MIRNEWS.366    1 JULY 1997

Radiotraffic in the period 26.6 - 1.7.1997:

During this period it was for me a relief when I during the first pass of
the daily sequence heard the voices of the crew. Every conversation
between the crew and TsUP referred to the difficult situation and their
'struggle for life'.

26.06:

Just like on 'collision day' they again had to do everything to adjust
those solar-arrays which still were operational to the best angle towards
the sun. The absence of the gyrodynes for the movements control and the
absence of the possibility to have commands executed by computer programs
means that the crew has to adjust the solararrays manually. One of the
complaints was that the solararrays on Module D moved very slowly.
Nevertheless the angles towards the sun gradually improved leading to an
increase of power supply. The crew did all what was possible to determine
the damage by observations and making images via several portholes, but
it was impossible to get a full picture. For the reception of radiograms
the RTTY system was in use again. The attitude control of the complex was
executed by thruster jets, also with those of the transportvehicle Soyuz-
TM25. They did not do any experiments for which electrical energy was
needed and all radio-amateuractivities had been suspended. For the
filtering of the air from CO2 now and then the Vozdukh scrubber was
activated.

27.06:

This day there was word about a gyro-stabilized orientation, possibly
with the attitude control of the S-TM25. For the neutralization of CO2
TsUP wished the use of lithium hydroxide canisters. Tsibliyev asked
permission to do this with Vozdukh. At first they had to do this with
those canisters, but later on they got permission to switch on Vozdukh
for a while. The crew also worked on the Elektron, but this oxygen
producer had to remain switched off to economize energy. During the pass
in orb. 64863 there has been a TV-link (Anna-72 and Anna-86) and possibly
they used for the phone during these communications the VHF-2 130.165 mc.
During the pass in orb. 64865 the crew answered questions of a lady on
earth. The crew said that only a few experiments ('sleep' and the
'orangery') can be executed. During this interview the possibility of a
spacewalk (EVA) was mentioned. Tsibliyev spoke about an 'internal' EVA.
Tsibliyev hoped that their spacesuits will enable them to enter the
Spektr. He stated that the present situation is far from hopeless.
Problem is that 1 solararray has been severely damaged. The other 3
solararrays on Spektr are still in good order, but it is a 'bloody shame'
that they cannot deliver electrical power. One of those 3 is badly needed
for the powersupply. The lady asked how things are looking inside the
Spektr. Tsibliyev said, that they do not know this for they have not been
inside. In his opinion a spacestation can be compared with a 'test firing
range' where everything is possible. They are very proud of their MIR.
Cosmonauts are prepared to undergo normal and emergency situations, even
those which have not been foreseen. But together with the experts on
earth they always will 'twist themselves out'.

28.06:

Today again attitude corrections with the thrusters of Soyuz-TM25. Also a
few times TV-links. The work on the Elektron has been postponed until
next Monday, probably due to a valve that cannot be opened. Later on they
spoke about the functioning of the Elektron in Kvant. (37KE). Today the
transfer of radiograms with Packet Radio could be monitored. A lot
conversations about the 'internal' EVA. The equipment needed for this EVA
has to be transferred from the Sh.S.O. (airlock of Module-D) to the
P.Kh.O. (transitionsection, which again has to function as airlock). They
spoke about the spacesuits, POV, BSS and so on.

29.06:

During passes they almost exclusevily spoke about the next EVA and also
mentioned the spacesuits which have to be used: Orlan-M or Orlan-DMA.
Foale is also involved in the solution of these problems. It was also
obvious that a part of the available gyrodynes is functioning normally.
Now and then they speak about the switching off of one gyrodyne or the
use of a reserve.

30.06:

Again a lot about the EVA. There was also work to do on the coolingloops
VGK and K.Okh-B in Kvant (37KE).

1.07:

Foale spoke with Wendy Lawrence, his successor. He says that his 'little
room is in vacuum now'. Meanwhile the radio-amateur Packet Radio
transmissions on 145.985 mc have been resumed. (this means that the power
supply situation really improved) During the pass in Orb. 64925 Tsibliyev
reports: 'At about 1100UTC we heard some dull claps or knocks. It was not
clear what it was. When we at 1103UTC entered the light from the shadow
we saw a big cloud of very little white flakes near the Module-O
(Spektr). Obviously there is fuel leaking away from somewhere'. He asked
TsUP to check the fueltanks by Telemetry.

That's all for now folks.

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