Soyuz module on International Space Station is leaking something
Soyuz is used as a return capsule for 3 of the crew. One of them becoming unavailable is a big problem if there&#x27;s an emergency on the station and they need to get the crew out fast.<p>Mission Controllers have only a few options here:<p>1. If they determine what the problem is and that the leak will not affect Soyuz&#x27;s ability to return safely, then they can stay on board and continue as normal. This is unlikely; Spacecraft are not supposed to leak &#x27;substances&#x27; like this. They also do not carry &#x27;substances&#x27; that are not critical to the mission.<p>2. If they determine that the leak is slow enough to safely allow a reentry attempt, I expect them to pack up the 3 cosmonauts who are assigned to that soyuz and send em home pronto while that window is open.<p>3. If this soyuz is now toast and the Russians have a spare somewhere on the ground, they will likely have to fill it with supplies and launch it, fast, unmanned to the station. We are in a dangerous, unprecedented time where there are astronauts on station with no ride home. Every emergency is now life-threatening until they can get another soyuz up there.<p>In an emergency there is one other option that they might consider; Dragon is human rated in theory for up to 7 people. That&#x27;s what the original design was for. However, NASA only fits theirs out for 4 astronauts. Presumably, they could, in an emergency be used to carry the 3 soyuz refugees. Perhaps they would need to bring extra life support equipment and dump cargo to lose some weight. But it could be made to work.
At a stretch, an unmanned cargo-dragon could even be used if appropriate life-support equipment could be employed. Such as putting the passengers in an EVA suit for the ride home.<p>Either way, it&#x27;s thinking-cap time for the people at NASA and Roscosmos. Good luck!