International Space Station astronauts given evacuation order after air leak discovered.

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Astronauts told to shelter...
...and await further instruction

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station were told to prepare for potential evacuation because of a worsening air leak.

Nasa said the leak was coming from the Russian segment of the station, where cracks have previously been detected.

Four of the seven crew – two US astronauts, a French astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut – received orders from Nasa mission control to enter their Crew Dragon spacecraft docked to the station wearing their spacesuits while repairs were carried out.

They were later told to stand down while further measurements were taken.

“Nasa has directed all four of the agency’s SpaceX Crew-12 members and Nasa astronaut Chris Williams to assume an elevated safety posture in the Dragon spacecraft while the repair is underway,” Bethany Stevens, a Nasa spokesman, said.

“We continue to work with our Russian counterparts, along with the rest of the international community that supports the space station, to arrive at a more permanent resolution.”

The air leaks have been relatively minor in recent months but escalated on Monday from a pound of air per day to double that amount, according to a senior Nasa official.