Posted: Wed, Nov 28, 2001, 10:54 PM ET (0354 GMT)
A Progress cargo spacecraft may not have firmly docked with the International Space Station Wednesday, a situation that could delay Thursday's launch of the space shuttle. The Progress M1-7 spacecraft appeared to dock successfully with ISS at 2:43 pm EST (1943 GMT), but flight controllers later said that the Progress did not appear to make a "hard lock" with the station. Engineers plan to work on the docking early Thursday, when the station next passes over Russian ground stations. Flight rules require that the Progress be hard docked to the station before a shuttle can dock with the station, to prevent the Progress from damaging the station during a shuttle docking. In the worst-case scenario, the current situation could delay the launch of the shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-108, currently scheduled for 7:41 pm EST Thursday (0041 GMT Friday). Shuttle managers will likely discuss the situation during a previously-scheduled meeting Thursday morning.

Related Links:

•  Spaceflight Now article
•  AP article