Posted: Thu, Sep 30, 2004, 8:35 AM ET (1235 GMT)
The Russian space agency has tentatively rescheduled the launch of a Soyuz spacecraft to the ISS for October 14, officials said Wednesday. The launch, previously planned for October 11, was delayed because of an unspecified problem with the spacecraft. MSNBC later reported that a leak in a hydrogen peroxide tank, part of the spacecraft's thruster system, triggered the delay. The delay is the second for the Soyuz TMA-5 mission, which previously had been delayed from October 9 when an explosive blot fired during ground tests earlier in the month. The delays are uncharacteristic of the Russian manned space program, whose launches are rarely delayed by technical or weather issues. A final decision on the launch date is planned for October 1. The Soyuz will carry the Expedition Ten crew of Leroy Chiao and Salizhan Sharipov, as well as guest cosmonaut Yuri Shargin, to the ISS.

Related Links:

•  Reuters article
•  Interfax article
•  MSNBC article about delay