Toxic concerns arose aboard the International Space Station (ISS) when the cargo ship Progress 90 docked and caused a contamination scare.
The crew detected an unsettling odor and droplets inside the ISS after Progress 90 docked, raising questions about air quality and the structural integrity of the space station, Mail Online reported.
The Progress 90 cargo ship docked with the ISS by connecting to the Russian Poisk module at 9:31 am ET last Saturday. This sequence of events prompted an urgent response from the crew aboard. Cosmonauts from Roscosmos were the first to encounter the abnormal situation right after they opened the hatch linking the newly arrived cargo ship with the station.
Upon discovery, the cosmonauts noticed droplets and a noxious smell reminiscent of toxic materials. To protect themselves and the integrity of the ISS environment, they quickly donned protective suits and activated their segment's air-scrubbing systems. These systems ran for approximately 30 minutes to cleanse any contaminants from the air in the immediate vicinity.
At the same time, NASA astronaut Don Pettit on the U.S. segment of the ISS reported detecting a strong odor akin to spray paint in the Node 3 module. This unusual situation prompted station officials to take broad measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the crew.
NASA, along with its Russian counterparts, activated additional air-scrubbing systems across different parts of the ISS. They focused on ensuring that potential contaminants did not pose a long-term risk to the station's environment or its crew. Meanwhile, they deployed sensors to monitor any shifts in the atmospheric conditions within the ISS.
"Space station air scrubbers and contaminant sensors monitored the station's atmosphere following the observation, and on Sunday, flight controllers determined air quality inside the space station was at normal levels," expressed a NASA statement. This quick response underscores the readiness and effective operational procedures in place to handle unexpected situations in Earth's orbit.
The Progress 90 mission primarily aimed to deliver three tons of supplies, including food, fuel, and various essentials to support the Expedition 72 crew for a scheduled six-month period. However, the incident stressed existing concerns about the space station's durability, already under scrutiny due to past air leaks, primarily in the Russian segment.
Historical problems with the ISS’s structure began attracting attention in 2019, when localized cracks were found in a Russian service module and rated as a significant safety hazard. Over the years, these cracks have increased leak rates, seemingly exacerbated by space debris and minor meteor impacts, raising alarms about the long-term viability and safety of the orbiting laboratory.
Efforts to control these leaks have included the use of sealants and patches, though the challenge persisted with the leak's rate peaking in April of the current year. NASA’s associate administrator, Jim Free, highlighted ongoing concerns during a visit to Russia, noting, "We have conveyed the seriousness of the leaks multiple times, including when I was in Russia earlier this year. We've come to a compromise that they close it in the evening."
Furthermore, an OIG report reassured, "The Service Module Transfer Tunnel leak is not an immediate risk to the structural integrity of the Station, and there are no current concerns of long-term impacts to the overall structure." These endeavors reflect an ongoing commitment to maintaining the ISS as a haven for astronauts and as a crucial platform for scientific research.
While addressing the repairs and the recent toxic scare, Joel Montalbano, ISS program manager, affirmed, "The leak was 'not an impact right now on the crew safety or vehicle operations, but something for everybody to be aware of'." This sentiment underscores the complexity and the high-stakes nature of maintaining human life in space, where every anomaly must be managed swiftly and effectively to safeguard the ongoing missions' success and the safety of the spacefarers.
