Russian computers controlling the International Space Station's (ISS) orientation and supply of oxygen and water have failed, Nasa officials say.

The station's three crew and seven visiting shuttle astronauts are not at any immediate risk; the ISS has not lost all vital systems.

But it could force Nasa to extend the current shuttle mission by one day.

Engineers are unsure why the computers stopped working as a failure of this type has not occurred before.

The US space shuttle Atlantis docked with the orbiting outpost at the weekend to begin its latest mission.