Is it not easy to repair cracks in the International Space Station? Expert: improperly eliminate or add damage

　　China News Service, January 21. According to a report by the Russian Satellite Network on the 21st, Vasily Fedorov, the head of the "Space Material Science and Technology" Science Production Center at the Tomsk Polytechnic University, said that to eliminate the cracks on the International Space Station, It will increase the tension in other parts of the shell or cause new damage to the shell.

He proposed to eliminate cracks by electron beam welding.

Data map: In 2019, American astronaut Andrew Morgan took a 6-hour 32-minute spacewalk outside the International Space Station.

　　In September 2019, a small air leak occurred on the International Space Station.

From August to September 2020, after the air leak rate increased four times, the expedition team closed the hatch of the International Space Station module twice to check its tightness, and isolated them in the Russian section of the station for several days.

It was found that the leak was located in the middle compartment of the Russian "Star" module.

　　According to reports, Fedorov stated that the exterior of the International Space Station is made of a special alloy: aluminum with various elements added.

The function of this alloy means that it can resist the development of cracks. Therefore, the formation of cracks indicates "wear" on the surface of the material.

The reason for this is that the material is constantly exposed to cosmic rays, and the elements necessary to maintain its performance "continuously evaporate" over time.

　　Fedorov also pointed out that removing a crack in one part of the International Space Station will increase the tension in other parts of the shell.

He said: "In this case, it is not clear what will happen to the structure." The rigid connection may cause new damage to the shell.

　　According to the report, he said that the cracks can be eliminated by electron beam welding.

To this end, it is necessary to create a partial vacuum condition in the damaged area, and then install a dedicated electron beam welding equipment, which will automatically detect and repair cracks.