Emergency response on the International Space Station
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station moved into a safety protocol after engineers detected a rising air leak. Five crew members sheltered inside the docked SpaceX Dragon Freedom spacecraft when pressure levels began to drop faster than expected.
The Dragon capsule acted as a safe return option in case evacuation became necessary. Crew members wore spacesuits and stayed ready for a quick return to Earth if conditions got worse.
Repair attempt in the Russian segment
At the same time, two Russian cosmonauts stayed inside the station to work on the affected area. They focused on a transfer tunnel connected to the Zvezda service module in the Russian section.
The leak had been monitored for several years, but recent readings showed a sharper loss of air. That change pushed teams to move beyond small fixes and try a more serious repair effort.
Temporary shelter and stand down order
As conditions improved slightly, mission control instructed the sheltering astronauts to return from the Dragon capsule back into the station. The repair work was paused to reassess the situation safely.
The Soyuz MS 28 spacecraft remained available as an additional emergency escape option for the Russian crew during the operation.
Long running issue on the ISS
The cracks linked to the leak have been present for about six years, creating repeated concerns for mission teams. Earlier cargo activity near the station recently appeared to change pressure levels again, which triggered renewed attention to the problem.
Space agencies continue to monitor the section closely while planning more durable repairs.
