NASA concerns about Russian repairs prompted ISS safe haven decision

The International Space Station, photographed in 2021. Credit: NASA

WASHINGTON — NASA directed astronauts on the International Space Station to shelter in a Crew Dragon spacecraft after Russian cosmonauts planned to perform repairs the agency thought created “elevated risk” to the station.

In a statement late June 5, NASA described what led mission controllers in Houston earlier in the day to order the four members of Crew-12, along with NASA astronaut Chris Williams, who flew to the ISS on a Soyuz, to shelter in the Crew Dragon spacecraft docked to the station.

Shortly after 9 a.m. Eastern, capcom Ever Zavala called the station and instructed the crew to execute a procedure to establish a “safe haven” in the Dragon spacecraft. He told them not to get in their pressure suits first, adding they could do so later inside the capsule if needed.

Less than two hours later, controllers informed the astronauts they could exit the Dragon and soon resumed their normal work on the station.