| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 934.1 | Payload Status report Apr 6 KSC status April 7 | TROOA::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Tue Apr 11 1995 17:22 | 36 |
| [Downloaded from ftp.pao.hq.nasa.gov
PAYLOAD STATUS REPORT
April 6, 1995
George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center
407/867-2468
STS-73/USML-2
Columbia/Sept. 21
Closeout of the experiment racks is underway this week and next week.
The Geophysical Fluids Flow Cell (GFFC) which leaked during the Mission
Sequence Test has been repaired and is being reinstalled on its experiment
rack today, with retest on Friday. Installation of the experiment racks into
the module is scheduled for April 19.
[Downloaded from NASA Spacelink]
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1995 (10:35 AM EST)
NOTE: The orbiter Columbia is expected to begin its ferry flight from
Palmdale, Calif., to KSC on April 11 with an arrival at the Shuttle
Landing Facility targeted for mid-day April 12. Columbia has spent the
last six months undergoing structural inspections and modifications at the
Rockwell facility in Palmdale. Columbia's next mission is STS-73, a 16-day
flight targeted for launch in September. Upon arrival, Columbia will be
stored temporarily in the Vehicle Assembly Building until Atlantis is
rolled out of the Orbiter Processing Facility for external tank mating
operations.
|
| 934.2 | Shuttle Status Report May 8th | TROOA::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Tue May 09 1995 23:12 | 18 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
MONDAY, MAY 8, 1995 (1:15 PM EDT)
KSC Public Affairs Contact: Bruce Buckingham 407-867-2468 (fax 407-867-2692)
MISSION: STS-73 -- U.S. MICROGRAVITY LABORATORY-2
VEHICLE: Columbia/OV-102
LOCATION: Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3
TARGET LAUNCH DATE/TIME: Sept. 21 at 10:37 a.m.
LAUNCH WINDOW: 2 hours, 30 minutes
TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Oct. 7 at 8:31 a.m.
MISSION DURATION: 16 days CREW SIZE: 7
ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 167 statute miles/39 degrees
NOTE: Columbia is powered-up. Work to install the 5th cryogenic tank set is
underway today. Also, the main propulsion system is being configured for a
systems test.
|
| 934.3 | Columbia completes maintenance period | TROOA::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Tue Jun 06 1995 15:20 | 154 |
| Mark Hess
Headquarters, Washington, DC April 12, 1995
(Phone: 202/358-1778)
Rob Navias
Johnson Space Center, Houston
(Phone: 713/483-5111)
Lisa Malone
Kennedy Space Center, FL
(Phone: 407/867-2468)
Alan Buis
Rockwell Space Systems Division, Downey, CA
(Phone: 310/922-1856)
RELEASE: 95-49
COLUMBIA COMPLETES MAINTENANCE PERIOD
The Space Shuttle Columbia, the oldest Space Shuttle in NASA's four-
Orbiter fleet, rolled out of Rockwell's modification center, Palmdale,
CA, this week completing a six-month Orbiter maintenance period.
Today, on the 14th anniversary of the first Space Shuttle launch, the
747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, with the 100-ton reusable spaceplane bolted
on top, is at Ellington Field, near the Johnson Space Center, Houston, en
route to the Kennedy Space Center, FL, to be readied for its 18th
mission, currently set for September.
Astronaut John Young, a veteran pilot who flew Gemini, Apollo and
Space Shuttle missions, commanded the STS-1 flight. Rookie astronaut
Robert Crippen, who would go on to command three flights on the Space
Shuttle and take over the reins of the program as its director, was the
pilot on that first flight.
Columbia arrived in Palmdale for its third modification and
inspection period in October 1994. Maintenance periods are conducted on
each Orbiter every three years. Previous inspection/modification periods
were conducted in 1984-85 and 1991-92.
While in Palmdale, more than 66 improvements and modifications were
made to Columbia. The enhancements were to improve performance, meet
mission requirements or reduce turnaround time. Included were wiring
changes to allow Shuttle crews to monitor downlink data on laptop
computers, installing filters in hydrogen flow control valves to reduce
the potential for contamination, and corrosion control measures.
Engineers also performed a structural inspection on Columbia.
Nearly 488 nondestructive and visual inspections, using boroscopes,
ultrasonic devices, eddy currents and X-rays were performed. These
inspections showed Columbia to be in excellent condition, and fully
capable of meeting its 100-mission lifetime requirement.
