An unmanned Russian spacecraft is spinning out of control back toward Earth

Progress Cargo Ship
(Image credit: NASA/Getty Images)

Russia's Progress M-27M spacecraft launched successfully toward the International Space Station on Tuesday, but the Russian space agency said soon after that the craft entered the wrong orbit, and then quit communicating with flight controllers. The reason for the glitch is reportedly still unclear.

Progress only has enough fuel for several days — the spacecraft was originally scheduled to dock at the ISS after just six hours, delivering 2.5 tons of supplies, including oxygen, water, and spare parts, Al Jazeera America notes. If flight controllers cannot restore contact with Progress, the spaceship will continue its uncontrolled descent back toward Earth.

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Sarah Eberspacher

Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.