DATE=2/4/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S-RUSSIA-SPACE STATION (L)
NUMBER=2-258822
BYLINE=DAVID MCALARY
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The U-S space agency NASA says it cannot wait
much longer for Russia to provide a long-delayed key
component of the International Space Station. As we
hear from V-O-A Science Correspondent David McAlary,
NASA says it will substitute its own module if Moscow
does not launch the part by mid-year.
TEXT: NASA has rebuked Russia for its failure to
launch an International Space Station component called
Service Module. News reports quote NASA chief Daniel
Goldin as saying the United States is ready to move
ahead without the unit.
The module will serve as the living quarters for the
first few station crews. In addition, it will control
the station's altitude, position, and steering
ability.
Russia's financial problems were the initial reason
the module was not built on time. But the Russian
Space Agency has also experienced failures of the
Proton rocket that is to send it to the iternational
station. /// OPT /// A Proton explosion in July
prompted the Kazakhstan government - which controls
the launch site - to ban further launches. /// END OPT
///
The delays have put station assembly behind schedule
and NASA says the United States is preparing to launch
an interim substitute so station construction will not
lag further.
The announcement follows Russia's recent decision to
revive its own Mir space station, which was abandoned
by cosmonauts last year and was to have been allowed
to fall out of orbit.
NASA Spokeswoman Kirsten Williams says the U-S agency
has run out of patience waiting for the Service
Module.
/// WILLIAMS ACT ///
The International Space Station is one of the
highest priorities for this agency. Our
frustration is that we want to see evidence of
commitment to this project. When the Russians
are saying they are going to keep Mir orbiting
and things like that, that makes us question
their commitment to this project.
/// END ACT ///
// OPT /// NASA has been developing a replacement for
the Service Module in cooperation with the U-S Navy
ever since it became apparent the Russians could not
complete their module on time. It will be a
modification of a piece of military hardware
originally designed to raise the orbit of spy
satellites launched from the space shuttle.
// OPT // The U-S component has no living quarters,
but would perform the crucial job of keeping the
international station in orbit while the rest of it is
assembled. Its use on the station means habitation by
the first research crews would have to be delayed. //
END OPT //
NASA wants the Russian module launched by July or
August and says Moscow still promises it by that time.
But if it is further delayed, NASA spokeswoman
Williams says the U-S replacement will be launched
next December.
She points out, however, that the space agency is not
abandoning the notion of ever using the Russian
module.
/// WILLIAMS ACT ///
This interim control module - if launched in
December of 2000 - could control the altitude of
the International Space Station, it could
provide re-boost capability, but it is a
temporary piece. So as soon as the Service
Module became available, we could incorporate
the Service Module into the International Space
Station as well.
/// END ACT ///
In the meantime, U-S and Russian space officials plan
to meet in Moscow to discuss the problem next Thursday
and Friday (Feb. 10 - 11). NASA says it will decide
after then how to proceed and make its recommendations
in an early March at a meeting of all 16 countries
involved in the space station project. (SIGNED)
NEB/DEM/ENE/JO
04-Feb-2000 11:43 AM EDT (04-Feb-2000 1643 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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