Fw: MIRNEWS.452

jeff@satellite.eu.org
Wed, 3 Feb 99 22:45:16

Hi,

I'm forwarding an update from Chris v.d. Berg which has some
good information for observers in Europe. I normally just 
add this to the mirnews.html page but there may be some 
who don't have web access. Note the info that the crew will
attempt to hold the reflection to the flight path over Western Europe.

Jeff
jeff@satellite.eu.org

--- On Wed, 3 Feb 1999 19:42:54 +0100  "C.M. vd Berg" <cmvdberg@wxs.nl> 
wrote:

>MIRNEWS.452         3 FEBRUARY 1999

>Progress-M40:  This freighter will separate from the MIR complex on 
>4.02.99 at 0957UTC.  After the separation Pr-M40 will fly 'in formation 
>with MIR' at a distance of approx. 600 Meters.  
> 
>
>Znamya 2.5: Thusfar this experiment is still scheduled for 4.02.1999. 
>The experiments starts immediately after the undocking of Pr-M40. All 
>operations of MIR and Pr-M40 will be executed in the framwork of that 
>experiment.  After undocking the Znamya 2.5 reflector will be deployed 
>very soon (after approx. 30 minutes).  One and a half hour later the 
>observations of the lightspot on earth will begin over Kazakhstan. 
> 
>Orbitcorrections: The  orbit of the MIR space station  has been 
>corrected on 1 and 2.02.1999.  That is why it lasted so long before it 
>was possible to calculate the passes in which both objects (MIR and 
>Progress-M40 with the unfolded sail) will come within our range. 
> 
>The latest 2-line elements, so after the last orbit corrections are:
> 
MIR                          
1 16609U 86017A   99033.62215070 -.00705684  00000-0 -60986-2 0  1783
2 16609  51.6621 313.1101 0015148  80.9915 279.1017 15.70324883740230 
> 
>For my position in the Hague (Kijkduin) this will be on 4.02.1999 
between 1745 and 1752UT. The maximum elevation of 78 degrees will take 
place at 1747UTC. 
> 
>For us in the west of the Netherlands MIR and Progress-M40  emerge at 
>the horizon in the direction of 275 degrees,  and will proceed to the 
>T.C.A. (time closest approach)  on 78 degrees in the direction of 176 
>degrees.  Then MIR and Pr-M40  will fly away and disappear after the 
>horizon in the direction of 102 degrees. 
> 
>Using the remote control system (TORU) the crew of MIR will try to aim 
>the reflector to the ground track between Liege in Belgium and Frankfurt 
>in Germany between 1750 and 1754UTC. So we hope to something before that 
>period during the pass 2 minutes before and 2 minutes after TCA.
> 
>We in the Netherlands have another pass from 1918-1927UTC with a maximum 
>elevation of 28 degrees at 1922UTC, but then the cosmonauts will sleep.  
>They wake up again at 2230UTC to work with Znamya 2.5 during some passes 
>over Canada and the U.S.A.    After the departure of Progress-M40  at 
>about 0209UTC and jettisoning Znamya 2.5 4 minutes later the crew will 
>sleep  on 5.02.1999 between 0230 and 1030UTC. 
> 
>Chris van den Berg, NL-9165/A-UK3202

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