Unmanned Russian Space Rocket Reportedly Out of Control

By: Charles Cooper
Topics: In The News ,; Tech Talk

An unmanned Russian supply rocket, which had been scheduled to dock with the International Space Station at 12:56 PM Eastern, is reported to be out of control.

International Space Station

(Credit: NASA)

The International Space Station orbits Earth at an altitude of about 250 miles.

NASA issued a statement, saying that its docking plans for the resupply craft had been delayed due to a loss of telemetry. It said that the resupply craft flew past the International Space Station. Still no word on when NASA plans to resuming the docking activities.

Russian Mission Control said that the Progress space capsule was carrying food, water, food and other supplies for the orbiting laboratory.

Mission Control spokesman Valery Lyndin was not immediately available for comment, but his secretary confirmed Russian media reports Friday that the docking had failed, according to the Associated Press.

The Russian Progress capsules have been a reliable supply system for the space station and their importance will increase with the end of the U.S. space shuttle program.

Charles Cooper is an executive editor at CNET News. He has covered technology and business for more than 25 years, working at CBSNews.com, the Associated Press, Computer & Software News, Computer Shopper, PC Week, and ZDNet. E-mail Charlie.

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by ralphing July 4, 2010 10:26 AM EDT: Justme8811, it costs 2-3 times more to send Astronauts up on the shuttle, so it is a huge cost savings, money that can be used to design a new shuttle, to pay the Russians, to get them in space.; Reply to this comment


by j_flood July 3, 2010 10:36 AM EDT: No official body used the terms "out of control" - where does that BS come from, sorryass reporting.; Reply to this comment


by Justme8811 July 2, 2010 2:31 PM EDT: BO don't end the space shuttle program until we make new ones! Why are we paying over 50 million to Russia for each time we have to send out astronauts up? Just plain stupid! Keep the money here, as you know we need it!; Reply to this comment