1. Russian space dog, Laika, was sent into space in Sputnik II. 2. Among the other goods in the auction of artifacts from the Russian space program are two space capsules, space suits for humans, manuscripts and prototype designs. 3. An official at the Russian space control center said Wednesday night on Russian television that there was nothing to prevent continuation of the flight. 4. And the safety issues are very real, according to aerospace engineer James Oberg, who has written extensively about the Russian space program. 5. Another spacewalk will be carried out early next month, Russian space officials said. 6. At the Johnson Space Center in Houston, contempt for the Russian space effort ran deep and wide. 7. Because of these economic woes, the Russian space program has become increasingly dependent on foreign funds. 8. Both U.S. and Russian space officials brushed off the encounter as a relatively minor incident. 9. A final decision will not be made before Monday, when top Russian space designers gather to review what is required. 10. A final decision on which crew will perform them will be made Monday, when top Russian space experts gather to review the situation. |