The crew is safe and back at work, useful context for a colleague following space station operations.
ISS Crew Back to Work After Leak Scare Story flow and key facts
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station were placed on evacuation alert after air leaks in the Russian Zvezda service module worsened, doubling from one to two pounds of air lost per day. The four-member Crew-12 team, including astronauts from the U.S., France, and Russia, were instructed to enter the docked Crew Dragon spacecraft and don spacesuits as a safety measure. NASA called the move an abundance of caution while Roscosmos conducted assessments and paused structural repairs.
The Zvezda module has a history of cracks and leaks, which have been managed through periodic fixes. Roscosmos confirmed two oxygen leaks, one of which was sealed quickly. The agency is now evaluating data before proceeding with more extensive repairs. NASA and international partners continue to collaborate on a long-term solution.
With no immediate danger to the crew, NASA has now instructed astronauts to resume normal operations aboard the station. The incident highlights ongoing structural concerns with aging modules on the ISS, as space agencies work together to maintain safety in orbit.
Facts
- On June 5, 2026, NASA ordered four astronauts to evacuate to the Crew Dragon capsule due to a worsening air leak in the Zvezda module.
- Air loss in the ISS increased from one to two pounds per day, prompting the safety alert.
- Roscosmos paused structural repairs to assess data after detecting two oxygen leaks in the Zvezda module.
- NASA described the evacuation order as 'an abundance of caution' and has since resumed normal operations.
- The Zvezda service module has had ongoing cracks and leaks, managed through periodic repairs.
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