MIRNEWS.362    25 JUNE 1997

Progress-M34:

In contradiction to the information given in my MIRNEWS.361 the Russians
decided to execute manoeuvres with this old freighter for tests of the
TORU system (system for remote controled guidance from inside MIR). The
fact that departing Pr-M-ships could be used for that purpose had been
announced, but I could not get confirmation about the possible use of Pr-M34.
Radiotraffic during the last days revealed that Tsibliyev had got
orders to check the TORU-system during an autonomous flight of Pr-M34. He
and Lazutkin repaired electronics of the TORU and TsUP told Tsibliyev
what he had to do. The manoeuvres should be executed during those periods
in which MIR would be in range of groundstations.

Progress-M34:

undocked from MIR on 24.06.97 at 10.22.50UTC. Just after undocking Pr-M34
flew above the MIR-complex and a few hours later Tsibliyev reported that
Pr-M34 flew behind MIR in a distance of appr. 2 KM. Pr-M34 had to be
redocked at MIR with the use of the system TORU on 25.06.1997 between
0920 and 0925UTC. THIS DOCKING ATTEMPT FAILED. When this report 'went to
press' specialists at TsUP were analysing the situation and whether or not
-and if so when- a second attempt would be made had not been decided yet.

Progress-M35:

The launch of this freighter is on schedule for 27.06.1997 at 0721UTC. If
this launch will take place (in view of the situation with Pr-M34 might
this been changed) and if all goes according to plan this freighter will
have to dock at MIR aft (+X-axis) port on 29.06.1997 at 0848UTC. (In my
MIRNEWS.361 the estimated times were incorrect. I mixed up DMV time (TsUP
time) with Moscow summer time.)

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