After coolant leak, temperature is rising on Soyuz capsule docked at the ISS | Tech News

After coolant leak, temperature is rising on Soyuz capsule docked at the ISS

  • The temperature on the Soyuz capsule has risen but the crew are not in danger, the Russian space agency said Friday as it assesses a leak.

By:AFP
| Updated on: Dec 17 2022, 18:46 IST
NASA In Pics: Stunning images of Soyuz launch captured by International Space Station
Soyuz leak
1/5 NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station witnessed the launch of the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft which took off from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on September 21, carrying one NASA astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts. (Bob Hines/Twitter)
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2/5 NASA astronaut Frank Rubio and two cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin arrived at the International Space Station on September 21, making a total of 10 residents aboard the ISS at least until the end of the week. Many of them will depart the ISS in the coming week as their 6-month tenure aboard the orbiting lab comes to an end. (AP)
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3/5 European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti posted mesmerizing images of the launch on her Twitter. She wrote, “We had a spectacular view of the #Soyuz launch! Sergey, Dmitry and Frank will come knocking on our door in just a couple of hours … looking forward to welcoming them to their new home!” (Samantha Cristoforetti/Twitter)
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4/5 NASA astronaut Bob Hines also shared images of the launch on his Twitter page. He wrote, “Ever wonder what a [rocket] launch looks like from space? It’s amazing!!” The NASA and ESA astronauts seem excited to welcome their new co-workers aboard the spacecraft, despite the ongoing tensions with Russia. (Bob Hines/Twitter)
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5/5 According to NASA, all three newly arrived astronauts are part of the Expedition 68 crew which will take the research aboard the spacecraft for a period of 6 months. NASA said,” Throughout their six-month stay aboard the orbital outpost, the trio will work on science and research in technology development, Earth science, biology, human research, and more.” (Bob Hines/Twitter)
Soyuz leak
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Video grab shows liquid spraying from the aft end of the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft. (AFP)

The temperature on the Soyuz capsule docked at the International Space Station has risen but the crew are not in danger, the Russian space agency said Friday as it assesses a leak.

Roscosmos said a number of tests had been conducted following the discovery of a coolant leak on the Soyuz MS-22, and the temperature in the capsule had increased to 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).

On Wednesday, the leak forced the last-minute postponement of a spacewalk by cosmonauts Sergei Prokopiev and Dmitry Petelin.

The spacecraft is currently under evaluation to ensure it can ferry the two Russian cosmonauts and their American colleague Frank Rubio back to Earth.

In a statement, Roscosmos said the "slight change in temperature," was "not critical for the operation of the equipment and the comfort of the crew."

Sergei Krikalev, a former cosmonaut who heads the crewed space flight programme for Roscosmos, said the leak may have been caused by a tiny meteorite striking Soyuz.

Dramatic NASA TV images showed white particles resembling snowflakes streaming out of the rear of the vessel for hours.

According to NASA, "the majority of fluid had leaked out" by Thursday, but the coolant did not pose any danger to the crew members, who were not exposed after the spacewalk was called off.

"Temperatures and humidity within the Soyuz spacecraft (...) are within acceptable limits," the American engineers also said.

Flight controllers, meanwhile, conducted a "successful test" of the spacecraft thrusters on Friday, NASA said, adding that other evaluations remain in progress.

The spacewalk is now expected to take place on December 21.

Space has been a rare avenue of cooperation between Moscow and Washington since the start of Russia's intervention in Ukraine in February and ensuing Western sanctions that shredded ties between the two countries.

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First Published Date: 17 Dec, 18:45 IST
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