NASA orders ISS astronauts to shelter and prepare evacuation as air leak worsens

NASA says a long-running air leak aboard the ISS recently worsened, leading engineers to investigate new suspected crack locations and consider a riskier repair strategy. Astronauts were temporarily moved into a safe haven as a precaution before the repair was postponed for further analysis.

Astronauts aboard the ISS reportedly took precautionary shelter measures after repair work on Russia’s long-troubled Zvezda module raised fresh concerns about air leaks.

Nasa has been working with its Moscow-based counterpart Roscosmos

Russian attempt to repair tunnel area sparks safe-haven procedure for five other astronauts onboard.

The decision was made “out of an abundance of caution,” Nasa spokesperson Bethany Stevens said.

Five astronauts aboard the International Space Station were told to take shelter in the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft as a leak at the iconic research lab worsened

Russia’s Roscosmos said its experts had found two leaks aboard the ISS but steps had been taken to address them

WASHINGTON — A worsening air leak aboard the International Space Station prompted five astronauts to take shelter and prepare for evacuation for roughly two hours on Friday as Russia attempted to fix a crack on its portion of the orbital laboratory, NASA said. The four astronauts of NASA’s Crew-12 mission aboard the station — two Americans, a French astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut — along with another U.S. astronaut were ordered by NASA mission control at 9:04 a.m. ET (1304 GMT) on Friday to enter their SpaceX-built Crew Dragon spacecraft docked to the station, NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens said. NASA reversed that order roughly two hours later and told the astronauts they could return to the station as the agency and its Russian counterparts examined the rate of leaking air. NASA and Russia's space agency Roscosmos, the station's two primary operators, have debated for months over the cause and potential fixes of small air leaks aboard Russia's Zvezda service module, a key structure of the ISS, a football field-size orbital laboratory where astronauts live and work in spa

Astronauts working on the International Space Station briefly sheltered in a docked capsule Friday as Russian colleagues assessed leak repairs, NASA said.

A worsening air leak aboard the International Space Station prompted five astronauts to take shelter and prepare for evacuation for roughly two hours on Friday as Russia attempted to ‌fix a crack on its portion of the orbital laboratory, Nasa said. The four astronauts of Nasa’s Crew-12 mission aboard the station – two Americans, a French astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut – along with another US astronaut were ordered by Nasa mission control at 9.04am on Friday to enter their SpaceX-built Crew...

Nasa told five members to take refuge in a docked spacecraft in case they needed to escape quickly from the orbiting laboratory.

NASA directed astronauts aboard the International Space Station to take shelter in their spacecraft and be ready for a possible evacuation Friday as Russian cosmonauts worked to ad...

NASA ordered five astronauts to safety in their SpaceX-built spacecraft docked to the ISS as a Russian crew attempted to fix a worsening air leak on the Zvezda service module.

NASA ordered five astronauts to safety in their SpaceX-built spacecraft docked to the ISS as a Russian crew attempted to fix a worsening air leak on the Zvezda service module.

NASA ordered five astronauts to safety in their SpaceX-built spacecraft docked to the ISS as a Russian crew attempted to fix a worsening air leak on the Zvezda service module.

NASA and Russia's space agency Roscosmos, the station's two primary operators, have debated for months over the cause and potential fixes of small air leaks aboard Russia's Zvezda service module, a key structure of the football field-sized laboratory.

The five astronauts moved into the SpaceX capsule that is docked at the station while cosmonauts worked to fix the leak, which is on the Russian side of the orbiting laboratory.

The air leaks have been relatively minor in recent months but escalated on Monday from a pound of air per day to two pounds.

ISS Astronauts Told To Prepare For Possible Evacuation As Air Leak Worsens NASA senior adviser and press secretary Bethany Stevens wrote on X that astronauts aboard the International Space Station have quickly shifted into SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft and are prepared to evacuate if needed, after cracks and leaks in the Zvezda service module transfer tunnel appeared to worsen. "The Zvezda service module transfer tunnel, known as PrK, has suffered from cracks and leaks for some time, and has been mitigated by Roscosmos as much as possible to date. The cracks have always been a concern that NASA watches very closely," Stevens said. According to NASA, the Zvezda service module is 43 feet long and contains living quarters, life support systems, communications systems, electrical power distribution systems, data processing systems, flight control systems, and propulsion systems. The Zvezda service module transfer tunnel, known as PrK, has suffered from cracks and leaks for some time, and has been mitigated by Roscosmos as much as possible to date. The cracks have always been a concern that NASA watches very closely. NASA and Roscosmos have been working… — Bethany Stevens (@NASASpox) June 5, 2026 Stevens continued, "The cracks have always been a concern that NASA watches very closely. NASA and Roscosmos have been working to determine the root cause of the cracks, and Roscosmos manages the issue through operational mitigation measures and periodic partial-repair efforts." Out of caution, NASA ordered all four SpaceX Crew-12 members, along with NASA astronaut Chris Williams, to be on high alert inside Dragon during the repair. NASA said it continues to work with Roscosmos and other station partners toward a more permanent fix for the long-running issue. Reuters cited a senior NASA official who said the air leak has been monitored over the last few months but significantly worsened earlier this week, increasing from a loss of one pound of air per day to two pounds per day. Tyler Durden Fri, 06/05/2026 - 11:20

