Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS), led by Commander Sunita Williams, recently encountered a “toxic smell” from the Russian Progress 90 resupply spacecraft. Docked on November 23, the spacecraft carried essential supplies but raised alarms when cosmonauts opened its hatch.
Odor Prompts Immediate Action
Upon opening the hatch, Russian cosmonauts Aleksandr Gorbunov, Ivan Vagner, and Alexey Ovchinin detected the odor and observed small droplets. Acting swiftly, they closed the hatch and activated air-scrubbing systems to neutralize any contaminants. According to NASA, these measures are standard protocol, likely addressing outgassing from materials inside the spacecraft.
“Air quality on the ISS is normal, and there are no immediate concerns for the crew’s safety,” said NASA spokesperson Kelly O. Humphries. Protective gear was worn as a precaution, and the hatch between the U.S. and Russian segments was temporarily sealed.
Investigation Underway
The source of the odor remains under investigation. Experts are exploring whether the issue originated within the Progress spacecraft or its vestibule connection to the ISS. Despite this, regular ISS operations continue uninterrupted. Progress 90 is expected to remain docked for six months before it is used to dispose of trash and burns up upon re-entering Earth’s atmosphere.
This incident adds to a history of technical challenges with Russian spacecraft, including coolant leaks in 2022 and 2023, raising safety concerns.
Starliner Delays Extend Williams’ Mission
In a separate development, Commander Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore are awaiting their return to Earth after technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule prolonged their mission. Originally scheduled for a week, their stay was extended as remote repairs to Starliner proved unsuccessful.
NASA has now confirmed that the capsule will return uncrewed, with Williams and Wilmore set to return aboard a SpaceX spacecraft.
Despite these setbacks, the incident highlights the importance of international collaboration and swift responses to ensure the safety of astronauts aboard the ISS. As investigations continue, the crew remains focused on maintaining the station’s operations and preparing for their safe return to Earth.
