Satgen 410  Inspector views Mir  by GM4IHJ   (BID SGEN410)   1 Feb 97

Recent Russian and German reports make mention of a free flying
INSPECTOR  satellite package, to be launched from Mir , and recovered
by Mir or the Space Shuttle, at a later date. Delivery of INSPECTOR to
Mir is scheduled for June 97 aboard a Progress Supply Capsule .

When Progress is docked on Mir, the Inspector satellite will
automatically deploy and thereafter , it will be manoeuvred around the
station complex , as part of an experiment to test the feasability of
using a similar device as a semi permanent external inspection tool.
Permitting the Cosmonauts manning the forth coming International Space
Station, to monitor the condition of the station exterior without the
need for all the complications of a space suited EVA.

The specification for Inspector gives details of a hexagonal cross
section 58 cms wide, and a body length of about 98 cms, carrying 4
Solar panels, 2 Ni-Cd batteries, a cold Nitrogen gas tank, two 40 mN
thrusters, reaction wheel stabilization, and fibre optic gyros. The
Inspector onboard inspection camera, has an S band video output,
and the craft also carries 2m radio facilities.

It is not clear just where in the S band the video will transmit, but
it is suggested by other sources that the VHF equipment will operate
in the 2m amateur radio band, and will be used for "orbital
operation". Control of Inspector by the Cosmonauts will be via their
MSC Monitor and Control station. 

Once Inspector is launched from the Progress capsule, it life time in
space could be up to 100 days, and it is possible that it could be
used to transmit real time pictures of Shuttle dockings. Therafter it
may be recovered by Mir, or the Space Shuttle, and brought back to
earth. Recovery dates are uncertain , but if Inspector performs well ,
it might continue in use into 1998.

Assembly of the ISS, International Space Station itself ( sometimes
called the Alpha Space Station ), could begin in November 97 with the
launch of the Russian built FGB ( Functional Energy Block). This could
be followed in December 97 by launch and attachment to the FGB of the
American built Node 1. Completion of the whole station is scheduled
for June 2002, but there are lots of tight deadlines in this program ,
and dates could easily slip. ISS will eventually have onboard a well
equiped radio amateur station for recreational use by the cosmonauts.