Russia is trying to determine what it is going to do after losing contact with the unmanned cargo craft on route to the International Space Station for a resupply mission. Currently the craft is spinning out of control, NASA said.
The ISS Progress 59 cargo spacecraft had a successful launch on Tuesday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. However, after it separated from the Soyuz booster rocket's third stage, Russian flight controllers were unable to confirm the health of the spacecraft's systems including the deployment of the navigational antennae.
Originally, the craft was to rendezvous with the ISS six hours after launch but was initially postponed. Now, however, the rendezvous has been canceled, NASA said in its latest update.
"Docking has been called off for the Progress 59 spacecraft," it said. "Russian flight controllers are continuing to assess the vehicle and what the plan going forward will be. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available."
The cargo ship was reportedly carrying more than 3 tons of food, fuel, oxygen, spare parts and scientific equipment for the station. However, the malfunction will not put the astronauts aboard the ISS at risk, NASA said.
"The spacecraft was not carrying any supplies critical for the United States Operating Segment (USOS) of the station," a statement said. "Both the Russian and USOS segments of the station continue to operate normally and are adequately supplied well beyond the next planned resupply flight."
The next flight is not scheduled to take off before June 19, when SpaceX will launch its seventh commercial resupply mission to the space station.
Russian flight controllers continue their efforts to make contact with the Progress 59 as it passes over Russian ground stations. NASA said Tuesday that Russian flight controllers had "confirmed that the vehicle had entered into a slow spin and have issued commands to attempt to control it."
According to Russian state news agency Tass, six attempts to make contact were to be made Wednesday.
If these fail, it is unclear what the next move by the Russian space agency will be to try and regain control over the craft currently hurdling uncontrollably through space.
The U.S. supplies on board the spacecraft include spare parts for the station's environmental control and life support system, backup spacewalk hardware and crew clothing, "all of which are replaceable," NASA said.
U.S. astronaut Terry Virts, from Maryland, is the current space station commander.
