Phew! Russian shuttle manages to dock with space station despite engine failure

Phew! Russian shuttle manages to dock with space station despite engine failure

www.d ailymail.co.uk

Astronauts on board Russia's Soyuz spacecraft breathed a sigh of relief after they managed to manually dock with the International Space Station.

They were forced to take action after an engine failure knocked out the automatic docking system when they were less than 100 metres from the ISS, Russian space officials said.

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The shuttle was carrying Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Michael Barratt who will form Expedition 19 with Mr Wakata.

They were accompanied by U.S. billionaire and Microsoft developer Charles Simonyi, who has made history as the first space tourist to make the journey twice.

The trio were greeted with hugs and smiles from Expedition 18 crew members, Commander Mike Fincke and Flight Engineer Yury Lonchako and Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata.

Things related to ISS seems to be going through a tough time now; last week it was the satellite debris that forced the ISS crew to run for safety and this week we have the engine failure.

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[edit on 30-3-2009 by 12m8keall2c]

Well, how could it go right if Microsoft person was involved? Blue screen of death can easily destroy automatic docking system....
Seriously - glad that it ended good. Those guys are real professionals. Unlike their tourist....

Wow! The title of that article is a little misleading IMO, the Soyuz is more of a capsule than a shuttle - I suppose is is used to 'shuttle' the astronauts now though.

I clicked really hoping to see that shuttle the russians were supposed to have, what's it called, the 'Butan'??

I never knew if that was a myth or what, one story I heard said it was destroyed by a hanger roof collapse.

Good to see that drama ending OK tho

reply to post by Now_Then







and yes one was destroyed in the hanger , but the entire programme had stopped by then due to lack of money

reply to post by Harlequin


Who copied who when it comes the shuttle?

Always wondered about that.

[edit on 30-3-2009 by crisko]

whilst they look similar Buran is actually unpowered meaning its lighter , and also had an autoland system which the US shuttle doesn`t have.

The russian themselevs said it was a copy , the government wanted a lifting body design but the military wanted a full on double delta shuttle.

its a shame really as buran used the Energia booster which was an impressive bit of kit (more so as the USA actually licenced the design for the EnergiaII fly back booster but after challenger the idea was scrapped

If the auto-docker doesn't work what other problems may they run into the on the return home?

Hopefully it will be repaired by the UFOS zooming about out there.