NASA astronauts, including French astronaut Sophie Adenot, briefly took shelter in their spacecraft on Friday due to a leak repair operation aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The decision came as a precaution while Russian agency Roscosmos addressed an air leakage issue in the Zvezda module.
Emergency Precautions Taken by the ISS Crew
A spokesperson from NASA confirmed that the crew was instructed to secure themselves in the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. This unusual safety measure involved four members of the SpaceX Crew-12, which includes American astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, Russian cosmonaut Andreï Fediaïev, and Sophie Adenot. Additionally, NASA astronaut Chris Williams joined them aboard the ISS via a Russian spacecraft.
Following the precautionary sheltering, Jack Hathaway communicated with the Houston control center, expressing readiness to return to normal operations. “We’ll tidy up our mess and resume our day,” he remarked.
Ongoing Repairs in the Zvezda Module
Roscosmos had identified two potential air leakage points. While one was promptly sealed, preparations were ongoing to repair the second issue. The agency acknowledged that no physical repair actions had taken place on Friday.
- First leak: Sealed immediately.
- Second leak: Under preparation for repair.
The Zvezda module has a history of air leaks, with a persistent issue detected as early as May. The ISS, continuously occupied for over 25 years, is scheduled to be decommissioned by 2030.
Safety Protocols and Training
NASA emphasized that such safety protocols are part of routine crew training, conducted both on Earth and aboard the ISS. A spokesperson noted that these precautions ensure the safety of astronauts during unforeseen circumstances.
