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Soyuz MS-19 docked with ISS manually due to malfunction in auto-docking system — CEO

"This particular system’s elements were replaced earlier. […] We will investigate and inform you later," Dmitry Rogozin said

Soyuz-2.1a rocket with Soyuz MS-19 spacecraft Sergei Savostyanov/TASS

Soyuz-2.1a rocket with Soyuz MS-19 spacecraft

© Sergei Savostyanov/TASS

MOSCOW, October 5. /TASS/. Soyuz MS-19 spacecraft commander had to switch to manual control during the docking with the International Space Station due to a malfunction in the Kurs automated docking system, Roscosmos CEO Dmitry Rogozin told TASS on Tuesday.

"According to the initial information, we are dealing with some malfunction in the Kurs passive docking system at the station itself. The spacecraft is fully functional," Rogozin said.

Rogozin explained that a special commission will investigate the malfunction. "This particular system’s elements were replaced earlier. […] We will investigate and inform you later," Rogozin said.

He added that the situation proved the skill of spacecraft commander Anton Shkaplerov, who successfully docked the vehicle to the ISS manually, after receiving a confirmation from the mission control center.

"This situation is normal. This is why we have reserve systems, a manual control option, and this is why we train commanders so that they can deal with this situation," Roscosmos CEO underscored.

The Soyuz MS-19 spacecraft was launched via a Soyuz-2.1a rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 11:55 Moscow Time on Tuesday. The spacecraft was unable to dock the ISS automatically. Shkaplerov assumed manual control and successfully docked the Soyuz to the station. The spacecraft’s crew also included actress Yulia Peresild and director Klim Shipenko, who will film the first live action movie in space.

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