Rockwell completed construction of Columbia in March 1979. Its 17
missions to date have accumulated more than 62 million miles and over
2,300 orbits.
Space Shuttle Columbia (OV-102) Facts
Columbia became the first Space Shuttle to fly into Earth orbit when it
rocketed Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen into space on
April 12, 1981.
Columbia's first mission lasted 54 hours, 20 minutes and 32 seconds
during which time the world's first reusable spaceplane circled the globe
36 times and traveled over 1 million miles.
Columbia has made 17 missions into orbit, including the four-flight
Orbital Flight Test program. Columbia deployed the first commercial
communications satellites launched from the Shuttle and carried up the
first flight of the European-built Spacelab laboratory module.
Columbia's next mission will be STS-73, a planned 16-day mission carrying
the second United States Microgravity Laboratory. Launch is planned for
September.
Miles Flown 62,894,846
Astronauts Flown 88 (including 3 from Germany, 1 from
Japan and 1 from Canada)
Satellites Deployed 4 (SBS, Telesat, Lageos, Satcom KU)
Satellites Retrieved 1 (LDEF)
Flights of Columbia (OV-102)
Flt. Crew Launch Landing Payload
Date/Pad Date/Site
1. STS-1 Young, Crippen 4/12/81 4/14/81 DFI
39A Edwards AFB
2. STS-2 Engle, Truly 11/12/81 11/14/81 OSTA-1
39A Edwards AFB
3. STS-3 Lousma, Fullerton 3/22/82 3/30/82 OSS-1
39A White Sands, NM
4. STS-4 Mattingly,Hartsfield 6/27/82 7/4/82DoD 82-1
39A Edwards AFB
5. STS-5 Brand, Overmyer 11/11/82 11/16/82 SBS-C
Lenoir, Allen 39A Edwards AFB Anik C-3
6. 51-C Gibson, Bolden 1/12/83 1/18/83 Satcom Ku 1
Chang-Diaz, Hawley 39A Edwards AFB
7. STS-9 Young, Shaw, Parker 11/28/83 12/8/83 Spacelab
Garriott, Merbold 39A Edwards AFB
Lichtenberg
8. STS-28 Shaw, Richards 8/8/89 8/13/89 DoD
Leestma, Adamson 39B Edwards AFB
Brown
9.STS-32 Brandenstein, 1/9/90 1/20/90 Syncom IV-5
Wetherbee, Dunbar 39A Edwards AFB LDEF retrieve
Ivins, Low
10.STS-35 Brand, Gardner, 12/2/90 12/10/90 Astro-1
Lounge, Hoffman 39B Edwards AFB
Parker, Parise
11.STS-40 O'Connor, 6/5/91 6/14/91 SLS-1
Gutierrez, Jernigan,39B Edwards AFB
Seddon, Bagian
12.STS-50 Richards, Bowersox 6/25/92 7/9/92 USML-1
Dunbar, Baker, 39A KSC
Meade, DeLucas, Trinh
13.STS-52 Wetherbee, Baker 10/22/92 11/1/92 Lageos II
Veach, Jernigan 39B KSC USMP-1
Shepherd, MacLean
14.STS-55 Nagel, Hendricks 4/26/93 5/6/93 Spacelab D2
Ross, Precourt 39A KSC
Harris, Walter, Schlegel
15.STS-58 Blaha, Searfoss, 10/18/93 11/1/93 SLS-2
Seddon, McArthur 39B Edwards AFB
Wolf, Lucid, Fettman
16.STS-62 Casper, Allen, Thuot 3/4/94 3/18/94 OAST-2
Geman, Ivins 39B KSC USMP-2
17.STS-65 Cabana, Halsell, Hieb 7/8/94 7/23/94 IML-2
Walz, Chiao, Thomas 39A KSC
Mukai
|
| 934.4 | KSC Status report June 2nd | TROOA::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Thu Jun 08 1995 15:38 | 21 |
|
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1995 (10:31 AM EDT)
KSC Public Affairs Contact: Bruce Buckingham 407-867-2468 (fax 407-867-2692)
MISSION: STS-73 -- U.S. MICROGRAVITY LABORATORY-2
VEHICLE: Columbia/OV-102
LOCATION: Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3
TARGET LAUNCH DATE/TIME: Sept. 21 at 10:37 a.m.
LAUNCH WINDOW: 2 hours, 30 minutes
TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Oct. 7 at 8:31 a.m.
