NASA lifted an evacuation alert for the International Space Station’s crew after they returned to normal operations following temporary shelter measures triggered by a worsening air leak in the Russian segment of the orbiting laboratory on June 5, 2026.
Quick Facts
- The air leak in Russia’s Zvezda service module escalated from one pound per day to two pounds per day on June 5, prompting the emergency shelter order
- Crew-12 astronauts—two Americans, one French astronaut, and a Russian cosmonaut—were ordered to enter their Crew Dragon spacecraft and don spacesuits
- Russian crews worked to repair the leak in the transfer tunnel while NASA and Roscosmos coordinated response efforts
- The ISS crew returned to their regular schedule after repairs were conducted and the immediate threat subsided
NASA mission control ordered the four Crew-12 astronauts aboard the International Space Station to take shelter in their docked Crew Dragon spacecraft on June 5 after the air leak in Russia’s Zvezda service module—a critical component of the orbital laboratory—worsened significantly. The leak rate doubled from approximately one pound of air per day to two pounds, according to a senior NASA official, triggering precautionary measures.
The Zvezda module, a key structural element of the space station, has been a source of ongoing concern for NASA and Russia’s space agency Roscosmos, which have debated for months over the cause and potential solutions for persistent small air leaks. The escalation prompted Russian crews to attempt repairs to the transfer tunnel, with NASA maintaining close coordination throughout the operation.
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After the repair efforts were conducted and the leak situation stabilized, the evacuation alert was lifted and the crew returned to their normal operational schedule. The incident underscores the ongoing maintenance challenges facing the aging International Space Station, which continues to require collaborative efforts between the U.S. and Russian space agencies to address technical issues. Space station developer Axiom Space recently closed a $525 million funding round, reflecting continued investment in next-generation orbital infrastructure as the ISS approaches the end of its operational life.
Sources
- Australian Financial Review — reporting on NASA’s evacuation order and Crew-12 shelter measures in response to the escalating air leak
- Reuters — coverage of the International Space Station astronauts in evacuation mode as Russia attempted to fix the widening air leak
- The Economic Times — reporting on NASA’s orders for astronauts to prepare for possible evacuation over the widening air leak
