Progress M-27M: Russia Determines Soyuz Rocket Failure Caused Capsule to Detach Early
ByRussia's Roscosmos space agency determined a carrier rocket failure led to a loss of control over a cargo capsule headed to the International Space Station (ISS).
According to Reuters, Russia's Progress M-27M capsule was carrying nearly three tons' worth of fuel and food for ISS crewmembers. Those aboard the low-orbit science lab will have the provisions to last until Roscosmos sends its next Progress spacecraft in July.
Roscosmos chief Igor Komarov told Reuters early indications in the agency's investigation is Soyuz rocket launching the capsule to the ISS experienced a malfunction in its third stage that caused Progress to detach early. Roscosmos lost communication with the spacecraft and were ultimately unable to salvage the mission and dock Progress at the ISS.
The rocket took off April 28 and a few days later, the Progress M-27M capsule and its contents burned up re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. The final report on the failure is due May 22, Roscosmos confirmed.
Vladimir Solovyov, Russia's ISS head, told the Associated Press three crewmembers scheduled to return to Earth after the Progress capsule docked will now have to wait until June. Soyuz rockets have launched astronauts and provisions alike toward the ISS, mostly without issue, so Russia is exercising the utmost caution in the matter.
"They have accepted it with understanding and agreed to work an extra month or so in orbit," Solovyov told the AP. "In accordance with space and aviation regimen, we can't immediately make a manned launch."