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Freon leak occurs at Russian segment of ISS, crew not in danger — NASA

NASA’s office at Russian Mission Control near Moscow said it had no details of the situation at the moment

International Space Station EPA/NASA/HANDOUT

International Space Station

© EPA/NASA/HANDOUT

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Russian space agency studying options to replace ISS

MOSCOW, November 20. /TASS/. According to NASA’s official blog a leak of the khladon gas (Freon-218), used in the air conditioning system has occurred at the Zvezda service module of the Russian segment of the International Space Station (ISS).

“Cosmonauts Samokutyaev and Serova performed steps to release pressure in the Russian segment’s air conditioner system by venting khladon gas (Freon 218) overboard. However, several of the quick disconnects that were actuated during the procedure exhibited leaks. As a result, the Khladon was vented into the cabin instead. The quantity released was approximately 100 g, which results in a density of 117 mg/m3 over the volume of ISS, which was below the stated ISS zero risk flight rule limit of 150 mg/m3. As part of nominal air scrubbing process, the Russian Air Purification System and the USOS Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) will remove residual Khladon from the atmosphere,” the NASA blog said.

NASA’s office at Russian Mission Control near Moscow said it had no details of the situation at the moment. Russian specialists were holding a conference to discuss the incident.

Mission Control has offered no comment so far.

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