NASA has placed astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on high alert after an air leak was detected in the Russian segment of the orbital laboratory. Crew members have been advised to prepare for a possible emergency evacuation while repair efforts are underway.
According to the American space agency, the four astronauts of the Crew-12 mission were ordered to return to their Crew Dragon capsule docked to the station and don their spacesuits. This precautionary measure aims to ensure a rapid evacuation should the situation deteriorate.
The crew involved includes two American astronauts, a French astronaut, and a Russian cosmonaut. Meanwhile, Russian specialists are continuing their efforts to seal the leak, which NASA reports has reportedly increased in size in recent days.
Air leaks are one of the most serious risks aboard the ISS. Even when limited, they require constant monitoring to prevent a drop in pressure that could endanger the crews and station equipment.
NASA did not indicate that the evacuation was imminent, but stressed that safety procedures required astronauts to be prepared to quickly leave the station if repairs failed or if the leak worsened.
In service for over 25 years, the ISS has already faced several technical incidents, including air leaks in some modules. Cooperation between the American and Russian space agencies remains essential to ensure the station's continued operation despite geopolitical tensions on Earth.
At this stage, ground teams continue to monitor the situation while the astronauts await further instructions. The priority remains the safety of the crew and the preservation of the space station's integrity.
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