This EVA will be made on 3.03.1998. Opening hatch: 0130 UTC; closure hatch: 0720 UTC. Musabayev and Budarin will go to the outer surface of Module Spektr to install a handrail necessary for future repair work over there.

Communication schedule for the EVA:

(times in UTC) VHF (out of range Western Europe) 0139-0203, Altair-2: 0231-0246, VHF (out of range Western Europe): 0313-0336, Altair-2: 0408-0423, VHF (out of range Western Europe): 0447-0511, Altair-2: 0544-0557, VHF (via Munich, Germany): 0617-0627 and another VHF facility, with range of Western in the period from 0621-0627, Altair-2: 0720-0756. So just after the estimated closure of the hatch Mir will communicate via Altair-2. Hereafter the normal VHF-windows, so not via Altair-2. &but from 1049-1059 via Wallops in the USA.

Soyuz-TM26:

The exact landing time of Soyuz-TM26 on 19.02.1998 was: 09.09.30 UTC.

Progress-M38:

At deadline for this report the launch of this freighter from Baykonur was scheduled for 14.03.1998 at 2240 UTC. (15.03.1998 at 0140DMV, Moscow Decree Time = Msc Winter Time)

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