Updated safety steps for ISS crew amid Soyuz MS-22 issues

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Officials from Roscosmos and the partners at the International Space Station have put safety measures in place for the crew aboard the malfunctioning Soyuz MS-22 craft. These steps are intended to ensure rapid response in case of an onboard emergency on the orbiting station while flight operations continue normally elsewhere in the complex.

According to Roscosmos, the ISS is functioning as expected with its systems in normal condition. However, should an accident occur, the crew would need an immediate Earth return before the Soyuz MS-23 is ready to supplement or replace the current vehicle in use.

In a prepared contingency, it has been decided to temporarily move Cosmonaut Francisco Rubio from the MS-22 docked vehicle to the Crew Dragon capsule for the period of January 17 to 18 as a precautionary measure. This transfer is designed to preserve crew safety while the situation is evaluated and MS-23 preparation progresses.

If an emergency evacuation becomes necessary, Rubio would return to Earth aboard Crew Dragon, ensuring a rapid and controlled descent while the station continues its operations with minimal disruption.

Roscosmos clarified that the rationale behind relocating Rubio and the configuration of the crew aboard the Soyuz MS-22 is to reduce risk associated with the cooling system issues. Specifically, lowering the number of astronauts on the MS-22 during a critical phase helps manage temperature and humidity levels inside the cabin, contributing to a safer landing environment in the event of a landing anomaly.

With the arrival of the Soyuz MS-23, Roscosmos noted that the seating arrangements aboard the station will be updated to include all three cosmonauts in the MS-23 assignment. This transition aims to standardize crew accommodations and ensure that the spacecraft in active service has the most robust safety margins available as operations continue overseas and in orbit.

Yuri Borisov, who previously led Roscosmos, confirmed that the Soyuz MS-22, whose radiator sustained damage in mid-December, will return to Earth unmanned. The three cosmonauts aboard MS-22, Sergei Prokopiev, Dmitry Petelin, and Francisco Rubio, are planned to land with the arrival of the MS-23. The MS-23 is scheduled to launch in an unmanned mode and dock with the ISS to support ongoing mission objectives.

The unfolding safety strategy reflects a broader commitment to crew protection and redundancy for long-duration presence on the ISS. It underscores the importance of having alternative vehicles ready to ensure crew return from a complex operational environment should technical anomalies arise on any single spacecraft.

Observers note that the ongoing coordination between Roscosmos and its international partners continues to prioritize transparent communication about contingency planning and mission readiness. The measures taken illustrate the readiness to adapt risk management plans in real time while preserving the scientific and exploratory goals of the ISS program.

The situation remains under close monitoring as the station maintains its daily work schedule, with ground teams ready to implement further steps if new data indicates a need for additional safety actions. The priority remains the safe return of crew members and the uninterrupted operation of the ISS, backed by the timely introduction of MS-23 as a backup option in the evolving configuration of spacecraft and crew rotation schedules.

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