MIRNEWS.174 19 MAY 1993 PROGRESS-M18: Launch postponed. During checks of the Soyuz-carrierrocket, which had to launch Pr-M18 for a flight to the MIR-spacestation on 19 May 1993, experts discovered a technical deficiency. They decided to postpone the launch. At the earliest the launch is possible on 22 May 1993. If so, the launch will take place at abt. 0640UTC that day. Pr-M18's cargo is essential for the execution of the planning for this and next year. In the first place it has to deliver the replacement of the lost key (or: handle) for the operations with the crane Strela. During the next planned spacewalks the crew needs that Strela for the transfer of the solarpanels from Kristall to Kvant-1. Pr-M18 also will bring new equipment and spareparts for the replacement or repairs of wornout systems, but also equipment and experiments to be used during the French expedition 'Altair' in july this year. Chris v.d. Berg, NL-9165/A-UK3202.