MIRNEWS.419    22 APRIL 1998

5th Spacewalk (EVA) MIR-crew 25th Main expedition MIR:

Very quickly the spacewalkers accomplished the procedures before the EVA:
checks of the spacesuits and all systems and pressurizing of the suits and
vacuuming of the air-lock (Sh.S.O.). As usual Budarin started with the opening
of the locks of the exit hatch. On 22.04.1998 at 0534UTC, so 6 minutes earlier
than planned the crew opened the hatch.

At 0546UTC both spacewalkers and their instrument package were in open space.
They closed the hatch again behind them at 1155UTC, so a duration of 6 hrs 21
mins, somewhat longer than scheduled. All went extremely smooth without set-
backs. It was clear that the men enjoyed their work. Now and then Musabayev
asked Andy to make video images. Andy stated that he felt himself like a real
cameraman.

Budarin even instructed Andy how to change a watertank of the Elektron oxygen
generator. The crew installed the new VDU in the top of the Soforaboom and
connected the cables. Between 1028 and 1046UTC Musabayev reported the numbers
of the cables he had connected. At 1048UTC he told TsUP that they had
accomplished their tasks. There had been an order or request to do something
else, but TsUP told them to do this during a next EVA (so possibly there will
be a 6th one, for instance for the retrieval of experiments from outside.)
Still in the air-lock Musabayev asked Andy to rewind the videotape to the
beginning to be ready to transmit images of the EVA to earth as soon as
possible. They did so somewhat later and probably these images will reach us
via a number of television stations.

The success of the EVA has been confirmed by the very praising words of the
Head of TsUP , V.A. Solovyov, who is normally rather scarce with compliments.

Don't forget:

On Thursday, 23.04.1998, BBC-2, program Horizon, 2130-2220 B.S.T. (2030-
2129UTC), about MIR-problems with a number of my audiorecordings.

Chris van den Berg, NL-9165/A-UK3202.