The US and Russian space programs closed the hatch today on one cooperative effort and began the transition toward another. Discovery astronauts and Mir cosmonauts exchanged final handshakes and hugs in an emotional end to the three-year venture. The two craft undocked at 12:01 pm EDT. Russians and Americans will meet again in space in November, when the International Space Station begins a five-year in-orbit construction project.
Farewell Mir
The US and Russian space programs closed the hatch today on one cooperative effort and began the transition toward another. Discovery astronauts and Mir cosmonauts exchanged final handshakes and hugs in an emotional end to the three-year venture. The two craft undocked at 12:01 pm EDT. Russians and Americans will meet again in space in November, when the International Space Station begins a five-year in-orbit construction project.
