Russia blames space station lab incident on software failure

MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian space official has blamed a software problem on a newly docked science lab that briefly knocked the International Space Station out of position. The 22-ton (20-metric-ton) Russian lab unexpectedly fired its jet thrusters after docking Thursday. The space station was knocked out of its proper position for 47 minutes before NASA and Russian controllers regained control. The flight director of the space station’s Russian segment said Friday that “a short-term software failure” was responsible and a direct command to turn on the lab’s engines was mistakenly implemented. He said that the station is in its normal orientation at the moment. He added that the crew planned to open the hatch to the lab later Friday.