MISSION DURATION: 16 days CREW SIZE: 7
ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 172 statute miles/39 degrees
NOTE: Today, fuel cells no. 2 and 3 will be installed into the orbiter. The
extended duration orbiter (EDO) pallet is being prepared for installation
tomorrow.
|
| 934.5 | | ERMTRD::CLIFFE | I'll warp my own space-time ... | Thu Sep 28 1995 06:17 | 29 |
| Launch September 28, 1995 at 9:35 a.m (ESTIMATED) Launch window is 2
hours 30 min. The countdown began at 4am on Monday, September 25, 1995
and the crew arrived at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) at 8:20
a.m. (ReferenceKSC Shuttle Status 9/25/1995).
The second United States Microgravity Laboratory (USML-2) Spacelab
mission will be the prime payload on STS-73. The 16-day flight will
continue a cooperative effort of the U.S. government, universities and
industry to push back the frontiers of science and technology in
"microgravity", the near-weightless environment of space.
Some of the experiments being carried on the USML-2 payload were
suggested by the results of the first USML mission that flew aboard
Columbia in 1992 during STS-50. The USML-1 mission provided new
insights into theoretical models of fluid physics, the role of gravity
in combustion and flame spreading, and how gravity affects the
formation of semiconductor crystals. Data collected from several
protein crystals grown on USML-1 have enabled scientists to determine
the molecular structures of those proteins.
USML-2 builds on that foundation. Technical knowledge gained has been
incorporated into the mission plan to enhance procedures and
operations. Where possible, experiment teams have refined their
hardware to increase scientific understanding of basic physical
processes on Earth and in space, as well as to prepare for more
advanced operations aboard the international Space Station and other
future space programs.
|
| 934.6 | Launch scrubbed ... | ERMTRD::CLIFFE | I'll warp my own space-time ... | Thu Sep 28 1995 08:36 | 11 |
|
Shuttle Launch Status
The launch attempt of Columbia on September 28, 1995 at 9:35 a.m was
scrubbed due to indications of a hydrogen leak in Space Shuttle Main
Engine (SSME) #1. The scrub was called at 4 a.m. on 9/28/95. At this
time it is unknown what the problem is so it is unclear how long the
delay will be. Due to the configuration of the vehicle the next
possible launch opportunity will be Saturday, September 30th, 1995.
|
| 934.7 | A ~700lb valve (some primary valve?) was found leaking | NETCAD::BATTERSBY | | Thu Sep 28 1995 16:32 | 14 |
| Before I left the house, I heard them say on NTV that it was a
valve that was leaking. I think they also said that it will take
about a week to replace the valve. There was a question raised
as to whether this valve had ever flown on a shuttle before, and
if so how many times. The answer came back that this particular
valve had never flown on a shuttle but had been installed on an
engine which had experienced several static firings.
I'm curious myself if this specific engine SSME #1 is one of the newer
engines or of the older engine design.
It's fortunate that a sensor detected the leak rather than it not
being detected. Who knows whether the leaking hydrogen could have
resulted in a pad explosion or during liftoff.
Bob
|
| 934.8 | Launch Date Set (We know they missed it) | TROOA::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Thu Sep 28 1995 18:43 | 84 |
| Ed Campion
Headquarters, Washington, DC September 14, 1995
(Phone: 202/358-1780)
Rob Navias
Johnson Space Center, Houston
(Phone: 713/483-5111)
NOTE TO EDITORS: N95-60
LAUNCH DATE AND BRIEFINGS SET FOR STS-73/USML-2 MISSION
NASA has set Thursday, September 28, as the official launch date for
Shuttle Mission STS-73. The 16-day microgravity research flight aboard
Shuttle Columbia is designed to increase scientific understanding of basic
physical processes on Earth and in space, as well as prepare for more
advanced operations aboard the international Space Station.
As always, the launch date is contingent upon closure of any mission
operation issues that could arise during the current Shuttle mission being
flown by Endeavour or any of the ongoing hardware inspections--including solid
rocket boosters--used during Endeavour's launch on September 7. The STS-69
booster inspections to date have found no anomalies and post-flight inspection
work is expected to be completed by early next week.
The launch window on September 28 opens at 9:35 a.m. EDT and extends for
2 1/2 hours. The planned mission duration is 15 days, 21 hours and 54 minutes.
An on-time launch on September 28 would result in a landing around 7:30 a.m.
