Subject: MIRNEWS.366
From: "C.M. van den Berg" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>, <[email-masked]>, <[email-masked]>, <[email-masked]>, <[email-masked]>, <[email-masked]>
Cc: <[email-masked]>, <[email-masked]>, <[email-masked]>, <[email-masked]>, <[email-masked]>, <[email-masked]>, <[email-masked]>, <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 2 Jul 1997 11:40:46 +0200

MIRNEWS.366                                                     1 JULY 1997

Radiotraffic in the  period 26.6 - 1.7.1997:

During this period it was for me a relief when I during the first pass of
the daily sequence  heard the voices of the crew.  Every conversation
between the crew and TsUP referred to the difficult situation and their
'struggle for life'.

26.06: Just like on 'collision day' they again had to do everything to
adjust those solar-arrays which still were operational  to the best angle
towards the sun.  The absence of the gyrodynes for the movements control
and the absence of the possibility to have commands executed by computer
programs means that the crew has to adjust the solararrays manually. One of
the complaints was that the solararrays on Module D moved very slowly. 
Nevertheless the angles towards the sun gradually improved leading to  an
increase of power supply. The crew did all what was possible to determine
the damage by observations and making images via several portholes, but it
was impossible to get a full picture. For the reception of radiograms the
RTTY system was in use again. The attitude control of the complex was
executed by thruster jets, also with  those of the transportvehicle
Soyuz-TM25. They did not do any experiments for which electrical energy was
needed and all radio-amateuractivities had been suspended.  For the
filtering of the air from CO2 now and then the Vozdukh scrubber was
activated. 

27.06: This day there was word about a gyro-stabilized orientation,
possibly with the attitude control of the S-TM25.  For the neutralization
of CO2 TsUP wished the use of lithium hydroxide canisters. Tsibliyev asked
permission to do this with Vozdukh. At first they had to do this with those
canisters, but later on they got permission to switch on Vozdukh for a
while.  The crew also worked on the Elektron, but this oxygen producer had
to remain switched off to economize energy.  During the pass in orb. 64863
there has been a TV-link (Anna-72 and Anna-86) and possibly they used for
the phone during these communications the VHF-2 130.165 mc.  During the
pass in orb. 64865 the crew answered  questions of a lady on earth.  The
crew said that only a few experiments ('sleep' and the 'orangery') can be
executed. During this interview the possibility of a spacewalk (EVA) was
mentioned. Tsibliyev spoke about an 'internal' EVA. Tsibliyev hoped that
their spacesuits will enable them to enter the Spektr. He stated that the
present situation is far from hopeless.  Problem is that 1 solararray has
been severely damaged. The  other 3 solararrays on Spektr are still in good
order, but it is a 'bloody shame' that they cannot deliver electrical
power. One of those 3 is badly needed for the powersupply.  The lady asked
how things are looking inside the Spektr. Tsibliyev said, that they do not
know this for they have not  been inside.  In his opinion a spacestation
can be compared with a 'test firing range' where everything is possible.
They are very proud of their MIR. Cosmonauts are prepared to undergo normal
and emergency situations, even those which have not been foreseen.  But
together with the experts on earth they always will 'twist themselves out'.

28.06: Today again attitude corrections with the thrusters of Soyuz-TM25. 
Also a few times TV-links. The work on the Elektron has been postponed
until next Monday, probably due to a valve that cannot be opened.  Later on
they spoke about the functioning of the Elektron in Kvant. (37KE).  Today
the transfer of radiograms with Packet Radio could be monitored.  
                                                   -2-

                                                   -2-
A lot conversations about the 'internal' EVA. The equipment needed for this
EVA has to be transferred from the Sh.S.O. (airlock of Module-D) to the
P.Kh.O. (transitionsection, which again has to function as airlock).  They
spoke about the spacesuits, POV, BSS and so on. 

29.06: During passes they almost exclusevily spoke about the next EVA and 
also mentioned the spacesuits which have to be used: Orlan-M or Orlan-DMA. 
Foale is also involved in the solution of these problems.  It was also
obvious that a part of the available gyrodynes is functioning normally. Now
and then they speak about the switching off of one gyrodyne or the use of a
reserve. 

30.06: Again a lot about the EVA.    There was also work to do on the
coolingloops VGK and K.Okh-B in Kvant (37KE). 

1.07: Foale spoke with Wendy Lawrence, his successor. He says that his
'little room is in vacuum now'.   Meanwhile the radio-amateur Packet Radio
transmissions on 145.985 mc have been resumed.  (this means that the power
supply situation really improved)
During the pass in Orb. 64925 Tsibliyev reports: 'At about 1100UTC we heard
some dull claps or knocks. It was not clear what it was.  When we at
1103UTC entered the light from the shadow  we saw a big cloud of very
little white flakes near the Module-O (Spektr).  Obviously there is fuel
leaking away from somewhere'. He asked TsUP to check  the fueltanks by
Telemetry. 

That's all for now folks.

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