After an attempt to open the hatch of the Russian Progress MS-29 cargo ship docked to the International Space Station on November 23, 2024, astronauts and cosmonauts on the ISS smelled an unpleasant and possibly toxic stench. This was reported by Ars Technica.
On Nov. 23, the unpiloted Progress 90 resupply spacecraft successfully docked to the International Space Station’s Poisk module. After opening the Progress spacecraft's hatch, the Roscosmos cosmonauts noticed an unexpected odor and observed small droplets, prompting the crew to…
— International Space Station (@Space_Station) November 24, 2024
"On Nov. 23, the unpiloted Progress 90 (NASA identifier for Progress MS-29 - ed.) resupply spacecraft successfully docked to the International Space Station’s Poisk module. After opening the Progress spacecraft's hatch, the Roscosmos cosmonauts noticed an unexpected odor and observed small droplets, prompting the crew to close the Poisk hatch to the rest of the Russian segment. Space station air scrubbers and contaminant sensors monitored the station’s atmosphere following the observation, and on Sunday, flight controllers determined air quality inside the space station was at normal levels. There are no concerns for the crew, and as of Sunday afternoon, the crew is working to open the hatch between Poisk and Progress while all other space station operations are proceeding as planned," – NASA said in an official statement on the matter.
According to Ars Technica, the U.S. space agency may be downplaying the seriousness of the incident. According to Anatoly Zak of the Russian Space Web site, considered a reliable source by Ars Technica, the smell was "toxic" and therefore prompted the Russian cosmonauts to immediately close the hatch.
According to Zach, astronauts in the Russian segment of the ISS put on protective gear and activated an additional air purification system. In the American segment of the station, NASA astronaut Don Petit said he smelled something similar to "spray paint."
This is not the first emergency with Progress ships. In February 2023, the Progress MS-21 ship attached to the station suffered a depressurization of the cooling system. Even earlier, in October 2022, the Progress MS-22 leaked. In addition, the Russian ISS module Zvezda has been leaking for five years, which can lead to catastrophic consequences.