The investigation into potential damage on the Progress MS-21 cargo ship aboard the International Space Station will be conducted with the help of a remote manipulator from the American segment of the station. Roscosmos confirmed this update, noting that technicians will perform a careful inspection of the ship’s outer surface to identify any areas of concern. Enhanced video data will be sent to the mission control center for thorough review by the Russian teams involved in ISS operations.
Officials emphasized that the current work aims to pinpoint a possible site of damage on the Progress MS-21 exterior, which sits outside the pressurized habitat modules. The work relies on the flexibility of the station’s robotic arm network, allowing science and engineering teams to examine the hull without requiring crew in the immediate vicinity. The procedural steps are designed to safeguard the integrity of the docking interface and the ship’s life support connections while continuing to maintain the ISS’s overall operational schedule.
Concurrently, Roscosmos continues to investigate the cause of the depressurization event affecting the thermal control system of Progress MS-21 that occurred on February 11. Although the incident caused a temporary isolation of Progress MS-21 from the spacecraft’s total volume, authorities confirmed that docking with the station remained unaffected. Video materials collected during the inspection will be analyzed by Russian experts to determine whether the depressurization stems from a materials issue, a manufacturing anomaly, or an external impact.
On February 14, Izvestia reported, citing a Roscosmos insider, that a production-related issue in the Russian segment of the ISS could be contributing to the observed depressurization. This information is being weighed alongside other diagnostic findings as part of a comprehensive verification process. The aim is to ensure the long term reliability of hatches, seals, and thermal lines that ensure stable operation in the harsh space environment.
Yuri Borisov, formerly the head of Roscosmos, stated that specialists are taking all essential measures to reach the damage site and establish the root cause. He noted that the team is coordinating with international partners and aligning resources to support a careful, data-driven assessment while preserving the ongoing mission timeline and safety of both crew and hardware.