Space Gremlins
August 30th 2011 13:34
Category: Space Probes
ISS NASA image
Looks like the problems are mounting for the International Space Station.
The astronauts on board the space craft may need to evacuate for a short time.
The problem was caused by a robot docking rocket carrying supplies back to Earth.
The unmanned Soyuz craft crashed and burned last week it was carrying 3 tonnes of much needed supplies.
The wreckage fell into a remote unpopulated, wooded area of Siberia.
Fortunately the Soyuz craft which is the workhorse of the Russian space missions both past and present was unmanned.
Previous problem related to auto docking supply rockets caused a major problem onboard the former USSR MIR space station resulting in
extensive damage to the MIR space station.
This latest set of problems may spell the end of the space station or at least bring forward its demise.
Soyuz space probe used to carry supplies to the International Space Station Picture: AFP
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The only supply chain currently available is the Russian ferry rockets.
NASA wants private enterprise to take over, but that is at least
6 years away.
Even a temporary evacuation will be a major setback for the other participating nations.
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Astronauts have been working and living aboard the space station since 2000, the current strategy is to keep it functioning until 2020.
Russian space officials have not found the cause of the malfunction.
There will be no further astronauts boarding the ISS until November
when the next crew change is scheduled to take place.
The ISS personnel increased from 3 in 2009, to six. It wasn't until the space station was finished early this year that scientific research finally
took top priority.
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Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by CMoreStars
Astroearth
Camera Sense
The crew have enough supplies to last for 6 weeks, they may to eat gremlin pie.