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Microscopic and eddy-current flaw testing of the affected area showed that one of the cracks is 22 mm long and only about 100 microns wide. Given the minor sizes, it was impossible to discover the cracks using onboard equipment only. The results of the thorough study were sent back to Earth to develop the repair method. Currently, works are underway to localize and hermetically seal the cracks; the works are to be conducted for the next few days. To seal the cracks, two types of sealing paste and sealing material are to be used. The edges of the cracks will be drilled with a 3-mm drill to limit possible crack growth. The holes will be sealed straight away to minimize the pressure drop. After that, several more layers of seal paste will be applied with a reinforced patch, which will be covered with another layer of sealing paste. The metal borings will be sent back to Earth in addition to the instrument data and photos collected earlier for further analysis. After completing the works, a leak check of the Transfer Chamber will be performed.
[i]All the Russian crew's operations are being agreed with NASA specialists stage-by-stage on an instruction from state corporation Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin. Last week, cosmonaut Ryzhikov applied three layers of a sealant and placed a patch on the first crack in the Zvezda module. On March 6, he applied another layer of the sealant from the end of the installed patch. The cosmonauts will carry out the work to seal the second fracture this week. On March 8, the cosmonauts elaborated a detailed plan under the direction of specialists from the ISS Russian Segment's main operational control group for further repair and recovery work. The Russian crewmembers also prepared the necessary equipment for treating the module's surface, applying the sealant and placing a patch.[/i]
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