1.   Now there was the sound of a seeming kiss as an airtight hatch in the bottom of the saucer was opened.

2.   However, the two crews retreated to their respective spacecraft for the night late Wednesday, securing the airtight hatches after final embraces and an exchange of candy.

3.   Six airtight hatches had to be secured, each requiring a long wait while pressure levels in the empty compartments were adjusted.

4.   The crews of the two spacecraft will remain physically separated from one another by airtight hatches until Friday, when the installation task is complete.

5.   The crew has already closed the airtight hatch to Spektr and an adjacent module to prevent oxygen leaking through the gash from reducing the pressure to dangerous levels.