A peculiar incident aboard the International Space Station (ISS) recently had astronauts scratching their heads when they discovered an unexpected and unpleasant odor emanated from the Russian Progress 90 cargo spacecraft. The spacecraft, which made its arrival to the ISS on November 23, 2024, was loaded with nearly three tons of supplies including food and fuel. What was supposed to be just another routine delivery quickly turned chaotic as the smell prompted immediate action from the crew.
The drama unfolded when Russian cosmonauts opened the hatch to the Progress vehicle and were greeted by the noxious stench and small droplets floating inside. Reacting swiftly to the situation, the cosmonauts sealed the hatch to the spacecraft and closed off the Poisk module to prevent any possible contamination. NASA spokesperson Kelly O. Humphries advised anyone seeking more insights about the incident to reach out to Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, indicating it was outside their purview.
Following the tense moments, the situation appeared to stabilize. On November 25, 2024, officials confirmed the uncomfortable aroma had dissipated. Spacecraft air scrubbers and contamination sensors onboard assessed the atmosphere within the ISS, confirming the air quality parameters were at normal levels and there were no immediate health concerns for the crew. The team was then able to successfully unload the majority of the cargo from the Progress vehicle.
Initial speculation surrounding the origin of the odor pointed to "outgassing"—a term used to describe volatile compounds being released from materials. NASA noted the droplets observed inside the Progress could have been related to this phenomenon. But many questions remained unresolved, particularly about the exact nature of the smell.
According to sources from the Russian Space Web, the smell was described by crew members as potentially toxic, leading to the precautionary closure of internal hatches. These reports have sparked concerns not just about the nature of the odor but also about the reliability of the Russian segment's systems. To date, the specifics of what caused this unique smell remain somewhat ambiguous, with varying interpretations from U.S. and Russian officials.
The Russian Progress mission launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on November 21 and docked smoothly with the ISS two days later. Upon docking, the cargo resupply was anticipated to bolster supplies for the crew onboard the ISS, including food, equipment, and other necessary materials for their lengthy stay. With astronauts onboard conducting scientific research and daily operations extending until Spring 2025, the delivery was of utmost importance.
The past few years have brought challenges to the continuous operations of the ISS, particularly with Russian spacecraft. A series of incidents have marred their reliability, including prior coolant leaks from two different Russian vehicles, causing NASA and its Russian counterpart to engage deeply on troubleshooting initiatives.
Despite these setbacks, many aboard the ISS were hopeful for the future, with Russian officials affirming their commitment to maintaining operations at the station through at least 2028, with international collaboration extending through 2030 before the ISS is slated for deorbit.
European astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti also mentioned unusual scents aboard the ISS, alluding to the complex dynamics of odor management within the station. Astronauts, who returned from spacewalks, have previously described space odors almost poetically, likening the scents to metallic aromas reminiscent of welding. Yet this odor was unexpected and distinctly out of the usual range of smells encountered, intensifying the intrigue surrounding the Progress incident.
While astronauts and mission control officials scrambled to address the situation, the incident highlighted the need for stringent monitoring and testing protocols for materials sent to space, particularly those made from plastics, adhesives, and rubbers, as they can undergo outgassing more severely under lower pressure environments associated with space.
The ISS is managed through international partnerships, primarily between NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, and JAXA, and requires constant interplay between the agencies for smooth operations. With the space station serving as a laboratory for international scientific collaboration, discussions surrounding the recent odor incident may also include broader themes of cooperation, transparency, and technical reliability.
Going forward, as the crew Londoners resume their day-to-day operations, they will also monitor for any residual effects of the peculiar odor, ensuring air quality remains stable and clear of any hidden danger. Though the unsettling smell was resolved relatively quickly, its occurrence signifies the constant challenges and unique experiences present aboard the ISS, keeping everyone on their toes—indeed, around the edge of space, one might say, no nose is safe from surprises.
Meanwhile, as technical teams analysis the materials aboard astronauts continues, the incident promises to provoke discussions and inquiries by space experts concerning the protocols for materials sent to space, with NASA conducting reviews of safety procedures to avoid similar situations down the line.
Reflecting on this latest incident, the astronauts aboard the ISS maintain their focus on their scientific missions—working on experiments, studying the Earth's atmosphere from above and awaiting the next expected delivery of supplies, hoping their arrival will be met with less drama than the Progress spacecraft brought with it.
