A Russian spacecraft recently delivered six months’ worth of food and supplies to the International Space Station (ISS) but caused a bit of a scare when it leaked a strange odor and droplets upon docking. The Progress 90 spacecraft successfully docked at the ISS Poisk module, but upon opening the hatch, Roscosmos cosmonauts noticed an unexpected smell and observed small droplets. This raised concerns among the astronauts, who described the odor as “toxic” and immediately closed the hatch to prevent any potential contamination.
NASA reported that the crew on the space station quickly took action by turning on air scrubbers and monitoring the air quality and atmosphere for any signs of danger. Russian crews also geared up in protective equipment and activated air-scrubbing measures onboard the craft. Thankfully, sensors revealed that the air quality onboard was at normal levels, and there was no imminent threat associated with the strange gas.
After ensuring that it was safe, cosmonauts proceeded to open the hatch of Progress, which was carrying three tons of food, fuel, and supplies. The spacecraft will remain docked at the ISS for approximately six months before being filled with trash by ISS crew members and released to burn up upon re-entering Earth’s atmosphere.
The ISS, a collaborative effort involving 15 countries, is set to continue its operations through 2030, serving as a vital hub for scientific research and international cooperation in space exploration. Despite the initial scare caused by the mysterious odor and droplets, the crew on the ISS acted swiftly and efficiently to address the situation and ensure the safety of everyone on board.
