Astronaut Sunita Williams and her crew at the International Space Station (ISS) encountered a “toxic” smell while opening the hatch to the Russian Progress MS-29 cargo spacecraft, prompting immediate safety protocols. The incident, which occurred on November 24, led to air purification measures and precautionary actions by both NASA and Roscosmos. The smell, described as similar to spray paint, is still under investigation.

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• Astronaut Sunita Williams’ crew on the ISS detected a “toxic” smell upon opening the Russian Progress MS-29 spacecraft hatch.
• The smell triggered an immediate safety response, with both NASA and Roscosmos activating air purification systems.
• NASA astronaut Don Pettit described the smell as similar to “spray paint.”
• Crew members wore Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as a precautionary measure.
• The source of the smell is unclear, and investigations are ongoing to determine if it originated from the Progress spacecraft or the vestibule connecting it to the ISS.
• Air quality sensors on the ISS showed normal levels by November 24, ensuring no immediate safety concerns for the crew.
• The spacecraft will remain docked for six months before returning with waste materials.
• NASA and Roscosmos worked swiftly to resolve the issue and ensure station operations continued without disruption.
• The air-scrubbing systems in both the US and Russian segments helped cleanse the ISS atmosphere.