However, deputy flight chief Viktor Blagov said he is worried not so much by the air leaks as he is by the evident decrease in the altitude of the space station's orbit.

Air is leaking from Mir through the hermetic plate connecting cables between the Spektr module, which was depressurized as a result of an accident, and the station's transfer compartment [PKhO].

Meanwhile, Blagov has told Interfax that "so far it is too early to draw any final conclusions. Five modules and compartments aboard the station have been checked as of this point, and another three need to be inspected. The mission control center plans to see these operations completed by Friday and only then to analyze the results."

Spacemen Sergey Zaletin and Alexander Kaleri have been occupied with these operations for over two weeks, sequentially sealing off the station's modules and compartments. In the assessment of specialists, these operations are extremely strenuous as numerous cables and air ducts require disconnecting and reconnecting before the hatches can be closed.

Blagov said the center was not troubled by micro-leakage, since Mir's air supplies are enough to maintain pressure within acceptable limits. He said he believes the rate of air pressure drop is extremely low, much lower than, for instance, on U.S. space shuttles.

What is important to the specialists now is proving that the developed methods for finding tiny leaks and the set of unique instruments designed for this purpose are effective. "We are trying to acquire experience that could later prove handy on the international space station now under construction," the deputy flight chief said.

At the same time, Blagov expressed his concern over the altitude of the station's orbit, saying that "with the active sun this year, it [the orbit] is lowering quite noticeably, and to lift the 120-tonne orbital complex, a solid amount of fuel is required."

Mission control said Mir's orbit is systematically corrected, and during each such correction the station is moved a few kilometers higher. The last correction, with the help of the engines of the Progress M1-1 cargo rocket, took place on April 24. The orbital parameters now are 353 kilometers (apogee) and 329.4 kilometers (perigee). The station had earlier worked at an altitude of about 400 kilometers.

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Satellite Launch To Boost DTH In India
Calcutta, India (SPX) Dec 28, 2005
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