Soyuz spacecraft launch fails, astronauts set for emergency landing

NASA is reporting that there has been an “issue with the booster” on the Soyuz craft that’s currently taking astronauts Nick Hague of NASA and cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin to the International Space Station (ISS). Details are sparse at the moment, but it appears that the capsule is making a “ballistic descent,” descending at a high rate of speed, and will soon attempt an emergency landing. Crews are reportedly underway to the designated landing site, with an ETA of about an hour.

Update 10/11/2018 5:16 AM ET: According to Reuters news editor Gerry Doyle, the capsule was sited under parachute in Kazhakstan. Shortly afterwards, it touched down, and the crew is reportedly fine and has made radio contact. “I just rode a malfunctioning booster for a few minutes and had to abort,” one of the astronauts reportedly said.

Update 10/11/2018 5:25 AM ET: NASA has affirmed that astronaut Nick Hague of NASA and cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin are in contact with rescue crews, and that they’re in good condition, though no doubt a little shook up.

Search and rescue teams report they are in contact with the Soyuz crew, who report they are in good condition. The teams are en route to the landing site. Live updates: https://t.co/mzKW5uDsTi pic.twitter.com/Z6RXKMKLfg

— NASA (@NASA) October 11, 2018

“I just rode a malfunctioning booster for a few minutes and had to abort” probably stretches the definition of “fine,” but it’s great news they are healthy and safe: pic.twitter.com/TIFQoQncg6

— Gerry Doyle (@mgerrydoyle) October 11, 2018

There’s been an issue with the booster from today’s launch. Teams have been in contact with the crew. Updates: https://t.co/mzKW5uV4hS

— NASA (@NASA) October 11, 2018

The crew is returning to Earth in a ballistic descent mode. Teams are working to obtain additional information from our Russian partners. Watch live updates: https://t.co/mzKW5uDsTi pic.twitter.com/kWigYS1gU4

— NASA (@NASA) October 11, 2018

Search and rescue teams are in the air and heading towards the expected touchdown location for the Soyuz spacecraft returning to Earth carrying two crew members. Watch live updates: https://t.co/mzKW5uDsTi pic.twitter.com/gGYNEP2fIr

— NASA (@NASA) October 11, 2018

Developing…

Source: NASA

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