EDT on Saturday, October 14.
Flight controllers and astronauts will conduct a series of media
briefings on September 20 previewing the mision, which is the second flight of
the United States Microgravity Laboratory (USML-2).
Briefings will originate from the Johnson Space Center (JSC), Houston,
where Orbiter operations will be controlled during the flight, and the
Marshall Space Flight Center (MFSC), Huntsville, AL, where a variety of
scientific experiments in the Spacelab science workshop in Columbia's cargo
bay will be orchestrated from the Payload Operations Control Center.
Briefings will begin at 9 a.m. EDT with a mission overview conducted by
Lead Flight Director Al Pennington and USML-2 Mission Manager Paul Gilbert,
originating from JSC.
A briefing on USML-2 science will be conducted at Marshall at 10 a.m. EDT.
The crew news conference, involving the seven astronauts who will fly the
16-day dual-shift mission,will begin at 3 p.m. EDT, concluding the day's
briefings.
Preflight briefings will allow for two-way question and answer capability
from all participating NASA centers.
Following is the briefing schedule (all times are EDT):
September 20, 1995
9 a.m. Mission Overview (originating from JSC)
Al Pennington, STS-73 Lead Flight Director
Paul Gilbert, USML-2 Mission Manager
10 a.m. USML-2 Science Briefing (originating from MSFC)
Dr. Marcus Vlasse, USML-2 Mission Scientist
Dr. Raymond Bula, Principal Investigator, Astroculture Experiment
Dr. Taylor Wang, Principal Investigator, Drop Dynamics Experiment
Dr. Simon Ostrach, Principal Investigator, Surface Tension Driven
Convection Experiment
Dr. David Larson, Principal Investigator, Crystal Growth Furnace
Dr. Alexander McPherson, Principal Investigator, Advanced Protein
Crystallization Facility
3 p.m. STS-73 Crew News Conference (originating from JSC)
Ken Bowersox, Commander
Kent Rominger, Pilot
Catherine Coleman, Mission Specialist 1
Michael Lopez-Alegria, Mission Specialist 2
Kathryn Thornton, Payload Commander
Fred Leslie, Payload Specialist 1
Albert Sacco, Payload Specialist 2
NASA Television will carry all briefings live on
Spacenet 2, Transponder 5, Channel 9 at 69 degrees West
longitude. The transponder frequency is 3880 Mhz and the
audio subcarrier is 6.8 Mhz. Polarization is horizontal.
|
| 934.9 | STS 73 Launch timelines | TROOA::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Thu Sep 28 1995 18:44 | 251 |
| NASA News
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration
John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899
AC 407 867-2468
Bruce Buckingham For Release:
407/867-2468 Sept. 22, 1995
KSC RELEASE NO. 96 - 95
SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION STS-73 LAUNCH COUNTDOWN TO BEGIN MONDAY
The countdown for launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia on mission
STS-73 is scheduled to begin Monday, Sept. 25 at 4 a.m. EDT, at the T-43
hour mark. The KSC launch team will conduct the countdown from Firing Room
3 of the Launch Control Center.
The countdown includes 34 hours and 35 minutes of built-in hold time
leading to the opening of the launch window at 9:35 a.m. (EDT) on Sept. 28.
The launch window extends for 2 1/2 hours.
STS-73 is the sixth Space Shuttle mission for 1995. It will be the
18th flight of the Shuttle Columbia and the 72nd flight overall in NASA's
Space Shuttle program.
The primary objective of mission STS-73 is to successfully perform
the planned operations of the second U.S. Microgravity Laboratory. USML-2
experiments cover a variety of scientific disciplines including fluid
physics, materials science, biotechnology and combustion science.
Columbia was rolled out of Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3 on Aug. 21
and mated with the external tank and solid rocket boosters in the Vehicle
Assembly Building. The Shuttle stack was then transported to Pad 39-B on
Aug. 28.
This mission will be Columbia's first in over a year. Columbia was
sent to Palmdale, Calif., for about six months where it underwent various
structural inspections and modifications. It was returned to KSC on April 14.
Columbia last flew in July 1994.
The STS-73 crew are: Commander Ken Bowersox, Pilot Kent Rominger,
Mission Specialists Kathryn Thornton, Catherine Coleman and Michael
Lopez-Alegria, and Payload Specialists Fred Leslie and Albert Sacco.
