Russia may delay the launch on 27 October of the first Soyuz TMA spacecraft, carrying three crew, on the Soyuz FG booster from Baikonur to the International Space Station (ISS). The deferral will allow more time to investigate the failure of an unmanned Soyuz U model at Plesetsk on 15 October, which has similar engines to the FG. The loss of the Soyuz U, the first Soyuz launch failure for eight years, and its Photon M international microgravity research satellite, was caused by an engine failure on one of the four liquid-oxygen/kerosene strap-on motors. The Soyuz TM, acting as a space station lifeboat at the ISS, needs to be replaced by the TMA before its 20 November operational expiry date.
Source: Flight International
