Astronauts make emergency landing after major rocket malfunction

Russian and American astronauts said to be safe after emergency landing

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Hague (R) and Ovchinin shortly before take-off
(Image credit: Roscosmos)

Two astronauts were forced to make an emergency return to Earth after the rocket carrying them to the International Space Station (ISS) malfunctioned shortly after lift-off.

The Russian-made Soyuz rocket, carrying Nasa astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin, launched from Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Cosmodrome this morning for what was supposed to be a six-hour journey to the ISS. It was Hague’s first space mission.

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