NASA has ordered astronauts aboard the International Space Station to enter heightened safety measures and prepare for emergency evacuation as Russia accelerates repairs on an air leak in the Zvezda module following detection of increased air leakage.
On 5 June 2026, the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced it had instructed the Crew-12 astronauts and NASA personnel aboard the ISS to prepare for emergency evacuation while the Russian space agency Roscosmos conducts repairs on an air leak in the section of the station under Russian responsibility.
Bethany Stevens, NASA spokesperson, stated that the connecting tunnel in the Zvezda module, part of the Russian segment of the ISS, has long suffered from cracks and air leaks. NASA has been closely monitoring the situation while Roscosmos has implemented several repair efforts. Recently, additional leaks were detected, prompting Russia to undertake major repairs on 5 June. Consequently, NASA ordered the five astronauts to enter advanced safety protocols.
All astronauts were instructed to remain aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, the crew transport vehicle used for travel between Earth and the ISS, so they can evacuate the station immediately if an emergency arises during the repair work.
The ISS was first launched into orbit in 1998 and is jointly managed by five major space agencies: NASA, Roscosmos, the European Space Agency (ESA), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). Daily operations are coordinated by NASA and Roscosmos. Currently, seven astronauts live and work on the ISS. Both space agencies continue to closely monitor the situation and emphasize that the evacuation readiness is a precautionary measure to ensure maximum crew safety on the station.
Source: CNN, BBC