### Toxic Smell Aboard Cargo Craft Startles Cosmonauts on ISS

In an unexpected turn of events, a seemingly routine mission to deliver essential supplies to the International Space Station (ISS) took a surprising twist when Russian cosmonauts encountered a noxious odor upon opening a cargo spacecraft. The incident began on Saturday when cosmonauts accessed the Progress spacecraft, which had arrived from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

"After opening the Progress spacecraft's hatch, the Roscosmos cosmonauts noticed an unexpected odor and observed small droplets, prompting the crew to close the Poisk hatch to the rest of the Russian segment," NASA revealed in a statement on Sunday. This proactive measure was critical to ensure the safety of all crew members aboard the ISS.

The ISS team quickly initiated safety protocols, including activating air scrubbers and contaminant sensors to monitor the station's atmosphere. By Sunday, flight controllers in Houston confirmed that air quality levels within the station had normalized, alleviating immediate concerns. However, detailed reports suggest the situation might have been more serious than initially indicated.

Anatoly Zak, an expert from Russian Space Web, indicated that the smell identified by the cosmonauts was "toxic," prompting them to don protective gear and activate an additional air-scrubbing system. In a related observation, NASA astronaut Don Pettit, situated in the American section of the station, described the odor as similar to "spray paint."

As of Sunday afternoon, NASA reported there were no ongoing safety concerns for the crew. Astronauts were actively working to reopen the hatch between the Poisk module and the Progress spacecraft. Poisk, a crucial element of the Russian segment of the ISS, was attached to the station in 2009 and facilitates docking operations.

The precise cause of the unpleasant odor remains undetermined. It is worth noting that Russian spacecraft have had previous issues with leaks in space. A recent incident in February 2023 saw a Progress vehicle lose pressurization in its cooling system while docked at the station.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Roscosmos, the main Russian space corporation. Financial and staffing pressures, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, have complicated their efforts to maintain regular missions to the ISS. Despite these hurdles, the ISS crew continues to address and surmount unexpected challenges to ensure the safety and success of their vital operations.