Possible AC Ammonia Leak Causes Evacuation of International Space Station
HOUSTON—A suspected toxic leak in the U.S. sector of the International Space Station (ISS) has forced the American astronauts onboard to isolate their module and stay overnight in the Russian sector. All crewmembers are safe, but an unscheduled spacewalk may be required to repair possible damage, according to NASA and Roscosmos, the Russian space agency. Roscosmos said an “escape of hazardous substances from an air-conditioning unit” was discharged into the station’s atmosphere at around 8:45 a.m. GMT on Jan. 14. This has not been confirmed, and U.S. officials are saying it could merely be a faulty sensor. Following the alarm, the six crew members aboard the ISS were told to don masks and take refuge in the Russian segment of the station. They then closed the hatch to the U.S. segment to prevent any leaking ammonia from contaminating the rest of the station.
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