ISSCOM 22 May 2003 (035) Communications ISS: The successful docking at the Nadir docking port of the Zarya of ISS by the Soyuz-TMA2 took place on 28.04.2003 at 055620UTC. During the final approach there was radio traffic from S-TMA2 via 121.750 and 130.165 mc. Malenchenko followed the automatic approach and reported data. In contradiction to that what was usual in the past communications with TsUP-M were very scarce after the docking. In the period before the departure of the relieved crew there was not much radio traffic within reach of Western Europe. On 30.04.03 during ISS orbit 25354 the 121.750 mc of the S-TMA was in use during checks of the systems of that ship. Monitoring of that traffic was not convenient due interference by air traffic control centres in Western Europe. Soyuz-TMA1: Undocking and return of that ship on 4.05.03 took place far out of range of Western Europe thus making monitoring of undoubtedly interesting communications impossible. Before August 1998 the geostationary Altair-2 made monitoring communications in the period from undocking until landing possible by using MIR as an extra relay station between the Soyuz and Altair. (See Luch). Luch: In April 1999 deputy chief of Rosaviakosmos, Averdeyev, promised us that the meanwhile usable new Luch (Altair-3) would be stationed over 16 degrees West in about one year. We can forget this for on 14 May 2003 the satellite was underway from NPO Applied Mechanics to Sankt-Peterburg. In a permanent exhibition over there the satellite will be play the role of a symbol of the efficient support of space stations in the past instead of being operational at 36000 KM over 16 degrees West. Such a satellite on that location is indispensable for Russian space flight for several kinds of operations, for instance flights of space stations and ships like S-TMA's . Communications now: The passes of ISS over Western Europe during the last weeks took place in the night hours. Shortly the passes start in the late evening hours and so we can expect increasing voice contacts via 143.625 mc soon. Radio amateur communications: During a training for his work as a radio amateur on board of ISS in the near future the ESA cosmonaut André Kuipers used the amateur station at TsPK Moscow, RK3DZB, for a QSO with the station PA4PCH in the Netherlands with your scribe who acted as 2nd operator. This QSO on the short wave (14.204 mc USB) was supported by the old good Heavy side layer. In a reference to the ballistic return of the S-TMA1 André stated the he is sure that the problems with the control systems of the S-TMA's will be solved satisfactorily and that he has full confidence in his future space flight. Chris van den Berg, NL-9165/A-UK3202