When the ISS is complete, it should look something like this.
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Courtesy of NASA

U.S. is Fed Up with Russia
News story originally written on February 4, 2000

Will Russia ever put the service module for the International Space Station in space? NASA officials want an answer from the Russian government. The necessary service module is currently waiting to be launched into space. It took the Russian Space Agency an extra 2 years to complete the module.

NASA thought all was well and the module would be launched in the upcoming weeks. But a surprise investor has supplied funds to keep the ancient Mir Space Station in orbit. Russia decided to send equipment that was for the ISS, to the Mir instead. Now they say the module will be launched in August, but the United States isn't buying it.

NASA officials say they are close to completing their own service module. If Russia does not put their module in orbit in August, the U.S. will send up their own. The U.S. module will not be able to support life like its Russian counterpart. But, it will provide propulsion and keep the station in orbit.

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