Problems with the undocking procedures the hatch closure of the Poisk docking module to the Soyuz TMA-18 has resulted in the Russian Mission Control in Korolyov to stand down on the deorbiting of the spacecraft from the International Space Station. The landing was waived off while the Russians at the Korolyov Mission Control continued to work the problem delaying the landing 24-hours. A tentative undocking at 10:02 EST Friday and landing at 1:22 AM Saturday has now been set. Meanwhile, Russian flight ballistic officers are working to determine the next series of landing opportunities in the event the ISS docking port problem goes unresolved Friday and new times need to be set.
The problem appears to have been associated with the Poisk docking module hooks and latches to which the Soyuz TMA-18 is attached. One of the cosmonauts has found two gear teeth broken perhaps relating to the hatch. The extent of the problem by midnight was not fully known but replacement parts will be installed involving micro-circuits. A hot-wiring is now being studied.
American astronaut Tracy Caldwell-Dyson and Russia's Alexander Skvortsov and Mikhail Kornienko were due to land Friday morning local time in the central steppes of Kazakhstan. The three spaceflyers resumed their stay aboard the International Space Station following the aborted landing procedure. More from Bill Harwood.
The problem appears to have been associated with the Poisk docking module hooks and latches to which the Soyuz TMA-18 is attached. One of the cosmonauts has found two gear teeth broken perhaps relating to the hatch. The extent of the problem by midnight was not fully known but replacement parts will be installed involving micro-circuits. A hot-wiring is now being studied.
American astronaut Tracy Caldwell-Dyson and Russia's Alexander Skvortsov and Mikhail Kornienko were due to land Friday morning local time in the central steppes of Kazakhstan. The three spaceflyers resumed their stay aboard the International Space Station following the aborted landing procedure. More from Bill Harwood.
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