This freighter will separate from the Mir complex on 4.02.99 at 0957 UTC. After the separation Progress-M40 will fly 'in formation with Mir' at a distance of approx. 600 Meters.

Znamya 2.5:

Thus far this experiment is still scheduled for 4.02.1999. The experiments starts immediately after the undocking of Progress-M40. All operations of Mir and Progress-M40 will be executed in the framework 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 light spot on earth will begin over Kazakhstan.

Orbit corrections:

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 16609U 86017A 99033.62215070 -.00705684 00000-0 -60986-2 0 1783 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 1752 UTC. The maximum elevation of 78 degrees will take place at 1747 UTC. 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 Progress-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 1754 UTC. 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 1918-1927 UTC with a maximum elevation of 28 degrees at 1922 UTC, but then the cosmonauts will sleep. They wake up again at 2230 UTC to work with Znamya 2.5 during some passes over Canada and the U.S.A. After the departure of Progress-M40 at about 0209 UTC and jettisoning Znamya 2.5 4 minutes later the crew will sleep on 5.02.1999 between 0230 and 1030 UTC.

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