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Science
Jun 08, 2026
Analyzed by GPT OSS 120B

NASA Calls Crew‑12 Back to ISS as Russian Leak‑Repair Work Paused

AI Summary
NASA instructed the four members of SpaceX Crew‑12 and a fifth astronaut to abandon their safe‑haven shelter in the Dragon capsule and return to the International Space Station after Roscosmos paused air‑leak repairs in the Zvezda service module. The decision underscores the fragility of the station’s Russian segment and the need for coordinated international response.

NASA orders Crew‑12 to abort safe‑haven and re‑dock with ISS

After roughly two hours of sheltering in the Dragon spacecraft, NASA directed the four SpaceX Crew‑12 astronauts and a fifth NASA astronaut to end the safe‑haven procedures and return to the International Space Station. The move came after Roscosmos announced a pause in structural repairs inside the Zvezda service‑module transfer tunnel (PrK) while additional measurements are taken.

Key facts and timeline

  • 16:10 BST (5 June 2026) – NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens posted on X that Roscosmos had halted repair work.
  • 16:07 BST – Initial instruction to shelter in Dragon and prepare for possible evacuation.
  • ~2 hours later – Crew ordered to return to the ISS and resume normal operations.
  • Crew members: Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway, Sophie Adenot, Andrey Fedyaev (Crew‑12) plus Chris Williams (long‑duration NASA astronaut).

Technical background of the air‑leak issue

The leaks were detected during pressurisation of the Zvezda module’s transfer tunnel. One leak was sealed with the two‑component sealant “Germetal‑1”; a second potential leak remains on the conical portion of the chamber. Roscosmos assured that the leaks pose no immediate threat to crew safety or ISS systems.

Implications for ISS operations and international partnership

The pause highlights the long‑standing challenge of maintaining the Russian segment, which has suffered cracks and leaks for over five years. It also reinforces the necessity of close coordination between NASA and Roscosmos, especially as other missions—such as the upcoming Indian‑Polish‑Hungarian crewed flight—have been delayed over similar concerns.

What’s next for the repair effort?

Both agencies will continue to gather data on the leak sites before resuming work. NASA expects the crew to remain on‑station while engineers evaluate whether additional sealant or a more extensive repair is required. The timeline for a definitive fix remains uncertain, but the incident may accelerate plans for future module upgrades or replacement strategies.