An odor of unknown origin emanated from the Russian transport module on the International Space Station. According to NASA, the cosmonauts immediately isolated the machine from the rest of the station and carried out cleaning procedures.
The incident took place on November 23. In the Russian part of the International Space Station (ISS), the crew prepared to receive cargo transported aboard the unmanned Progress 90 module. The capsule docked successfully with the station, but when the cosmonauts opened the hatch, they felt an unpleasant odor and observed small droplets floating around them.
Like spray paint
As she said NASA on social media, the crew immediately closed the hatch, separated the docking area from the rest of the segment and began air purification procedures. Ars Technica, citing the independent website Russian Space Web, reported that the odor was “toxic” and the cosmonauts from the Russian part of the ISS put on protective suits. NASA astronaut Don Pettit reported that day that there was an odor resembling spray paint on the station.
On Sunday, mission control in Houston confirmed that air quality on the ISS remained normal. The Russian crew is working to safely open the hatch to the transport capsule – there are about three tons of food, fuel and other supplies on board the Progress 90. Other activities on the space station are proceeding as planned.
Cause unknown
It is not known what was the source of the unpleasant smell from the Progress 90 capsule. It is possible that there was a leak – such situations have happened several times. In February 2023, one of the Progress capsules suffered a cooling system failure and all the coolant leaked into extraterrestrial space.
International Space Station (ISS)Maciej Zieliński, Adam Ziemienowicz/PAP
Main photo source: NASA+