The incident happened during standard testing of the Soyuz's docking system, Roscosmos press service reported on Tuesday. The spacecraft was being tested ahead of its planned return to Earth on June 11.
Our ride back to Earth Thursday, #Soyuz TMA-15M. Light for this photo was provided by the moon and stars. pic.twitter.com/qONMHQ94Za
— Terry W. Virts (@AstroTerry) June 9, 2015
"Today, on June 9, 2015 at 18:32 MSK (15:32 GMT) during a scheduled testing of radio approach and docking system between the International Space Station and Soyuz spacecraft, Soyuz's engines started inadvertently, which led to a slight change of ISS position," Roscosmos said.
All necessary measures to stabilize the station have been taken, the Agency said, adding that there is "no threat to ISS crew, the station itself or the scheduled return of the Soyuz spacecraft to Earth." Specialists are now working on determining the cause of the incident.
The Soyuz spacecraft is expected to land in Kazakhstan this week, bringing back to Earth three current ISS crew members - Russian Anton Shkaplerov, ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti and NASA's Terry Virts.
Yesterday @AstroTerry, @AntonAstrey and I spent some quality time in the #Soyuz getting ready for landing! #Futura42 pic.twitter.com/8hw1kZLdMB
— Sam Cristoforetti (@AstroSamantha) June 9, 2015
The crew were expected to return from space in May, but had to spend some extra weeks on ISS after Progress spacecraft mission failure in April. Three more astronauts - two Russians and one American - are currently working on ISS.
On Tuesday, Roscosmos announced that six more spacecraft will be launched to the ISS by end of this year. According to a statement by the agency, launches of Progress and Soyuz cargo and piloted ships have been approved by the state commission. The first of the rescheduled launches is planned for July 3.
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