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NASA Moves Crew to Dragon Amid Zvezda Leak

6/7/2026

50 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

NASA Orders Shelter

NASA ordered crew to don spacesuits and shelter in Crew Dragon at 13:04 UTC on June 5 2026.
The leak in the Russian-side Zvezda transfer tunnel rose to one-to-two pounds of air daily.
Five astronauts – four U.S. and one French – entered the Dragon as Russian cosmonauts began repairs.
After two hours Roscosmos paused the repair for measurements, prompting NASA to warn the leak could cause catastrophic failure and pledge work.

Summary

NASA Shelter Order

Russian cosmonauts planned to cut the PrK tunnel with a saw, prompting NASA to issue a safe-haven order.
Engineers sealed one leak with Germetal-1 as work continues on a second crack in the tunnel.
Leak measurements showed air loss rising from about one to two pounds per day on Monday.
During the shelter, internal cameras were switched off for privacy, after which five astronauts returned while two cosmonauts stayed aboard.

History

Historical Context

On 24 June 1997 a manual TORU test let Progress M-34 crash into Mir’s Spektr module, puncturing the hull and forcing the crew to seal the module and restore power. Decades later the International Space Station has faced similar depressurization threats, such as the radiator leak observed on 9 October 2023, prompting EVA repairs. Both events show that joint response and permanent sealing are essential to keep orbital habitats safe.

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NASA Orders Shelter

NASA ordered crew to don spacesuits and shelter in Crew Dragon at 13:04 UTC on June 5 2026.
The leak in the Russian-side Zvezda transfer tunnel rose to one-to-two pounds of air daily.
Five astronauts – four U.S. and one French – entered the Dragon as Russian cosmonauts began repairs.
After two hours Roscosmos paused the repair for measurements, prompting NASA to warn the leak could cause catastrophic failure and pledge work.

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