MIRNEWS.472 29 DECEMBER 1999 Continuation of hibernation: After a test period in the first 3 days of December, the complex could continue its winter sleep. The results of the tests were positive and gave the responsible experts at TsUP the confidence that they would be able to interfere if necessary, that they could control the attitude and movements of the complex and if needed to switch on the main computer (TsVM-1) and speed up the gyrodynes. So it was obvious that the analogue computer BUPO can be used. The concern about the small air leakage remains. During this test period the orbit of MIR was raised somewhat with the use of the engines of the freighter Progress-M42. Daily the complex is loosing a few hundred meters. Now the perigee is 316 KM and the apogee 322 KM. The future of the station: The promise to take a decision about MIR's near future before the end of this year has not been kept. The last information about an eventual decision was that this will take place before 15.01.2000, although it is not clear if this will happen. The Head of the RAKA, the Russian NASA, is against the prolongation of the exploitation of the MIR-station. Nevertheless he accepted 2 draft scenario's between which the ultimate choice has to be made. Which of the 2 will be chosen depends on the destination of the money 1.5 billion rubel (approx. 58 million dollars) earmarked for the MIR-exploitation. In the opinion of Koptev this money is badly needed for other purposes, for instance for communication, meteorological, navigation and military satellites, but also for the Russian obligations in the framework of the ISS. A week ago Koptev assured Goldin that Russia will stick to her promise to take the MIR- complex out of orbit. The first draft plan, assuming that the MIR-station will be de-orbited in 2000, starts with the launch of the tanker ProgressM1 nr. 1 on 24.01.2000 and concludes with the de-orbiting of the complex on 30.06.2000. This plan also foresees in an extra manned mission, the Main Expedition 28, consisting of 2 Russians (launch foreseen on 30.04.2000) and 1 extra tanker, the ProgressM1 nr. 2. The second draft plan, supported by RKK Energiya, foresees in the continuation of the MIR-exploitation during the whole year 2000. Apart from Main Expedition 28, there should be a Main Expedition 29 and the delivery of 3 tankers of the ProgressM1 type. This plan does not include a planned date for an eventual de-orbit of the complex before 1.01.2001. I wish you all a smooth transfer to the New Millennium (still convinced that this starts on the first second of the first day of the next year 2000), a Happy and Prosperous New Year and the acceptance and the execution of the 2nd plan. Chris van den Berg, NL-9165/A-UK3202.