MIRNEWS.215

Progress-M23:

This freighter has been launched from Baykonur
on 22.05.94 at 0430UTC. During the first pass for
our position the transmitters of Pr-M23 dit not work possibly
due to the fact that Yevpatoria still does not participate
in the tracking activities of TsUP. During orbit 4
the transmissions on 166, 165 and 922mc could be monitored
over here. Pr-M23 carries more than 2000 KG cargo for the MIRcomplex,
i.e. fuel, food, water, post, equipment and experiments.
In contradiction to her predecessor this Pr-M also
carries a VBK (ballistic return capsule).

Progress-M22:

This freighter had to free the aft (Kvant-1)
docking port for the Pr-M23. After TsUP was sure about
the good functioning of all systems of Pr-M23 Pr-M22 could be
separated from MIR for decay in the atmosphere.
The undocking took place on 23.05.94 at 0057UTC and after some
hours Pr-M22 burnt up over the Pacific.

Progess-M23 docked to the MIR-station on 24.05.94 at 0619UTC.
During the first pass, in which the approach of Pr-M23
to MIR was in its final stage, there was no radiotraffic on
VHF (possibly again due to the absence of the Yevpatoriyafacilities).
For communications TsUP used the Ku-bands of the
Altair satellite. During the 2d pass (orb. 47232, 0745-0751-
UTC) Polyakov reported from MIR's central post that Afanasyev
and Usachov already were near the opened hatch to the Pr-M23.
They had followed the safety recommandations of TsUP (for
instance the use of protection glasses).
The Pr-M23 was clean and already had given the whole complex a
higher pressure to 717mm. The crew enjoyed the fresh air with
the smell of fruits. Afanasyev reported that all was well.

Launchdate Soyuz-TM19 possibly put back:

There are circulating messages about a possible change
of the launchdate of S-TM19, thusfar on schedule for 24.06.94.
These messages are not equal: there might be a delay until
20.07.94, but the Russians did not confirm this. They admitted
that there are discussions about a possible delay, but if so
the launch will take place not mare than 2 weeks later. The
discussions are still going on.

Yevpatoriya:

For a short period in the beginning of 1994 this
station could be used by the Russians for TsUPMIR
communications. During the flight of the Soyuz-TM18 the
station could be used due to a provisional agreement between
the RKA and her Ukrainian counterpart. Regretfully this probably
only worked for a short period. Tough negociations
between Russia and the Ukraine were going on about this matter
and the present problems on the Crimea certainly will not make
the negociations easier.

Chris v.d. Berg, NL-9165/A-UK3202.