Russian cargo spacecraft docks with space station despite glitch

NASA TV

A Russian Progress 51 robotic spacecraft successfully docked to the International Space Station on Friday morning.

By Miriam Kramer Space.com

An unmanned cargo-carrying spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station Friday morning, despite a glitch in the capsule's navigation system.

After its launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, the RussianProgress 51 spacecraftfailed to deploy one of the two antennas used for the Kurs automated docking system. Russian ground controllers were able to reposition the antenna, allowing the automated docking to go ahead as planned.

Russian cosmonauts Pavel Vinogradov and Roman Romanenko kept an eye on Progress as it moved into position.

"We have contact," one of the cosmonauts said after docking, "We have capture."

Although the cosmonauts were prepared to take over docking procedures, the automated system worked and the spacecraft fully docked to the station at 8:34 a.m. EDT while flying 251 miles (404 kilometers) over the border between China and Kazakhstan.

NASA TV

The Russian Progress 51 nears the International Space Station after a glitch involving a navigational antenna.

Continued here:
Russian cargo spacecraft docks with space station despite glitch