ISS Air Leak Forces Evacuation Alert, Astronauts Return to Station

Five astronauts aboard the International Space Station took shelter in their spacecraft on June 5 as Russian cosmonauts attempted to repair a worsening air leak in the station’s Russian segment. NASA ordered the crew into the SpaceX Dragon capsule after air loss doubled to two pounds per day. The leak, which has plagued the station since 2019, forced a brief evacuation alert before repairs were paused and the crew returned to normal operations.

Leak Doubles, Triggering Emergency Protocol

The air leak in the Zvezda service module’s transfer tunnel, called the PrK, worsened significantly on June 5. Air loss escalated from one pound per day to two pounds (0.9 kilograms) in recent days, prompting Roscosmos to pursue more extensive repairs. At 9:04 a.m. ET, NASA mission control instructed the four SpaceX Crew-12 astronauts and one additional NASA astronaut to don spacesuits and enter the Dragon spacecraft as a precaution.

Repairs Paused as Data Is Assessed

Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev began repair work on the transfer tunnel but Roscosmos paused the operation within two hours. The agency opted to conduct additional measurements and data assessments instead of proceeding with structural repairs. NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens confirmed the pause and stated the crew faced no immediate danger. Both agencies announced they would work collaboratively on a solution.

A Seven-Year Problem With No Final Fix

The leak originated in September 2019 when Roscosmos first detected microscopic cracks in the PrK tunnel walls. Over time, the leak worsened, eventually releasing nearly one kilogram of air per day and prompting NASA to classify it as the station’s highest-level safety risk. Despite years of mitigation efforts including temporary and permanent sealants, engineers have never fully resolved the underlying structural issue. Roscosmos reported two leaks detected on June 5, with one sealed quickly and the second undergoing repair preparations.

Crew Returns as Agencies Collaborate

After roughly two hours in the Dragon spacecraft, NASA instructed the five astronauts to end safe haven procedures and return to normal station operations. NASA and Roscosmos confirmed the crew and station systems faced no threat. The two primary operators have debated for months over the root cause and permanent fix for the cracks. Both agencies stated they would pursue a collaborative approach to address the leaks moving forward.

Final Thoughts

NASA and Roscosmos averted an evacuation but the underlying problem persists. The leak remains unresolved after seven years, and the brief emergency highlights ongoing structural concerns aboard the aging station.

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