Russia launches first module for $60 billion space station

Russia ushered in a new era in space exploration on Friday by launching the first module of the $60 billion International Space Station.

A Russian Proton rocket blasted off from Baikonur cosmodrome in the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan carrying the Russian-built - but U.S.-financed - Zarya navigation and propulsion module toward its orbit.Officials monitoring the launch cheered as the unmanned Zarya sep-a-rated from the booster rocket and went into orbit 219 miles above earth.

"This is a historic day, for it sets the foundation for the new station," said Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev.

"It is important not only scientifically but also politically because it was established on the basis of international cooperation. All projects in the 21st century should take place on such a basis," he told Reuters.

Officials said the station unfolded its solar panels, the key source of energy, soon after launch and completed several orbits by early afternoon.

Bringing together the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan and Canada, the station will be the most expensive home ever built, holding seven astronauts when it is finished in 2004 in an interior equal to that of two jumbo jets.

Some experts question whether the astronomic cost of the new station is justified, but optimism prevailed on launch day.

"We have only 44 launches to go and about a thousand hours of space walks and countless problems and countless issues," said NASA chief Dan Goldin.