In the US segment of the ISS, the ammonia leak sensor has been triggered

Image source: Wikipedia .

According to the Federal Space Agency , today at about 11:44 Moscow time the US segment of the International Space Station (ISS) was isolated. The crew of the segment was forced to wear gas masks and evacuate to the Russian part of the station. Now there are three Russian, two American and one Italian astronaut (four men and two women). At least a day they will have to huddle at one-fourth of the station with one toilet. All of them are safe.

The reasons for the evacuation of the Russian and American parties speak with varying degrees of confidence. Roskosmos announced the release of harmful substances into the atmosphere of the station, while NASA sees the cause of the alarm in a faulty ammonia leak sensor.


Canadian astronaut Christopher Hadfield , who has repeatedly visited the ISS, is following developments on his Twitter . He writes that ammonia is used at the station in cooling and heat exchange systems, since is an excellent refrigerant. Such an emergency situation is one of the three, in which the crew is most well prepared.
')

At the moment, NASA is collecting information and developing a further plan of action.

Based on The Verge .