MIRNEWS.376    8 AUGUST 1997

Soyuz-TM26:

This transportship docked at the aft port of MIR on 7.08.1997 at 17.02.08 UTC.
During the dockingoperation communications took place via Altair-2.  The
approach was in the automatic mode with the system Kurs. When MIR and S-TM26
came within my VHF-range Solovyov could be heard reporting distances, approach
speeds and deviations in course. Everything went perfect until appr. 1700UTC
when a slight upward deviation forced Solovyov to take over manually. The
'Kurs' failure did not get much attention due to the euphoria after the
'successful' docking.

Opening of the hatches:

The hatches swung open during the pass in orb. 65507 at 1832UTC. Normally this
is a smooth and orderly procedure but this time there were some problems with
the TV-link. Cheerfully both crews met each other. During the pass in orb.
65508, 2006-2013UTC, TsUP and Solovyov discussed the conservation of the S-TM26
and some technical items. The session was concluded by the transfer of
radiograms from Earth to MIR by Packet Radio.

Communications during the 2d flightday of Soyuz-TM26:

In all passes good reception on all frequencies. In a conversation with someone
on Earth Vinogradov told that he somewhat suffered from spacesickness during
the first flight day and in the morning of the 2d one, but after eating
somewhat substantional he recovered and was now feeling well.

Progress-M35:

This supplyship undocked from MIR on 6.08 at 11.46.45UTC.

MIR:

Thusfar Tsibliyev and Lazutkin did not succeed in repairing the Elektron oxygen
generator in Kvant-1. There are some options to solve the problem: 1. With a
sparepart to be delivered by Atlantis in September, or 2. to try to find a way
to deliver power to the Elektron in the now curtailed module Kvant-2. For the
time being oxygen has to be generated by the heating of lithium perchlorate
cartridges. Not so convenient with 5 men on board.

Plans:

(as far as known at deadline for this report) : Return of Tsibliyev and
Lazutkin with their Soyuz-TM25 on 14.08.1997. (In my opinion a return of the
relieved crew as soon as possible due to the oxygen problems would be a logical
decision).

The redocking of Soyuz-TM26 with on board Solovyov, Vinogradov and Foale from
aft to forward docking port (P.Kh.O.) on 15.08. 1997.

The return and docking in the automatic mode (Kurs) of Progress-M35 at the aft
docking port on 16.08.1997.

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