MOSCOW (Reuters) -A Russian Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft with two Russian cosmonauts and one NASA astronaut on board successfully docked with the International Space Station on Thursday, Russian space agency Roscosmos said.
But the agency later reported that the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan had sustained damage from the launch. It said the damage would be quickly repaired.
The Soyuz 2.1a rocket lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 12:28 p.m. Moscow time (0928 GMT).
Late on Thursday, Russian news agencies quoted Roscosmos as saying the launch had taken place without incident, but damage was observed after an inspection of the launch area.
"Damage to a number of elements of the launch pad was detected. An assessment of the state of the launch complex is being conducted now," the agencies quoted Roscosmos as saying.
"All the necessary reserve elements are there to restore it and the damage will be eliminated very soon."
It said the crew was on board the station and in good health.
(Reporting by Anastasia Lyrchikova; Writing by Marina Bobrova; Editing by Andrew Osborn, Ron Popeski and Bill Berkrot)
LATEST POSTS
The Force of Systems administration: Individual Examples of overcoming adversity- How did this 20-light-year-wide 'Diamond Ring' form in space? Maybe a cosmic bubble burst
- Teen drug use remains low, but survey finds small rise in heroin and cocaine use
- Scientists captured female sperm whales on video working together during a birth to protect the calf
- Figure out How to Establish a long term connection with Your Handshake
- 6 Shades Brands For Seniors
- Why some African countries are prone to military takeovers
- Pick Your #1 Japanese Food
- Mont Blanc road tunnel reopens to traffic after 15 weeks of repairs
