Rescue of ISS astronauts. NASA could use SpaceX’s help: what’s known

NASA is now considering options for how to return the three ISS astronauts – two Russians and an American – to Earth. The problem is that the Soyuz spacecraft belonging to the Russian Federation was seriously damaged. Therefore, one of the options to bring these astronauts home could be to use SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, writes Space.

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As detailed previously FocusTwo weeks ago, with the Soyuz spacecraft docking to the ISS, an unpleasant incident occurred: the cooling system was damaged. Both American and Russian experts are trying to determine the causes of the accident, but so far no results. Roskosmos reported that they will give a full report in January.

Also early next year, Russian space agency officials plan to announce their decision on whether the Soyuz spacecraft will be able to return to Earth the American Frank Rubio, who flew into orbit on this ship, along with Russians Sergei Prokopiev and Dmitry Petelin. in autumn. The Russians offered to send another Soyuz spacecraft to the ISS in February as a backup option to fulfill the mission of its wounded “brother”.

NASA said in a new report that the space agency is currently in talks with SpaceX about the possible use of spacecraft to deliver trapped astronauts in orbit. So far, nothing is known about the results of these negotiations.

NASA did not say exactly how the possible return of the ISS astronauts to Earth will occur. The fact is that now a Crew Dragon ship docked at the space station, from which Russian women Anna Kikina, Americans Nicole Mann and Josh Kassada, and Japanese Koichi Wakata flew there. So all three Soyuz astronauts may be returning on this ship, which will soon fly to Earth. Or maybe SpaceX can send a backup Crew Dragon ship to the ISS for this mission.

But the first option is difficult to implement because it is not designed for many people. On the other hand, the astronauts on the SpaceX ship wear completely different space suits than those adapted for Soyuz flights. So far, NASA has not disclosed which of the options will be considered first.

So far, the cause of the crash on the Russian Soyuz has not been determined, but some experts believe that a small hole found on it could indicate a micrometeorite impact. In fact, nothing threatens the crew of the space station yet, but if something unforeseen happens and an emergency evacuation is required, then the three astronauts will not be able to return home safely.