"Today we begin an important prelaunch operation dealing with the injection of ethylene glycol into the module's temperature regulation system," Russian Space Agency spokesman Sergei Gorbunov said. "Changing the launch date after this operation is extremely undesirable."

The launch of the cargo module Zarya, also known as Functional Cargo Block (which in Russian produces the acronym FGB, a dubious bit of cross-cultural jargon) is about a year behind schedule. Orginally scheduled for late 1997 launch, the Zarya or FGB was later set to launch this June. Now it is scheduled for launch in November. The idea that loading it with ethylene glycol represents a point-of-no-return commitment to launch struck the staff of In Space Today as further evidence of hubris.

When asked to comment on this cheeky attitude from Russia, Mr. Oberg said:

   I'd repeat my "longest Hail Mary pass in history" line, and add that the original 
   meaning of the word "scrub" involved exactly the problem of retreating from a 
   launch attempt and having to thoroughly clean the tanks and lines. On FGB, 
   they would probably have to replace batteries, and perhaps some fuel valves 
   and liners and filters, and that would take time and money, but not a lot.

Overall, the International Space Station program has cost upwards of $21 billion of American taxpayer money without the first piece of flight hardware being put in orbit, making it one of the most expensive programs in the history of space achievement. Some estimates for the ultimate cost of the International Space Station, including space shuttle launch costs, exceed $150 billion. For this staggering sticker price, Americans may see as many as four astronauts enjoying 6-month tours of duty on the International Space Station. With an expected life cycle of 10 years, the "room rate" for each astronaut night is millions of dollars.

NASA Administrator Dan Goldin recently told a Congressional Committee that added funds are needed if the space station is to be built. Without more money, he said, "we should cancel the space station.''

Mr. Oberg comments, "I think those Russian comments are in line with Goldin's comments -- don't nobody question us, we've set our course and can't stop now no matter how senseless and foolhardy it looks (and is)."

A significant concern with regard to the launch of the Zarya/FGB module in November 1998 is that the space station is not going to be manned until January 2000 on the present schedule. If that schedule should slip, there is a significant possibility of the FGB, the attached nodes, and the attached crew module re-entering before use. Such a spectacular reentry would represent the acme of NASA achievement as the very epitome of mediocrity.

For more information on this story, see Russia Gets..., Rep. Questions..., Goldin tells..., and NASA Defends....