Poison leakage on the ISS station

Astronauts at the ISS International Space Station have turned on an alarm signal after they smell a toxic chemical leak from the valve of an oxygen tank.

Astronauts on ISS (Photo: chinadaily)

Mike Suffredini, NASA space station program manager, said: "We don't know exactly what it is, but now astronauts are fine. This is not a poison. Astronauts First, there is smoke and then hear the harsh smell of phosphorus hydroxide from the valve of the oxygen tank " . Astronauts must wear gloves and masks but not oxygen masks.

Russian astronaut Vinogradov has informed the Russian Control Station the phenomenon of " oozing distilled liquid like distilled water, four or five drops". American astronaut Jeff Williams said he smelled a burning smell and "it is reasonable to see smoke coming out of a rubber basket".

Before receiving information from Vinogradov, astronauts activated the Elektron system (Russia's oxygen supply system). However, they turned it off about an hour and a half later.

Within a short time, the ventilation system at ISS was temporarily locked because the emergency alarm system was activated. However, just a moment later the station operators from the ground turned off the alarm system. Currently astronauts have to use activated carbon breathing to deodorize and according to Jeff Williams, "the smell is clear ".

This is the second time in 8 years of its existence, ISS is placed in emergency alert. Last time was the wrong alarm about the overflow of ammonia.

DKKL