An air leak on the International Space Station has raised concerns about how much longer the lab can keep operating safely.
Nasa said the leak had been sealed but the incident cast doubt on when a private astronaut mission by Axiom Space, involving the first Indian astronaut in 41 years, would be launched.
The leak was found in a Russian section of the station called Zvezda, which was added to the ISS as a module in 2000. Modules are self-contained units that are one part of the complete station structure.
While the pressure in that area is now stable, meaning air is no longer escaping, Nasa and its international partners must ensure the station is safe before allowing the next crew to take off.
Elon Musk, whose company SpaceX regularly launches missions to the ISS, weighed in on the issue, posting on X that some parts of it are “simply getting too old” and that he recommends the station be retired within two years.
“There are potentially serious concerns about the long-term safety of the space station. Even though SpaceX earns billions of dollars from transporting astronauts and cargo to the ISS, I nonetheless would like to go on record recommending that it be de-orbited within two years,” he said.
This is not the first time Zvezda has encountered problems, with smaller air leaks reported several times. These have forced astronauts to carry out repairs, forcing limited access to certain parts of the station.
Dr Sarath Raj, project director at Amity University Dubai’s satellite ground station, said the leaks would entail more than merely minor repairs. “These are visible signs of the ageing station approaching its engineering and operational limits," he said.
“The ISS has endured severe thermal cycling, micrometeoroid impacts and the unavoidable material fatigue of long-duration space infrastructure.
“These leaks are manageable currently, but they reflect the station's increasing maintenance requirements and highlight the challenging process of procuring legacy parts for repairs.”
Nasa already plans to retire the space station by 2030 and has awarded a contract to SpaceX to build a special vehicle to guide it back into Earth’s atmosphere for a controlled re-entry.
The ISS has been a symbol of international co-operation since it was launched in 1998. It is operated jointly by the US, Russia, Europe, Japan and Canada. Astronauts from around the world have lived and worked on the station at various points, carrying out scientific experiments, including two from the UAE and two from Saudi Arabia.
Dr Raj said retiring the ISS too early could cause a gap for Nasa and its partners who want to carry out research in low-Earth orbit. Companies such as Blue Origin and Axiom Space are developing private stations, yet to be launched.
The Tiangong, operated by China, is the only other orbital station. Chinese astronauts have been living and working there since 2021.
“These incidents carry a broader geopolitical significance,” said Dr Raj. "China stands ready to fill any leadership vacuum that may emerge.
“If commercial replacements for the ISS are not ready in time, China could find itself in a position to exert disproportionate influence over the future of orbital operations, standards and partnerships in low-Earth orbit.
“This potential shift isn't just about national pride. It has real implications for future space governance, commercial investment and scientific access to space.”
Sahith Madara, founder of advisory firm Bumi & Space, said China’s deals are part of a bigger strategy to expand its influence.
“Unlike western agencies, which come with a fair share of regulations and geopolitical strings attached, China offers a more flexible and budget-friendly route – think of it as the low-cost carrier of space partnerships, minus the hidden fees, or so it seems,” he said.
China is opening up access to Tiangong for other countries, with an agreement between Beijing and Islamabad already signed to send a Pakistani astronaut to the station. The Chinese have opened up their space programme to other nations, such as Saudi Arabia, Brazil and several African countries, offering to launch satellites and collaborate on lunar missions.
“But there’s always 'fine print',” said Mr Madara. "While China provides the rocket ride, the technology transfer is often limited, meaning some nations could find themselves reliant on Chinese systems rather than developing their own. Plus, aligning too closely with China might not sit well with western allies, leading to awkward geopolitical dinner conversations.”
The private mission to the ISS by Axiom Space is now tentatively scheduled for June 19. SpaceX also had to fix a separate issue with the rocket before it could be launched.
Jawan
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Aquaman%20and%20the%20Lost%20Kingdom
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E680hp%20at%206%2C000rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E800Nm%20at%202%2C750-6%2C000rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERear-mounted%20eight-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E13.6L%2F100km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Orderbook%20open%3B%20deliveries%20start%20end%20of%20year%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh970%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
Surianah's top five jazz artists
Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.
Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.
Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.
Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.
Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.
More on Quran memorisation:
MATCH INFO
Juventus 1 (Dybala 45')
Lazio 3 (Alberto 16', Lulic 73', Cataldi 90 4')
Red card: Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus)
RESULTS FOR STAGE 4
Stage 4 Dubai to Hatta, 197 km, Road race.
Overall leader Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
Stage winners: 1. Caleb Ewan AUS (Lotto - Soudal) 2. Matteo Moschetti ITA (Trek - Segafredo) 3. Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
FORSPOKEN
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Suicide%20Squad%3A%20Kill%20the%20Justice%20League
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Street%20Fighter%206
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Diablo%20IV
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The%20Legend%20of%20Zelda%3A%20Tears%20of%20The%20Kingdom
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Marvel's%20Spider-Man%202
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Assassin's%20Creed%20Mirage
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Starfield
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What is an FTO Designation?
FTO designations impose immigration restrictions on members of the organisation simply by virtue of their membership and triggers a criminal prohibition on knowingly providing material support or resources to the designated organisation as well as asset freezes.
It is a crime for a person in the United States or subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to knowingly provide “material support or resources” to or receive military-type training from or on behalf of a designated FTO.
Representatives and members of a designated FTO, if they are aliens, are inadmissible to and, in certain circumstances removable from, the United States.
Except as authorised by the Secretary of the Treasury, any US financial institution that becomes aware that it has possession of or control over funds in which an FTO or its agent has an interest must retain possession of or control over the funds and report the funds to the Treasury Department.
Source: US Department of State
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
More from Neighbourhood Watch
SCHEDULE
Saturday, April 20: 11am to 7pm - Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Festival and Para jiu-jitsu.
Sunday, April 21: 11am to 6pm - Abu Dhabi World Youth (female) Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Monday, April 22: 11am to 6pm - Abu Dhabi World Youth (male) Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Tuesday, April 23: 11am-6pm Abu Dhabi World Masters Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Wednesday, April 24: 11am-6pm Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Thursday, April 25: 11am-5pm Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Friday, April 26: 3pm to 6pm Finals of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Saturday, April 27: 4pm and 8pm awards ceremony.
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
'Ashkal'
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