Cooling Water Leak Ends Russian Cargo Spacecraft Progress MS-21 Mission

After Entering the Atmosphere, Debris from Structure
Falls Away from South Pacific Navigation Prohibited Zone

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Russian unmanned cargo spacecraft 'Progress MS-21,' which experienced a coolant leak accident in its thermal control system ahead of the end of its International Space Station (ISS) support mission, disintegrated after re-entering Earth's atmosphere, local media reported.

On the 19th, TASS and Sputnik News reported that the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) stated in a press release that "Progress MS-21 deviated from orbit and disintegrated upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere," and "the unburned debris fell into the South Pacific navigation prohibited zone."

Earlier, Progress MS-21 undocked from the ISS at 5:26 a.m. Moscow time the previous day but activated its propulsion system later than originally scheduled that morning.

Progress MS-21 headed to the ISS on October 26 last year, carrying 2.5 tons of cargo including fuel and food supplies.

However, on the 11th, just before the mission ended, a depressurization accident caused by a coolant leak occurred in the thermal control system of Progress MS-21 while docked at the ISS.

Nonetheless, the accident did not affect ISS operations, and it was confirmed that the safety of the astronauts aboard was not compromised.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.