Mir falters towards destruction date
The only things keeping the Mir space station in position are its rockets after vital on-board equipment failed.
Mission controllers are preparing to dock the platform with a suicide craft to guide its re-entry later this year.
A dozen parts which are designed to maintain Mir's position, known as gyrodynes, aren't working and precious fuel is being burned to do the job.
Mission control says the situation isn't critical because Mir has enough fuel to last until at least April.
The Russian news agency Interfax says Mir must remain steady so it can dock automatically with the suicide rocket on January 27.
