MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's Mir space station, which has been orbiting the earth empty for nearly half a year, is to continue operating through August with several flights planned, the head of Russia's space agency said on Thursday.
Yuri Koptev told a news conference after a cabinet meeting that more non-government financing had been found to keep the station operating.
"A cargo flight will take place on February 1 and a crew will follow in April, with a further cargo ship to go up a month later,'' Koptev said.
He said the government had already allocated the equivalent of $120 million to the space program in general but an additional $28 million was required to keep the station flying until August. That could come from the private sector.
"Talks are going on with a company on investment,'' said Yuri Semyonov, head of the Energiya Rocket Company, Mir's builders. "The first funds have already been received and more financing will be forthcoming if certain conditions are met. The money is there, but it has to be released.''
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