Deep cavities were found on the portholes of the Russian segment of the International Space Station (ISS), Vladimir Solovyov, general designer of the Rocket and Space Corporation (RSC) Energia, told RIA Novosti.
According to the head of flights of the Russian segment of the ISS, the presence of such formations on seven of the twenty portholes can affect the tightness of the near-Earth laboratory.
“In this regard, we have introduced a new procedure for measuring the deflection of window panes. Of course, they can be covered with sealed lids, but what is the point of flying at the station without portholes? ” – said Solovyov.
In April, Roscosmos CEO Dmitry Rogozin said that Russia, after withdrawing from the ISS project, allows the transfer of the Russian segment of the orbital laboratory to NASA. In the same month, he said that the Scientific and Energy Module (NEM), originally created for the ISS, will be used as a foundation for the construction of the Russian Orbital Service Station (ROSS).
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov said that Russia will withdraw from the ISS project in 2025 and will start creating a new national orbital station. At the same time, the official said that the situation associated with the aging of the ISS structures is becoming catastrophic and Russia cannot put the lives of astronauts at risk.
