>Date: Mon, 31 May 1999 09:23:12 -0500
>From: "LANDIS, ROB (JSC-DF2)" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: ISS Update Status
>Message-ID:
<[log in to unmask]>
>
>
>These postings from Moscow tend take some time; the information
>I provide may be a tad bit out of date [by the time posted to dome-l].
>
>I'm working Team 3 shift -- i.e., we come on when the crew is ready
>to begin its sleep cycle.
>
>Last night was a busy time on the ISS.  Crew successfully restored
>Early Comm, installed mufflers on the FGB fans (STS-88 crew
>reported noise levels ~84+ dB; crew wore ear plugs) and completed
>other misc. tasks.
>
>After final egress from FGB and the Node, the crew will sleep and then
>undock from the ISS on 3 Jun 99, ~21:00 GMT.  The shuttle commander
>will execute 2 fly arounds of the station.  Over the next few orbits of the
>Earth, ISS [from the crew's perspective] will recede as a bright star.
>
>At the moment, de-orbit burn is scheduled for 5 Jun 99 at 6:16 GMT.
>There has been some discussion of extending this mission another
>day.  Everything continues to go well and we are within consumables
>margins on the shuttle.
>
>On a more prosaic note, thunderstorms have been been in the Houston
>area.  MCC-H is on deisel generators in the event of a power interruption.
>Meanwhile, here in Moscow, thunderstorms earlier today caused a
>momentary power outage (~4 to 5 minutes) when lightning struck the
>Ostankino tower.  Our phones, computers, etc. here in the TsUP
>(MCC-M) were out briefly -- but, all contact has been restored.
>
>This flight continues to go smoothly.  The next launch to ISS will
>be the Service Module (aka Zvesda).  I'll be working more closely
>with the TsUP controllers and Energia engineers on the SM once
>we finish this flight [STS-96].  Launch for the SM is still on target
>for 14 Nov 99.  As I've posted before, I have a very good feeling about
>the SM and the fact that it's down at Baikonur, running through the
>integration, mating, etc. to the Proton is a very good sign.  Folks --
>despite what may be stated and read in the press, this is going to
>happen.  And [warning:  editorial commentary] despite the situation
>in Kosovo/Serbia/Yugoslavia, I truly think the ISS program is a
>shining example for continuing a healthy relationship with Russia.
>
>In less than year, we'll have a permanent crew on the ISS!  Amazing.
>
>from Moscow,
>
>Rob Landis
>[log in to unmask]
>
>


Bobby Thompson
Labs and Observatory
Physics, Geology, and Astronomy Dept.
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
http://www.utc.edu/~jonesobs