The Priroda module blasted off from Baykonur on 23.04.1996 at 11.48.50 UTC, so 7 secs later than planned.

During the first day the flight went well, all systems functioned normally. On 24.04 two orbit corrections will be executed to bring Priroda in a higher orbit. This will also be done on 25.04. After the corrections on 25.04 the orbit must have an apogee of 404 KM and a perigee of 358 KM. On docking day (26.04) the last 2 orbit corrections will take place.

Estimated day/time of docking:

On 26.04.1996 at 12.43.00 UTC. So the soft docking (Kasaniye) will take place just a few minutes after LOS of both objects for our position during the first pass over here in Mir's orbit 58195 and Priroda's orbit 48. So there might be traffic from Mir about the approaching Priroda between 1233-1238 UTC. Undoubtedly the Russians will use the eastern geostationary satellite (Altair-2 on 96 dgs East) for communications, but mostly during such operations traffic can also be monitored on VHF. Possibly it might be worthwhile to monitor Mir/Altair-1 windows in the period before approach and docking.

Repositioning of Priroda: If the docking on 26.04.1996 will be successful the repositioning of Priroda will take place on the next day, 27.04.1996. Priroda will be repositioned by a manipulator arm (the Lyappa) from the forward port of the transition section (P.Kh.O.), -X axis to the radial port of that section, +Z axis.

Progress-M31: The launch date of this freighter depends on the docking- and repositioning operations with Priroda. If this all goes according to plan Progress-M31 will be launched on 8.05.1996.

Safex-2: In fact this complete radio-amateur station has been installed in Priroda and does not belong to the cargo transported by that module. For this radio station 3 antennae have been installed on Priroda.

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