Soyuz rocket with crew to ISS malfunctions minutes after launch, capsule returns in a ballistic descent mode
The US-Russian Expedition 57 crew launched toward the International Space Station inside Soyuz MS-10 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 08:40 UTC on Thursday, October 11, 2018, was forced to make emergency landing several minutes after launch. According to their reports, they felt like they were already in weightlessness.
Shortly after launch, there was an issue with the booster, NASA said in a statement issued immediately after launch, adding the spacecraft separated from the booster and the team was in contact with the NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin as the capsule returns in a ballistic descent mode.
Search and rescue teams have been deployed to the landing site and the crew was found in good condition and transported to the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia outside of Moscow.
#СоюзМС10: космонавт Роскосмоса Алексей Овчинин и астронавт @NASA Ник Хейг сейчас находятся в Жезказгане и проходят обследование перед вылетом.
Генеральный директор Роскосмоса Дмитрий Рогозин (@Rogozin) принял решение о транспортировке космонавтов на Байконур. pic.twitter.com/b1IzKZZI8O
— РОСКОСМОС (@roscosmos) October 11, 2018
.@AstroHague and Alexey Ovchinin are on helicopters, making their way back to Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Search & rescue teams report that they remain in good condition after a safe landing following an issue with their launch on a Soyuz earlier. Live updates: https://t.co/mzKW5uDsTi pic.twitter.com/F2KV9P5pro
— NASA (@NASA) October 11, 2018
Для выяснения причины аварии на РН Союз-ФГ моим решением образована государственная комиссия. Она уже приступила к работе. Изучается телеметрия.
Службы спасения работают с первой секунды аварии. Система аварийного спасения корабля Союз-МС сработала штатно. Экипаж спасен.— Дмитрий Рогозин (@Rogozin) October 11, 2018
.@NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin are in good condition following today's aborted launch. I’m grateful that everyone is safe. A thorough investigation into the cause of the incident will be conducted. Full statement below: pic.twitter.com/M76yisHaKF
— Jim Bridenstine (@JimBridenstine) October 11, 2018
Featured image credit: NASA
If you value what we do here, create your ad-free account and support our journalism.
Your support makes a difference
Dear valued reader,
We hope that our website has been a valuable resource for you.
The reality is that it takes a lot of time, effort, and resources to maintain and grow this website. We rely on the support of readers like you to keep providing high-quality content.
If you have found our website to be helpful, please consider making a contribution to help us continue to bring you the information you need. Your support means the world to us and helps us to keep doing what we love.
Support us by choosing your support level – Silver, Gold or Platinum. Other support options include Patreon pledges and sending us a one-off payment using PayPal.
Thank you for your consideration. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Teo Blašković
Commenting rules and guidelines
We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules:
We reserve the right to remove any comments that violate these rules. By commenting on our website, you agree to abide by these guidelines. Thank you for helping to create a positive and welcoming environment for all.