The Soviet Year in Space 1987, Nicholas Johnson, 1988, pp. 88-89; "Spacewalk Saves Mission," Neville Kidger, Spaceflight, June 1987, pp. 236-237; "Mir Mission: Third Solar Array Installed," Spaceflight, August 1987, pp. 284.
June 12
1987 EVA 2
World EVA 71 Russian EVA 20 Space Station EVA 28
Duration: 1:53 Spacecraft/mission: Mir PE-2 Crew: Yuri Romanenko, Alexander Laveikin Spacewalkers: Yuri Romanenko, Alexander Laveikin Purpose: Install Mir top solar array
To save weight, the Mir base block was launched with only two solar arrays. These provided a total of only 9.4kW of electricity, leaving the base block hungry for power. The base block had a socket on top for a third array delivered inside the Kvant module. On June 9 Romanenko and Laveikin capped a busy day spent studying Supernova 1987A using the Kvant module's Roentgen observatory by undergoing a medical checkup to certify them fit for two solar array installation EVAs. Spacewalk preparations alternated with astronomical observations on June 10 and 11, and lasted all day on this date. The first installation EVA began late in the evening. Romanenko and Laveikin attached an extendible "hinged lattice girder" truss to the top of the Mir complex, then attached folded solar panels to both sides of the girder. To test their ability to operate without EVA restraints, Romanenko and Laveikin employed no foot restraints on this and their next EVA, relying instead on tethers. Laveikin later stated that this gave them "more freedom to maneuver, but we had to cling to the ship with one hand."
Izvestiya, June 13, 1987, p. 3 (translated in JPRS Report, Science & Technology, USSR: Space, JPRS-USP87-005, August 19, 1987, p. 12); Izvestiya, June 10, 1987, p. 1 (translated in JPRS Report, Science & Technology, USSR: Space, JPRS-USP-87-005, August 19, 1987, p. 10); Sovetskaya Rossiya, June 13, 1987, p. 1 (translated in JPRS Report, Science & Technology, USSR: Space, JPRS-USP-87-005, August 19, 1987, p. 11); Izvestiya, June 14, 1987, p. 1 (translated in JPRS Report, Science & Technology, USSR: Space, JPRS-USP-87-005, August 19, 1987, p. 13); Kosomolskaya Pravda, S. Leskov, February 27, 1988, p. 1 (translated in JPRS Report, Science & Technology, USSR: Space, August 17, 1988, p. 6).
June 16
1987 EVA 3
World EVA 72 Russian EVA 21 Space Station EVA 29
Duration: 3:15 Spacecraft/mission: Mir PE-2 Crew: Yuri Romanenko, Alexander Laveikin Spacewalkers: Yuri Romanenko, Alexander Laveikin Purpose: Complete installation of Mir top solar array
Romanenko and Laveikin placed an extendible truss on top of the one they installed on June 12 and attached folded solar arrays to either side. They linked the electrical systems of the array sections, then deployed the structure to its full height of 10.6 m (35 ft) "using special mechanisms." Each of the four array sections was made up of eight rectangular solar cell leaves with a total area of about 24 sq m (258 sq ft). Before going inside, Romanenko and Laveikin attached space exposure cassettes to Mir's exterior. By June 23 the cosmonauts completed work inside Mir to connect the new array to Mir's electrical system. The completed array increased available power by 2.4kW. According to Pravda, "[i]ncreasing the capacity of the onboard power supply system helps to increase the effectiveness of the scientific research work on the Mir complex substantially."
Gudok, B. Kutznetsov, June 16, 1987, p. 4 (translated in JPRS Report, Science & Technology, USSR: Space, JPRS-USP-87-005, August 19, 1987, p. 16); Pravda, June 18, 1987, p. 1 (translated in JPRS Report, Science & Technology, USSR: Space, JPRS-USP-87-005, August 19, 1987, p. 14-15); Pravda, June 24, 1987, p. 1 (translated in JPRS Report, Science & Technology, USSR: Space, JPRS-USP-87-005, August 19, 1987, p. 18).
