Data relay system failed during software update
It was a tense morning for NASA at Mission Control when they lost communication with the International Space Station.
NASA was doing a software update this morning around 8:45AM when a data relay system failed. A backup computer took over essential station functions, but uplink with the station through tracking and data satellites was lost.
NASA had to wait until the station flew over Russia where it was in range of ground based communication stations before they could get a message to the crew. The station was in contact with Mission Control until 10:00AM when the station was out of range of the ground stations in Russia.
NASA announced via Twitter that they had restored communication with the International Space Station around 11:30AM and heard from Commander Kevin Ford, who said the station and the crew were in fine shape.
