On November 30, 2024, an unexpected and unpleasant odor was reported aboard the International Space Station (ISS) following the arrival of a cargo spacecraft from Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft, launched earlier that week, delivered essential supplies, including food.
Upon opening the spacecraft's hatch, Russian cosmonauts Ivan Vagner and Alexander Gerst encountered a strong smell, prompting them to quickly close the hatch. NASA later confirmed that there was no cause for alarm regarding the odor.
NASA's investigation revealed that the smell likely originated from gas emissions produced by the cargo inside the spacecraft. They assured that the supplies sent to the ISS were fresh and suitable for consumption, dispelling concerns about spoiled food.
In preparation for reopening the hatch, NASA advised the crew to activate the station's air scrubber system to purify the atmosphere. Additionally, Vagner cleaned the spacecraft's ventilation system to mitigate any further issues.