Mir Crew Unloads Repair Supplies

Russian and American crew members aboard the Mir space station began unloading vital equipment from a docked supply craft needed to repair Mir, damaged last month in the worst accident in its 11-year history, officials said at mission control near Moscow. The unmanned Progress craft carried oxygen, food, water and tools needed to repair the Spektr module’s energy-generating solar panels, which were damaged June 25 when another Russian supply ship hit the aging space station. Progress also brought a razor, toothbrush and other personal items for British-born American astronaut Michael Foale, whose original travel bag lies trapped behind Spektr’s sealed hatch.