The crew on the International Space Station is working to patch a leak ( The Today Show )

The crew on the International Space Station is working to patch a leak ( The Today Show )

ASTRONAUTS have scrambled to patch a tiny hole that was allowing air to leak from the Russian side of the International Space Station.

NASA and Russian space officials have stressed the six astronauts were in no danger.

The leak — possibly caused by a micro-meteorite strike — was detected on Wednesday night, resulting in a small loss of cabin pressure.

It was traced to a hole about 2mm across, located in the most recent Russian Soyuz spacecraft capsule to dock at the space station.

On Thursday morning the crew taped over the hole, slowing the leak.

Flight controllers monitored the cabin pressure while working to come up with a better long-term solution.

The leaking Soyuz — one of two up there — arrived at the orbiting lab in June with three astronauts.

It’s their ride home, too, in December, and also serves as a lifeboat in case of an emergency.

A NASA spokesman said it was premature to speculate on whether the three might have to return to earth early if the leak, even as small as it is, cannot be stopped.

The hole is located in the upper section of the Soyuz, which does not return to earth, according to NASA.

The 400km high outpost is home to three Americans, two Russians and one German.

Orbital debris, even the tiniest speck, is a constant threat to spacecraft.

NASA and Russian space officials stressed on Thursday, however, that the six astronauts are in no danger.