Smell in space? ISS crew faces unsettling odour after Russian cargo docking

The Progress supply mission, carrying essential supplies for the crew aboard the ISS, was launched from Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome on November 21.

Author
Reported By:
Follow us:

Space industry (wikimediacommons)

Cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) detected an unusual odour and observed small droplets after the Russian Progress 90 spacecraft docked last weekend. The spacecraft, launched from Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Cosmodrome on November 21, was on a supply mission carrying essential items for the station’s crew, NASA reported.

Upon opening the hatch to the Progress spacecraft, crew members noticed an "unexpected odour" and promptly sealed the hatch and the rest of the Russian segment to ensure safety, according to Fox Weather.

“The unpiloted Progress 90 spacecraft arrived at the Poisk module’s space-facing port at 9:31 a.m. EST on Saturday, November 23,” NASA stated. The launch occurred at 7:22 a.m. EST (5:22 p.m. Baikonur time) on November 21, aboard a Soyuz rocket.

Investigation and air scrubbing measures

Two days later, Roscosmos astronauts Ivan Vagner and Aleksandr Gorbunov reopened the hatch to begin unpacking supplies. Ground controllers activated air-scrubbing equipment to clear the odour, which NASA indicated was likely caused by outgassing from materials inside the cargo spacecraft. The crew confirmed that the odour dissipated swiftly, allowing cargo transfer operations to proceed on schedule.

Supplies delivered and next steps

The Progress 90 spacecraft delivered nearly three tons of food, fuel, and other essentials for the Expedition 72 crew. It will remain docked at the ISS for about six months, after which it will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere, carrying trash for disposal.

In addition to air scrubbing, Vagner cleaned the ventilation system and documented the spacecraft’s interior, ensuring a safe and secure environment for ongoing operations.