File picture of the International Space Station.GETTY
SpaceX might ship a Dragon ship or attempt to broaden the locations within the one that’s already within the station There is not any imminent hazard for the astronauts, however it’s essential to have plans prepared in case an evacuation is important The Russian ship during which the three trapped astronauts arrived suffered a leak on December 15
NASA is contemplating entrusting SpaceX, one of many firms of tycoon Elon Musk, with the rescue of three astronauts who’re presently relying on a broken Russian Soyuz spacecraft, with a major refrigerant leak, to return to Earth. The crew arrived on the International Space Station on that ship, which in precept was additionally their return ticket.
The leak occurred on December 15. The trigger just isn’t but clear, though it’s thought-about that it was because of the impression of a micrometeorite or a small piece of house particles.
The United States and Russia are addressing the scenario. The very first thing have to be assessed if the Soyuz is able to carry again the three astronauts. The scenario doesn’t pose an imminent menace to the lives of the astronauts, however it’s essential to have motion plans ready in case one thing unexpected requires an evacuation of the house station.
Moscow has the choice of sending one other rescue Soyuz. This possibility is viable. It could be prepared for the month of February, with just a few weeks to spare earlier than the standard reduction that these astronauts ought to have in March.
NASA, for its half, is finding out the scenario with SpaceX, which might ship considered one of its Dragon spacecraft or attempt to match extra seats into the one already on the house station. Four astronauts will return on that ship within the subsequent few days. In principle all of the locations are full.
The crew affected by the leak is the one which arrived on the station within the Soyuz MS-22, made up of the Russians Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitry Petelin and the American Frank Rubio. Their house fits are Russian and, in precept, are usually not suitable with SpaceX ships, whose crews put on fits designed by the corporate itself.