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On Earth, former Mir commander Tsibliyev was anything but unflappable. Stung by Yeltsin's declaration that Mir's woes were caused by the "human factor," Tsibliyev made headlines at his postflight press conference by deflecting the blame to Russia's sickly economy, which, he insisted, has not allowed the space agency to maintain the station. "Factories do not operate, and parts have not been delivered," he said. At week's end Tsibliyev was at least partly vindicated when Russian space officials admitted the computer breakdown was caused by an aging component that had not been replaced.
For now, such squabbling will probably be put aside. With Mir stabilized, the crew is looking ahead to its next space walk--this one outside the ship to find and patch the elusive holes in Spektr's skin. NASA has agreed to allow Foale to train for that orbital excursion, though just when it will take place and whether he'll actually participate is still undecided. NASA officials firmly state, however, that as long as Mir stays sound, they will proceed with plans to send astronaut David Wolf up to relieve Foale in late September. Ghost ship or not, Mir will apparently sail on.
--Reported by Andrew Meier/Moscow and Dick Thompson/Washington