News media reports on today’s comments by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Ilya
Klebanov concerning the Mir space station unfortunately have focused on only
the first part of his statement, which addressed Mir’s possible deorbiting
next year.
It is important to note that the Deputy Prime Minister went on to say:
“However, if there are non-governmental resources to finance the Mir station,
it opens the possibility to change the situation.”
MirCorp is very pleased by this statement, which for the first time shows top
level Russian government consideration of allowing Mir to remain in orbit for
future operation by MirCorp.
In the past two weeks, MirCorp has taken its vision for the future of Mir to
the highest levels of the Russian government. Today’s comments by the Deputy
Prime Minister are the first signs that MirCorp’s message is being heard.
MirCorp has asked that Russian President Vladimir Putin make the final
decision on Mir, and the company has requested that MirCorp President Jeffrey Manber
meet with Putin.
MirCorp continues to believe that its vision for the operation of Mir as a
truly commercial space station is a valid one, and the company remains
committed to the long-term operation of this unique orbital facility.
Press/media contact:
Jeffrey M. Lenorovitz
The InfoWEST Group
Telephone (U.S.): +1 (703) 448-5669
Telephone (France): +33 6 80-85-86-25
e-mail: jleno@infowestgroup.com