MIRNEWS.461    17 JULY 1999

Progress-M42:

The launch of this freighter took place from Baykonur on 16.07.1999 at
16.37.33UTC, so exactly at the planned time.

Everything went flawlessly and already during the first passes for my
position the telemetry and beacon transmitters could be monitored. During
the 3rd orbit from 2113 - 2115UTC in the 166 and 165 mc bands and during
the 4th one from 2241 - 2248UTC in those bands and also on the 922.755
mc.

Pr-M42 has to deliver to MIR 2.5 tons cargo among which water, fuel,
food, mail , some experiments, a reflector antenna, which has to be
installed outside the complex during a spacewalk and a guiding system to
enable TsUP to control the complex remote controlled during unmanned
status which will begin on 23 or 28.08.1999.

Estimated time docking:

If all continues to go well Pr-M42 will link up with MIR (aft docking
port, Kvant-1 +X-axis) on 18.07.99 at 1756UTC. So appr. 6 minutes after
LOS for my position. During the pass of MIR in orbit 76637, 1746-1750UTC,
radiotraffic during the final stage of the approach can be monitored.

Progress-M41:

This old freighter had to free the aft docking port before
the docking of his predecessor and as soon TsUP was sure about the good
functioning of all systems of the Pr-M42, Progress-M41 undocked from
MIR on 17.07 at 1120UTC. When this report 'went to the press' the Pr-M41
was about to make its last two orbits before it should be put on a
destruction course for decay in the atmosphere over a designated area in
the Pacific East of New-Zealand at 1951UTC.

Radio amateur traffic:

During conversations with radio amateurs on earth
on 16.07.99 Haignere enthousiastically mentioned the start of the
freighter and the expected docking on Sunday 18.07. He also spoke about
the possibility to make images of the approach and the eventual
transmission to earth of these images by SSTV. He still uses the
145.985 and 145.940 mc. And sometimes he receives on other frequencies to
avoid the noise caused by the enormous number of calls, often by
undisciplined amateurs. H. regularly shows his displeasure about this
and beseeches them to listen before calling.

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