Posted: Wed, Sep 15, 2004, 10:35 AM ET (1435 GMT)
The launch of the next crew to the International Space Station, scheduled for next month, may be delayed by up to ten days because of technical problems with the spacecraft. The Soyuz TMA-5 spacecraft is scheduled to launch on October 9, carrying the Expedition Ten crew of Leroy Chiao and Salizhan Sharipov, as well as guest cosmonaut Yuri Shargin, to the ISS. However, officials with the Russian Federal Space Agency said the launch could be delayed by five to ten days because of an unspecified problem with the docking system on the Soyuz. Itar-Tass reported that an explosive bolt used to separate components of the Soyuz exploded during a test of the spacecraft's electrical system at Baikonur. That report indicated that officials would still try to meet the planned October 9 launch date, but that a delay may be necessary.

Related Links:

•  Reuters article
•  Itar-Tass article
•  Russian Federal Space Agency press release (in Russian)