* RS-17 / SPUTNIK-40 LAUNCHED *

===============================

The Sputnik-40 satellite was hand deployed by Anatoly from the

Mir space station during a space walk that took place last Monday.

The small satellite is battery powered, and is currently transmitting

audio "beeps" on 145.820 MHz FM using 250 milliwatts of power.

Reception reports have been received from around the world by people

using even modest receiving equipment such as a handheld receiver in

a car with a "rubber duck" antenna.  The frequency of the audio tone

transmitted by the satellite is related to the internal temperature

in the spacecraft.  Sputnik-40 also goes by the name of "RS-17".

The batteries on the satellite are expected to allow operation for

about one month.



The following Keplerian elements can be used to track this latest

Amateur Radio satellite:



Sputnik 40

1 24958U 97058C   97308.73090523  .00032204  00000-0  39449-3 0    76

2 24958  51.6583  99.3826 0006309 271.4809  88.5478 15.60040373   160



* MIR ALTITUDE REPORT *

=======================

Jean-Claude, FB1RCI, has provided the following graphic showing the altitude

of Mir as a function of time based on Mean Motion of the spacecraft.



          TIME ORBIT REVOLUTION (Summary)   MIR Complex 16609

                 (Period day = 280 to day = 306 1997)



    Revolution/Day

          I

 15.5500  I

          I

 15.5600  I

          I

 15.5700  I

          I

 15.5800  I

          I

          I

 15.6000  I-------------------_____________________

          I

          I

 15.6500  I                                                       Epoch time

          I____x__________x__________x__________x__________x__________x___

              Aug        Sep       Oct         Nov        Dec        Jan





Soyuz TM26 docking   : 07-Aug-97

STS-86 docking       : 28-Sep-97

Progress M36 docking : 07-Oct-97





* MIR NEWS *

============

Miles Mann, WF1F, reports that the crew on Mir is preparing for their

next space walk in which they will install a new solar panel in place

of an old one removed last Monday.  Solar panel replacement is a routine

operation as the solar cells used in the panels lose efficiency over time.



Not much Amateur Radio activity is expected because of the heavy crew work

load.