NASA detects small leaks at International Space Station, crew safe

Astronauts at the International Space Station (ISS), are safe and have traced the source of a leak that resulted in loss of cabin pressure, NASA said in a statement. Three spaceships are docked at the ISS including the Progress 70 resupply ship and the Soyuz MS-08 and MS-09 crew ships.  

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Earlier, on Wednesday, flight controllers detected a tiny leak on one of two Russian Soyuz spacecraft attached to the complex, as the Expedition 56 crew slept. The leak resulted in a small loss of cabin pressure said Mark Garcia, NASA official. Flight controllers determined there was no immediate danger to the crew overnight.

“Throughout the day, the crew was never in any danger, and was told no further action was contemplated for the remainder of the day. Flight controllers will monitor the pressure trends overnight,” Garcia said. “All station systems are stable and the crew is planning to return to its regular schedule of work on Friday,” he said.

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Flight controllers in Moscow performed a partial increase of the station’s atmosphere using the ISS Progress 70 cargo ship’s oxygen supply. The controllers in Houston are continuing to monitor station’s cabin pressure in the wake of the repair, according to the statement.