Roadworks damage Russian space communications
Embarrassment for Russian agency after highway repair team in Moscow knocks out cable, possibly delaying return of crew
Russia lost the ability to send basic commands to most of its satellites and a segment of the International Space Station (ISS) following a cable failure near Moscow.
The Roscosmos space agency attributed the embarrassing malfunction to basic road repair work near the sprawling Korolyov mission control centre that sits within sight of one of Russia's most heavily used highways.
It later restored its communications after repairing the cable, meaning it would not have to delay Monday's scheduled return of three ISS members who are completing their four-month mission at the space lab.
"The line of communication has been restored. The system of command is working normally," Roscosmos spokesman Alexei Kuznetsov told state media.
Russia has been plagued by a recent series of failed satellite launches and rocket losses that have prompted reshuffles at the top of the space industry.
But the agency has struggled to reform due to chronic under-funding and alleged corruption as well as a long-term inability to replace retiring Soviet-era specialists with fresh talent.