The cosmonauts have completed their work outside Mir ... despite two problems.

Of course, longer-term prospects are unclear, given the current fund shortage.

In the three hours before the undocking, the cosmonauts are to check the ship's systems, don the spacesuits in the cramped quarters of the descent craft of the Soyuz TMA-6, take their places and wait for the decisive moment of the command to separate from the station and set off on the flight back to the ground.

The docking went without a hitch.

The docking was conducted on autopilot without any incident. The final approach went on so smoothly that the Mission Control gave the permission for the docking ahead of schedule.