March 21 2001 09:00 (Moscow time)

In accordance with the de-orbit plan the OC "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 dynamis operations with the OC "Mir".

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

The calculated impact time of unburned fragments - 09.00.

The ellipse dissipation centre coordinates of unburned fragments: 44,2^o south latitude; 150,0^o west longitude.

Unburned fragments dispersion:

                                                         _{+3500 km;}

- alonge the longitudinal ellipse axis -

                                                         _{-2500 km;}

- alonge the lateral ellipse axis -        + 100 км.

Comment: the March 21, 2001 maneuver and descent parametres will be updated in accordance with the current orbit.

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 obboard computer"Salute-5Б" 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 consequetive 15-16 daily orbits. These burns are performed using "ProgressM1-5" 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, H min = 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 "ProgressM1-5" 8 control engines and its main engine with the trust of 300 rg/s.

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

        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.