NASA astronauts have been urged to get off the International Space Station now or face a fatal disaster.
The space walkers could face a painful death if they wait for a second too long as the space station has a growing air leak. The space agency’s “wait-and-see” attitude towards the leak could have devastating consequences, a former government alien hunter has now warned.
Expert Nick Pope, dubbed Britain’s Fox Moulder, said that the astronauts could be killed instantly if it blows.
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“Leaving it too late could lead to a disaster that would kill not only the astronauts, but also NASA’s reputation,” he stressed.
(Image: Getty Images)
His warning comes as NASA revealed it is tracking 50 “areas of concern” related to the growing air leak on the Russian side of the ISS. The leak has been labelled a “top safety risk” but astronauts are yet to be pulled off the station.
NASA and its Russian counterpart, Roscomos, are trying to find and fix the leak and have told those working aboard to be ready to immediately evacuate. The issue first became known in 2019 and since then, sealant has been placed in spots considered weak.
But despite the work, the leak has only grown faster in recent years. Should things get too bad, astronauts could find themselves stranded with plummeting oxygen levels.
The leak hit record levels this April, losing 3.7 lbs (1.68 kg) of air every day according to a report from NASA’s Office of the Inspector General.
Mr Pope said: “Evacuating the ISS too soon will increase the gap between NASA and Elon Musk and make NASA look like a declining force, but leaving it too late could lead to a disaster. Space is inherently dangerous and the space program carries with it a degree of risk. But with lives at stake, a wait-and-see option has higher consequences.”
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