ISSCOM.002 2 November 2000
Approach and docking Soyuz-TM31 at ISS on 2.11.2000.
The operation took place in the automatic mode by the use of the system Kurs.
S-TM31 linked up with the aft docking port of the Zvezda module at 09.21.40UTC
Communications:
1.11.2000 (2nd flightday)
A lot of voice communications during the passes in orb. 18, 19 and 20.
The frequency 121.750 mc FM-N was used during all passes in my range. Also transmissions in the 166.140 mc and 922.755 mc bands.
Orb. 18 (10.48.00 – 10.51.30UTC) Voice about technical subjects and an orbit correction.
Orb. 19: (12.20 and approx. 12.25UTC) Measurement of oxygen and replacement of purification cartridge.
Orb. 20: Traffic between 13.54 and 13.57.45UTC Tlm 166.140 and voice 121.750mc
Gidzenko reports the good execution of the orbit correction. Engines worked 2 minutes, fuel consumption measured by SIRT 729. Measurement after rotation of ship. immediately after impuls 731. About radiocontact via Petropavlovsk Kamchatka.
Problem: Leakage of water along the VSK (Orientation View-finder –vizir) Superfluous condensation. Advise: switch on electrical heating and ventilator near port-hole.
Orb. 21: Only telemetry and beacon on resp. 166.140 and 922.755 mc between 15.25.20 and 15.27.00UTC,
2.11.2000 (3rd flightday) DOCKING DAY.
Orb. ISS 11158, orb. S-TM31 34. Voice communications during last stage of approach.
09.12.12UTC on 121.750 mc.
Gidzenko: Hovering at distance of 150 Meters opposite PKR, opposite Solar panel.
09.12.41 Rotation. Engine active to go to axis. Do you receive TV?
Gidzenko: Yes, 31st regime 00047, 13th razryad. (Discharge or rating) Ready for your command.
09.13.25 G: Execution okay. Yes, will give that. Yes, good 30th regime 00047 13th razryad. Yes, selection of speed
09.13.40 Distance 130 Meters, approach speed 0.4 M/sec. Okay we select hovering.
09.14.16 Distance 100 Meters, approach speed 0.7 M/sec. Measurement aiming mark coincides with VSK (Orientation view-finder)
09.14.23 Now the aiming mark is 0.5 M to the right, rotating.
09.14.31 Gidzenko to Krikalyov: Please have a look over there. K: Will do.
09.14.50 G.: Distance 80 Meters, approach speed 0.4 M/sec. … in the centre.
Einde radioverkeer.
Orb. 11159, after the docking 1st pass. Voice 1046-1052UTC still via 121.750 mc.
Krikalyov: Hatch opened, air pressure equalized, checked air-seal.
K: I expect delay with the TV-report due to cable problems. (Connection between S-TM31 and Zvezda. Advises given by (long conversation).
All went well.
Orb. 11160, pass with voice between 12.19.30 and 12.27.00UTC.
Telemetry 166.150 and 922.755 mc . 12.23.20 TCA 922.755 mc Time Closest Approach.
VOICE NOW VIA VHF-1, 143.625 MC.
SHEPHERD: I like to say: we all are very glad to be here. It was a long journey, but we have made it.
GIDZENKO: As you could see in the video recording the docking was splendid this thanks to the automatic system Kurs and to all ballistic and other experts. All will go according to plan, we hope.
Shepherd: I want to say thanks to all specialists on the ground.
Shepherd in Russian about the opening of the hatch.
Orb. 11161. 13.56.11UTC frequency 143.625 mc VHF-1:
TsUP THIS IS ALPHA, HOW DO YOU READ??
So what a sensation!! ALPHA, for this day the greatest surprise. Congratulations we have a call!! There have been no indications that the use of this call was planned beforehand, so this might be a spontanuous initiative of the crew and I would not be surprised that this had beennn initiated by Krikalyov.
Our men on board Alpha communicate with TsUP between 13.56.11 and 14.03UTC. They entered the FGB (Zarya) and opened all hatches. Krikalyov has deployed air hoses between sections of the ISS and the SM (Zvezda). Gidzenko is conserving the S-TM31, they activated some on board computers and checked the SRVK (system for the regeneration of condenstation into water).
SOME DETAILS ABOUT PROCEDURES DURING EXPEDITION ONE:
1. The crew will work with GMT and the working and rest hours are related to this times.
2. The crew will use the communications equipment of Zvezda and Zarya for communications with both flight control teams (Moscow and Houston) and the S-band communications gear in the Unity. So mainly the same frequency as those during MIR-operations will be in use. In the future the crew gets also the possibility to use Ku-band links via TDRS-s , but this will be much later. The equipment for that purposes in the recently installed Z1 structure (during mission STS-92).
And to conclude: I will not cover radio communications as I did during the MIR operations. This is not necessary for there are enough information sources. So now and then I will give a summary of my radio monitoring activities.
And of course: I will always available to answer relevant questions.
Chris v.d. Berg, NL-9165
