Russia's failed cargo spacecraft to fall from orbit Friday

The Progress was launched on April 28, but entered the wrong orbit and went into an uncontrollable spin. Russian flight controllers were unable to bring it under control.

Russian space agency Roscosmos says the cargo ship that failed in its mission to deliver supplies to the International Space Station will fall from orbit on Friday.

The Progress was launched on April 28, but entered the wrong orbit and went into an uncontrollable spin. Russian flight controllers were unable to bring it under control.

Roscosmos said Wednesday that some fragments from the spacecraft may hit Earth on Friday. Most of it will burn up harmlessly in the atmosphere, as is the case with all Progress carriers once they have delivered their shipments and are filled with trash.

Supplying the space station is mostly handled by the U.S. and Russia. The next launch of a supply ship, by the U.S. company SpaceX, is planned for June.

Here are the updates --> Docking has been called off for the Progress 59 spacecraft. Russian flight controllers are continuing to assess the vehicle and what the plan going forward will be. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available. --> Russian flight controllers are continuing attempts to communicate with and troubleshoot issues with the Russian Progress 59 cargo spacecraft as it makes additional passes tonight over Russian ground stations. -->The Expedition 43 crew continued their work on Wednesday with a variety of research and technology demonstration activities. -->The crew was also notified in the morning that the planned docking of Progress 59 has been called off. Both the Russian and USOS segments of the station continue to operate normally and are adequately supplied well beyond the next planned resupply flight.