MIRNEWS.297    15 APRIL 1996

MIR: Plans for the near future:

The first operation will be the launch of the module Priroda.
The Russians want to launch this module on 23.04.1996, but
further delay might be possible. In fact all is ready for that
launch, but specialists responsible for the powersupply of
that module want to be sure that the accumulators are fully
reliable if unexpected the Priroda has to fly longer than the
estimated period between launch and docking. The Priroda has
not been equipped with solarpanels and if the accumulators
show failures there are no alternatives. That is why the
experts responsible for the powersystems and energy consumption
take more time for tests. The dates for some important
operations can be set only after the launch and successful
docking of Priroda and the redocking thereafter. Priroda has
to dock to the forward axial port (-X axis) and will be repositioned
from there to the radial port (+Z axis). After this
the date for the launch of the freighter Progress-M31 can be
determined.

2d Spacewalk (EVA) 21st Main Expedition MIR:

Possibly this operation will be executed in May this year. The cosmonauts
will have to transfer one of the solarpanels which have been
brought to MIR by Atlantis (STS-74) and who are still attached
at the outersurface of the Docking Compartment (SO - so not
Docking Module. SO stands for 'Stykovochnyy Otsek'). They will
have to transfer that solarpanel to the astrophysical module
Kvant-1 (Module-E). During this operation they will use the 2d
Strela, which they installed during their first EVA. With this
2d Strela-crane they have the possibility for movements be
tween the SO and the Kvant-1. Originally the Russians planned
to install on Kvant-1 the solarpanel which is still at the
outersurface of the Kristall-module, but they preferred the
installation on Kvant-1 of a brand new one. The Russians hope
to accomplish this task during that 2de EVA, but they are
ready to insert a 3de EVA if necessary. The solarpanels which
have been brought to MIR on the outersurface of the SO will
not be deployed from there, but will be used on parts of the
MIR-complex.

VDU:

This abbreviation stands for External Engine Installation.
This is the box, which can be seen in the top of the long
Soforamast which has been erected on Kvant-1. Nobody was sure
about the use or the usefulness of that engine. In an interview
Thomas Reiter told me that this VDU often is used for the
orientation of the complex during periods in which the gyrodynes
have to be silenced for repostioning. These gyrodynes
cannot turn through 360 degrees and so now and then repositioning
is necessary. There is a problem for the future: when the
fuel of the VDU has been spent refuelling will not be possible.
Perhaps the Russians hoped that fuel would be sufficient
for the VDU at least until the end of the operational life of
MIR in 1997 or 1998. So if they want to prolong the use of MIR
by some years they will have to find a way to refuel that VDU
or to install a new one.

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