2023-02-12 15:33:00
Article from phys.org
The crew of the Russian Soyuz spacecraft reported that they were safe after a coolant leak was detected.
The drama unfolded just two minutes after the spacecraft’s launch when a drop in the pressure in the ship was detected. The six crew members were all alerted to the issue and prepared for the consequences. The technicians on the ground decided to abort the mission as a precautionary measure while they sought to identify and resolve whatever had caused the problem.
At this point, all attention turned to finding the cause, and engineers located a crack in the spacecraft’s cooling system, resulting in a loss of pressure and the need for an emergency evacuation. The decision was made for the crew to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere, albeit at a much lower speed than was initially intended.
The crew began their descent, and communications were maintained throughout to ensure the safety of the crew. On landing, the crew happily reported that all six members were safe. An investigation into the cause of the leak is ongoing.
This is not the first time that a Russian spacecraft has been affected by a technical issue. While the Soyuz spacecraft is considered one of the most reliable designs in the whole aerospace industry, it is reassuring to know that all crew members were not only prepared but also safe after the incident.