The crew is scheduled to arrive at KSC at about 8 a.m. Monday, Sept. 25.
Their activities at KSC prior to launch will include equipment fit checks,
medical examinations and opportunities to fly in the Shuttle Training Aircraft.
(end of general release)
COUNTDOWN MILESTONES
All times Eastern
Launch - 3 Days (Monday, Sept. 25)
* Prepare for the start of the STS-73 launch countdown
* Perform the call-to-stations. All Firing Room console operators report on
station.
* All members of the launch team report to their respective consoles in
Firing Room 3 in the Launch Control Center for the start of the countdown.
* Countdown begins at 4 a.m. EDT at the T-43 hour mark
* Start preparations for servicing fuel cell storage tanks
* Begin final vehicle and facility close-outs for launch
* Begin stowage of flight crew equipment
* Load backup flight system software into Columbia's general purpose computers
* Check out back-up flight systems
* Inspect the orbiter's mid-deck and flight-deck and remove crew module
platforms
* Review flight software stored in mass memory units and display systems
Enter first planned built-in hold at T-27 hours for duration of four hours
(8 p.m.)
* Clear launch pad of all personnel
* Perform test of the vehicle's pyrotechnic initiator controllers
Resume countdown (12 midnight)
Launch - 2 Days (Tuesday, Sept. 26)
* Begin the 12-hour operation to load cryogenic reactants into Columbia's
fuel cell storage tanks and Extended Duration Orbiter storage tanks.
Enter eight-hour built-in hold at T-19 hours (8 a.m.)
* After cryogenic loading operations, re-open the pad
* Resume orbiter and ground support equipment close-outs
* Begin installation of mission specialists' seats in crew cabin
Resume countdown (4 p.m.)
* Activate spacelab and begin late stowage of spacelab equipment and
experiments
* Demate orbiter mid-body umbilical unit and retract into fixed service
structure
* Start final preparations of the Shuttle's three main engines for main
propellant tanking and flight
* Activate flight controls and navigation systems
* Close-out the tail service masts on the mobile launcher platform
* Perform orbiter ascent switch list in crew cabin
* Install film in numerous cameras on the launch pad
* Activate the orbiter's communications systems
* Activate orbiter's inertial measurement units
Launch - 1 Day (Wednesday, Sept. 27)
Enter planned hold at T-11 hours for 19 hours, 15 minutes (12 midnight)
* Fill pad sound suppression system water tank
* Safety personnel conduct debris walkdown
* Move Rotating Service Structure (RSS) to the park position at about 2 p.m.
* Following the RSS move, continue final stowage of mid-deck experiments and
flight crew equipment
Resume countdown (7:15 p.m.)
* Start fuel cell flow-through purge
* Install time critical flight crew equipment
* Perform pre-ingress switch list
* Activate the orbiter's fuel cells
* Configure communications at Mission Control in Houston for launch
* Activate the solid rocket booster s joint heaters
* Clear the blast danger area of all non-essential personnel
* Switch Columbia's purge air to gaseous nitrogen
* Activate auxiliary power unit heaters
Launch Day (Thursday, Sept. 28)
Enter planned one-hour built-in hold at the T-6 hour mark (12:15 a.m.)
* Launch team verifies no violations of launch commit criteria prior to
cryogenic loading of the external tank
* Verify pad is clear of all personnel
Resume countdown (1:15 a.m.)
* Begin loading the external tank with cryogenic propellants (1:15 a.m.)
* Perform inertial measurement unit preflight calibration
* Align Merritt Island Launch Area (MILA) tracking antennas
* Complete filling the external tank with its flight load of liquid hydrogen
and liquid oxygen propellants (4:15 a.m.)
Enter two-hour hold at T-3 hours (4:15 a.m.)
* Perform open loop test with Eastern Range
* Conduct gimbal profile checks of orbital maneuvering system engines
* Close-out crew and Final Inspection Team proceeds to Launch Pad 39-B
Resume countdown at T-3 hours (6:15 a.m.)
* Crew departs Operations and Checkout Building for Launch Pad 39-B (6:20 a.m.)
* Complete close-out preparations in the white room
* Check cockpit switch configurations
* Flight crew enters orbiter
* Astronauts perform air-to-ground voice checks with Launch Control and
Mission Control
* Close Columbia's crew hatch
* Begin Eastern Range final network open loop command checks
* Perform hatch seal and cabin leak checks
* Complete white room close-out
* Close-out crew moves to fallback area
* Primary ascent guidance data is transferred to the backup flight system
Enter planned 10-minute hold at T-20 minutes (8:55 a.m.)
