Manber expressed hope that MirCorp and Putin would "jointly find the way to keep the Mir space station in orbit," reminding the president that earlier this year the he had stated his firm intentions to save the almost 15-year-old outpost.

Manber called Mir the "pride and precious creation of Soviet and Russian engineers, an eloquent example of Russian leadership in the field of manned spaceflight."

The Russian Space Agency, Rosaviakosmos, responded coolly to the letter.

"Manber may be a nice guy, and I personally have nothing against him, but he's asking the Russian government to find funds to keep Mir in orbit," agency spokesman Sergey Gorbunov told SPACE.com. "Why is he trying to influence Russian space policy? If he ran a company that manufactured spacecraft like sausages he would have the necessary competence, as well as a moral right, to advise the Russian government on what to do with Mir. But MirCorp's success in Mirs commercialization has been very modest, to say the least. I just dont think Manber is competent enough to shape Russias course of action in the area of its national manned space program."

According to Manber, specialists have concluded that Mir is worth "several billion dollars" and that the outpost could stay in orbit for at least five more years.

Manber warned Putin that in the future Russia would not have full access to the International Space Station's commercial potential. "Equal relationship within the ISS program can only be among strong partners who are having equal opportunities. Unfortunately, because of the Russias economic hardships, and the way it is treated [by the rest of the world], there is no equality [within the ISS program]." According to Manber, "if Mir is deorbited, Russia will become just a small part of NASA's station."

MirCorps main goal, stressed Manber, is "to attract investments so that Mir would pay its way and get further commercialized. MirCorp strategy is to make the Russian state free of any Mir-related expenses, and to let it realize Russian space programs on board the station free as well."

Manber claimed in the letter that MirCorp had paid for the last mission to Mir, which lasted 73 days.

Unfortunately, admitted the MirCorp president, there is a two- to three-month delay in realization of the companys financial plans. However, according to Manber, by the end of October, the company will continue paying money to RKK Energia (180 million rubles).

Manber mentioned two space tourists who had expressed their willingness to fly to Mir in 2001, as well the NBC television network contest show Destination Mir, as proof of MirCorps success with the orbital outposts commercialization.

"Despite our successful work," said Manber, "efforts are currently made to liquidate Mir station as soon as possible. This will completely destroy our preparative commercial programs aimed at the rescue and continued operation of the station. This will play in the hands of those who do not want Russia to be equal in space."

"I believe you understand that Russia wont be able to create such a masterpiece [like Mir] within the next 10 years," said Manber in his letter.

Manber called on Putin to personally patronize MirCorp activity, as well as all the decisions regarding Mir station.

At the end of his letter Manber asked Putin to postpone a decision on the Mirs deorbiting three to four months.