Preface- This is the beginning of Act Two right after the two American astronauts and one Russian cosmonaut learn of Columbia’s tragic end, and that they were now stranded on the International Space Station and facing an open-ended stay.    

ACT TWO BEAT 12 -- “FIRST PUBLIC COMMENTS"

(A News Host steps out to her live audience.)

JERRI, UBER COMMENTATOR - SALLY
We're a few seconds away from a live interview with the International Space station residents: Nikolai Budarin, Ken Bowersox and Don Pettit. Talking to them today is CNN's Brion Cabell.

(Brion moves up to a floating‑ monitor trapeze that is controlled by an operator below. A camera person is moving to cover the action of the live interview.)

Brian says the space station crew might be in orbit for a good while, with shuttle flights grounded indefinitely after the Columbia tragedy... Brion?

CNN'S BRION CABELL - ARWYN
It's February 12th. I'm here in Mission Control and being beamed up. to a plasma monitor inside the Space Station.

(The three astronauts, shoulder‑ to-shoulder on a floating‑monitor trapeze, are twisted
to face Brion.)

Jerri, the space program is built on a principle of acceptable risk/acceptable loss.

JERRI, UBER/COMM.-SALLY
The astronauts may have been asked to accept the risk, but, I'm sorry, all of us become quite familiar with them...

CNN'S BRION CABELL – ARWYN
And so the loss is devastating for us.

(A bell begins a slow tolling)

BOWERSOX
Yes. The loss was devastating.

PETTIT
It was. We watched a memorial service at the Johnson Space Center in Texas and then rang the ship's bell, seven times.

BOWERSOX
Here on the station our emotions tend to be a little amplified, each of us had time to shed -some tears, but now it's time to move forward.

CNN'S BRION CABELL -- ARWYN
Alright. A lot rides on how you three function up there. The United States, Russia and other station partners could decide to leave the orbiting outpost unoccupied. Have you even been informed of that?

JERRI, UBER COMM. - SALLY
CNN's Brion Cabell - tracking the drama in space aboard the International Space Station. Brion?

CNN'S BRION CABELL - ARWYN
There's talk that desperation might set in and they would try to rescue you in some newly designed Soyuz, am I right?

BUDARIN
We made this type bigger to accept the larger average height and weight of American Astronauts, like Mr. Pettit.. It will take one to two months for that decision to be made.

JERRI, UBER COMM. - SALLY
So, Don Pettit - the tall one. With the U.S. Shuttles out of service, Russian vessels have become the lifeline to the orbiting outpost. Is that what we're hearing?

PETTIT
Yes

JERRI, UBER COMM. – SALLY
That worries me

PETTIT
Why is that?

JERRI, UBER COMM. - SALLY
The international situation being what it is. Mr Pettit?

PETTIT
We haven't heard much about that.

JERRI, UBER COMM.-SALLY
Your haven't?... Brion?

CNN'S BRION CABELL – ARWYN
Yes, an un-manned Russian spacecraft called Progress had to boost the space station about six miles'higher in its orbit. We've been sinking due to the effects of gravity. I guess we really need those Russians now Jerri. Jerri?

PETTIT
I'm sorry, we really don't know much about it.

CNN'S BRION CABELL - ARWYN
Jerri?

JERRI, UBER/MORPHING -­SALLY
My worry is this -

(A loud shift in light and sound.)

Preface- This excerpt is taken from Act Two when the astronauts and cosmonaut begin to get a clear sense of what is going on with the war in Iraq. They also start to reflect on their extended time in space and how it affects relationships with family members, especially the children.

MISSION CONTROL - SALLY
ISS Expedition 6, this is Houston. Regarding your last transmission. Thanks for your patience. 2003 is turning out to be a hell of a year for us. But you guys are showing great attitude.

BOWERSOX
Roger, Houston, this is ISS Expedition 6. We are enjoying our work up here. Our operations reflect our first priority: safety of the crew. Although we have adjusted our mission, we continue to enjoy the environment on the space station, and we're enjoying our extended time. Over. 

(A Commentator from the "Vision" show gets pulled in on a rolling chair.)

VISION BOX COMM. #1 - JOHN
Even before the Columbia disaster, life aboard the space station wasn't always easy. Now Mission Control has a special challenge on its hands. But are we hearing much about this story?...Bob?

(A second commentator gets pulled in.)

VISION BOX COMM. #2 – KRL
It's amazing, really. What is it, almost two months and still no rescue in place that we know of?

VISION BOX COMM. #1 – JOHN
Hey, sorry, right now that story is just not going to make it much before page 17. Guess what, it's all war news.

VISION BOX COMM. #2 - KRL
Right, April 9th - Baghdad fell. April 12th - National Museum looted. That's what everyone is interested in, and that may be working in NASA's favor.

VISION BOX COMM. #1 - JOHN
Bowersox, Budarin, and Pettit have been upbeat in public statements, but they have had to grapple a bit more with disappointment and loneliness, I'm sure.

VISION BOX COMM. #2 -- KRL
Long-distance dads - we're going to get that story in a minute.

VISION' BOX COMM. #1 - JOHN
Wives talking to their husbands in space - a live linkup at a critical time for these families. With the world's focus on Iraq, NASA better be focused on some fool-proof options for this rescue.

