NASA tells astronauts to shelter in SpaceX Dragon due to new leaks on the ISS

NASA directed five astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) to take shelter in a docked SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft on Friday after Roscosmos identified new leaks in the Russian service module. The leaks, described as cracks that have been a long-standing concern, necessitated an “extensive repair operation” by Russian cosmonauts, prompting NASA to prioritize crew safety. Four astronauts from NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission and NASA astronaut Chris Williams were instructed to assume an elevated safety posture inside the Dragon capsule until repairs are complete. The ISS currently hosts 10 people, including seven astronauts from NASA, SpaceX, the European Space Agency, and Roscosmos. The Crew-12 astronauts arrived in February, while three others, including NASA astronaut Chris Williams, traveled via a Russian Soyuz mission last November. NASA and SpaceX did not immediately provide details on how long the astronauts will remain sheltered. This incident occurs amid broader discussions about the ISS’s future, as NASA, under new administrator Jared Isaacman, has outlined plans to replace the aging station with commercially developed modules in the coming years. The agency continues to collaborate with Roscosmos and international partners to address the leaks and ensure the station’s long-term stability. Roscosmos has taken the lead in repairing the service module, though the extent of the damage and the timeline for resolution remain unclear. NASA’s spokesperson, Bethany Stevens, emphasized that the agency remains in close coordination with its Russian counterparts and the broader international community supporting the ISS. The situation underscores the challenges of maintaining the station’s infrastructure as it approaches the end of its operational lifespan.