Russia pins Soyuz failure to production line defect

The Russian space agency says a rocket that failed while carrying cargo to the International Space Station on 24 August had a production line defect. A blocked duct cut the fuel supply to the Soyuz-U's third-stage, causing its engine to shut down prematurely, Roskosmos said in a statement. The Soyuz failed to put into orbit its cargo ship, which fell back to Earth. Since the US space shuttle was retired in July, the Russian rockets have become the key link to the station. More

(Source: BBC News - Sep 10)