The Mir space station will blaze its final trail next February, burning up in the Earth鈥檚 atmosphere. Any remaining fragments will pepper the Indian Ocean.
Deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov made the announcement, according to Russian news agencies. The official cabinet decision is yet to be made but Klebanov鈥檚 spokesperson said there was no doubt the station would come down.
Mir won a reprieve earlier in 2000 when a private company, MirCorp, signed a lease agreement to use the station for commercial space ventures. The company has not raised enough funds and this latest development suggests they have run out of time.
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However, MirCorp鈥檚 President Jeffrey Manber believes Mir can remain viable if this 鈥渃risis鈥� can be overcome.
The fate of Mir has become a complex saga involving the Russian government, MirCorp and the company that operates the station, Energiya. The end of Mir will only be certain when do is forced down into the grip of the Earth鈥檚 atmosphere and begins to burn up.