[FPSPACE] Koptev on Mir's future

[Dwayne Allen Day]

[As far as I can tell, this is the first time that a Russian space
official has actually said that Mir is "dangerous."  DDAY]


From:

http://www.flatoday.com/space/explore/stories/2000b/103100c.htm


October 31, 2000

Russia's Koptev: Mir is 'worn out'
Copyright  2000, Interfax News Agency

PARIS (Interfax) - The Russian government's decision to discontinue the
use of the aging space station Mir is timely and proper, Yuri Koptev,
director general of the Russian Aerospace Agency, told Interfax on Monday. 
"The station is worn out. Crudely speaking, it is rusted through, so its
continued use is dangerous as well as uneconomical," Koptev said. 

Mir will most probably be crash-landed out in the deeps of the Pacific
Ocean, fairly far from Australia, Koptev said. This is most likely to
happen in February 2001, when Mir turns fifteen, he said. "Everything
comes to an end." 

Russian cosmonauts will fly up to the station to prepare it for its final
journey if need be, he added. 

Russia must concentrate its efforts and resources on the building of the
International Space Station, Koptev said. "There is considerable interest,

[remainder deleted to meet Fair Use restrictions]