This is basically a measure of who's the most powerful in the world, what countries are friends and what countries are not friends. The space station and the shuttle have had computer problems, and NASA wants to keep the shuttle in orbit an extra day. And there's the rub. The Russians are scheduled to launch their own rocket to the space station tomorrow, but until the shuttle leaves, parking is tight, prompting NASA to ask the Russians to wait. The Russians are reluctant, but NASA says if the Russians try to dock with the American shuttle still attached to the station, everyone will be at risk.
Safety is our number-one objective.
Respect among the partners is part of safety. But that partnership has become increasingly strained in recent weeks. It's really hard for me to understand why. It's money sorely needed. Logistically, the space station can have two spacecraft docked at once, but there's only a 20-foot leeway.