This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/sci/tech/7355912.stm

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
Soyuz spacecraft lands off-target Soyuz spacecraft lands off-target
(40 minutes later)
A Russian Soyuz spacecraft has returned to Earth, but came down more than 400km (250 miles) away from its planned touchdown point, say Russian officials.A Russian Soyuz spacecraft has returned to Earth, but came down more than 400km (250 miles) away from its planned touchdown point, say Russian officials.
The crew are safe, but were subjected to severe G-forces during re-entry, said a spokesman for mission control.The crew are safe, but were subjected to severe G-forces during re-entry, said a spokesman for mission control.
He said they were examined at the landing site by medical staff.He said they were examined at the landing site by medical staff.
On board were Yi So-yeon, South Korea's first astronaut, Yuri Malenchenko from Russia and American Peggy Whitson, who broke Nasa's record for time in space.On board were Yi So-yeon, South Korea's first astronaut, Yuri Malenchenko from Russia and American Peggy Whitson, who broke Nasa's record for time in space.
The Russian TMA-11 landing capsule was returning from a mission to the International Space Station.The Russian TMA-11 landing capsule was returning from a mission to the International Space Station.
It touched down some 420km away from its planned landing point in the Kazakh steppe, and some 20 minutes later than schedule. Advertisement It touched down some 420km away from its planned landing point in the Kazakh steppe, and some 20 minutes later than schedule.
Footage of Soyuz capsule after its return to EarthFootage of Soyuz capsule after its return to Earth
"The main thing is that the crew is alive and healthy," said Anatoly Perminov, head of the Russian federal space agency."The main thing is that the crew is alive and healthy," said Anatoly Perminov, head of the Russian federal space agency.
They underwent medical examinations after landing, having been subjected to G-forces up to 10 times those present on Earth.They underwent medical examinations after landing, having been subjected to G-forces up to 10 times those present on Earth.
Mr Perminov said the craft followed the back-up landing plan, a so-called "ballistic re-entry" - a plunge with an uncontrollable, steep trajectory.Mr Perminov said the craft followed the back-up landing plan, a so-called "ballistic re-entry" - a plunge with an uncontrollable, steep trajectory.
He said the crew missed the target because they changed their landing plan at the last minute without telling mission control.He said the crew missed the target because they changed their landing plan at the last minute without telling mission control.
Record breakerRecord breaker
In October, a crew returning from the International Space Station had a similar experience, touching down in Kazakhstan 200km (120 miles) from its intended landing site, in temperatures of 6C ( 43F).In October, a crew returning from the International Space Station had a similar experience, touching down in Kazakhstan 200km (120 miles) from its intended landing site, in temperatures of 6C ( 43F).
Ms Yi had spent 11 days conducting tests at the space station.Ms Yi had spent 11 days conducting tests at the space station.
South Korea, which paid Russia $20m (£10m) for her trip into space, is investing heavily in space technology and is due to launch its first rocket later this year.South Korea, which paid Russia $20m (£10m) for her trip into space, is investing heavily in space technology and is due to launch its first rocket later this year.
Ms Whitson now holds the record for the cumulative length of time spent in space by an American at 377 days, the US space agency Nasa said earlier.Ms Whitson now holds the record for the cumulative length of time spent in space by an American at 377 days, the US space agency Nasa said earlier.