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Thriller on the International Space Station: unprecedented evacuation order and 'haunted' malfunction
🇬🇷 Greece /Technology

Thriller on the International Space Station: unprecedented evacuation order and 'haunted' malfunction

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Five astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) were ordered to prepare for a potential emergency evacuation.
  • The alarm was triggered by a doubling of air loss in the Russian segment of the station.
  • A disagreement between NASA and Roscosmos over repair methods temporarily halted the repair work, averting immediate danger.

A tense 120-minute situation unfolded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) when five astronauts received orders to move to the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, preparing for a possible emergency departure to Earth. The alert was issued by NASA's control center due to a sudden increase in the rate of air loss within the station's Russian segment.

The precautionary relocation lasted about two hours and was deemed necessary due to a serious disagreement that arose between the US and Russian aerospace services regarding the repair method.

— Ta NeaDescribing the circumstances that led to the astronauts preparing for evacuation.

The air leak rate doubled from approximately 450 grams to one pound per day. This precautionary measure was prompted by a significant technical disagreement between U.S. and Russian space agencies regarding the repair strategy. Russian cosmonauts initially planned to use a saw to access the crack, a method NASA officials strongly opposed, fearing it could worsen the opening and cause rapid depressurization.

The US officials strongly disagreed with this specific technical approach, fearing that the vibrations could sharply widen the opening, causing immediate depressurization.

— Ta NeaExplaining the core of the dispute between NASA and Roscosmos.

NASA ultimately rescinded the evacuation order after the Russian side agreed to pause its repair efforts. The issue stems from microscopic structural cracks in the PrK transfer tunnel, which connects a docking port to the "Zvezda" service module, a critical component of the station. This problem has been a persistent concern for the ISS, first reported in September 2019. Despite repeated sealing attempts, the pressure loss returned with greater intensity on May 1st. Roscosmos has stated there is no immediate danger to the crew or station systems, and NASA confirmed the alarm's end, emphasizing a commitment to close collaboration with Roscosmos on a safe, collective approach to addressing the leaks.

The representative for NASA, Bethany Stevens, confirmed the end of the alarm and stated that the American agency looks forward to close and joint cooperation with Roscosmos for a safe, collective approach to addressing the leaks.

— Ta NeaReporting NASA's official statement following the resolution of the incident.
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Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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