MOSCOW, (Reuters) - ``Russia needs Mir,'' a protest group told Muscovites on Monday, urging every Russian to give about 40 cents to keep their aging Mir space station in orbit.
Guitarists, a rock group, poets and workers from Russia's town of Korolyov, the home of Mir's owner the Energiya space corporation, sang songs in praise of Mir, telling Muscovites that a decision to retire Mir was a huge mistake.
``Russia respect your science so that Mir does not fall into the ocean,'' one guitarist sang to a crowd of around 50 Muscovites, most of whom seemed to be passers-by puzzled by more than 10 people standing on a stage in Moscow.
The people's charity for the preservation of the Mir space station arrived in Moscow on a tour bus from Korolyov and planned to take their protest to 11 Russian cities.
They said Russia would lose expertise and pride by retiring Mir, which has suffered an increasing number of problems as it ages.
Moscow has put off attempts to send Mir back to earth by allowing the craft to fly unmanned for half a year after the three-man crew leaves in August, in an attempt to raise funds.
If the fund-raising efforts fail, Russia will probably send Mir crashing into the ocean in early 2000.
``If every Russian paid 10 roubles, that's half a pack of cigarettes, space station Mir could fly on,'' said Igor Bratishev, vice chairman of the charity.
``I think that such money -- 500 million roubles is needed for this year -- could be found if they can find $60 million to support the Russian contingent in Yugoslavia,'' said Bratishev, a Communist deputy in parliament, calling those who argue that Mir should be retired ``Russia's enemies.''
The United States opposes extending Mir's life because it wants Russia to focus its resources on the International Space Station, in which both Washington and Moscow are involved.
``Russia's participation in the International Space Station, will only constitute six percent. Six percent! With Mir -- it was 100 percent Russian,'' Bratishev said.
A worker at Russia's space city of Korolyov said Russia would force skilled specialists out of work if Mir is retired.
``Workers and specialists will lose their jobs,'' he said. ``The question of Mir is one of the biggest not only for me, but for the whole of Russia.''
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