Spacecraft Spins Out Of Control As It Plunges Down To Earth
A spacecraft carrying supplies to the International Space Station has spun out of control and is plunging down to Earth. Russians launched a Soyuz rocket carrying a spacecraft called Progress 59; however, soon after launching controllers lost control of the vessel.
A person who requested to remain anonymous provided the following comment to NDTV about the falling spacecraft.
“It has started descending. It has nowhere else to go. It is clear that absolutely uncontrollable reactions have begun.”
The spacecraft is carrying supplies for six people aboard the International Space Station. The international crew was expecting delivery on April 30.
On Tuesday, the Progress 59 spacecraft was successfully launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Russia.
According to updates provided by NASA, shortly after takeoff, following the Soyuz booster rocket’s third stage, Russian controllers were unable to deploy the antenna and docking systems of the cargo craft.
NASA reports the plummeting Russian spacecraft is “Carrying more than 6,000 pounds of food, fuel, and supplies for the International Space Station crew.”
The space agency also cited the status of the International Space Station’s expected rendezvous with the Russian Progress 59 spacecraft.
“At the time of launch, the International Space Station was flying about 257 miles over northeast Kazakhstan near the Russian border, having flown over the launch site two and a half minutes before liftoff.”
Before attempting to rendezvous with the space station, Russian controllers tried to confirm the Progress 59 spacecraft’s navigation and rendezvous systems.
NASA reported the controller’s unsuccessful attempt and progress.
“Due to sporadic telemetry from Progress 59, inconclusive data, and trouble uplinking commands to the spacecraft, controllers were unable to confirm the status of the systems.”
CNN‘s coverage of the falling spacecraft reports a brief statement provided by NASA.
“The spacecraft was not carrying any supplies critical for the United States Operating Segment (USOS) of the station. Both the Russian and USOS segments of the station continue to operate normally and are adequately supplied well beyond the next planned resupply flight.”
NASA officials added the crew of six on the International Space Station is not at risk. The contents aboard the Progress 59 spacecraft consists of crew clothing, spare parts for the station’s life support and environmental control systems, and backup spacewalk hardware, “all of which are replaceable.”
Perhaps another concern to consider is if Russian controllers are unable to gain control of the spiraling earthbound spacecraft, where might it eventually land?
[Featured image via NASA]