* NASA Test Director conducts final launch team briefings
Resume countdown (9:05 a.m.)
* Transition the orbiter's onboard computers to launch configuration
* Start fuel cell thermal conditioning
* Close orbiter cabin vent valves
* Transition backup flight system to launch configuration
Enter final 10-minute hold at T-9 minutes (9:16 a.m.)
* Launch Director, Mission Management Team and NASA Test Director conduct
final polls for go/no go to launch
Resume countdown at T-9 minutes (9:26 a.m.)
* Start automatic ground launch sequencer (T-9:00 minutes)
* Retract orbiter crew access arm (T-7:30)
* Start mission recorders (T-5:30)
* Start Auxiliary Power Units (T-5:00)
* Arm SRB and ET range safety safe and arm devices (T-5:00)
* Start liquid oxygen drainback (T-4:55)
* Start orbiter aerosurface profile test (T-3:55)
* Start MPS gimbal profile test (T-3:30)
* Pressurize liquid oxygen tank (T-2:55)
* Begin retraction of the gaseous oxygen vent arm (T-2:55)
* Fuel cells to internal reactants (T-2:35)
* Pressurize liquid hydrogen tank (T-1:57)
* Deactivate SRB joint heaters (T-1:00)
* Orbiter transfers from ground to internal power (T-0:50 seconds)
* Ground Launch Sequencer go for auto sequence start (T-0:31 seconds)
* Ignition of three Space Shuttle main engines (T-6.6 seconds)
* SRB ignition and liftoff (T-0)
SUMMARY OF BUILT-IN HOLDS FOR STS-73
T-TIME LENGTH OF HOLD HOLD BEGINS HOLD ENDS
T-27 hours 4 hours 8 p.m. Monday 12 midnight Monday
T-19 hours 8 hours 8 a.m. Tuesday 4 p.m. Tuesday
T-11 hours 19 hours, 15 minutes 12 a.m. Wednesday 7:15 p.m. Wednesday
T-6 hours 1 hour 12:15 a.m. Thursday 1:15 a.m. Thursday
T-3 hours 2 hours 4:15 a.m. Thursday 6:15 a.m. Thursday
T-20 minutes 10 minutes 8:55 a.m. Thursday 9:05 a.m. Thursday
T-9 minutes 10 minutes 9:16 a.m. Thursday 9:26 a.m. Thursday
CREW FOR MISSION STS-73
Ken Bowersox Commander (CDR) Red Team
Kent Rominger Pilot (PLT) Red Team
Catherine Coleman Mission Specialist (MS1) Blue Team
Michael Lopez-Alegria Mission Specialist (MS2) Blue Team
Kathryn Thornton Mission Specialist (MS3) Red Team
Fred Leslie Payload Specialist (PS1) Blue Team
Albert Sacco Payload Specialist (PS2) Red Team
SUMMARY OF STS-73 LAUNCH DAY CREW ACTIVITIES
Wednesday, Sept. 27
7 p.m. Wake up (Blue Team)
7:30 p.m. Breakfast (Blue Team)
Thursday, Sept. 28
12:30 a.m. Lunch (Blue Team)
4 a.m. Wake up (Red Team)
* 5:10 a.m. Breakfast/Dinner and Crew Photo
5:40 a.m. Weather briefing (CDR, PLT, MS2)
5:40 a.m. Don launch and entry suits (MS1, MS3, PS1, PS2)
5:50 a.m. Don launch and entry suits (CDR, PLT, MS2)
* 6 a.m. Crew suiting photo
* 6:20 a.m. Depart for Launch Pad 39B
* 6:50 a.m. Arrive at white room and begin orbiter ingress
* 8:05 a.m. Close crew hatch
* 9:35 a.m. Launch
* Televised events (times may vary slightly)
All times Eastern
|
| 934.10 | Bit more info | ERMTRD::CLIFFE | I'll warp my own space-time ... | Fri Sep 29 1995 06:21 | 32 |
| Thursday, October 5 at 9:40am EDT. (Estimated). Launch window is 2
hours 30 min. (ReferenceKSC Shuttle Status 9/28/1995).
