NASA administrator promises investigation of emergency landing of astronauts



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NASA's director, Jim Bridenstine, issued a statement regarding the failure of the launch of the Soyuz crew today (Oct. 11) on the International Space Station, which resulted in an emergency ballistic landing shortly after takeoff of the US astronaut and Russian cosmonaut on board.

In his statement, Bridenstine emphasized the importance of crew safety during launches and confirmed a formal investigation into today's anomaly. "NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin are in good condition after the failed launch of today, and I am grateful that everyone is safe. the cause of the incident will be conducted, "said the administrator posted on his Twitter account.

Bridenstine was on the ground at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to witness the launch today, the first time that he is on the site as a NASA administrator. He spoke with Hague and Ovchinin after being dressed in a glass panel ensuring that astronauts stay in quarantine before launching them. Shortly after the conversation, the two astronauts headed for the launch pad to board the Soyuz capsule and rocket. [Russia’s Soyuz Rocket Workhorse Explained]

NASA's director, Jim Bridenstine, met with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and cosmonaut Aleksey Ovchinin shortly before their canceled launch on October 11, 2018.

NASA's director, Jim Bridenstine, met with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and cosmonaut Aleksey Ovchinin shortly before their canceled launch on October 11, 2018.

Credit: NASA TV

Dmitry Rogozin, head of the Russian Space Agency Roscosmos, was also departing astronauts to wish good luck to The Hague and Ovchinin before the launch. The two heads of space agencies met for the first time this week.

This meeting is part of an ongoing investigation by Roscosmos of a small air leak detected on a Soyuz capsule moored at the International Space Station in August, which was quickly corrected and not corrected. was never a threat to the astronauts on board. Rogozin and Bridenstine independently confirmed that the failure of today's launch will also be the subject of a formal investigation.

In addition to Bridenstine's comment, NASA's chief also issued a full statement from the agency:

"The Soyuz MS-10 Space Shuttle was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at the International Space Station at 4:40 am EDT on Thursday, October 11 (2:40 pm at Baikonur) carrying American astronaut Nick Hague and the Cosmonaut. Russian Alexey Ovchinin Shortly after launch, there was an anomaly with the rappel and the ascent of the launch was halted, resulting in a ballistic landing of the spacecraft.

"Search and rescue teams have been deployed to the landing site, Hague and Ovchinin are off the capsule and in good condition and will be transported to the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia. , outside Moscow.

NASA's director Jim Bridenstine and the NASA team are closely monitoring the situation NASA is working closely with Roscosmos to ensure the safe return of the crew. The safety of the crew is NASA's top priority.A thorough investigation into the cause of the incident will be conducted. "

Email Meghan Bartels at [email protected] or follow her. @meghanbartels. follow us @Spacedotcom and Facebook. Original article on Space.com.

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