NASA announces that the main oxygen generator for the international space station has failed, and the two astronauts on board may have to tap into an attached cargo ship's air supply next week.

The space agency says the astronauts have several backup sources of oxygen and are in no immediate danger.

The generator, a balky Russian unit that keeps breaking down, stopped working earlier in the week. Normally, air bubbles are to blame, but this time it appeared there was a blockage in a line.

NASA spokesman Rob Navias says Commander Gennady Padalka is confident he can clear the blockage and get the machine running again.

In the meantime, Padalka took spare parts and installed them in a spare oxygen generator, which could serve as a replacement if necessary.

(CRI September 11, 2004)