1. Assembly of the new orbital complex is scheduled to begin later this year. 2. Forty-five launches are envisioned over the next six years to fully assemble an orbital complex that will sprawl to the size of two football fields placed side by side. 3. Over the years these flights are to deliver important supplies and hardware to the aging orbital complex. 4. The orbital complex will stretch to the size of two football fields placed side-by-side and house seven people. 5. The rockets on the supply capsules will fire periodically to keep the growing orbital complex circling Earth at safe altitudes while Progress is docked to the station. 6. The six-year task of bolting together the components of the football field-sized orbital complex is to begin in a year. 7. The Russian contribution is vital for life support as well as stability and propulsion, keeping the orbital complex from tumbling out of control or falling back to Earth. |