MIRNEWS.252    8 MAY 1995

Spacewalks (EVA-s):

The data for the 1st two EVA-s are: 12 and 17.05.1995. After
these 2 EVA-s there will be made another 2 of which data and
other details still have to be settled. There is a possibility
of 2 extra, so called 'contingency' EVA-s. The EVA on 12.05
will begin at 0500UTC (opening of the hatch), last abt 5 hours
and the main task will be the transfer of a solarpanel from
Kristall to Kvant-1. Possibly the cosmonauts will also retrie
ve materials which have been exposed to open space.
During radiocommunications in the last week could be heard how
the cosmonauts checked systems, spacesuits, communicationchan
nels, etc. The last 2 days these checks were focussed on the
communicationchannels. The checks were very realistic and gave
a good insight in the communicationsprocedures and systems.
During EVA-s the 143.625 shifts to 143.617 mc, so lower than
the normal Dopplershift and interference by an airtrafficchan
nel are standard and during those checks the same happened.
Preparations for the 1st EVA will begin in the night from 11
to 12.05.1995, the opening of the hatch, in fact the beginning
of the EVA, will be at abt. 0500UTC. The Russians Dezhurov and
Strekalov will do the EVA, Thagard will be on duty in the MIRcomplex.

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