MIRNEWS.185    13 AUGUST 1993

Progress-M19 docked to MIR-spacestation:

This freighter with food, water, fuel, post, spareparts, etc.
docked to the forward dockingport (transitionsection -P.Kh.O.)
on 13 Aug. 1993 at 0000UTC. So 4 minutes after LOS for our
position. The approach in orb. 42799, 12 Aug. 2351-2356UTC,
the cosmonauts visually observed the Pr-M19. At 2356UTC Pr-M19
was on a distance of 25 M and the appr. speed was 0.85M/sec.
The operation passed off smoothly and already during the pass
in the next orb. (42800, 0129-0133UTC) Tsibliyev reported the
hermetic air-seal and the opening of the hatch to Pr-M19. In
the pass during orb. 42801, 0304-0309UTC, the cosmonauts
expressed their gratitude for all what Pr-M19 delivered, but
in Serebrov's opinion the Pr-M19 was 'too empty'. He said that
only 66% of the cargo-volume had been utilized. Nevertheless
he was satisfied about the post, the new paper (or:ribbon) for
the RTTY printer and the renewed instructions for evacuation
in case of emergency.

Perseid-meteorites:

So the crew just had to work during 3 nightshifts: 2 due to
the meteorite-storm and 1 for the Pr-M19. In the night from 11
to 12 Aug. they enjoyed the sight of the meteorite-rain. They
spoke about 'fireballs' and stopped counting them for it
really was a rain. The night before they also observed this
phenomenon, which was less spectacular then. Unfortunately
they again had to report collisions with small particles and
damages. S. and T. expressed their relief that all was over
now and that they survived the meteorite-bombardments.

Chris v.d. Berg, NL-9165/A-UK3202.