UH-OH: Russia Launches Space Cargo Ship, But Its Fate Is Unclear.

Today’s launch started off seemingly smooth and flawless. During a live webcast of the launch, NASA spokesman Rob Navias of the Johnson Space Center in Houston announced that “all vehicle parameters [were] reported performing perfectly” about 2 minutes after liftoff. Nearly 7 minutes later, the spacecraft achieved preliminary orbit insertion.

But as Progress 65 was entering Earth’s orbit, mission controllers began to experience what Navias called ratty telemetry data during the end of the third-stage engine performance. At first it was unclear whether the third-stage engines had shut down and separated from the spacecraft. “Third-stage separation may have happened earlier than planned,” Navias said.

Shortly thereafter, Navias announced that telemetry data “received in bits and pieces indicated that the navigational antennas have deployed.” However, the fate of the spacecraft’s solar arrays was up in limbo. Though telemetry data showed the solar panels were no longer stowed, whether they were successfully deployed remains uncertain.

The ISS currently has a crew of six on board, presumably with enough rations to make it through until Progress 66.