NASA Ensures Short-Term Safety for Space Station Astronauts with SpaceX’s Dragon amid Leak Issues

On Friday, NASA facilitated a brief stay for five astronauts aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft docked at the International Space Station (ISS) while Russian teams worked on a leaking service module.

Bethany Stevens, a spokesperson for NASA, shared on X that Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, had discovered additional leaks in its service module, prompting an “extensive repair operation.”

“To prioritize safety, NASA advised all four members of SpaceX Crew-12, along with NASA astronaut Chris Williams, to enhance their safety protocols within the Dragon spacecraft during the repairs,” she noted. “We are working closely with our Russian counterparts and the global community to find a more sustainable solution.”

Shortly after, Stevens reported that Roscosmos had temporarily halted the repairs to reassess “additional measurements and data.”

“Given the current circumstances, NASA instructed the crew aboard the Dragon spacecraft to relax their safety protocols and return to standard operations on the ISS.”

The Russian service module has been experiencing ongoing leakage issues. Stevens highlighted on Friday that these cracks “are a continuing concern that NASA is actively monitoring.”

SpaceX has not yet provided a statement regarding the situation.

Currently, the ISS accommodates ten individuals: four (including two NASA astronauts, one from the European Space Agency, and one Russian cosmonaut) who joined in February as part of the extended SpaceX Crew-12 mission, along with three others (a NASA astronaut and two cosmonauts) who arrived last November via a Russian Soyuz mission.

The repair efforts and temporary safety measures are being undertaken amid ongoing uncertainties about the future of the International Space Station. Under Jared Isaacman’s leadership, NASA plans to replace the aging structure with commercially manufactured modules over the coming decade.

This article has been updated to reflect the conclusion of the sheltering process.