Russia said a "software failure" caused its Nauka module to suddenly and unexpectedly fire its thrusters after docking with the International Space Station this week.

The station automatically fired thrusters on its Russian Zvezda module and an attached Progress cargo craft to compensate, creating a brief tug of war between the module and the station.

We're told Nauka, also known as the Multipurpose Laboratory Module, had about three hours earlier docked with the station after a problematic rendezvous.

The module, which was built on and off over the past 25 years, suffered significant issues with its propulsion and other systems as it approached the ISS yesterday.

"On July 29, the Nauka Multipurpose Laboratory Module was docked with the International Space Station," said Roscosmos bigwig Vladimir Solovyov, who oversees the Russian part of the ISS.

After Nauka was attached to the space station, the module's software incorrectly made its thrusters fire for separation, we're told.

"The docking mechanics worked reliably, without any comments and led to the closure of both docking mechanisms of the station and the module," Solovyov said.

At the moment, the station is in its normal orientation, all the ISS and the multipurpose laboratory module systems are operating normally.

A reliable internal power and command interface was created, as well as a power supply interface that connected the module to the station.".

The next steps involve ensuring the station is A-OK and functioning properly after this mishap, or as Roscomos put it, "completing a set of procedures with the Nauka module propulsion system to ensure unconditional safety of the International Space Station and the entire crew.".

The Nauka module will also be prepared for use by the station's inhabitants.

Russia ditched its Pirs module from the space station to allow Nauka to slot in.

"The crew is now busy balancing the pressure in the Nauka module," said Solovyov.

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