Astronauts Prepare for Evacuation of the ISS
On June 5, astronauts aboard the ISS prepared for evacuation due to an air leak in the Zvezda module. NASA took precautionary measures as repairs were underway.
On the afternoon of June 5, astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) prepared for a potential evacuation due to an air leak in the Zvezda module. This module is the oldest component of the ISS.
In a precautionary measure, NASA instructed the Crew-12 team and an American astronaut who arrived via Soyuz to get ready for evacuation. The five astronauts donned their intra-vehicular spacesuits and took their positions in the Crew Dragon capsule. The Crew-12 crew includes Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway from NASA, Andrey Fedyaev from Roscosmos, and Sophie Adenot from ESA, along with Christopher Williams from NASA, who arrived on Soyuz MS-28.
Once the repair efforts were completed, the astronauts exited the capsule and resumed their normal schedules. It is important to note that the repair process is not yet finished, meaning that the evacuation protocol could be activated again if necessary.
What Does This Procedure Entail?
During delicate repairs or in the event of potential debris hazards, astronauts are required to wear their travel suits and take shelter in their respective capsules. Each crew will occupy the capsule in which they arrived at the station, allowing them to respond swiftly to any sudden depressurization of the ISS and move to safety.
This evacuation protocol is a standard procedure for which astronauts and cosmonauts are thoroughly trained.
