They even had a heavy lift launch vehicle in development which would haul the station components up.

The building's inner sanctum is where station components are prepared for the trip into space.

At that weight, it was unlikely to damage any station components which might accidentally have been hit.

PMA-1 now permanently connects these first two station components.

Russia's once grand space program had been reduced from lack of money to a few station components here and there, and those arrived late and underfunded, often as not.

During its tour, the crew will also play host to three shuttle missions bringing up new station components and at least one unmanned Progress flight.

Below is a diagram of major station components.

The first station component, a Russian-built space tug financed by the United States, is to be launched by a Russian rocket in June 1998.

Far above, other station components glittered like jewels strung far apart on a very long necklace.

On July 5 the Marines conducted five successful paradrops of station components.