Video footage from a Russian resupply cargo ship showed the spacecraft spinning uncontrollably in its orbit on Tuesday.
Russia successfully launched a Soyuz-2-1a rocket from Kazakhstan at 10:09 Moscow time. The rocket was carrying the Progress M-27M, which was supposed to dock at the International Space Station just six hours after liftoff, according to Spaceflight Now.
But only two of the cargo ship's five antennas deployed successfully, making it difficult for Russia to gain control of the ship once it was in orbit.
Russia postponed the docking of the cargo ship, which is carrying more than three tons of food, fuel, oxygen and experimental supplies intended for the six astronauts on board the ISS, Reuters reported.
The docking was initially rescheduled for Thursday, but was postponed even further after Russia failed repeatedly to gain control of the ship.
"We are standing down from any planning for a Thursday rendezvous," mission commentator Rob Navias said during a NASA TV broadcast, according to Reuters.
If Russia is unable to gain control soon, the cargo ship may eventually fall back into the Earth's atmosphere and burn up, Vox reported.
The astronauts have enough food on board to last them roughly four months, and the ISS has a sophisticated system that recycles water and oxygen.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to TomoNews, where we animate the most entertaining news on the internets. Come here for an animated look at viral headlines, US news, celebrity gossip, salacious scandals, dumb criminals and much more! Subscribe now for daily news animations that will knock your socks off.
Visit our official website for all the latest, uncensored videos: http://us.tomonews.net
Check out our Android app: http://bit.ly/1rddhCj
Check out our iOS app: http://bit.ly/1gO3z1f
Stay connected with us here:
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TomoNewsUS
Twitter @tomonewsus http://www.twitter.com/TomoNewsUS
Google+ http://plus
