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Russian space agency plays down delay in NASA shuttle launch
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    • MOSCOW (AFP) Jul 14, 2005
     Russian space agency director Anatoly Perminov Thursday played down the seriousness of the delay in the launch of NASA's space shuttle Discovery.

    "I think that it isn't a fault which should provoke panic. Personally, I believe that they could have flown, even with the fault," Perminov said in an interview with the Russian television channel NTV.

    However he said the delay "isn't a good thing for us because we have to soon prepare the development plan for the International Space Stationwith our foreign partners".

    The Discovery space shuttle mission is intended to deliver supplies and equipment to the ISS.

    "If the Americans abandon this programme, Russia couldn't do it on its own," Perminov said.

    NASA called off Wednesday's Discovery liftoff after detecting a fuel sensor problem, saying Saturday would be the earliest date for a launch.

    It will be the first space shuttle launch since 2003 when the Columbia shuttle disintegrated upon re-entry killing seven astronauts.




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