[FPSPACE] Russian gov't authorizes funds for Mir

[Dwayne Allen Day]

On Thu, 26 Oct 2000, David Anderman wrote:

> http://www.space.com/news/spacestation/mir_money_001026_wg.html

> 1) Earmarked funds for 2 more Progresses to be launched to Mir.
> 2) Postponed any further decisions on Mir until February, 2001.
> 
> Although this could be good news for the Mir fans, it is possible that this 
> report is inaccurate, or that the Russian government may alter its position.

I actually read this as good news for MirCorp.  It indicates that the
Russians are willing to wait for the early response to the IPO to see if
they can get any money.  Only one Progress is needed to bring Mir
down.  However, "earmarked" in Russia probably means that it is only a
promise of money, not actual money.  So the Russians could simply be
making a promise in order to see if MirCorp comes up with more cash and
may not actually be funding two Progress rockets (and doesn't the Russian
government still owe Energia money for the past Progress mission?).


> Also in the same article, a MirCorp spokesman discusses a possible new core 
> module for the Mir station.

This is fantasy.



DDAY