SB SPACE @ ARL $ARLS035
ARLS035 KC5VPF gets extra time aboard Mir

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Space Bulletin 035  ARLS035
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington, CT  December 12, 1997
To all radio amateurs

SB SPACE ARL ARLS035
ARLS035 KC5VPF gets extra time aboard Mir

NASA has delayed next month's space shuttle flight to Mir, leaving
American astronaut David Wolf, KC5VPF, aboard the space station for
at least another few days.  The shuttle Endeavour was supposed to
blast off January 15, but NASA announced December 8 that January 20
will be the new launch date.

Wolf, who's been on Mir since late September, learned of the delay
last weekend.  The delay will give the Russian crew time to do
additional work on Mir, including three spacewalks and the arrival
of another supply ship.  NASA also wants to check out problems
discovered on the shuttle Columbia which returned to Earth last week
after a two-week mission.  Also, one of Endeavour's cargo bay doors
accidentally was dented last week.

During the January mission, the Endeavour will pick up Wolf and drop
off his replacement, Andy Thomas, KD5CHF.  Thomas will be the last
US astronaut to live aboard Mir.
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