HOUSTON, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Expedition 42 crew members were forced to don masks and take refuge in the Russian section of the International Space Station -- sealing themselves off from the rest of the modules -- after an alarm signaled the presence of ammonia in the U.S. section.
"The Expedition 42 crew members are safe and in good shape inside the Russian segment of the International Space Station following an alarm in the U.S. segment at about 4 a.m. EST," NASA officials confirmed in a blog update on Wednesday morning.
Ammonia is used primarily as a coolant for a variety of mechanical and electrical systems aboard the space station. It's poisonous to breathe.
Recap: #ISS crew inside Russian segment after a coolant pressure alarm. No signs of a leak. Controllers are assessing. 11 a.m. EST TV update
— NASA (@NASA) January 14, 2015In an update on ground control's investigation into the matter, NASA's spacecraft communicator James Kelly told Barry "Butch" Wilmore, Expedition 42's commander, that "everything's looking pretty normal." Kelly said it was very likely that the ammonia leak indicator was a false alarm, but that more testing needed to be taken to confirm the hypothesis.
Hey everybody, thanks for your concern. We're all safe & doing well in the Russian segment. Follow @Nasa for updates on @Space_Station today
— Sam Cristoforetti (@AstroSamantha) January 14, 2015There is enough food in the Russian module to last all six crew members for a week. Wilmore and crew were apparently unpacking supplies from the recently arrived SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule when the alarm sounded. Kelly told Wilmore that while it appears to be a false alarm, crew members likely will need to remain cordoned in the Russian module overnight.
