The ISS crew can postpone the return to Earth

The return of Earth by ISS crew is expected before September 8, but it may be postponed before the investigation of the Soyuz U missile with the spacecraft 'Progress M-12M' is completed, believe RIA said.

Astronauts of the Russian Space Commission Andrei Borisenko and Alexander Samokutraiev must return to earth with the 'Soyuz TMA-21' spacecraft , even NASA astronaut Ronald Garan also goes on this train. .

"The return of the ISS crew, according to us, needs to be revised," said a spokesman for the Russian News Agency.

According to the spokesperson, to ensure a full living for the astronauts on the ISS, there should be a plan to launch the next 'Progress M-13M' spacecraft to resupply in the fall. The spacecraft was transported to Baikonur Space Airport.

The return of the ISS crew will likely be delayed (Photo: Ria.ru)

The third floor of the 'Soyuz U' with the spacecraft 'Progress M-12M' fell in Altai on August 24. The broken engine at 325 seconds caused this incident, the Russian Space Commission. admitted. According to Ria Novostia 's source, the 11D55 engine (RD-0110) produced by Varonezh mechanical plant was modified when on the third floor of the 'Soyuz U' boosters . The value of the 'Progress M-12M' spacecraft is about 650 to 700 million rubles.

11D55 rocket engine is used at the 3rd floor (Block U) of 'Soyuz U' boosters. This floor is similar to the rocket produced by the Samatra 'Progress' Professional Equipment Design Center . JSC 'Automation equipment design' is an engine developer, while 'Varonezh mechanical factory' one member state factory is a direct manufacturer. Both factories are members of the Khrunichev Center.

As explained on the Khrunichev Center website, the 4-chamber engine with a booster pump is done according to the 'open' scheme, and there are 4 control nozzles. Fuel components include oil, liquid oxygen gas.

Malfunction in the fuel system on the 3rd floor of 'Soyuz U' boosters could be the cause of the accident at the start of the 'Soyuz U' boosters with the 'Progress M-12M' spacecraft , ISS program manager at NASA Michael Suffredini said.

The 'Soyuz U' spacecraft 'Progress M-12M' launched at Baikonur space airport on Wednesday, but at the second moment, 325 spacecraft were separated from the rocket. Part of it caught fire in the thick atmosphere, the rest fell in Choisky district in the Altai Republic.

According to Mr. Suffredini, the accident caused a pressure reduction in the fuel system on the third floor.

Russian experts currently have data showing that the engine is not working due to reduced pressure in the fuel system."In this case, the best measure they can do is to find out where the failure is," - NASA representative said in an interview with Spaceflightnow.