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from https://gizmodo.com/astronauts-report-alarming-stench-coming-from-russian-spacecraft-docked-to-iss-2000529461

Astronauts Report Alarming Stench Coming From Russian Spacecraft Docked
to ISS
The spacecraft delivered food and supplies to the ISS, but its cargo
might be contaminated.
By Passant Rabie Published November 25, 2024 | Comments (47)
𝕏
The Russian Progress 90 cargo craft approaching for a docking to the
Poisk module while carrying nearly three tons of food, fuel, and
supplies to the International Space Station.
The Russian Progress 90 cargo craft approaching for a docking to the
Poisk module while carrying nearly three tons of food, fuel, and
supplies to the International Space Station. NASA
A Russian spacecraft docked to the International Space Station (ISS)
didn’t just bring supplies to the ISS—it also brought a foul odor. The unpleasant aroma was strong enough to prompt astronauts to close the
hatch connecting it to the rest of the space station and initiate anti-contamination procedures.

The Progress 90 cargo ship arrived at the Russian Poisk module at 9:31
a.m. ET on Saturday, November 23, delivering about three tons of food,
fuel, and supplies for members of the Expedition 72 crew on board the
ISS. After opening the hatch between Progress and the Poisk module, the
crew noticed a noxious smell and droplets coming from the cargo ship.
The Roscosmos cosmonauts closed the hatch immediately, fearing a
possible contamination hazard, RussianSpaceWeb.com reported based on communication between mission control in Houston and the ISS astronauts.

NASA confirmed the report, adding that the foul smell does not indicate
a safety concern for the ISS crew. “Space station air scrubbers and contaminant sensors monitored the station’s atmosphere following the observation, and on Sunday, flight controllers determined air quality
inside the space station was at normal levels,” NASA wrote on X. “There
are no concerns for the crew, and as of Sunday afternoon, the crew is
working to open the hatch between Poisk and Progress while all other
space station operations are proceeding as planned.

The Russian astronauts reportedly donned protective equipment and
activated an air-scrubbing system on board the Russian module to scrub
the space station’s atmosphere from possible contamination, according to RussianSpaceWeb.com. The U.S. section of the space station activated its
own air-scrubbing system, the Trace Contaminant Control Sub-assembly,
while the hatch to Russia’s Poisk module remained closed.
RussianSpaceWeb.com added that NASA astronaut Don Pettit reported a “spray-paint like” smell in a U.S. module, but it wasn’t clear whether that smell is related to the Russian cargo ship.

Russia’s Progress 90 cargo ship will stay docked at the ISS for about
six months before making a fiery reentry into Earth’s atmosphere, where
it will burn up, along with trash loaded onto the spacecraft by the crew.

The space station’s Russian module is already not in great shape. In
2019, an air leak was discovered in the vestibule (named PrK) that
connects a docking port to the Russian Zvezda module, which Roscosmos
had launched to low Earth orbit in July 2000. Earlier this year, NASA
elevated the leak to the highest level of risk as the rate of air
escaping from the module had doubled from one pound of air per day to a
little over two pounds. The reason behind the leak remains contentious,
with NASA and Russia disagreeing on the probable cause.

Russian spacecraft have also experienced issues, with back-to-back
coolant leaks taking place in 2022. In December 2022, ground teams
observed a fountain of particles pouring out from a Soyuz spacecraft
docked to the ISS. Shortly after, a Russian Progress 82 freighter docked
to the ISS also began leaking coolant in February 2022.

Tensions are already high between NASA and its Russian counterpart, with Roscosmos hesitantly agreeing to stay on the ISS until 2028 (the space
station is due to retire in 2030). The aging hardware is showing signs
of wear and tear from the harsh space environment, but the two space
agencies can’t seem to agree on the level of severity of these issues.

astronaut healthinternational space stationNASA


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Dr. Would
9 hours ago

Well, finding the leak is easy. You just need to submerge the ISS in
soapy water.


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99

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3 replies


Petric
9 hours ago

“Fountain of particles” was my old stripper name


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45


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2 replies


Adderbox76
7 hours ago

I'll take "The body of someone at Roscosmos that criticised Putin" for
$300, Alex.


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TheBigStein
4 hours ago

The leak is coming from the open window a cosmonaut mysteriously but not suspiciouly "fell" out of.


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Easter-Bunny
9 hours ago

Didn't the Ukrainians report the same when they were invaded


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49

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1 reply


Guest
5 hours ago

If it smells like spray paint then it could possibly be a fuel leak.


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2 replies


guest
7 hours ago

Igor, where did you hide the body? don't worry comrad, nobody will find
it on earth!


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18


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1 reply


tired
6 hours ago

A spoiled food pack?

Or.....

Someone used an alternative adhesive?


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BlarryG
6 hours ago

Russia airliners are catching fire on landing, their section is leaking,
their capsule has some kind of chemical leak. The whole Russian economy
is breaking down.


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2 replies


Killa K
9 hours ago

Damn, if you can smell something in space, you know it's bad.


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Rheticus
9 hours ago

In space, no one can hear you sniff


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Hank Rearended
8 hours ago

“In Soviet Russia, shitty party always find you.”


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1 reply

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