For the second time in current months, a Russian spacecraft has skilled a coolant leak whereas docked to the Worldwide Area Station (ISS). The spacecraft affected in the latest leak is a cargo automobile, and house businesses affirm that the ISS crew should not in any hazard from the leak.
On February 11, a brand new uncrewed Russian Progress 83 docked efficiently on the ISS carrying cargo for the station. However the different Progress spacecraft already docked there — known as Progress 82 — sprang a coolant leak. Russian house company Roscosmos has not introduced many particulars concerning the problem, however in line with SpaceNews, the company confirmed in a Telegram message {that a} depressurization had occurred and added that there was no risk to the ISS crew.
NASA gave extra particulars in an replace, saying that the depressurization was within the Progress 82’s coolant system. “The rationale for the lack of coolant within the Progress 82 spacecraft is being investigated,” NASA wrote. “The hatches between the Progress 82 and the station are open, and temperatures and pressures aboard the station are all regular. The crew, which was knowledgeable of the cooling loop leak, is in no hazard and persevering with with regular house station operations.”
Progress 82 arrived on the ISS arrived on the ISS in October final 12 months, on an uncrewed mission carrying cargo. It had been scheduled to undock from the house station this coming week, crammed with rubbish, after which dissipate within the environment. NASA has not introduced any adjustments to this departure because of the leak problem, and because the mission is uncrewed and can be deorbited anyway, the lack of coolant is probably not an issue.
This the second coolant leak of a Russian spacecraft docked with the ISS throughout the previous few months. In December final 12 months, a Russian Soyuz capsule sprung a dramatic coolant leak, which was caught on video. Roscosmos mentioned that leak was thought to have been brought on by a micrometeoroid affect.
The leak of the Soyuz spacecraft was a significant concern as that automobile had been set to hold three astronauts residence from the ISS to Earth, however temperatures contained in the automobile would have been harmful for them throughout journey. As a substitute, Roscosmos introduced it might ship a alternative Soyuz, launching later this month, to deliver the crew residence, with a SpaceX Crew Dragon obtainable as an emergency backup possibility.
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