MIRNEWS.242 26 JANUARY 1995 MIR: The MIR-crew is still struggling along to keep the com plex habitable and operational. Recently they had to cope with technical problems with the heating, drinking-water, pressure control and with a leakage of water in the Kristall-module. With the help of advices from experts on earth they solved the problems. On 23.01.1995 during the pass in orbit 51032, 0719- UTC, TsUP gave Viktorenko attitude control data to adjust the attitude of the complex in such a way that the solarpanels of the Kristall module could deliver a maximum of energy. Dr. Polyakov continued his medical checks and experiments. On request by experts on earth the crew filmed and observed the areas of Kobe in Japan and Grozny. On 21.01.1995 they transmitted these images to earth. It was not always possible to do this due to clouds and bad weather in the areas of interest. Also on 21.01.1995 Dr. Polyakov gave a lecture for Russian children, members of an organisation for young people intere sted in spaceflight. During a long TV-session via Altair Polyakov explained how the systems in the baseblock worked. Extensively he explained all about the production and delivery of oxygen for the complex and the purification of the air on board. He emphasized the necessity of the permanent survey of the lifesystems and a regular maintenance. Rendezvous Discovery (STS-63) with MIR: On 2.02.1995 at 0549UTC STS-63 will be launched for a flight in which the most important operation will be a rendezvous with the MIR-complex. Somewhat earlier, on 4.02.1995 at 1221- UTC MIR and Discovery will be able to establish radiocontact. From Discovery cosmonaut Titov and the female astronauts Collins and Voss will speak with the crew of MIR. On 5.02.1995 at 1828UTC the rendezvous operation will begin and STS-63 will approach MIR in a distance of 10 meters. Chris v.d. Berg, NL-9165/A-UK3202.