock to which Progress is strapped. In extreme cases, this transition can be closed, but then the ISS will lose one docking compartment. There are plans to close the leak for several days to make sure that the problem is only there.

[slipped]

Quote: Choi

In extreme cases, this transition can be closed, but then the ISS will lose one docking compartment.

Next year, five free docking hubs will arrive at the ISS RS at the Prichal UM.

[Horon]

The cosmonauts who are now on the ISS drew attention to the pictures of dust particles moving in the room. It is possible that with their help they will help to find the place of air leakage at the station.

Rather, these dust particles will find the filters of the ventilation system! Who is this written for? If the ventilation system is turned off, they will get a bunch of burned-out devices (there is no convection in zero gravity, if someone does not know) and breathing problems (gases will not mix well)!

[dgonni]

Leakage of about 1.2 cubic meters of air per day. Siphonite is non-acidic. Considering that the leakage volume is growing, I personally do not understand the optimism of Roscosmos

[slipped]

Quote: dgonni

the optimism of Roscosmos is not clear to me personally

The intermediate chamber is separated from the main volume of the module by a pressure seal.

[Klaus]

here I think it is more logical to count not in cubes but in kilograms and mm Hg.

[iouris]

Tell the sovereign: let them smear it with soap and look through a telescope!

[viktor_ui]

If there is a leak, then there must be condensation, and this has a clear progressive tendency ... with the help of a thermal imager, this leakage zone should have a different background. All this robo-fedya was saved in due time. There is a suspicion that this iron woodcutter, on the sly, still arranged a test firing there to maintain his shape. Write that you looked through the pictures of moving dust particles and found the suspension movement? And this is how it looked, what is the speed of the flow storyboard (amused)? I hope that there is a GOW-PROW camera at least 4K and can see in the dark at your leisure. And we have a BOT that can independently inspect the station externally autonomously and has technical multispectral vision ... it would be so useful. Can apply the polarization effect during inspection, you see what you see ... holes are getting bigger and wider. Maybe a steam generator? Well, or at worst, call a stranger and use it to find this hole (well, like in a movie about another stranger). What a waste, do something.

[g1washntwn]

There you should not look for dust, but for the playful hands of the Americans. They may have clogged their jerk for that, so that they can pick holes in the Russian module sitting on the glasses.

[Klaus]

Thoughts need to go to the studio. The problem is not trivial. Don't wave patriotic flags from the Earth ... can you spray water spray in the area of ​​rubber seals and measure the temperature of the mixture with a laser thermometer?

[g1washntwn]

Have you ever caught a self-tapping screw in a wheel? At first it is not noticeable at all, you drive, stir up and begin to lower more. Here, too, it seems that a foreign body (micrometeorite or space debris) did not pierce through, but got stuck somewhere and poisoned along the micro gap.
Returning to the drill, you need to look for a screw that the Americans have screwed "through the walls to a neighbor."