The malfunction has found on the ISS

He photographed the piece and showed a picture professionals PCO. It is noted that two of the seven gear teeth were broken. Not be ruled out that damage to this part are prevented commit undock «Union» from the ISS. Representatives of the MCC this information has not yet commented.

The Soyuz TMA-18 was supposed to sail from docking module «Search» at 5:34 Moscow time. However, in preparation for undocking occurred emergencies. It was reported that the hooks that keep the ship on station, do not open.

Landing capsule of the Union was to be held in Kazakhstan to the south-east of the city Dzhezkazgan at 08:55 Moscow time. Due to a malfunction on board the ISS it delayed for five hours. It was assumed that experts MCC and the corporation «Energy», which developed a ship can identify the cause of the accident.

ITAR-TASS referring to the representatives of the MCC said that the operation to undock «the Union» has been canceled. The crew received a command to return to the ISS. According to Interfax, planting will take place on Saturday, September 25. Approximate time of landing — 09:00 Moscow time.

On board the «Union» are the Russians Alexander Skvortsov and Mikhail Kornienko and American astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson. On Saturday they will have to repeat all the operations necessary for uncoupling.