NASA Briefly Orders ISS Crew Into SpaceX Capsule, Then Lifts Shelter Order After Leak Check
On Friday, June 5, 2026, NASA briefly ordered the International Space Station crew into a docked SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule after fresh leaks were detected, then lifted the shelter order.[1]
Five astronauts moved into the docked Crew Dragon while two Russian cosmonauts stayed in the station's Russian segment to assess and repair a leak.[2] NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens said the shelter order was issued 'out of an abundance of caution'.[2] Roscosmos chose to undertake a more extensive repair after fresh leaks were found, and agencies are working to determine the root cause of recurring cracks in that part of the station.[2] The crew resumed normal station duties roughly two hours after the shelter-in-place procedure began.[3]
The leak was located on the Russian side of the station, where technicians focused repairs.[2] Officials said the fresh leak followed earlier concerns about recurring cracks in that module, prompting the more extensive Roscosmos repair.[2]
PBS initially reported the shelter order as a precaution after the fresh leak was detected.[2] CBS later reported that NASA reversed the evacuation order and that retired astronaut Scott Parazynski said the specific leaks were assessed as small and manageable.[1]
Show source details & analysis (4 sources)
📌 Key Facts
- On Friday, June 5, 2026, NASA ordered crew to take shelter in the docked SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule after a fresh leak was detected aboard the International Space Station (SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule).
- The five astronauts moved into the docked spacecraft while two Russian cosmonauts remained in the ISS Russian segment to assess and repair a leak located on the Russian side (two Russian cosmonauts).
- NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens said the decision to have crew shelter was made 'out of an abundance of caution' (Bethany Stevens).
- Roscosmos opted to undertake a more extensive repair after fresh leaks were found, and agencies are working to determine the root cause of recurring cracks in that part of the station (Roscosmos).
- NASA reversed the earlier evacuation/shelter order and concluded the situation did not require continued evacuation of crew into the SpaceX Crew Dragon, allowing a return to normal station operations (NASA).
- The ISS crew resumed normal duties roughly two hours after the shelter-in-place procedure began on June 5, 2026 (ISS crew).
- Retired NASA astronaut Scott Parazynski provided on-air technical context, saying the specific leaks were assessed as small and manageable (Scott Parazynski).
📰 Source Timeline (4)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- On Friday, June 5, 2026, NASA reversed an earlier evacuation/shelter order on the International Space Station that had been issued over concerns about two small air leaks in the Russian section.
- The CBS segment reports that NASA concluded the situation did not require continued evacuation of crew into the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, allowing a return to normal station operations.
- Retired NASA astronaut Scott Parazynski provided on-air technical context about ISS leak management and risk, underscoring that the specific leaks were assessed as small and manageable.
- On Friday, June 5, 2026, five International Space Station astronauts "briefly" took shelter in a docked spacecraft designated as a safe haven while new air leaks were being repaired.
- Two Russian cosmonauts remained in the ISS Russian segment to assess and address the leak situation while the five astronauts were in the safe-haven spacecraft.
- The ISS crew resumed normal duties roughly two hours after the shelter-in-place procedure began on June 5, 2026.
- On Friday, June 5, 2026, NASA ordered astronauts to take shelter in the docked SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule after a fresh leak was detected aboard the International Space Station.
- The five astronauts moved into the SpaceX capsule while Russian cosmonauts worked to repair the leak, which is located on the Russian side of the station.
- NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens said on X that the decision to have crew shelter was made 'out of an abundance of caution.'
- NASA said Roscosmos opted to undertake a more extensive repair after fresh leaks were found, and agencies are still working to determine the root cause of recurring cracks in that part of the station.