The International Space Station (ISS) has been a remarkable achievement in human spaceflight, serving as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory for over two decades. As a collaborative effort between NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, ESA, and CSA, the ISS has hosted numerous astronauts and cosmonauts from various countries. However, the journey has not been without its share of accidents and incidents. This article reviews some of the most notable mishaps that have occurred on board the ISS, during flights to and from the space station, and in other related incidents.
Context and Background
The International Space Station (ISS) is a feat of engineering and international collaboration. Constructed in low Earth orbit, the ISS serves not only as a scientific research facility but also as a symbol of global unity in the field of space exploration. It was launched in 1998 and has continually evolved, bringing together contributions from several space agencies across the globe.
The ISS is modular in design, comprising various interconnected modules that serve different purposes such as capsule docking ports, laboratories for scientific research, and living quarters for astronauts. Each module is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to support life in space, including advanced life support systems, power generation, and communication interfaces.
Additionally, the station supports a unique research agenda that includes experiments in microgravity, contributing to advancements in medicine, materials science, and environmental studies. This international collaboration allows scientists to work together, share findings, and tackle complex issues that would be challenging to address individually.
Each participating agency, including NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA, and CSA, brings its expertise and experience, demonstrating how countries can come together for a common goal: advancing human knowledge and sustainable presence in space.
As the ISS celebrates two decades of operation, it not only stands as a platform for scientific advancement but also as a testament to what collaborative efforts can achieve in the arena of space exploration.
Early Challenges (2001-2005)
The early years of the ISS saw several incidents that tested the resolve of the international space community:
March 2001 – False Alarms Incident
In March 2001, astronauts aboard the ISS were alerted about a potential ammonia leak due to a false alarm. This incident tested the crew’s emergency protocols and ultimately helped refine the station’s systems for detecting hazardous situations. The false alarm was triggered by a malfunctioning sensor in the station’s cooling system, which erroneously detected an ammonia leak.
The crew immediately followed emergency procedures, isolating themselves in the Russian segment of the station and preparing for a possible evacuation. Ground control teams worked diligently to identify the issue and determined that there was no actual leak. This incident highlighted the importance of robust emergency protocols and the need for reliable detection systems to ensure crew safety.
February 2003 – Columbia Disaster Impact
The loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia during re-entry in February 2003 had a significant impact on the ISS program. NASA grounded the shuttle program for nearly three years following the disaster, leading to a temporary halt in resupply missions and crew rotations. This highlighted the dependency of the ISS on shuttle flights for its upkeep.
The grounding of the shuttle fleet left the ISS with a reduced crew of two astronauts, relying on Russian Soyuz spacecraft for crew rotations and Progress cargo ships for supplies. This period also saw an increased focus on safety measures and the development of alternative means of transportation to the ISS, such as the commercial cargo and crew programs.
Other Early Incidents
In November 2001, the Progress M1-7 cargo spacecraft failed to perform a hard docking due to debris on the docking ring left by the previous spacecraft. The issue was resolved during an unscheduled spacewalk in December.
In May 2003, the Soyuz TMA-1 spacecraft experienced a malfunction during its descent, resulting in a ballistic reentry and a landing about 460 kilometers from the intended target. The crew experienced increased acceleration but remained within safety limits.
The year 2004 saw two spacewalks cut short due to issues with the spacesuits. In February, a cooling system malfunction in Aleksandr Kaleri’s spacesuit led to the early termination of the VKD-9 spacewalk. In June, the primary oxygen bottle in Mike Fincke’s spacesuit began losing pressure rapidly, forcing the VKD-9a spacewalk to be cut short after just 14 minutes.
In August 2004, during the Expedition 9 EVA-3 spacewalk, the ISS lost its attitude control and drifted 80 degrees off the nominal attitude. The crew had to move away from the station while the Service Module thrusters were used to regain the correct attitude.
Ongoing Challenges (2006-2010)
The following years brought new challenges for the ISS crew and mission control:
July 2006 – Progress M-58 Docking Failure
In July 2006, the Progress M-58 cargo spacecraft experienced a failed docking due to a software issue, delaying supply delivery. This incident prompted a review of manual intervention protocols and led to improved safety measures for future cargo resupply missions.
