According to Moscow, the leak in the Russian Soyuz space capsule does not currently pose a threat to the crew of the International Space Station (ISS).
“Nothing threatens the safety and comfort of the crew,” said the Russian space agency Rosmoskos in Moscow. According to this, temperatures in the Soyuz MS-22 module are currently between 28 and 30 degrees. This is within the limits and not critical for the operation of the technology. Reports of an alleged temperature rise to 50 degrees are wrong, the authority had previously announced.
Engines successfully tested
The two cosmonauts and the cosmonaut were still busy cleaning on Saturday and would then be free after midday until Monday, it was said. The engines of the module had been successfully tested. There is currently no reason for the crew to return from the ISS early. Nevertheless, preparations were made for the damaged module for a possible early return to earth.
The leak in the Russian space capsule occurred on Thursday. In addition to the outer coating, a cooling unit was also damaged. A possible cause is the collision with a micrometeorite. Because of the defect, a planned spacewalk by two cosmonauts had to be cancelled.
It is still unclear whether the Soyuz can be used for the crew’s return in March. According to Sergey Krikalyov, head of the manned space program at Roskosmos, the investigation of possible consequences for the ISS mission is still ongoing. A decision on the use of the Soyuz is expected to be made at a meeting scheduled for late December.
Communications from Roscosmos
