NASA has taken precautionary measures for astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to a possible evacuation. This decision comes in light of a deteriorating air leak within the Russian segment of the station. On Friday, the U.S. agency instructed its crew to seek shelter in their spacecraft.
Nasa’s Instructions to ISS Crew
At 9:04 a.m. ET, the four astronauts from NASA’s Crew-12 mission received directives from mission control. This crew comprises two U.S. astronauts, one French astronaut, and one Russian cosmonaut. They were ordered to enter the Crew Dragon spacecraft, which is currently docked at the ISS, and to put on their spacesuits.
Background on the Air Leak
The air leak is located in the Russian Zvezda service module, a vital component of the ISS. NASA and Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, have been discussing the leak for several months. Historically, the leaks have been minor, but recent observations indicated a significant increase in air loss.
- The air leak intensified from one pound of air per day to two pounds.
- This information was provided by a senior NASA official.
As the situation develops, both agencies continue to explore potential solutions to address the air leak. The safety of the astronauts is the top priority as they remain vigilant during this critical time.
