Russian Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft will return to Earth in unmanned mode

Thanks to CTOnews.com netizen xiaocluoyuzi for the clue delivery! CTOnews.com February 4 news, the Russian National Aerospace Group said on February 3 local time, the radiator damaged "Soyuz MS-22" spacecraft will be unmanned mode to carry materials and research equipment back to Earth in March.

According to the Russian Aerospace Group, there will be no astronauts on board, but Soyuz will deliver a batch of cargo and scientific equipment to Earth, and astronauts Sergei Prokopyev, Dmitry Petelin and Anna Kikina are ready for shipment.

CTOnews.com reported that the ship was launched on September 21, 2022, with a planned 188-day mission and a crew of NASA astronaut Frank Rubio and Russian astronauts Sergei Prokopiyev and Dmitry Patrin.

On December 15, 2022, a "visible flake flow" appeared in the Soyuz, while the pressure in the cooling loop of the external radiator dropped. Preliminary information indicates that the accident was caused by a 0.8mm diameter hole in the outer radiator of the Soyuz MS-22 service module, and officials believe the damage may have been caused by micrometeoroids or space debris.

As the Soyuz MS-22 is unable to carry out the crew return mission, Russia will launch the Soyuz MS-23 to rescue the MS-22 crew before February 20, 2023, which also causes the original manned mission of the MS-23 to be postponed and reassigned to the MS-24 mission. Therefore, the Alliance MS-22 may bring back some goods at that time.

Russian Aerospace Group: Soyuz spacecraft leak or caused by micrometeorites, does not affect the operation of the International Space Station.

"after the Soyuz leak, Russia may send a rescue spacecraft to pick up the crew."