Software problems with a Russian component of the International Space Station
are compounding NASA鈥檚 troubles with the project. NASA says Russia has asked for
extra time to test software on the service module, the most important Russian
contribution to the station. The repeatedly postponed launch of the module will
now be in September if all goes well.
The news, denied by Moscow, follows the announcement that Russia plans to
keep Mir aloft for several more years, thanks to contributions from unnamed
investors. Dwayne Brown, a spokesman for NASA, insists that keeping Mir in space
must not conflict with any ISS projects. 鈥淭he Russians must stick to their
补驳谤别别尘别苍迟蝉.鈥