Soyuz launch to ISS

[MeteorWayne]

The Soyuz experienced a problem during docking that required the pilot to manually dock. Apparently a sensor failed, telling the automatic docking computer that a thruster was stuck. As programmed, it started backing away (had it been a fully automated docking, it would have aborted the entire procedure). After determining that the thruster was working correctly, he manually docked, and actually did so about 8 minutes early.

 

[MeteorWayne]

The Federal Space Agency said a Soyuz capsule carrying former Microsoft executive Charles Simonyi and two other crew members is now set to land in Kazakhstan next Wednesday.

Mikhail Polukhin, the chief of Russia's Aviation and Space Rescue Service, told The Associated Press that the landing was postponed because the original landing site near the city of Arkalyk has been affected by spring flooding.

Polukhin said the new site was moved further south to an area about 135 kilometers (some 85 miles) northeast of the city of Dzhezkazgan.

Simonyi, 60, will return to Earth with U.S. astronaut Mike Fincke and Russian cosmonaut Yuri Lonchakov. Simonyi, who boarded the orbital station Saturday after a two-day trip from Earth, is the world's first two-time space tourist.

While returning from his first flight in 2007, Simonyi landed in the same area that has been chosen now, Polukhin said. "The area is well-explored and convenient," he added