MIRNEWS.274    9 OCTOBER 1995

PROGRESS-M29:

This freighter has been launched from Baykonur
on 8.10.95 at 1851UTC. Pr-M29 has to link up with the MIR
spacestation (aft axial docking port Kvant-1) on 10.10.95 at
2030UTC. The final stage of the dockingoperation is still
going on during the pass of MIR for Western Europe between
2019-2026UTC. The window for MIR-TsUP traffic via Altair is
open from 1955-2036UTC so possibly the moment of 'kasaniye'
(touch) can be determined.

Progress-M29's cargo consists of the normal supplies: food,
fuel, water, post and spareparts for MIR-systems. There is
also a package of abt. 80 KG for the Euromir95 experiments.
The greater part of that package will be installed on the
outersurface of the Spektr module during the spacewalk (EVA)
on 20.10.95. Instruments for the measurement of radiation,
micrometeorites and space dust. Dosimeters will be used to
study the influence of UV-radiation on organic material.
One of the experiments has to determine the influx of cosmic
rays. Pr-M29 also deliveres samples to be used in the ovens of
the MIR-stations.

Altair: This satellite is still in use for many of the commu
nication sessions, television as well as phone. For instance
on 7.10.95 between 1105-1151UTC for a Telelink from MIR via
TsUP to Disneyland in Paris, where schoolchildren could ask
questions to the ESA- astronaut Thomas Reiter.

Luch-1:

There is no doubt that this geo over 97 degrees East
also is operational for MIR-TsUP communications. For us this
satellite is below the horizon.

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