Scott Manley (@DJSnM): "I found a photo of one of the repair operations, they literally drill a hole through the pressure hull to stop the crack propagating and then immediately seal it with epoxy." | XCancel
Eric Berger
@SciGuySpace
Jun 15
I was able to get some more information about why NASA took the dramatic step 10 days ago of sending its astronauts into Crew Dragon for 'safe haven.' Spoiler alert: It involves saws and drills in space.
arstechnica.com/space/2026/0…
Russia appears set to finally address long-term, serious space station cracks
This has been a persistent, behind-the-scenes dispute between NASA and Roscosmos.
arstechnica.com
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Scott Manley
@DJSnM
Jun 16
You say a ‘drill stop’ that’s a common process in aircraft maintenance where you drill a hole through the end of a developing crack to stop it propagating.<br>That makes sense.<br>But your description made it sound like they wouldn’t drill all the way through, which doesn’t.
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Scott Manley
@DJSnM
Jun 17
Replying to @SciGuySpace
I found a photo of one of the repair operations, they literally drill a hole through the pressure hull to stop the crack propagating and then immediately seal it with epoxy.
Jun 17, 2026 · 4:46 AM UTC
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Brandon Brown
@BrownBrandon503
Jun 17
Replying to @DJSnM @SciGuySpace
Drill stopping is done on the wings of aircraft as they begin to tear as well. It's really effective.
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Scott Manley
@DJSnM
Jun 17
Yes. the difference is this isn't usually done while the aircraft is in flight :)
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Rob Thompson PhD@Rasterblath
22h
Replying to @DJSnM @SciGuySpace
This puts that whole “sabotage” situation on the ISS in a completely different light.
Could it have been undocumented crack repair?
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Scott Manley
@DJSnM
22h
It’s still more likely to be someone in the factory making a mistake and trying to cover it up.
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Thoughts Into The Void@MindInVoid
3h
Replying to @DJSnM @SciGuySpace
Interesting: The ISS uses a NiCad Makita drill with an off-brand battery.
Repairing a hole to the vacuum of space with FlexTape is crazy. This is obviously a job for bubblegum.
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pinko@undeadpinko
17h
Replying to @DJSnM @SciGuySpace
Is NASA's power tool brand Makita??
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Anthony Fandango@AFandango
6h
Replying to @DJSnM @SciGuySpace
Go hard or go home*?
*depressurised and boil your own blood.
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Daniel 🇺🇦💙@DanLarge2
11h
Replying to @DJSnM @SciGuySpace
Finally, a space task I'd be good at
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Luis Teixeira@teixeluis
22h
Replying to @DJSnM @SciGuySpace
Never thought I would see consumer grade tools and methods being used to perform such a mission critical repair in space. Space is hard. Russians are harder.
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harry_wood@harry_wood
Jun 17
Replying to @DJSnM @SciGuySpace
It's like repairing a kayak! youtu.be/TrJcPJR_jmo?si=D9dz… ...in the deadly vacuum of space
DIY Kayak Repair: Fixing Large Hull Cracks
A cracked kayak can quickly turn from a minor problem into a major ...
youtube.com
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Joe Watchdog@joewatchdogtx
14h
Replying to @DJSnM @SciGuySpace
I read this in your voice. I’m not sure if I’m impressed or horrified by that…
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Victores Evocati 🔫🇺🇸🇨🇺@crankyassmp
4h
Replying to @DJSnM @SciGuySpace
So this is the same practice we used to use repairing church bells. The liberty bell famously had this done multiple times. If it work it works I guess (it didn’t actually work on the Liberty bell).
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sloopythesloop
@Sloopythesloop
Jun 17
Replying to @DJSnM @SciGuySpace
I can not wait for the tool bros to ditch their red tools for the Makita blue. “It’s trusted in space.” At least it wasn’t Hercules…
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VERTIGUY
@vertiguy
Jun 17
Replying to @DJSnM @SciGuySpace
I would be absolutely terrified to do that…
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Casillic@Casillic
Jun 17
Replying to @DJSnM @SciGuySpace
Interesting. Reminds me of how to stop a crack in a drum cymbal by drilling the end of the crack
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Brian Syme
@surmoulage
Jun 17
Replying to @DJSnM @SciGuySpace
I think I might have put a space suit on before doing that...
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Sebastian Sturm@Bastersturm
Jun 17
Replying to @DJSnM @SciGuySpace
Did they stop drill both ends of the crack? And what about lateral forces by reboosting.
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Farlander762@farlander762
Jun 17
Replying to @DJSnM @SciGuySpace
Cool. But when we're maintaining an an airplane, it's not pressurized. They had no other options I suppose.
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Somerled@ThymosVDavos
20h
Replying to @DJSnM @SciGuySpace
And with what looks like a NiCad battery powered drill.
Which makes sense as they’re less likely to start a fire but it’s weird seeing old tech in high places.
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Andy Schmitz@AJSchmitty
Jun 17
Replying to @DJSnM @SciGuySpace
Is that a Bosch power drill?
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jklre@pwnalisa1
Jun 17
Replying to @DJSnM @SciGuySpace
NASA
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James Willich@jameswillich
Jun 17
Replying to @DJSnM...