Russian Spacecraft Progress 59 Falling Towards Earth

A Russian supply spacecraft is out of control and will fall towards earth.

Russian Spacecraft Progress 59 was set to dock at the International Space Station and bring supplies. Since yesterday the Russian flight controllers have lost contact to the cargo spacecraft. If Roscosmos cannot get control over the spacecraft it will burn up on re-entering the earth atmosphere.

There is some potential danger of falling parts as not everything is burning up. The location where Progress 59 will go down can only be determined a couple hours before impact.

Progress 59 is according to satellite tracking site N2Yo right now over Poland. It is expected that the spacecraft is falling towards earth somewhen next week.

Latest update from NASA says: “Docking has been called off for the Progress 59 spacecraft. Russian flight controllers are continuing to assess the vehicle and what the plan going forward will be. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.”

Progress 59 is carrying more than 6,000 pounds of food, fuel, and supplies for the International Space Station crew. The unpiloted ISS Progress 59 cargo craft launched yesterday morning from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Looks like SpaceX needs to get Dragon up into space again soon.