ISSCOM 23 August 2001 (019)

Progress-M45 linked up with ISS: Progress-M45 docked flawlessly at the aft docking port of the Zvezda module on 23.08.01 at 09.51.11UTC.

Approach and docking have been executed in the automatic mode by the system Kurs.

The first pass for the Netherlands of the ISS with the meanwhile docked Pr-M45 on 23.08 took place in orbit ISS orbit number 15758, between 1110 and 1120 UTC.

During the voice contact with TsUP Moscow Dezhurov spoke about the fact that they did serious work. He was able to give more details, but did not do that for too many people were able to hear this. His crew mates had become acclimatized very well, this process continues normally and they know where they can find things. He also spoke about a PC on which Usachov had changed the ‘master-adjustment’.

The 2nd pass for the Netherlands in orbit ISS 15759, 1251-1256UTC, started with telemetry on 628.125 mc and voice traffic at 1255UTC in which Dezhurov reported that they had checked the air-seal, equalized the air pressures and opened the hatches. Everything was in good order.

About the Progress-M45: In fact this is a freighter of a previous generation. For operations with the ISS the Russians developed a new type, the Progress-M1 of which 6 have been used thus far (including one to the MIR station). The next cargo vessel will be a Progress-M1, so the Pr-M1-7.

STS-105 (Discovery): On 22.08 Discovery came in range of the Netherlands a few hours before the landing on the SLF at KSC and voice traffic could be monitored via 259.700 mc AM-W.

I heard a few calls at about 1520UTC and a loud and clear signal at 16.54.54UTC.

Chris van den Berg, NL-9165/A-UK3202