"It's never happened before," he added, noting that all Congressional committees had expressed continuing, though sometimes grudging, support for the station project over the years.

But suddenly, he said, the station project is producing "all these positives," adding, "It's a big international program.

Two major station projects were also reported to the meeting.

Its troubles have precipitated the frantic maneuvering to save the Russians and keep the station project on track.

The station project has previously been criticized as requiring more space walks than is practical or safe.

The American agency said it would initially pay Russia $60 million for equipment and services related to the station project.

Other nations participating in the station project would feel betrayed, though many of them are also seeking ways to reduce space expenditures.

But it was not clear what would be cut from the station project to free up the $15 million needed for the connector.

The new station project may not be quite as ambitious or architecturally striking as first advertised, however.

The station project was begun by President Ronald Reagan in 1984.