'Serious' power system leak aboard ISS

The International Space Station has a radiator leak in its power system which the outpost’s commander calls serious, but not life-threatening.

The six-member crew noticed white flakes of ammonia leaking out of the station yesterday. Ammonia runs through multiple radiator loops to cool the station’s power system.

Nasa said the leak was increasing from one previously leaking loop that can be bypassed if needed. Spokesman Bob Jacobs said engineers were working on rerouting electronics just in case the loop shuts down. The Earth-orbiting station has back-up systems.

Space station commander Chris Hadfield of Canada tweeted that the problem, while serious, was stabilised. Officials will know more today.

The space station always has enough emergency escape ships for the crew, but there are no plans to use them.

Audio: @Cmdr_Hadfield reports sighting evidence of #ISS ammonia leak to MCC Houston ~10:30am CT. http://t.co/rWe2AtlaNf

— NASA's Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson) May 9, 2013