This is a shot of the Mir-Core module control station. There are two seating positions, one on either side of the small round radar screen. The seats are T-Bar seats, designed to hold the crew in place and not float away. The round circle in the center is the main hatch to the rest of the space station. You can see two flexible air vent hoses in this image. Received By Ham Radio Call Sign WF1F - see MAREX-NA for further details.

Mir In Good Condition
Moscow (Interfax) May 29, 2000 - The Russian space station Mir is in excellent technical condition and can work another 3 - 4 years minimum, declared Sergey Zaletin, team commander of the 28th long-term expedition, and on-board engineer, Aleksandr Kalery.

The astronauts noted that during their stay on the station they carried out all necessary repair and maintenance work. In fall of this year a new team will arrive at the Mir station.

Zaletin and Kalery expressed regret that because of different flatness in the orbit of the Russian complex and links of elements of the International Space Station (ISS) now there are not any possibilities to leave for hook-ups with the Atlantis Shuttle team, which recently visited the ISS.

"It was very interesting to exchange impressions about the flight with the Atlantis team, noted Kalery.

The astronauts also talked about the completion of procedures of checks on the pureness of the air inside the orbiting complex. Tests of the air, on bacteria and on fungal development revealed that the environment was absolutely clean.

They did not experience any problems either with the air inside the station or at the beginning of the expedition. Special oxygen masks, which were developed at the Institute of Medical and Biological Problems for emergency situations, were not needed, according to them.

Zaletin and Kalery announced the completion of their main work on scientific experiments. At present, they are preparing for a transfer of the Mir station without a pilot. The crew will land in the middle of June.

  • MirCorp

    SPACE TRAVEL
     MIR Ready For Autopilot
    Moscow (Interfax) May 19, 2000 - The mission control center outside of Moscow plans to put the Mir orbiting space station on autopilot, the center's deputy director for Mir flight control said.

    SPACE.WIRE