Introduction

In a startling incident aboard the International Space Station (ISS), cosmonauts discovered a toxic smell and small droplets upon opening the hatch of the newly docked Progress MS-29 cargo ship. This prompted immediate decontamination procedures across both the U.S. and Russian segments of the station.

Background on Progress MS-29

Launched on November 23, 2023, Progress MS-29 docked with the ISS at 9:31 AM ET, directly at the Poisk module, part of Russia's Zvezda Service Module. NASA refers to this resupply mission as Progress 90.

Incident Details

Anatoly Zak, a space expert from RussianSpaceWeb.com, shed light on the incident via social media and his website, detailing communications between mission control and the ISS crew. According to Zak, upon opening the hatch to Progress MS-29, the crew noted an 'unexpected odor' and observed droplets, leading them to promptly seal the hatch.

Decontamination Measures

In response to this potential hazard, various systems were activated to purify the atmosphere on the ISS. The Trace Contaminant Control Subassembly (TCCS) was turned on in the U.S. segment, while Russian crew members donned protective gear and initiated additional air-scrubbing systems. NASA astronaut Don Pettit also noted a 'spray paint-like' scent in Node 3 of the U.S. segment, although it remains unclear if it was linked to the Progress MS-29 incident.

NASA's Response and Updates

By late afternoon, NASA provided an update via their X (formerly Twitter) account, confirming that the odor and droplets observed were being monitored closely. Fortunately, they reported that the air quality had stabilized, with no threats to the crew’s safety. They assured that air scrubbers and contaminant sensors were continuously assessing the atmosphere within the station.

Mission Continuation

On the same day, NASA confirmed that the uncrewed Progress 90 had successfully docked with the ISS. In light of this incident, all operations on the space station continued as planned after the air quality was returned to normal levels. By Sunday afternoon, flight controllers indicated there were no lingering concerns for the crew, who resumed their tasks, preparing to open the hatch between Poisk and Progress MS-29.

Ongoing Concerns

This incident comes amidst ongoing issues with air leaks in a transfer tunnel connected to the Zvezda module, although the leak is unrelated to the current docking port of Progress MS-29.

Importance of Progress Spacecraft

The Progress series of spacecraft regularly supplies the ISS, with the latest one, Progress MS-27 (Progress 88), having undocked just days prior on November 19. The Progress spacecraft, which have been in use since 1978, play a critical role in maintaining supplies for the ISS and previous Soviet/Russian space stations. Although upgraded through the years, their core mission as resupply vehicles remains unchanged, demonstrating the longevity and reliability of this vital link in space logistics.

Conclusion

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to follow this unfolding story and its implications for future space missions!