July 22
Mir/Soyuz-TM 3 VE-1 launch
July 30
Mir/Soyuz-TM 2 VE-1 landing
December 21
Mir/Soyuz-TM 4 PE-3 launch
December 29
Mir/Soyuz-TM 3 PE-2 landing
1988
February 26
1988 EVA 1
World EVA 73 Russian EVA 22 Space Station EVA 30
Duration: 4:25 Spacecraft/mission: Mir PE-3 Crew: Vladimir Titov, Musa Manarov Spacewalkers: Vladimir Titov, Musa Manarov Purpose: Replace section of Mir solar array; inspect Mir's exterior
On February 15 Titov and Manarov underwent an inflight refresher course in the fine art of changing solar array sections by watching a videotape of their own preflight practice sessions in the Hydrolaboratory. On February 19 and 23 they inspected their Orlan-DM space suits. On this date they opened one of the four radial berthing ports in Mir's transfer compartment while out of communication with the TsUP, prepared their work site at the base of the solar array installed by the Mir PE-2 cosmonauts in June, and replaced one of four sections of the array. This entailed "collapsing" the lower extendible boom to fold shut both solar array sections attached to it. The new section was, like the one it replaced, made up of eight leaves of solar cells. Carbon-plastic composite replaced metal in the new section, however, and six of the leaves used improved solar cells that produced as much power as eight conventional leaves while better withstanding the rigors of space. The remaining two leaves were instrumented and independently replaceable, providing a test site for new solar cell materials. The cosmonauts stood in foot restraints while they worked, continuing the EVA restraint tests begun on Mir PE-2. They redeployed the extendible boom, unfolding the new section and exposing it to sunlight. To round out the EVA, Manarov and Titov moved back along the Kvant module to inspect the rendezvous antenna on Progress 34 (it was late in opening), televised Mir's exterior and the Soyuz TM-4 spacecraft for the benefit of engineers on Earth, and replaced space exposure cassettes.
"Bulgarian Set for Mir Visit," Neville Kidger, Spaceflight, June 1988, pp. 228-229; Sotsialisticeskaya Industriya, February 13, 1988, p. 4 (translated in JPRS Report, Science & Technology, USSR: Space, August 17, 1988, pp. 4-5); Izvestiya, A. Ivakhnov, February 28, 1988, p. 1 (translated in JPRS Report, Science & Technology, USSR: Space, JPRS-USP-88-003, August 18, 1988, p. 6); Trud, V. Golovachev, February 27, 1988, p. 1 (abstracted in JPRS Report, Science & Technology, USSR: Space, JPRS-USP-88003, August 17, 1988, pp. 6-7); Kosomolskaya Pravda, S. Leskov, February 27, 1988, p. 1 (translated in JPRS Report, Science & Technology, USSR: Space, August 17, 1988, p. 6); Pravda, February 27, 1988, p. 1 (translated in JPRS Report, Science & Technology, USSR: Space, August 17, 1988, p. 7); Izvestiya, February 24, 1988, p. 1 (translated in JPRS Report, Science & Technology, USSR: Space, August 17, 1988, p. 7); Pravda, February 20, 1988, p. 1 (translated in JPRS Report, Science & Technology, USSR: Space, August 17, 1988, p. 7).
June 7
Mir/Soyuz-TM 5 VE-2 launch
June 17
Mir/Soyuz-TM 4 VE-2 landing
June 30
1988 EVA 2
World EVA 74 Russian EVA 23 Space Station EVA 31
Duration: 5:10 Spacecraft/mission: Mir PE-3 Crew: Vladimir Titov, Musa Manarov Spacewalkers: Vladimir Titov, Musa Manarov Purpose: Repair TTM X-ray detector on Kvant
The joint Dutch-British-Soviet TTM X-ray telescope gave trouble soon after launch on the Kvant module in April 1987, so engineers proposed and received approval for an EVA to replace its detector. The TTM telescope was not designed for EVA servicing. Some tools for the repair were developed by Dutch and Soviet scientists and delivered by the Mir VE-2 crew. Before going outside, Titov and Manarov received a familiarization briefing from British researchers who helped design and build the detector. During the EVA Dutch TTM researchers stood by in the TsUP. The cosmonauts cut through 20 layers of thermal insulation to reach the 40-kg (88-lb) detector. Because there were no footholds or handholds at the worksite, they took turns working while the other held him. More clips held the detector in place than expected. Three screws locked in place by resin threw them off timeline; they had to scrape one with a saw blade before it would turn, and the effort required to turn the screws forced them to rest several times. After the cosmonauts accomplished 70 percent of the task a special "key" tool for removing a brass clamp snapped. Before they passed out of radio contact, the TsUP gave the cosmonauts 15 min to remove the clamp using other tools. When communication was restored, Titov and Manarov reported that they had given up and returned to the transfer compartment hatch. Before entering the airlock, they measured attachment locations for a foot restraint to be used on an upcoming Soviet-French spacewalk. Two French specialists monitored this part of the EVA in the TsUP. Titov's Orlan-DM suit gave him a false "ventilation low" signal caused when humidity interfered with a sensor. This EVA marked the last use of the Orlan-DM space suit.