NASA ordered astronauts on the International Space Station to shelter in their spacecraft and prepare for possible evacuation after a worsening air leak in the Russian Zvezda service module's transfer tunnel. The Guardian reports: The four astronauts of NASA's Crew-12 mission on the station -- two US astronauts, a French astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut -- received orders from NASA mission control at 9.04am ET (2pm BST) on Friday to enter their Crew Dragon spacecraft docked to the station and don their spacesuits in case the air leak warranted an emergency evacuation, a NASA official said. NASA and Russia's space agency Roscosmos, the station's two primary operators, have debated for months over the cause and potential fixes of small air leaks onboard Russia's Zvezda service module, a key structure of the football-pitch-sized laboratory. The air leaks have been relatively minor in recent months. But on Monday the problem escalated from a pound of air per day to two pounds (0.9kg) a senior Nasa official told Reuters on condition of anonymity. UPDATE: "Roscosmos has paused Friday's structural repair efforts inside the Zvezda service module transfer tunnel, known as PrK, as more measurements and data is assessed," Bethany Stevens, a spokesperson for NASA, posted on X. "Given this development, NASA has instructed the crew members inside the Dragon spacecraft to end the safe haven procedures and return to planned operations aboard the International Space Station. We look forward to working with Roscosmos on a collaborative approach to address the leaks." Developing... Read more of this story at Slashdot.

NASA ordered four astronauts aboard the International Space Station to don their spacesuits and shelter inside a docked spacecraft Friday as Russian engineers worked to repair a worsening air leak in the station's Russian segment, the agency said.

A crew of four on the International ‌Space Station ‌have been told to shelter amid attempts to fix ‌a worsening air ​leak.

A worsening leak on the Russian side of the space station forced five astronauts on NASA's side to shelter in place Friday.

NASA has ordered astronauts to prepare for evacuation from the International Space Station (ISS) over 'worsening air leaks'.

Russian space agency is attempting to fix dangerous crack in floating laboratory

Russian crew member attempting to fix a worsening leak of air on its portion of the orbital laboratory, NASA saidA Nasa spokesperson said on Friday that the air leaks that prompted Nasa to order five astronauts aboard the International Space Station to prepare for a possible evacuation were located in the transfer tunnel of the Zvezda Service Module.According to Nasa, this module is about 43 feet in length and contains living quarters, life support systems, communications systems, electrical power distribution, data processing systems, flight control systems and propulsion systems. Continue reading...

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station have been told to prepare for evacuation over a worsening air leak

NASA ordered astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to shelter in their spacecraft and prepare for a possible evacuation on Friday after an air leak in the Russian module of the orbiting laboratory worsened, raising fresh concerns over a long-running technical problem.

The four astronauts got orders to enter their ‌Crew Dragon spacecraft docked ​to the station and don their spacesuits ⁠in case the ⁠air leak warrants an emergency evacuation, ‌a NASA official said

Four astronauts got orders from NASA to enter their Crew Dragon spacecraft docked to the station and don their spacesuits in case the air leak warrants an emergency evacuation

The leaks are taking place on the Russian segment of the station, Nasa said

NASA says four astronauts sheltering in transport capsule out of 'abundance of caution' as Roscosmos makes repairs.

Nasa says Russian crew trying to fix worsening air leak in its portion of orbital laboratoryInternational Space Station air leak: latest updatesAstronauts onboard the International Space Station have been ordered to shelter in their spacecraft and prepare for potential evacuation as a Russian crew attempts to fix a worsening leak of air in its portion of the orbital laboratory, Nasa has said.The four astronauts of Nasa’s Crew-12 mission on the station – two US astronauts, a French astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut – received orders from Nasa mission control at 9.04am ET (2pm BST) on Friday to enter their Crew Dragon spacecraft docked to the station and don their spacesuits in case the air leak warranted an emergency evacuation, a Nasa official said. Continue reading...

NASA orders ISS astronauts to shelter as worsening air leak in Russian module triggers precautionary evacuation prep.

⁠Astronauts on the International Space Station were ordered by NASA to shelter in their spacecraft and prepare for potential evacuation over a worsening air leak.

Astronauts on the International Space Station were instructed to take shelter in their docked spacecraft and prepare for a potential evacuation Friday. This precautionary measure was enacted after an air leak in the Russian segment showed signs of worsening, prompting specialists to assess and monitor containment efforts.