SPACE.com -- Reactions to Mir"s Death Ripple Across Pacific

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	Reactions to Mir"s Death Ripple Across Pacific By Kyodo International posted: 01:20 am ET 23 March 2001

SYDNEY (Kyodo) - Inhabitants of various Pacific nations greeted the fall of Russia's space station Mir with mingled relief, joy and aplomb Friday

SYDNEY (Kyodo) - Inhabitants of various Pacific nations greeted the fall of Russia's space station Mir with mingled relief, joy and aplomb Friday.

The Australian response was understated, as befit the nation's attitude throughout the weeks leading up to the reentry procedure.

''It's just splashed down now,'' Emergency Management Australia spokesman Brian Flanagan told Kyodo News.

No damage to Australians or their property was reported.

Mir: Complete Coverage

Welcome to SPACE.com"s coverage of the final days leading to the demise of the Russian space station Mir. Follow the fiery finale of the historic outpost right here. Read More .

New Zealand authorities called the splashdown highly successful and said the flaming debris had caused no damage locally.

''We're very confident that it has gone according to plan from information from several sources,'' said Pat Helm, chairman of New Zealand's Satellite Reentry Committee.

In particular, Helm said fishing vessels operating in the splashdown region had all reported they were safe.

New Zealand maritime officials had previously warned a fleet of tuna fishing vessels from American Samoa operating in the target zone between New Zealand and Chile of the risk of Mir debris falling in the area, but they opted to stay.

''We've been in touch with fishing vessels that were in the area and they report that it didn't come down in the area where they were,'' Helm told Kyodo News.

Helm said Mir crashed to Earth precisely on the track predicted by mission control in Russia, but possibly one or two minutes earlier than anticipated.

''In every quarter we now believe that it's firmly down, without any doubt,'' he said.

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In Japan, the authorities -- which had previously issued widening warnings to citizens to stay home as the station passed overhead, in case dangerous debris fell on the country -- issued a curt notice that the station had flown overhead without causing any damage.

People in Fiji, where Mir hunters made their base of operations, were treated to a brief but dramatic sound-and-light show as the space station plunged to Earth.

Finally, for all those who were wondering, the station missed the bullseye, and Taco Bell does not have to give everyone in the United States free tacos. Company spokesman Chris Becker, vice president of brand communications, said the company was "happy people enjoyed" the promotional stunt.

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