On Monday, a Russian spacecraft launched a three-man crew to the International Space Station, securing its short-term future. Three days earlier, NASA reported progress on returning the space shuttle to service, improving the longer-term prospects of the ISS.
Of the Soyuz crew, Dutchman Andr茅 Kuipers will spend just eight days on board, before returning with the ISS鈥檚 current crew of two. Russian Gennady Padalka and American Edward Michael Fincke will stay behind on the ISS to hold the fort for six months.
Three Soyuz missions have kept the space station ticking over since the loss of the shuttle Columbia on 1 February 2003. For the station to reach its planned size, however, the shuttle鈥檚 heavy lifting power will be needed. NASA鈥檚 Return to Flight Task Group reported that it should fly again in March or April 2005, if they can find a way to inspect the craft鈥檚 heat shield while in orbit.
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