The Progress M-58 spacecraft was carrying over 2.5 tons of supplies, including food, water, fuel, and equipment for the ISS. During the docking attempt, the spacecraft’s automated docking system encountered a software glitch, causing it to miss the docking port. The crew had to manually guide the spacecraft to a successful docking, which was completed two days later than planned.
This incident highlighted the importance of having well-trained crew members capable of handling unexpected situations and the need for robust backup systems and procedures.
Other Ongoing Incidents
In October 2006, during the docking of Progress M-58, the orientation antenna failed to fully retract, delaying the hard docking by over 4 hours. Several attempts to retract the antenna during subsequent spacewalks were unsuccessful, and the supporting strut had to be cut to allow partial retraction.
In 2007, the STS-117 mission encountered issues with the thermal insulation blanket on the orbiter’s orbital maneuvering system pod, which had to be adjusted and stapled during a spacewalk. The same year, the STS-118 mission’s EVA-3 spacewalk was terminated early after a hole was found in the second layer of Rick Mastracchio’s EMU glove.
In 2008, the landings of both Soyuz TMA-10 and Soyuz TMA-11 experienced issues with the separation of the Instrumentation/Propulsion Module from the Descent Module, resulting in ballistic reentries and off-target landings.
The year 2009 saw the ISS crew taking shelter in their Soyuz spacecraft twice due to the risk of collision with space debris. In March, a piece of a spent US rocket stage passed within 5 kilometers of the station. In July, during the STS-127 mission, the carbon dioxide removal system in Chris Cassidy’s spacesuit malfunctioned, leading to an early termination of the EVA-3 spacewalk.
Continuing Challenges (2011-2015)
The second decade of the ISS brought its own set of challenges:
2015 – ISS Collision with Debris
In 2015, the ISS had to maneuver to avoid debris from a defunct satellite. This incident stressed the need for continuous tracking of space debris and reinforced the protocols for crew safety during emergencies.
The debris, identified as a fragment from the defunct Russian Cosmos 2251 satellite, was detected on a collision course with the ISS. The crew was instructed to take shelter in their Soyuz spacecraft as a precautionary measure while the station performed a debris avoidance maneuver. The maneuver was successful, and the ISS was able to maintain a safe distance from the debris.
This incident highlighted the growing problem of space debris and the importance of international cooperation in tracking and mitigating the risks posed by orbital debris to the ISS and other spacecraft.
Other Continuing Incidents
In August 2011, the Progress M-12M cargo spacecraft failed to reach orbit due to an early shutdown of the third stage engines of the Soyuz-U rocket. This incident temporarily grounded the Soyuz-FG rocket, the only launch vehicle capable of carrying crew to the ISS at the time.
In 2013, the CRS-2 Dragon cargo spacecraft experienced thruster issues shortly after separation from the second stage, delaying its docking with the ISS by a day. The same year, during the EVA-23 spacewalk, ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano reported a large amount of water inside his helmet, forcing an early termination of the spacewalk.
The year 2014 saw issues with the Soyuz TMA-12M docking, which had to be rescheduled to a backup 2-day rendezvous process due to a missed burn. In October, the Cygnus Orb-3 cargo spacecraft failed to reach orbit after its Antares rocket exploded during launch.
In 2015, the Progress M-27M cargo spacecraft spun out of control shortly after launch, while the SpaceX CRS-7 Dragon cargo spacecraft failed to reach orbit after its Falcon 9 rocket disintegrated in flight.
Recent Incidents (2016-2024)
The most recent years have seen a mix of technical issues and external factors affecting the ISS:
December 2020 – Air Leak Discovery
In December 2020, astronauts reported an air leak which turned out to be a small hole in a Soyuz spacecraft. This event led to extensive investigations into leak detection methods and repair protocols.
