MIRNEWS.191 8 OCTOBER 1993 PROGRESS-M17: This freighter undocked from MIR after the launch of Progress-M19 on 10.08.93. (So this happened not to be the Pr-M18. Pr-M18 disappeared earlier, i.e. just after the Rodeo-experiment. (Undocking of Pr-M18 under observation of the approaching Soyuz-TM17 which had to dock to the docking- port freed by Pr-M18). While Pr-M19 was flying to MIR Pr-M17 undocked and remained in space. The autonomous flight of this freighter will have a duration of 1 or 1.5 year. This on request of the Americans, who plan to use modified Soyuz-M- ships as ACVR-s (assured crew rescue vehicle) for their space- stations. They wish to know the maximum lifetime of a S-TM. Most of the systems of both vehicles are equal and so Pr-M17 is now playing the role as a test-vehicle. Pr-M17 is flying a dozen kilometers lower than MIR. MIR-operations: The still attached to MIR Progress-M19 corrected the orbit of the complex. MIR was lifted from ap/per 390.7/384.8 KM to ap/per 397.4/389.2 KM. So Keplers older than day 278 are invalid. The crew still has to spend a lot of time too keep the lifesys- ems of he complex operational, especially the waterregenera- tions systems cause a lot of tršouble. On 7 Oct. 1993 during their first contact with TsUP (in orb. 43660, 0535-0546UTC) they heard that the launch of the Soyuz- TM18 with the relief crew had been put back until the 2d half of December 1993 (instead of 24.11.93), which means a prolon- gation of their flight. The delay is caused by a complex of reasons, one of them has something to do with the carrier- rocket for S-TM18's launch. Serebrov stated that he and Tsibl- iyev understand this decision and that they, though reluctant- ly, agreed to remain longer in space. They asked TsUP to inform Yuriy Semyonov (Head of NPO Energiya) about their consent. PROGRESS-M19: The crew is preparing this freighter for her imminent departure. Main task is the loading and servicing of the VBK (ballistic return capsule) of Pr-M19. Pr-M19 will undock from MIR after the eventual successful launch of the freigher Progress-M20. PROGRESS-M20: Launch still on schedule for 11.10.93, 2133UTC (so for TsUP already on 12.10.93, 0033 Msc Winter Time) from Baykonur. Rendez-vous and docking with MIR in the late evening of 13.10.93 (UTC). 4th Spacewalk (EVA): This EVA will be carried out after the arrival of Pr-M20. The most convenient day for this EVA will probably be 28.10.93. Chris v.d. Berg, NL-9165/A-UK3202.