Space science slashed

The future of science on the International Space Station is in peril. Funding
cuts that will halve the planned crew to three will make it impossible to carry
out microgravity research in biology and physics, says a National Research
Council report. If funding is not restored to staff the station fully, the panel
recommends that NASA resumes annual shuttle flights that are devoted to science.
The Bush administration is proposing to cut a planned habitation module and
crew-rescue module from the ISS to stay below a Congressional cap on
spending.