Subject: mirnews.381
From: "C.M. van den Berg" <[email-masked]>
To: "Adam Tanner" <[email-masked]>, "Dan Gauthier" <[email-masked]>, "dirk rensink" <[email-masked]>, "Dave Larsen" <[email-masked]>, "Jonathan McDowell" <[email-masked]>, "Friends Partners Space" <[email-masked]>, "Igor Lissov" <[email-masked]>, "Mats Rieschel" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 22:00:01 +0200

MIRNEWS.381                            3 SEPTEMBER 1997

Power supply:  Vinogradov worked hard on the deployment of cables from the
Spektr hatch to other modules and gradually he succeeded in restoring a
part of the power supply for the modules Kvant-2 and Kristall.  The 3 
undamaged solar panels of Spektr delivered power, but rotation to achieve
maximum  solar illumination is not yet possible. 

Solovyov struggled along  to keep Elektron in Kvant-1 operational and he
also used power for the restoration of the Elektron in Kvant-2.  On 25.08
Elektron in Kvant-1 shut itself off and the TGK (the solid fuel oxygen
generator) did not work due to a defective firing pin. Before the outbreak
of the usual press panic the cosmonauts had already repaired the TGK and
Elektron in Kvant-1. 

The power supply  is partly restored in Kvant-2 and Kristall: the lights
are burning, the heating functions again and the drying process is going
on. 

EVA preparations:  Solovyov and Foale were convinced that they would get
green light for the EVA on 6.09 and they started the preparations.  Several
times they donned their Orlan-M suits,  checked all systems and took a
stock of all the equipment needed for the EVA. Foale saw a film of his EVA 
training with Budarin in TsPK.  He and S. also reviewed the so called
'cyclogram' of the EVA. The training of Foale during which Solovyov was
instructor served also as a test to determine whether Foale will be able to
do the EVA or not. 

Communications: The Altair-2 is regularly in use for communications between
MIR and TsUP.  They use this satellite for  phone as well as  for TV. On 1,
2 and 3.09 they showed images of their training,  also with their space
suits on, but also now and  then video films of the  interior and the
outersurface of the complex. 

If on 4.09.1997 a positive decision will be taken the EVA  will be made on
6.09.97. Opening of the hatch: 0055UTC; planned duration 5 hrs 40 mins. 

Chris  Vandenberg, NL-9165/A-UK3202