MIRNEWS.489    18 JANUARY 2001

Time editing: 1035UTC.

Progress-M1-5:

The launch of this tanker has been delayed for 4 or 5 days due to serious
problems aboard the MIR-space station.

MIR:

Insufficient power supply to one of the Modules caused a malfunction
in the attitude control system of the complex. The huge gyroscopes (called
gyrodynes) stopped, and the TsVM-1 (Main Computer) and the SUD (control of
movements) switched themselves off.

Now the complex is in the so called 'free drift'. The BUPO, the analogue back-
up system, needed to achieve the necessary stable attitude for the activation
of the digital attitude control system, does not function at this point.
TsUP will do all what is possible to activate all systems today.

Telemetry: Today (18.01) during the pass of the MIR-station in orbit 85308, I
could monitor the telemetry transmitters on 638.085.7 and 637.829.0 mc between
10.28.29 and 10.30.10UTC. The signals were very weak. I did not hear the
telemetry transmissions in the 166 and 165 mc bands.

Consequencies:

The Russians have to do all what is possible to cope with this problem.
In my opinion a manned maintenance mission inevitable. This crew will
have to take care for a thorough overhaul of all crucial systems. I would not
be surprised if we get an official announcement about such a mission today or
tomorrow.

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