Mir News 433: Launch of Soyuz-TM28 Program: Mir. Flight: Mir EP-4, Mir EO-26, Mir EO-25, Mir EO-26/-27.
The transport ship Soyuz-TM28 with on board the crew for the 26th Main Expedition to Mir was launched from Baykonur on 13.08.1998 at 09.43.11 UTC. The crew consists of Padalka and Avdeyev. Also on board is the politician Baturin who will make a spaceflight of 12 days. Their call sign is Altair 1, 2 and 3.
The docking at the aft docking port (+X-axis) of the Mir complex is scheduled for 15.08.1998 at 1037 UTC.
Progress-M39:
To free the docking port for the arrival of Soyuz-TM28 the freighter Progress-M39 separated from Mir on 12.08.1998 at 09.28.55 UTC. The autonomous flight of Progress-M39 will last until 29.08.1998 when Progress-M39 has to redock to the then again available docking port.
Chris v.d. Berg, NL-9165/A-UK3202.