Russian cargo incident sparks concern on International Space Station

Progress 90, which had successfully docked with the Russian Poisk module a few days earlier, was intended to provide supplies including food, fuel, and research equipment.

However, when the crew opened the hatch, they noticed an unpleasant odor and small droplets of liquid, prompting the decision to temporarily isolate the Poisk module from the rest of the Russian segment of the station.

After opening the hatch of the Progress spacecraft, Roskosmos cosmonauts noticed an unexpected smell and small droplets, leading the crew to close the Poisk hatch and isolate it from the rest of the Russian segment. The next day, flight controllers determined that the air quality inside the space station was normal, NASA stated in an official communication.

The crew, wanting to ensure everyone's safety onboard, took precautions. Russian cosmonauts donned protective suits and oxygen masks and activated the air purification system. Meanwhile, the American part of the ISS turned on its filtering devices to aid in purifying the station's atmosphere.

According to Russian Space Web, the smell was described as "toxic." NASA astronaut Don Pettit described the smell as reminiscent of spray paint, although it is uncertain whether it was related to problems with the Russian cargo ship.

NASA experts suggest that the smell might have been caused by so-called outgassing, the process of gases being released from materials inside the spacecraft. This phenomenon is not uncommon in space, especially in enclosed environments where new items may emit volatile substances. After the station segment was ventilated, the smell quickly disappeared, and the crew was able to resume unloading.

Although the smell issue was quickly managed, it is not the only problem concerning the Russian segment of the ISS. NASA and Roskosmos have been monitoring an air leak in one of the Russian modules for some time. Currently, about 3 pounds of oxygen are lost daily—significantly more than a few months ago, when the loss was 1 pound per day. This leak poses a serious threat to the station's resources and operations.

Progress 90, which delivered three tons of supplies, will remain docked to the station for several months before being filled with garbage and burned up in the Earth's atmosphere. Progress ships have played a crucial role in supplying the ISS for years, although recent incidents remind us of the many challenges associated with space exploration.