Coolant Leak Forces Cosmonauts to Abort Spacewalk

A Russian cosmonaut and his colleague venturing outside the International Space Station (ISS) on a spacewalk were told to ‘instantly’ leave the area after finding a ‘blob’ in space.

astronauts are trained not to panic, but their hearts likely skipped a beat or two.

Fortunately, everything went well.

And they eventually learned what the ‘blob’ actually was.

The reason why the Russian cosmonaut was ordered to leave immediately

Oleg kononenko and Nikolai chub were conducting a spacewalk outside the ISS when they spotted an unusual blob in space.

They received immediate instructions to leave the area and return to the International Space Station.

The blob turned out to be coolant leaking from a radiator. This leak was significant enough to contaminate kononenko’s tether.

As a result, the tether was bagged and left outside the ISS when the spacewalk concluded.

what happens if coolant leaks in space?

Coolant leaks in space are a serious concern. Coolant systems are vital for regulating the temperature of equipment both inside and outside the ISS. Without proper temperature control, sensitive instruments can malfunction, and the structural integrity of the station itself could be compromised.

Contamination is also a key issue. Coolant can damage spacesuits and equipment, as seen in this incident with the tether. Astronauts are trained to avoid contact with such leaks and to return to the station quickly.

Key Takeaways:

• Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub encountered a coolant leak during a spacewalk.
• They were immediately instructed to return to the ISS to avoid contamination.
• The leak contaminated Kononenko’s tether, which had to be discarded.
• Coolant leaks pose a significant risk to the ISS and astronaut safety.

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Publication Date: 2025/08/10 14:37:38