Uncrewed Russian Spacecraft That Leaked Coolant Lands Safely

The uncrewed Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft undocks from the International Space Station before heading back to Earth on March 28, 2023. Roscosmos State Space Corporation via AP

MOSCOW—A Russian space capsule safely returned to Earth without a crew Tuesday, months after it suffered a coolant leak in orbit.

The Soyuz MS-22 leaked coolant in December while attached to the International Space Station. Russian space officials blamed the leak on a tiny meteoroid that punctured the craft’s external radiator. They launched an empty replacement capsule last month to serve as a lifeboat for the crew.