MIRNEWS.372                            22 JULY 1997
Decisions taken: The present crew has been relieved from the task to do the 
IVA. The announcement was  published on 21. 07, but contacts between MIR and 
Earth, for instance in a conversation between Foale and Frank Culbertson made 
this cle ar. Another indication was the fact that the preparations for the 
IVA had been suspended. Foale said that he was a litt le disappointed for he 
personally was hoping to do that work, but he thinks it is the right decision 
politically but al so for this crew.  Solovyov and Vinogradov will be 
launched on 5.08 and dock on 7.8.97. Then the present crew has just a week 
for the  transfer of the station. They will return on 14.08.97 in their 
Soyuz-TM25. At first Foale did not know what to do with himself when he heard 
of the postponement, but they have been so very busy in the last 2 months 
that it
 is good to have some rest and the possiblity to get back to the routines. 
Science: Foale's opinion is that his role is changed, for he is there no 
longer for science, but to help them and to le arn and whatever. He values 
the recent experience. Without the power on the modules you cannot say you 
are doing active
 science. If you under these circumstances are saying you are doing the 
science you would not be telling the truth.  He will do all what is possible, 
for instance with the greenhouse and he will be very busy with  towels to 
absorb conde nsation water from the walls in the modules. 
Eyharts:  This French spacionaute will not join the crew of M.E. 24. It would 
have been senseless, but also irresponsib le.  He will get the opportunity to 
fly with a later expedition.
IVA: This operation will take place not before 20.08.  Before the IVA 
Solovyov, Vinogradov and Foale will make an auton omous flight with the 
Soyuz-TM26 to redock this ship from the aft  port (+X-axis) to the P.Kh.O. 
port (-X-axis).
During the IVA Foale will be in the Descent  Module of Soyuz-TM26 to activate 
the BO (life compartment) of that ship as
 an airlock if Solovyov and Vinogradov cannot get airseal in the P.Kh.O.  for 
instance if the new hatch to Spektr is no t airtight. 
Altair-2: After the restoration of the power situation of the day before the 
accident with a computercontact.  Altair-2
 has been used for TV-contacts, phone, data transmissions and the exchange of 
service radiograms with Packet Radio. 
Radio-amateur activities: Foale has now time to speak with radio-amateurs via 
 145.985 mc. He made also contacts with s ome European amateurs. 
Via Packet Radio he issued the following statusreport:
Subject: Status: I am having frequent power problems with tnc, and loosing 
all msgs. Sorry. No supply store is near at hand. I would do anything for a 
9pin serial adapter. Getting ready for next crew, Aug ust 7th Mike, KB5UAC.
Chris Vandenberg,  NL-9165/A-UK3202
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