Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

International Space Station.
Image credit: Roscosmos

That coolant problem with Russia’s Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft docked to the International Space Station — perhaps caused by a micrometeoroid or space debris getting into the spacecraft’s external cooler-radiator – is receiving top-level attention.

In a series of postings from Roscosmos via their Telegram channel they report that two working groups have been established “to determine the causes of the emergency situation, analyze the technical condition of the spacecraft and develop recommendations for further actions by ground specialists and the crew of the Russian segment of the station.”

That special commission must decide on the possibility or impossibility of further use of the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft to return astronauts to Earth, which is planned for March 2023, Roscosmos explains.

“There is no need for emergency evacuation at this time,” states Roscosmos in one Telegram channel posting.

Decision tree

On December 18, a robotic arm toting cameras examined the outer surface of the troubled Soyuz.

Coolant spraying instrument-assembly compartment of the Soyuz spacecraft.
Image credit: NASA

“The analysis of the data made it possible to find a possible place of damage to the instrument-assembly compartment of the ship. At the end of December, the conclusions of the working groups will be heard and plans for the future will be outlined,” noted a Roscosmos Telegram channel posting.

On one hand, a decision could be in March 2023 to carry out a regular crew change of the ISS Russian segment.

Soyuz replacement

Alternatively, a decision could be made to quickly prepare for launch of an uncrewed Soyuz MS-23 to replace the compromised Soyuz MS-22.

That Soyuz MS-23 has already passed part of the tests before the scheduled launch in March. Another commission task is to make a decision on the further flight program of the Russian segment.

Roscosmos chief, Yury Borisov, told Russia’s Izvestia newspaper: “The situation is really not very pleasant. Of course, nothing threatens the crew now. They are on the ISS.”

Borisov added that at the end of December, “I think the experts will decide how we will get out of this situation.”