21.  But the embarrassing incident underscores the decline of the once-proud Russian space program.

22.  But Russian space officials are worried that even that much could harm the station -- by damaging delicate solar panels or fragile sensors, for example.

23.  But Russian space officials have been reluctant to say goodbye to this last major symbol of the Soviet space era, despite its age and blemishes.

24.  Despite the financial uncertainty that plagues the Russian space industry, Medvedtchikov says that there is good reason to welcome the new era.

25.  For all the setbacks, however, experts caution against a broad indictment of the Russian space program.

26.  For years similar rumors have circulated about the Russian space program.

27.  And as one writer drily noted, the only people frightened by the Russian space program today are its cosmonauts.

28.  Half a world away from each other, U.S. and Russian space authorities made preparations Monday for the launching of separate missions.

29.  In President Boris Yeltsin and officials of the Russian space program, it produced an attack of apoplexy.

30.  In contrast, the Russian space chief said that Foale was in good health and ready to perform the repairs.