Russia delays space station mission

MOSCOW, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- The Russian Federal Space Agency announced Thursday it would delay the launch of a Soyuz rocket to the International Space Station until Sept. 18.

A Roscosmos spokesman said the delay, adopted to prevent a "space traffic jam" with a U.S. shuttle mission to the International Space Station, would allow the agency to focus on safety for the craft, which is planned to carry two new crew members to the station as well as the first female space tourist, MosNews reported Thursday.

The NASA mission, which involves the installation of solar power equipment for the station, was delayed by Tropical Storm Ernesto and rescheduled for next Wednesday.