1. At minimum, NASA should produce a component that can permanently handle the propulsion duties of the Russian module. 2. But they said the renewed Russian financing should assure that a crucial Russian module, and not an American substitute, will fly as one of the first components. 3. Krikalev solved a puzzling airflow deficiency in the Russian module when he discovered and removed a blockage in some of the permanent ducting. 4. Lack of financing for the Russian module has delayed its construction, and the launch of Alpha in turn. 5. NASA chief Daniel Goldin said earlier this month that his agency would make plans to proceed with the station without the Russian modules if the Kremlin failed to pay. 6. On Friday, Russian officials remained adamant about their right to send whomever they wanted to the station, half of which is now composed of Russian modules. 7. On Sunday, shuttle Commander Robert Cabana will guide the Endeavour to within a few feet of the Russian module. 8. Once the robot arm was released from the Russian module the misalignment disappeared. 9. Reserve funds that might otherwise be used to address U.S. cost increases have been siphoned off to develop hardware that could substitute for the Russian module. 10. The July launch date for the Russian module will be further determined by orbital lighting conditions. |