MISSION CONTROL (Korolyov), November 18 (RIA Novosti) - The possible cancellation of a U.S. shuttle launch may cause the postponement of a spacewalk from the International Space Station (ISS) scheduled for December 8 under a Russian program, a senior Russian space official said Friday.
"It is clear that the planned launch of a U.S. shuttle is unlikely to happen during the current expedition, which means it is reasonable to put off the spacewalk. Besides, the work outside the ISS can be done in daytime and not at night, which will be more convenient," said Vladimir Solovyov, the vice president of Energia, Russia's rocket and space corporation.
He also said that the possible postponement of the spacewalk would not affect the date of the launch of a Russian Progress cargo craft to the ISS scheduled for December 21.