The leak was first detected in September 2020 when a slight drop in air pressure was noticed on the ISS. The crew conducted a series of tests and inspections to locate the source of the leak, eventually tracing it to the Soyuz MS-09 spacecraft docked to the station. The leak was small enough not to pose an immediate danger to the crew, but it required attention to prevent further air loss.
Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov performed a spacewalk in December 2020 to investigate the exterior of the Soyuz spacecraft and collect samples of any residue around the suspected leak site. The samples were returned to Earth for analysis to determine the cause of the leak and develop appropriate repair methods.
This incident emphasized the importance of regular monitoring and maintenance of the ISS’s various systems and components, as well as the need for effective leak detection and repair capabilities to ensure the safety and integrity of the station.
November 2021 – Nauka Module Thruster Incident
In November 2021, after the Nauka module was installed, it unexpectedly fired its thrusters, shifting the ISS’s orientation. This required prompt control adjustments to maintain operational integrity.
The Nauka Multipurpose Laboratory Module, also known as MLM, is a Russian-built module that was added to the ISS to provide additional research space, docking ports, and a new airlock for spacewalks. Shortly after its arrival and docking, the module’s thrusters unexpectedly fired, causing the ISS to lose attitude control and rotate up to 45 degrees from its normal orientation.
The crew immediately responded by activating thrusters on the Russian segment of the ISS to counter the rotation and regain control of the station’s orientation. The incident lasted for about an hour before the ISS was stabilized. No damage to the station or injuries to the crew were reported.
An investigation revealed that a software glitch in the Nauka module’s control system caused the unintended thruster firing. This incident highlighted the complexity of integrating new modules into the existing ISS structure and the importance of thorough testing and verification of all systems before activation.
Other Recent Incidents
In January 2016, the US EVA-35 spacewalk was terminated early due to a water bubble forming in Tim Kopra’s helmet. In December, the Progress MS-04 cargo spacecraft failed to reach orbit due to a third-stage failure of the Soyuz-U rocket.
In 2018, an air leak caused by a small hole was discovered in the docked Soyuz MS-09 spacecraft, which was later sealed. The same year, the Soyuz MS-10 crew mission failed to reach orbit after its booster malfunctioned, but the crew safely landed back on Earth.
Recent incidents in 2022 and 2023 included thruster issues during the Boeing Orbital Flight Test 2, a leak in the external cooling loop of the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft, and a similar leak in the Progress MS-21 spacecraft. In 2024, the Boeing Crew Flight Test mission experienced multiple issues, including helium leaks and thruster failures, ultimately leading to the decision to return the Starliner capsule uncrewed.
Summary
Despite the numerous challenges faced by the International Space Station over the years, the program has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability. Each incident has provided valuable lessons and has led to improvements in safety protocols, equipment design, and operational procedures.
The ISS continues to serve as a testament to international cooperation and the human spirit of exploration. As the station enters its third decade of continuous human presence in space, it is clear that the benefits of this unique laboratory far outweigh the risks and challenges encountered along the way.
The incidents and accidents discussed in this article underscore the complexity and inherent risks associated with human spaceflight and the operation of a large, multi-national space station. From false alarms and docking failures to debris collisions and module malfunctions, the ISS has faced a wide range of challenges that have tested the skills, knowledge, and resolve of its crew members and mission control teams.
However, it is through these challenges that the ISS program has grown stronger and more resilient. Each incident has provided an opportunity to learn, adapt, and improve, leading to the development of new technologies, procedures, and safety measures that have enhanced the station’s capabilities and ensured the well-being of its crew.
Moreover, the ISS has demonstrated the power of international collaboration in the face of adversity. By working together, the partner space agencies have been able to overcome technical, logistical, and political hurdles to keep the station operational and productive. This spirit of cooperation has not only benefited the ISS but has also paved the way for future collaborative efforts in space exploration.
As the ISS continues its mission to advance scientific knowledge and push the boundaries of human presence in space, it is important to remember the lessons learned from past incidents and remain vigilant in the face of new challenges. By doing so, we can ensure that the ISS remains a shining example of what can be achieved when nations come together in pursuit of a common goal.
