The NASA has consulted SpaceX about a possible use of a Dragon capsule to “rescue” astronauts stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) after problems with the Russian spacecraft Soyuz.
According to the space agency, it is still unknown if the ship is ready to fly after days ago suffered refrigerant leaks in space. For the same reason, they are looking for solutions.
SpaceX al rescate
In an attempt to potentially secure an “alternative lifeboat” for Russian cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitry Petelin and American astronaut Frank Rubio, the NASA and the Russian space agency Roscosmos are conducting a review of available options, which included consultation with SpaceX about using one of his Dragon capsules as a replacement for Soyuz MS-22.
“As part of the analysis, the NASA also communicated with SpaceX about its ability to return additional crew members aboard Dragon if needed in an emergency, though the primary focus is on understanding the spacecraft’s post-breakaway capabilities Soyuz MS-22the space agency wrote in a December 30 blog post.
A potential obstacle to using a Dragon capsule as a lifeboat is the space suits worn by the crew of MS-22: the capsules SpaceX they are designed to work alongside custom-made spacesuits, while the MS-22 crew launched to the ISS in Russian Sokol spacesuits.
Alternative 2: the same Russia
Another option is that Roscosmos send another ship Soyuz replacement. But the earliest such a mission could be launched would be February, according to statements made by Sergei Krikalev, head of the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center near Moscow.
Roscosmos is still investigating the cause of the leak and plans to publish its findings this month. The Russian state news agency TASS reported on December 27 that the leak was caused by “external mechanical damage,” though whether a meteoroid or space debris was the culprit is unknown.
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