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October 19, 2000

The second of eight of the Russian-supplied batteries on the International Space Station has failed. The eight batteries are needed to provide power during the time that the station is on the dark side of the Earth. The Russians have admitted knowing before the Service Module was launched that they had quality control problems with their batteries. Plans are to send up spare parts to replace the switches on the second failed battery, but the first battery will eventually have to be replaced by a new unit brought up from Earth.--Stephen V Cole