The administration is considering a joint U.S.-Russian manned space mission - the second in history and the first in almost two decades - in which an American space shuttle would rendezvous and dock with the Russian space station Mir, according to government sources.
The flight, designed to symbolize the end of the Cold War, is one of several options for increased cooperation in space activities under discussion for possible announcement at this week's summit between President Bush and Russian leader Boris Yeltsin.However, the sources cautioned that before an agreement is approved, various factions within the administration must agree on the best set of options.
Earlier this year, the administration had been deadlocked over how to deal with Russian offers to sell space technology and services. But in recent weeks, proponents of increased cooperation appeared to gain momentum, with multi-agency activities being coordinated by the National Space Council.
A team of NASA officials returned last week from negotiations in Moscow on a two-year commercial contract under the terms of which the United States would pay the Russians up to $10 million for the rights to inspect and evaluate a range of Russian hardware. And the State Department has acknowledged the possibility of relaxing a Cold War prohibition on the launch of U.S.-built satellites aboard workhorse Russian rockets.