Mir Status Report 21 Mar 2001

TsUP [Mission Control Center]

TsNIIMash [Central Scientific Research Machine Building Institute]

Rosaviakosmos [Russian Aviation and Space Agency]

Moscow, Russia

Press release: March 21, 2001, 09:00 (Moscow time) [06:00 UTC]

In accordance with the de-orbit plan the OC [Orbital Complex] “Mir” is
in a waiting mode continuing its deceleration in Earth atmosphere.

During the previous day the OC “Mir” onboard systems were subject to a
routine check out, the current trajectory parametres were registered.

The processed information confirms the MCC readiness for the final stage
dynamic operations with the OC “Mir”.

The OC “Mir” stabilization to start dynamic operations is scheduled for
March 22.

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The final phase of Mir flight

After docking with the cargo ship “Progress M1-5” and until the final phase
of operation the OC “Mir” was kept up in a spinning mode to save electric
power. The spinning mode was regularly updated to provide enough power
generation from solar arrays.

Due to atmosphere fluctuations the OC “Mir” reentry date could not be set
firmly and required further updating.

In accordance with the OC “Mir” re-entry plan the Complex main onboard
computer “Salute-5A” was activated on March 12 to control its attitude.
Up to the final phase of operation it was used to register the Station
spinning mode parameters.

Mission Control Center used communication sessions to check out the Station
and the cargo ship onboard systems performance, their pressure integrity,
thermal and humidity condition on a regular basis. Orbit radio monitoring
was performed to register orbit parametres and the rate of altitude decay.

The OC “Mir” final stage scenario provides for the beginning of active
dynamic operations after it reaches the average altitude of 220 km.

One day before the de-orbit maneuver the OC “Mir” was transferred to
inertial mode to power up the Station and the cargo ship “Progress M1-5”
storage batteries. The first 2 burns are given during two consecutive
15-16 daily orbits. These burns are performed using “Progress M1-5” 8
control engines with the total thrust of 100 kg/s. With the activated
control engines the Station stabilization is maintained by the attitude
control engines.

The first two impulses are used to build the descent orbit with the
parametres: Hmax = 217 km, Hmin = 159 km with the peregee right above the
estimated landing area in the Southen part of the Pacific Ocean.

After the maneuver the Station is expected to keep up inertial motion. At
this point the built orbit parametres are updated. The final third burn is
given in daily orbit 2 using the “Progress M1-5” 8 control engines and its
main engine with the trust of 300 rg/s.

Thus, to perform deorbit maneuver the OC “MIr” real-time tested manuevers
involving control engines and their combination with the main engine are
used.

MCC information sheet

The OC “Mir” dumping causes great interest of Mass Media and world public.
By March 21 more than 600 representatives from 100 Russian and foreign
mass media companies got accreditted at MCC at the town of Korolev near
Moscow. Besides, over 109 Russian Government officials and embassies
representatives from 63 countries expressed their willingness to attend
the event at MCC.

Since the major function of the MCC is to control space missions it is not
designed to host that many visitors. In fact, the visiting space of the
“Mir” Flight Control Room is limited. That’s why to offer attendance to
all wishing mass media representatives seems highly problematic. It goes
without saying that all back up facilities — the ISS Flight Cotrol Room
and other Flight Control Rooms will be used.

The MCC Management would like to offer their appologies in advance for
being unable to let all wishing Mass Media representatives to attend the
event.

The MCC Management have to ask all the companies having accreditation at
MCC to bring the number of their representatives at MCC during the event
to minimum. The MCC will have to restrict admittance to MCC to 2
individuals for each company including TV, newspaper, radio reporters
and photographers.

Trajectory report No 62
21.03.2001 (OC “MIR”) Date: 21.03.2001