The Russian space station Mir is in excellent technical condition and can work another 3 – 4 years minimum, declared Sergey Zaletin, team commander of the 28th long-term expedition, and on-board engineer, Aleksandr Kalery.
The astronauts noted that during their stay on the station they carried out all necessary repair and maintenance work. In fall of this year a new team will arrive at the Mir station.
Zaletin and Kalery expressed regret that because of different flatness in the orbit of the Russian complex and links of elements of the International Space Station (ISS) now there are not any possibilities to leave for hook-ups with the Atlantis Shuttle team, which recently visited the ISS.
“It was very interesting to exchange impressions about the flight with the Atlantis team, noted Kalery.
The astronauts also talked about the completion of procedures of checks on the pureness of the air inside the orbiting complex. Tests of the air, on bacteria and on fungal development revealed that the environment was absolutely clean.
They did not experience any problems either with the air inside the station or at the beginning of the expedition. Special oxygen masks, which were developed at the Institute of Medical and Biological Problems for emergency situations, were not needed, according to them.
Zaletin and Kalery announced the completion of their main work on scientific experiments. At present, they are preparing for a transfer of the Mir station without a pilot. The crew will land in the middle of June.
