Russians to destroy Mir space station

The Russian prime minister, Mikhail Kasyanov, has signed a decree ordering the destruction of the space station, Mir, that has been orbiting earth for almost fifteen years.

Space officials said a supply craft will be launched in late-February to take the final stocks of fuel to Mir; the fuel will be used to give Mir the momentum required for sending it into earth's atmosphere.

The one-hundred-and-thirty tonne space station, which was originally only built to last for five years, is expected to disintegrate as it re-enters the atmosphere.

The remaining fragments will splash down into the Pacific Ocean. More than a hundred Russian and foreign spacemen have flown in Mir, carrying out scentific experiments, during its time in service.

The spacecraft has been unmanned since August last year.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service