ISSCOM 3 November 2002 (033)

SoyuzTMA-1: On 1.11.02 during the pass in orb. ISS between 0445 and 0453UTC S-TMA1 was hovering for a while before continuing the approach towards the ISS Pirs docking port. The operation was executed in the automatic mode with the system Kurs. Now and then Zalyotin reported data relating to that operation and he was ready to take over manually if this might be necessary.

0448UTC: Distance 150 Meters, appr. Speed 0. (While hovering at this distance a series of checks can be executed.)

044852UTC: Still hovering at a distance of 150 M. Zalyotin observes an antenna in the center of his VSK. (Orientation visor).

044900UTC: an interruption in the reception.

044950UTC: Reception okay again. Zalyotin passes some instructions to Frank de Winne. (Indication that Franks plays a role during this operation).

045100UTC: Lonchakov asks Korzun in the IRS from where he observes the approach.
K. says through '2' so possible port hole 2.

045230UTC: Meanwhile the distance is 145 Meters, so the approach is going on again. The porthole is almost in the centre, only 1 grid to the right.
At LOS for the Netherlands the S-TMA is 7 minutes from the planned docking time.
Soft mate took place at 05.01.20UTC During the next pass it was clear that all went well and that the hatches soon could be opened. This was at approx. 06.25.34UTC.
When the crews were together in the ISS some conversations took place between the crews and people on Earth among which the Head of the State commission and a Belgian person. During this session André Kuipers, the Dutch cosmonaut , who accompanied de Winne and his family before the launch, got the opportunity to speak with his colleague. Frank told André that they would be very busy today.
They already started the transfer of the seat liners (Frank uses the Russian word 'lozhementy'.) The station had greatly impressed Frank. For him it seemed to be very big after staying 2 days in the smaller Soyuz.

On 2 and 3 November 2002 no significant traffic during passes for the Netherlands via the Russian service channels.

On 3 November 2002 interesting radio amateur traffic during the pass in orbit 22568, between 0916 and 0927UTC. Conversations in Dutch and French with members of the Royal Technical School of the Belgian army in St. Truiden (home town of Frank).
On 5.11.02 during pass in orbit 22599, between 0901 and 0912UTC radio amateur contact of Frank with students in the Euro Space Centre in the Belgian Ardennes.

Chris van den Berg, NL-9165/A-UK302