Troubling scent in space: ISS crew handles toxic odour scare
Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) encountered an unusual incident. Upon opening the Russian cargo spacecraft Progress 90, Russian cosmonauts detected an intense and unpleasant odour. This situation caused concern aboard the station and required immediate action.
Progress 90, which had successfully docked with the Russian Poisk module a few days earlier, was intended to deliver supplies, including food, fuel, and research equipment.
However, when the crew opened the hatch, they noticed an unpleasant odour and small droplets of liquid, prompting the decision to temporarily isolate the Poisk module from the rest of the Russian segment of the station.
Upon opening the hatch of the Progress spacecraft, Roskosmos cosmonauts noticed an unexpected smell and small droplets, leading the crew to close the Poisk hatch and isolate it from the rest of the Russian segment. The next day, flight controllers determined that the air quality inside the space station was normal – NASA stated in an official communication.
Crew actions in the face of threat
The crew, keen to ensure everyone’s safety on board, took precautions. Russian cosmonauts donned protective suits and oxygen masks and activated the air purification system. Simultaneously, the American section of the ISS turned on its filtering devices to assist in purifying the station's atmosphere.
According to Russian Space Web, the smell was described as "toxic". Meanwhile, NASA astronaut Don Pettit remarked that the smell was reminiscent of spray paint, although it's uncertain if it was related to issues with the Russian cargo ship.
Cause of the incident? Gas release
NASA experts suggest that the smell might have been caused by outgassing, the process of releasing gases from materials inside the spacecraft. This phenomenon is common in space, particularly in enclosed environments where new items may emit volatile substances. After ventilating the station segment, the smell quickly dissipated, and the crew could resume unloading.
Growing problems in the Russian ISS module
Although the odour issue was swiftly resolved, it is not the only concern in the Russian segment of the ISS. NASA and Roskosmos have been monitoring an air leak in one of the Russian modules for some time. Currently, about 1.4 kilograms of oxygen are lost daily—considerably more than a few months ago, when the loss was 0.5 kilograms per day. This leak poses a serious threat to the station's resources and operations.
Progress 90 mission: a key supply element
Progress 90, which delivered approximately three tonnes of supplies, will remain docked to the station for several months before being filled with rubbish and burned up in the Earth’s atmosphere. Progress ships have played a crucial role in supplying the ISS for years, although recent incidents remind us of the many challenges associated with space exploration.
