Editorials
Tuesday, July 1, 1997AFTER several tense days when the lives of the Russian-American crew on the space station Mir appeared to be in peril, a semblance of normality has been restored. The prospect of another tragedy in space comparable to the 1986 Challenger explosion seems to have been eliminated. But the incident has renewed questions about continued use of the 11-year-old space station, which has already long exceeded its planned life. Retire space station
before disaster strikesConditions have improved dramatically since last Wednesday. Mir's aluminum hull was punctured when a cargo ship slammed into the station. The crew had to seal the hatch to the ruptured Spektr lab module as quickly as possible after disconnecting power cables and cutting data lines. The Mir's newest and most-used solar panels are located on Spektr, which meant that the station was reduced to half power.
The two Russians and one American on board have now succeeded in getting the automatic steering system and a primary oxygen generator working again. Some of the station lights are back on and the air conditioner is operating.
Although space officials maintained that the crew was in no immediate danger, the situation seemed perilous to a layman. It looks safer now, although major repairs will be required to the Mir. A cargo ship with equipment for a spacewalk for repairs to the Spektr module is scheduled for launch Saturday.
Russian officials are considering the possibility that overloading was responsible for the collision of the supply ship with the Mir. American experts say the age of the space station was not a factor in the accident, that it could just as well have happened soon after the Mir was launched.
However, there has been a series of problems with the Mir this year leading up to the collision and adding fuel to the controversy over continued operation of the space station. In February an oxygen canister burst into flames, filling the station with vapor and smoke.
In March, both oxygen generators failed, forcing the crew to rely on canisters similar to the one that exploded in February. In April, the temperature control system began leaking antifreeze, briefly raising temperatures above 86 degrees. Also in April, the primary system for air purification by removing carbon dioxide failed because of leaks in the cooling system.
The Mir apparently will survive the latest problem. But the succession of incidents can only lead to the conclusion that the Russian space officials are pressing their luck. It's time to send the Mir out to pasture, or wherever old space stations go.
NEVER a gentle sport, boxing reached perhaps an all-time unseemly low when Mike Tyson, trailing defending heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield in the third round of their rematch in Las Vegas, bit off part of Holyfield's right ear and, after a warning, bit into his left. Tyson's disqualification may end in a fine and suspension, but should result in Tyson never again being allowed into a boxing ring. Boxing needs Tyson like figure skating needs Tonya Harding. Tyson's tasteless bite
THE suicide of a former chairman of one of Japan's biggest banks, Dai-Ichi Kangyo, provides a grim exclamation point to the scandal currently shaking the nation's financial system. Kuniji Mayazaki, who reportedly faced further questioning in the scandal involving illegal loans to a corporate racketeer, hanged himself in his home. The suicide was followed by the filing of charges against four former senior officials of the bank. The Japanese economy seems to be gaining strength after a prolonged recession, but these developments certainly don't help. Scandal in Japan
Rupert E. Phillips, CEO
John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro, Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner, Assistant Managing Editors
A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor
