Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, has successfully launched an unmanned Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft as a lifeboat for three astronauts who were stranded in space. The Soyuz capsule will be used to return two Russian cosmonauts, Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitry Petelin, and American astronaut Francisco Rubio to Earth after their original ride home suffered a dangerous leak while parked at the International Space Station.
Launch of the Empty Soyuz Spacecraft
The new, empty Soyuz spacecraft was launched from Kazakhstan’s Baikonur space centre after the original Soyuz MS-22 capsule began leaking two months ago, stranding the astronauts in space. A micrometeorite punctured an external radiator, causing the capsule to leak in December. The same issue occurred earlier this month on a docked Russian cargo ship. Each spacecraft had a small hole visible from the camera.
According to Tass, the unmanned Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft took off and was placed in orbit. It is expected to dock with the ISS at 0101 GMT on Saturday, and it carried 430 kilogrammes of cargo, including medical equipment, scientific instruments, water, food, and cleaning supplies. The amount of food sent was three times the amount normally sent on such missions, according to a Russian space official.
NASA’s Role in the Launch
The critical need for this capsule prompted two top NASA officials to travel from the United States to witness the launch firsthand. Fortunately, the capsule arrived in orbit nine minutes after liftoff, according to NASA Mission Control’s Rob Navias from Houston, who called it “a perfect ride to orbit.”
Transfer to SpaceX Crew Capsule
Until the new Soyuz arrives, Francisco Rubio will be transferred to a SpaceX crew capsule docked at the space station. In the unlikely event that a quick escape is required, Prokopyev and Petelin will remain assigned to their damaged Soyuz. Russian engineers concluded that having one fewer person on board would keep the temperature at a hopefully manageable level.
The successful launch of the unmanned Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft by Roscosmos has provided a much-needed lifeboat for three stranded astronauts. The Soyuz capsule, carrying medical equipment, scientific instruments, water, food, and cleaning supplies, is expected to dock with the ISS on Saturday, and the astronauts will return to Earth in it after their original ride home suffered a dangerous leak. This critical mission highlights the importance of cooperation among different space agencies and nations to ensure the safety of astronauts and the success of space missions.
