Subject: MIRNEWS.372
From: "C.M. van den Berg" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>, <[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]>
Date: Wed, 23 Jul 1997 16:36:07 +0200

MIRNEWS.372                            22 JULY 1997

Decisions taken: The present crew has been relieved from the task to do the
IVA. The announcement was  published on 21.07, but contacts between MIR and
Earth, for instance in a conversation between Foale and Frank Culbertson
made this clear. Another indication was the fact that the preparations for
the IVA had been suspended. Foale said that he was a little disappointed
for he personally was hoping to do that work, but he thinks it is the right
decision politically but also for this crew.  Solovyov and Vinogradov will
be launched on 5.08 and dock on 7.8.97. Then the present crew has just a
week for the  transfer of the station. They will return on 14.08.97 in
their Soyuz-TM25. At first Foale did not know what to do with himself when
he heard of the postponement, but they have been so very busy in the last 2
months that it is good to have some rest and the possiblity to get back to
the routines. 

Science: Foale's opinion is that his role is changed, for he is there no
longer for science, but to help them and to learn and whatever. He values
the recent experience. Without the power on the modules you cannot say you
are doing active science. If you under these circumstances are saying you
are doing the science you would not be telling the truth.  
He will do all what is possible, for instance with the greenhouse and he
will be very busy with  towels to absorb condensation water from the walls
in the modules. 

Eyharts:  This French spacionaute will not join the crew of M.E. 24. It
would have been senseless, but also irresponsible.  He will get the
opportunity to fly with a later expedition.

IVA: This operation will take place not before 20.08.  Before the IVA
Solovyov, Vinogradov and Foale will make an autonomous flight with the
Soyuz-TM26 to redock this ship from the aft  port (+X-axis) to the P.Kh.O.
port (-X-axis).

During the IVA Foale will be in the Descent  Module of Soyuz-TM26 to
activate the BO (life compartment) of that ship as an airlock if Solovyov
and Vinogradov cannot get airseal in the P.Kh.O.  for instance if the new
hatch to Spektr is not airtight. 

Altair-2: After the restoration of the power situation of the day before
the accident with a computercontact.  Altair-2 has been used for
TV-contacts, phone, data transmissions and the exchange of service
radiograms with Packet Radio. 

Radio-amateur activities: Foale has now time to speak with radio-amateurs
via  145.985 mc. He made also contacts with some European amateurs. 

Via Packet Radio he issued the following statusreport:

Subject: Status: I am having frequent power problems with tnc, and loosing
all msgs. 
Sorry. No supply store is near at hand. I would do anything for a 9pin
serial adapter. Getting ready for next crew, August 7th Mike, KB5UAC.

Chris Vandenberg,  NL-9165/A-UK3202