Russian Rocket Fleet Grounded Again

Velcroman1 writes "Failed pressure chamber tests have forced Russia to postpone two manned launches to the International Space Station — echoing a 2011 situation that left the country's space transport vehicles grounded and led to speculation that scientists may be forced to abandon the orbiting space base. Six astronauts are currently aboard the ISS including two Americans: Commander Dan Burbank and Flight Engineer Don Pettit. 'There is plenty of margin for the current space station crew to stay onboard longer, if necessary, and plenty of margin in our manifest for upcoming launches,' a NASA spokeswoman said. But Soyuz issues are scary nonetheless. 'This re-entry capsule now cannot be used for manned spaceflight,' an unnamed source told Interfax."

Comments

I'm impressed it took this long

[ackthpt]

While they manned launches have gone well, the failed re-supply and the failed mars probe suggest there's some quality control issues creeping into the program.

Re:I'm impressed it took this long

[Anonymous Coward]

Yes indeed.

Thanks Mr Von Braun.

This

[geekoid]

is exactly what I as talking about when people said we could save money grounding the fleet and use Russian launch capabilities.

We can do two wars at a time, but not two launch systems. That has always pissed me off.