VISION BOX COMM. #2 – KRL
Well, the consensus is that the situation in Bahgdad will remain chaotic for only the next month or two.

VISION BOX COMM. #1 - JOHN
Hopefully shorter than that.

VISION BOX COMM, #2 – KRL
Maybe then we can return to things like space news and how we're going to get these guys back.

(Bowersox on a trolley pulls himself along the cable, then Pettit and Budarin follow.)

BOWERSOX
I'll take that question. There's always something to enjoy about the environment, no matter how mundane the task.

VISION BOX COMM. #2 – KRL
We're going to the live link-up now.

VISION BOX COMM. #1 – JOHN
Hello men.

BOWERSOX
Being temporarily stranded aboard the station isn't all bad. Everyday routines have a magic here.

VISION BOX COMM. #1 - JOHN
They're putting a positive face on the situation, for sure­Hang on - We just received word that a decision has been made. (Listening) OK, OK, they're going for it. Bowersox, Pettit and Budarin will be coming back in the newly designed Russian Soyuz spacecraft, the TMA - 1.

BUDARIN
That's correct. The American astronauts have thanked Russia for continuing its space program after U.S. shuttle flights were suspended.

VISION BOX COMMENTATOR #2
Am I right here Frank? It's the maiden voyage of that model of Soyuz? No American astronaut has ever traveled in a Soyuz. Not even a Russian has come back in this new one.

VISION BOX COMMENTATOR #1
And we do know how those Russians do a brisk reentry. They go through just punishing gravity pressures - and a stiff landing by parachute onto hard ground.

VISION BOX COMMENTATOR #2
Right now what we're seeing is some of the intensive training using Budarin's experience.

(Budarin gives commands for floating maneuvers: 'Hi-du‑sho').

We still don't know exactly when they'll be ready, but preparing for the Soyuz descent is the focus for the Astronauts up there.

BUDARIN
Hi-du-sho

VISION BOX COMMENTATOR #1
One thing is certain. They will need to leave before their supplies run out in June.

(The Commentators stand and the chairs glide out.)

The importance of returning safely must be on everyone's minds.

VISION BOX COMMENTATOR #2
A second disaster and loss of life would spell the end of manned space missions for generations to come,

(The crew lowers down on the rolling platforms and push out into three spinning trajectories.)

VISION BOX COMMENTATOR #1 - JOHN
While we're waiting for the link-up with the wives, I'll add that Mission Control will be shifting out of the US. Russia's Cosmodrome at Star City -

BUDARIN
- the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan -

VISION BOX COMMENTATOR #1 - JOHN
The Russians are very proud that the Cosmodrome will become the new home for Mission Control in preparation for re-entry.

(VBC #1 gets a standing mic and beckons Micki and Anne out)

VISION BOX COMMENTATOR #1
Here we go with the transmission. (Gesturing) Before the Columbia disaster, the astronauts communicated omewhat regularly with their families. Now with their adjusted schedules I imagine they'll talk with them less often.

(The Commentators operate the camera videoing activity and reactions, not the Speakers.)

ANNE BOWERSOX
Do we have the link-up? Hi Ken.

MICKI PETTIT Hi Don.

(Bowersox and Pettit, in microgravity, sit up.)

BOWERSOX
My sons are 5, 7 and 9. My wife Annie has said that for the most part they really enjoy what I'm doing up here.

ANNE BOWERSOX -
The 5-year-old still hasn't given him the OK to be on the flight. When Ken asks him, he says, 'No, you don't have my permission. to go.'

BOWERSOX
I hope to eventually get it, if all goes well. We may have already landed but I'll get it.

ANNE BOWERSOX
All will go well, we know that. Nickolai. Your wife and I talked. She's very strong about all this.

(The camera is brought closer for Budarin's answer which doesn't come right away.)

BUDARIN
Of course.

MICKI PETTIT (ANSWERING A QUESTION)
What's that? Well, we have twin boys. They just had a birthday after Don reached orbit.

PETTIT
I don't know how to communicate from up here with my little ones.

MICKI PETTIT They can't talk on the phone yet.

PETTIT
And infants can't use e-mail. Give 'em six months and maybe they will.

MICKI PETTIT
There's a process that has happened with my family.

PETTIT
Micki has her own way of explaining it.

MICKI PETTIT
Bonds have to loosen.

PETTIT
It’s not something you want.

MICKI PETTIT
It hurts. I'm sorry, but it hurts.

BOWERSOX
Out of necessity I think you learn to be more independent of each other.

MICKI PETTIT
We of course wonder when do all of us go to Russia and Star City. And when will the reentry be attempted I un-I mean, when are they coming back, exactly?

BOWERSOX
NASA managers say they have several weeks to make any decisions. This is typical for Mission Control communications in many instances.

BUDARIN
Information is being processed. This is all covered by the. words "staying on task". (He floats on his back, giving commands in Russian)    'Prepare.' 'Ready.' 'Go'/ Hydicho.

(The Astronauts initiate an intricate series of maneuvers.)

ANNE BOWERSOX
OK. One last question.

MICKI PETTIT (COMING FORWARD)
I'm sorry, what was the question? (pause) No, we won't be able to talk so much now – you heard them say that. (pause) Look, I understand about the delay. I understand about the re-training. I just have to learn to be more independent.

(The wives take a last look and turn away.)