However, that contradicts the official position of the Russian Space Agency. It has always been that another crew will go back up to prepare the space station for its fatal plunge back into the atmosphere.

According to a report from the BBC over the weekend, the three crew members believe they will be the last aboard and that everything from Aug. 28 on will be controlled automatically.

The current crew is installing a new computer that is designed to control Mir much as an autopilot would. It would then guide Mir into the Indian Ocean, away from any humans.

Not everyone is certain the computer is enough to keep Mir from crashing into Earth, out of control. The "final" crew that has been planned all along by the Russians is supposed to help control the space stations re-entry before they abandon the station.

Whether the computer can handle the re-entry is critical. The space station is so large that much of it will not burn up when coming back into the atmosphere. Figuring out where it will land is important.

Funds to run the Mir space station officially run out shortly after the crew of three now aboard leave. Unless additional funding is found, either by the Russian government or by private investors, the station will be officially abandoned.