A problem with a Russian spacecraft... and a clarification regarding the International Space Station crew

 Russia's space agency reported Saturday an unexplained depressurization of a cargo spacecraft docked with the International Space Station, but said the crew was not under threat. Roscosmos said that mission control specialists detected a decrease in pressure inside the Progress MS-21 cargo spacecraft, which is scheduled to separate from the International Space Station on February 18.

The agency stated that entry to the vehicle was denied, and an investigation is underway into the cause of the pressure drop. She added, "The temperature and pressure regime on board the International Space Station is normal and nothing threatens the life and health of the crew members, and they are fine."

International Space Station affected

This is the latest glitch to affect the aging International Space Station after a coolant leak aboard the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft docked with the station in December.

Soyuz transports crew to and from the station, while Progress delivers equipment and supplies.

The Soyuz problem has forced three of the station's current crew members, Russians Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitry Petlin, as well as NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, to extend their mission.

The three will return to Earth aboard a replacement Soyuz spacecraft that Russia is scheduled to launch on February 20.

Russia and the United States still cooperate closely on the International Space Station, despite the severe damage done to their relations by Russia's military operation in Ukraine.