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Two astronauts face a not-so-merry Christmas after being told to ration their food and hope a cargo ship with extra supplies docks on Dec. 21. Russian cosmonaut Salizhan Sharipov and American Leroy Chiao have been asked to cut out calories equal to three cans of Coke from their daily dietaround 10 percent of their daily 1 and an amount that would be little noticed, NASA said. Russian officials, quoted in the local media, have 2 blamed the previous crew for overeating during their one-month mission earlier this year, leaving a 3 of meat and milk and a surplus of juice and confectionery . The Dec. 24 launch of the next Progress is now 4 for the crew, stationed in orbit since October. It is due to 5 with the ISS on Dec. 21. NASA officials said their situation was not so different from being cut off on Earth, and their lives were not at risk. If they do not receive 6 supplies, the astronauts would have to 7 the station and return to Earth on the Soyuz capsule that is docked there. Russia has been the sole lifeline to the ISS for almost two years when the United States grounded its 8 fleet after the fatal Columbia accident. Russia has often 9 of its financial struggle to keep the ISS fully serviced single-handedly. Shuttle flights could 10 in May, officials have said, but in the meantime Russia will continue to launch all manned and cargo ships. A) deficit | 
