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Early in the day, Mir's thrusters were fired up to stabilize the spinning spacecraft in preparation for its descent to Earth. The station's onboard computer had been sending data to Earth but not receiving information, said Mission Control spokeswoman, Olga Soshnikova. Mir's primary computer includes its attitude control system, which had to be activated to align the station. The uninhabited station has been slowly rolling along in its orbit since January to save its limited fuel and electricity supplies. Soon after the computer connection was made, thrusters were fired to stop the space station's tumbling, Soshnikova said.