Mir gets ready to plunge

The Russian mission control centre has orientated the Mir so that the space station could be de-orbited on March 23d. The Mir's position is being maintained by the flight-orientation engines. The solar panels properly supply the station with energy, sources in Mission Control have told Interfax. The space station's current position will be maintained until 3:33 a.m., Moscow time, March 23d, when the station computer will send out the first braking impulse to the engines. At 5:02 a.m., Moscow time, on its next circle of the Earth, the second braking impulse will be sent out to the engines.