MOSCOW. Feb 13 (Interfax) - It is most probable that the hole in the habitation module of Russia's Soyuz MS-09 manned spaceship was made on Earth, but it is too early to make a final conclusion, an informed source told Interfax.
"The inquiry is nearing completion. Technical examination results indicate with a high degree of probability that the hole does have an earthly origin. However, final conclusions will be made later. They will be based on the testimonies of certain crewmembers, as well as technical data," the source said.
Photographs of the hole and samples of the sealant and the micrometeorite shield taken by Russian cosmonauts during their spacewalk and brought to the Earth in December have been studied.
"Laboratory tests were unable to definitively confirm a mechanical impact on the metal from inside, let alone the intention to make this impact," the source said.
It was reported earlier that the theory of the hole in the Soyuz MS-09 habitation module's having a cosmic origin was unconfirmed, and that the micrometeorite shield might have been installed above the sealed hole.
On August 30, 2018, an air leak was detected in the ISS. The crew checked every compartment of the Soyuz and found the hole. Air was leaking from the habitation module, not the landing capsule, which meant a safe return to the Earth would still be possible.
Russian cosmonauts applied a sealant to the hole and covered it with patches. An ultrasound scan showed that the leak was stopped. Now specialists are trying to establish the hole's origin.
Russian cosmonauts, who went on a spacewalk on December 11, took samples of the sealant and the micrometeorite shield. The samples were brought to the Earth to be studied.