MIRNEWS.226    31 AUGUST 1994

Progress-M24:

The 2d attempt to dock this freighter to MIR also
did fail. The estimated docking time was 30.08.94 at 1450UTC.
The Pr-M24 softly hit the MIR-complex twice after which Pr-M24
immediately moved away. The MIR-crew felt the little shocks
caused by the 2 contacts. They reported this during the pass in
MIR's orbit 48762 at 1615UTC. They also tried to assess
eventual damages by looking through portholes. The transmitters
of Pr-M24 functioned mormally after the event.

TsUP:

In this flightcontrolcentre specialists did (until
deadline of this report) not know the causes of both failures. 
More docking attempts are under consideration, but the decisi on
depends on further analyses and results of meetings of
specialists today. An eventual 3d attempt will not be made today
(31.08). Among the possibilities is the use of the system TORU
(Tele-orientation and guidance), which enables the crew to guide
Pr-M24 from inside MIR.

Consequenses:

These can be far-reaching for Russian manned
spaceflight if further attempts to dock Pr-M24 would fail.
Except from the normal cargo (food, water, fuel, reparationma
terial, post etc.) Pr-M24 had to deliver a part of the experi
ments for the Euromir94 mission and American equipment to
enhance some systems on board MIR. The spare stock now availa
ble for life on board of the complex is enough for 1 month. So
new supply before the end of September is urgently needed.
Further failures can hamper the plans for the near future, i.e.
the EVA-s in September, Euromir94 and the flights of American
astronauts and MIR-Shuttle operation.

(Derived from an enormous amount of information available until
31.08.94 at 1130UTC.)

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