A foul odor recently invaded the ISS, forcing NASA to activate the ventilation systems. The culprit? A degassing of materials from a Russian cargo ship docked at the station. The minor incident raises questions about the reliability of the modules.
NASA ventilates the ISS to remove a foul odor: a Russian cargo ship involved
An unusual olfactory episode recently disrupted the tranquility of the International Space Station (ISS). A strong and unpleasant odor, compared to that of spray paint by American astronaut Don Pettit, invaded the Poisk module after the docking of the Russian cargo ship Progress MS-29 on November 23. The incident, fortunately without consequences for the health of the crew, highlights the logistical and technical challenges of life in a space environment, as well as the persistent questions concerning the reliability of certain modules of the station.
The alert was given by Russian cosmonauts Alexei Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner, the first to notice the suspicious odor, accompanied by tiny droplets in suspension, when the airlock between the Poisk module and the Progress spacecraft was opened. As a precautionary measure, the airlock was immediately closed and the cosmonauts donned protective equipment. NASA quickly responded by activating the station's air purification systems to remove any potential contaminants and ensure crew safety.
Degassing of materials involved
After investigation, the American space agency attributed the incident to a phenomenon of “degassing of materials” coming from the pressurized compartment of the Russian cargo ship. This degassing, relatively frequent in the space environment, is due to the release of gases trapped in the materials, particularly under the effect of vacuum and temperature variations. Although generally benign, this phenomenon can, in certain cases, give off unpleasant odors, or even, more rarely, present a health risk.
In this case, NASA ensured that the air quality returned to normal after the activation of the ventilation and purification systems, eliminating any danger of contamination. The two Russian cosmonauts also carried out inspections and cleaning operations to ensure that the odor had completely disappeared. The incident ultimately did not prevent the transfer of the three tons of food, fuel and equipment transported by the Progress MS-29.
This episode, although resolved without incident, is added to the list of problems encountered with the Poisk module. For five years, a persistent leak in this Russian module has been a source of concern. A recent NASA report even cited the risk of a “catastrophic failure” if the leak was not plugged. Russian authorities, for their part, downplay the importance of the problem and no definitive solution has yet been implemented. This degassing incident, although distinct from the leak, raises questions about the maintenance and long-term reliability of certain elements of the station.
The future of cargo and the ISS
The Progress MS-29 cargo ship, for its part, will remain docked with the ISS for six months. It will also serve as a container for waste which will be incinerated upon re-entry into the earth's atmosphere. Its predecessor, Progress 89, recently carried out an orbital adjustment maneuver to avoid a collision with space debris, an operation that has become increasingly frequent in the face of the proliferation of this waste in orbit.
The future of the ISS is also in question. The station, which has hosted astronauts for more than two decades, is expected to be decommissioned around 2030. It will then be deorbited and burn up in the atmosphere, its debris falling into Point Nemo, an isolated area of the Pacific Ocean. NASA has decided not to build a new space station, preferring to entrust this task to private companies and concentrate its efforts on future manned missions to the Moon and Mars.
The outgassing incident, although minor in appearance, illustrates the many challenges of living and working in space. From managing odors to the risks of collision with space debris, including the maintenance of aging modules, astronauts and space agencies must face a multitude of constraints to ensure the smooth running of missions and the safety of crews. The episode of the Russian cargo ship also recalls the importance of international cooperation in space exploration, and the need to guarantee the reliability and security of all the elements that make up the station, whether of American or Russian origin. or other.
