MIRNEWS.439    16 SEPTEMBER 1998

Internal Spacewalk (IVA) crew 26th Main Expedition MIR:

The IVA inside the module Spektr began on 15.09.1998 at 2000UTC (opening
hatches between P.Kh.O. -transition section- and the module). The estimated
duration of the IVA was 3 hrs but already at 2030UTC, so after 30 minutes,
the cosmonauts closed the hatches behind them. The task during the IVA was 
relatively easy. The cosmonauts had to connect a few cables to an interface for
the steering of solar battery number 3 of Spektr. However the work was not
limited to these 30 minutes for an IVA requires a lot of preparations. For
instance the crew had to prepare the transport ship Soyuz-TM28 for an eventual
emergency departure. And after the IVA the S-TM28 had to be conserved again.

Radiotraffic:

During the pass in orbit 71828, 2251-2257UTC, when MIR came in
range for the first time after the IVA, radiotraffic revealed that the
cosmonauts had accomplished the IVA itself and that they already worked on
preparations to check the restored cable connections.

During the following pass on 16.09.98 between 0021-0031UTC they discussed this
cablework before continuing the reactivation of those systems which had been
switched off during the IVA and the conservation of the ship S-TM28. During
the pass between 0156-0207UTC this work was still in progress and they already
had conserved the S-TM28, deployed airhoses and programmed computers with
commands, among which those for the attitude control by gyrodynes. After
this pass with a stable air pressure in the complex (735MM) the cosmonauts
went asleep.

Results of the IVA:

Officially has been reported that experts are almost sure
that the IVA was a success. On 16.09.98 after a 7 hrs sleep the crew will
start to execute several tests. If these tests are positive and the solar
battery can be aimed to the most effective solar angle the power supply of the
complex will be much better than be before the IVA.

Eventual 2nd Spacewalk:

For this expedition 4 spacewalks had been planned, but
2 of them have been cancelled due to the bad economical situation. When the
2nd one will be made is still unsure, but this certainly not take place
before the end of December 1998.

Progress-M40:

The launch of this freighter is still scheduled for 15.10.1998.
Pr-M40 will carry the Znamya 2.5. This huge solar reflector has to be deployed
after the departure of Pr-M40 from MIR. This experiment is expected on
21.02.1999. After 7 autonomous orbits of Pr-M40 the cosmonauts will transmit
remote control commands to deploy and to aim the reflector sail.

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