ISSCOM 26 December 2004 (045) Progress-M51: Approach and docking at ISS. The recently reported planned docking time, 25.12.04 at 2331UTC, deviated from the practice of many years. Normally the docking takes place 4 or 5 minutes after both objects disappeared over the Eastern horizon for us in Western Europe. TsUP Moscow did not use the video images they received before both objects came in range of Russian tracking stations and adhered to the normal routine. This became clear from the received radio signals during ISS orbit 34844, 2347-2354UTC. The approach was still going on. Transmissions of the transponders of the approach systems could be monitored on the 130.165 and 121.750 mc. The telemetry transmitters of the Pr-M51 in the 166 mc band were still active. Sharipov could be heard on the VHF-1 (143.625 mc) with data about the approach operation. He reported some little deviations in the course and just before LOS (Loss of Signal) he reported a distance of 40 Meters. The docking (soft mate) took place at 23.57.45UTC, so 4 minutes after LOS for our position in Western Europe. Finally the crew has new food and ISS stays occupied!! Chris van den Berg, NL09165/A-UK3202