Subject: Mirnews 280 (forwarded)
From: Gert-Jan Bartelds <[email-masked]>
To: Multiple recipients of list <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 17 Nov 95 18:20:27 EST

>From:    Chris Vandenberg                       Sent 
To:      All                                    Msg #314, 16-Nov-95 17:43:26
Subject: MIRNEWS.280

MIRNEWS.280         16 NOVEMBER 1995

Atlantis/MIR: 

      The 2d link-up of shuttle Atlantis (now on mission STS-74) has been
executed flawlessly on 15.11.95. The erection and docking of the Russian
dockingmodule at the docking unit in the cargobay of Atlantis had been
accomplished by the Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield on 14.11.95, thus
making the docking operation with MIR possible.  The softdocking (capture)
took place on 15.11.95 at 062749UTC. The MIR-crew had switched off the
movements-control system of the complex for correction movements of the huge
complex might damage the 'soft' connections. Atlantis approached MIR's
Kristall-module (Module-T) from beneath with a speed of not more than 7
cm/sec. It was an instrumental approach with a minimum of correction
impulses by the shuttle.  At 0648UTC Atlantis reported 'hard mate', meaning
that Atlantis was connected with MIR as firm as a rock. After 2 hours in
which the airseal of compartments and docking systems had been checked the
hatches between the 2 complexes could be opened and the crews met each
other. The MIR crew welcomed the Americans with bread and salt, an old
Russian tradition.

Radiotraffic: 

      As usual, but this time in particular, again a goose-flesh causing
experience: to do all what I wished to do I needed more antennae,
receivers, ears and recorders. Before the docking as well as thereafter MIR
transmitted on 3 frequencies. Thomas Reiter reported in english about the
docking operation on 145.550 mc, MIR communicated with Atlantis on 130.165
mc (VHF-2) and with TsUP on 143.625 mc (VHF-1).  At abt. 30 minutes after
the opening of the hatches there was a radiosession with Houston (where
Sergey Krikalyov was active as an adviser) with congratulations, good
wishes and so on. The 2 crews will work together if they have to do so
according to program, but the 2 units remain 'autonomously'. The mutual
activities of the crews mainly consist of the exchange of supplies and
cargo delivered by the Atlantis and the transfer of goods, experiments etc.
which have to be brought to earth by  Atlantis.

The flightschedule: 

      It was very difficult to lay hands on this for the 'furlough' of a
lot of American public servants almost fully paralysed the PR- and
Information services of NASA.  18.11.95 at 0816UTC Atlantis will separate
from MIR leaving the delivered docking module behind for future Shuttle-MIR
docking operations. At 1001UTC the separation burn will take place. Between
0816 and 1001UTC both crews can observe and inspect each other's vehicles
and Atlantis will drift away from MIR. De-orbit burn is planned for Monday
20.11 at 1631UTC and if so Atlantis will land on the SLF of KSC at 1731UTC.

Communications: 

       During the periods in which Atlantis and MIR still can see 
each other, radio-traffic might be possible on 130.165 and  121.750 and/or on 
the radio-amateur frequencies. 

Chris v.d. Berg, NL-9165/A-UK3202

--- Maximus 2.01
 * Origin: Scoop BBS (The Netherlands) +31-33-2996366 (2:500/202)