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.