A worsening air leak aboard the International Space Station (ISS) prompted NASA to order astronauts to take shelter in a docked spacecraft for nearly two hours on Friday while Russian specialists worked to address a crack in the station.
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According to NASA, mission control instructed five astronauts at 9:04 a.m. ET to move into a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft attached to the station as a precautionary measure.
However, NASA lifted the order about two hours later after officials reviewed the situation with their Russian counterparts.
NASA and Roscosmos Monitor Leak
The incident involved Russia’s Zvezda service module, a key section of the orbiting laboratory.
For months, NASA and Roscosmos have discussed the cause of small air leaks detected in the module. However, officials reported that the leak rate increased significantly on Friday.
According to a senior NASA official, the station’s air loss rose from approximately one pound per day to two pounds per day.
Meanwhile, Roscosmos said its experts identified two separate leaks aboard the ISS.
The agency quickly sealed one leak. Furthermore, engineers began preparations to repair the second leak.
Roscosmos also stressed that the situation posed no immediate threat to the crew or the station’s systems.
Astronauts Take Precautionary Measures
The ISS currently houses seven astronauts representing NASA, Roscosmos, and the European Space Agency.
The Crew-12 mission includes NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, European astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev.
In addition, NASA astronaut Christopher Williams and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikayev are also aboard the station.
During the incident, NASA directed the Crew-12 members and another American astronaut to remain inside the Crew Dragon spacecraft.
Meanwhile, the two Russian cosmonauts continued efforts to locate and access the suspected crack.
According to a NASA official, Roscosmos planned to use a saw to reach the affected area. However, NASA officials expressed concerns about that approach.
As a result, mission controllers in Houston activated safe-haven procedures until both agencies reassessed the situation.
Repair Efforts Continue
Later, Roscosmos paused its repair work. Consequently, NASA allowed the astronauts to leave the spacecraft and return to normal station operations.
NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens said the agency looks forward to working closely with Roscosmos on a joint solution.
Furthermore, she emphasized the importance of continued cooperation between the two agencies to address the issue safely.
Rare Safety Procedure
Safe-haven orders remain uncommon aboard the ISS.
In recent years, space debris risks and smaller air leaks have occasionally triggered similar precautions. However, astronauts have never evacuated the station during its 27-year operational history.
Future of the ISS Under Review
Meanwhile, lawmakers in the United States are considering legislation that would extend the ISS program until 2032.
Supporters say the extension would give private companies additional time to develop replacement space stations.
The proposal has support from Senator Ted Cruz and Senator Maria Cantwell.
Additionally, congressional leaders continue discussions as they work toward agreement on the measure.
For now, NASA and Roscosmos continue monitoring the air leak while maintaining normal operations aboard the orbiting laboratory.
