Here’s a reminder that space is still risky #NASA #ISS #Space

Last week, the Soyuz capsule docked at the International Space Station sprung a coolant leak. The cause seems to be uncertain, but could be from impact by a micrometeor or fleck of space junk. The astronauts are safe and the ISS mission is proceeding, but…

The Soyuz is a complicated beast in three modules

Roscosmos said a panel of experts would determine later this month whether the Soyuz MS-22 capsule could be safely used by the crew for its planned return to Earth or if it should be discarded and replaced… The capsule was scheduled to carry some of the space station’s crew back to Earth in March as part of regular rotations. apnews.com

Loss of coolant raised the capsule’s temperature to 30 degrees Celsius (86 F) and even higher in the equipment section until experts found a work-around, but what might happen during a re-entry? So far, the Soyuz control systems look okay.

But this is a reminder that even such a routine, ho-hum space mission as the ISS is dangerous. When astronauts move farther away from Earth, to the Moon or someday to Mars, they’ll also be farther away from possible rescue missions. That’s a sobering thought as NASA plans Artemis II, the next step in returning people to the Moon.