"Mir Mission Report: TTM Telescope Repaired," Neville Kidger, Spaceflight, February 1989, p. 64; "Soviet Cosmonauts on Mir Fail to Repair Science Instrument," Aviation Week & Space Technology, July 11, 1988, p. 27; The Soviet Year in Space 1988, Nicholas Johnson, 1989, p. 95; "The Experience in Operation and Improving the Orlan-type Space Suits," I. P. Abramov, Acta Astronautica, Vol. 36, No. 1, July 1995, pp. 1-12.
August 29
Mir/Soyuz-TM 6 VE-3 launch
September 7
Mir/Soyuz-TM 5 VE-3 landing
September 29–October 3
STS-26/Discovery
October 20
1988 EVA 3
World EVA 75 Russian EVA 24 Space Station EVA 32
Duration: 4:12 Spacecraft/mission: Mir PE-3 Crew: Vladimir Titov, Musa Manarov, Valeri Polyakov Spacewalkers: Vladimir Titov, Musa Manarov Purpose: Repair TTM X-ray telescope; test Orlan-DMA space suit
A second TTM repair EVA was originally set for July 5, but was postponed to permit more preparation. On September 9, Progress 38 delivered seven new tools and the first Orlan-DMA space suits. Orlan-DMA was an upgrade of the short-lived model Orlan-DM (1985-1988), which was itself an upgrade of Orlan-D (1977-1985). Like earlier Orlan models, Orlan-DMA retained the distinctive rear-entry hatch built into its hard aluminum alloy torso. A cable lanyard and locking handle were used to close and seal the rear hatch. Orlan-DMA's life support system activated when the handle locked into place. Improvements included:
- Composite fabric in the arms and legs was lighter, more flexible, and tougher than previously used fabrics. Arms and legs could be removed for repair or replacement. The suit was sized for specific cosmonauts by pulling or releasing cables and pulleys in the arms and legs.
- In the event of glove puncture, a forearm cuff inflated around the wrist using air from the backup oxygen tank, sealing off the cosmonaut's glove until he could return to the airlock; though painful, this was certified by volunteers in a vacuum chamber as a life-saving system.
- More durable life support system electrical motors.
- Improved gloves for better hand mobility. Gloves were custom-made for each cosmonaut (some sources, however, state that only two sizes were available).
The Orlan-DMA weighed 105 kg (231 lb) fully charged and 90 kg (198 lb) empty. The integral backpack measured 1.19 m (3.9 ft) long and 48 cm (18.9 in) wide. The suit had a maximum operating pressure of 40 kilopascal (5.8 psi) and a minimum pressure of 26.2 kilopascal (3.8 psi). Typical EVA duration was 6 to 7 hr, up from 5 hr for the Orlan-DM. Like the Orlan-D and Orlan-DM suits before it, Orlan-DMA had dual polyurethane rubber pressure bladders, one inside the other. The inner bladder inflated only if the primary layer was punctured. A replaceable lithium hydroxide cartridge absorbed exhaled carbon dioxide. Like earlier Orlan models, Orlan-DMA's liquid-cooling garment coverall had an integral head covering. Voice communication was by the Korona system, which included two microphones, two earphones, and primary and backup transceivers and amplifiers. Korona's antenna was embedded in the suit's outer fabric layer. Orlan-DMA's chief improvement was its add-on radio and battery package for making the suit autonomous. Both Orlan-D and Orlan-DM relied on an umbilical connection with the space station for their electricity and communications and to supply the ground with telemetry on cosmonaut and suit health. The add-on package was phased in during 1990 so that Orlan-DMA could be used with the SPK maneuvering unit, the Soviet equivalent of the U.S. MMU. For this and the next three EVAs, however, the suits were linked to Mir by the same electricity and communications/telemetry umbilical used with Orlan-DM. Valeri Polyakov (who arrived with Mir VE-3) remained sealed in the Soyuz TM-6 descent module during the EVA. The Soyuz was docked at the front of the station. Both the Mir transfer compartment and the Soyuz-TM 6 orbital module were depressurized to expand the airlock space available (the Mir base block had less airlock space than either Salyut 6 or Salyut 7). A British scientist accompanied by a British TV news crew monitored the EVA from the TsUP. Titov and Manarov left one of the transfer compartment berthing ports carrying a new detector for the TTM X-ray telescope on Kvant. The old detector was not designed for replacement, but the new one had handling aids and large fasteners easily operated using EVA gloves. The detector slid into place with difficulty, but the repair still required about an hour less than expected. Titov and Manarov then installed a special foot restraint for the Soviet-French EVA scheduled for December. The restraint was designed and manufactured on the ground using measurements they made during their February EVA.