The launch attempt of Columbia on September 28, 1995 at 9:35 a.m was
scrubbed due to indications of a hydrogen leak in Space Shuttle Main
Engine (SSME) #1 (SN#-2037) . The scrub was called at 4 a.m. on
9/28/95. The hydrogen main fuel valve will need to be replaced which
will delay the launch approximately one week.
During the launch postponement press conference, Jim Harrington, KSC
Launch Director and John Plowden, Rocketdyne Site Director reported
that Tanking operations had begun approximately an hour later than
planned primarily due to lightning in the area of the launch pad.
Liquid hydrogen was in recirculation for about 30 minutes and the main
fuel valve had begun to chill down. When it reached the temperature of
-10F degrees the valve started to leak. Tanking operations were stopped
when the temperature on the valve reached the Launch Commit Criteria
cuttoff limit of -250F degrees at the downstream side of the valve.
Normal temperature on the valve runs at -100F to -150F degrees.
This would have been the first launch of SSME engine SN#-2037 and the
failed valve but it had been thru 7 static firings during ground tests.
The engine and valve were last tested at cryogenic temperatures during
hot firing June 15, 1995 at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. A
failure of this nature has occured only once before during the STS-2
tanking test. That failure was due to metallic contamination in the
downstream seal of the valve. The valve is accessable via the AFT
engine compartment. It weighs about 75 pounds with a flow path of 2.5
inches. It will be replaced at the pad. The bad valve will be sent back
to the Rocketdyne factory in California for testing.
|
| 934.11 | Weather delaying takeoff. | ERMTRD::CLIFFE | I'll warp my own space-time ... | Fri Oct 06 1995 06:39 | 10 |
| Shuttle Launch Status
Launch is scheduled for Friday, October 6 at 9:40am EDT.
Launch was originally scheduled for Thursday, October 5 at 9:40am
EDT, but was postponed due to bad weather. The launch countdown
began 10/2/95 at 4:00am EDT at the t-43 hour mark.(ReferenceKSC
Press Release 99-95).
|
| 934.12 | Air bubbles in landing gear hydraulic lines found | NETCAD::BATTERSBY | | Fri Oct 06 1995 12:52 | 8 |
| Well this morning they found a problem in the Shuttle systems
landing gear hydraulics. Apparently there was some type of indication
that there was some air/air bubbles. and they decided to check it out.
Something was said that if they need to purge the hydraulic lines
of alot of air bubbles they might have to delay the launch until
Sunday. Apparently they will know more later today.
Bob
|
| 934.13 | another day .. | ERMTRD::CLIFFE | I'll warp my own space-time ... | Fri Oct 06 1995 14:18 | 8 |
| Shuttle Launch Status
Launch is scheduled for Saturday, October 7 at 9:40am EDT. The launch
on 10/6/95 was scrubbed at 3:33am for a minimum of 24 hours due to an
air bubble in the hydraulic line of Columbia's nose wheel steering
system.
|
| 934.14 | Scrub on Saturday as well... | skylab.zko.dec.com::FISHER | How may I be honest with you today?-Tuvok | Sat Oct 07 1995 17:26 | 7 |
| Another scrub. This time there was a problem with one of the two
redundant master events controllers on Columbia...it failed to respond
to ground test commands. Turnaround will apparently be at least two
days.
Burns
|
| 934.15 | Another delay | ERMTRD::CLIFFE | I'll warp my own space-time ... | Mon Oct 09 1995 06:22 | 45 |
| Shuttle Launch Status
Launch no earlier than October 14 9:46 a.m EDT (Date under review)
Launch window is 2 hours 30 min. This is a preliminary launch date
assessment. Over the next several days, managers will be discussing
this assessed launch date and its implications impacting other
missions. For a 10/14/95 launch, the countdown would begin Wednesday
morning, Oct. 11. (Reference KSC Shuttle Status 10/07/1995).
The launch scheduled for Saturday, 10/7/95 at 9:41am EDT was scrubbed
at 10:05am EDT ( T-minus 20 minute mark ) by KSC Launch Director Jim
Harrington and the Mission Management Team due to a problem with one of
Columbia's two Master Events Controllers (MEC). The MECs control all
critical functions that occur on the Shuttle at T-0 and through flight,
including routing commands from the Shuttle s onboard computers to fire
the explosive bolts that hold the solid rocket boosters to the mobile
launcher and the pyrotechnics that separate the boosters from the
external tank during flight.
The countdown had started and proceeded with little difficulty. During
tanking operations, the only minor problem was an overvoltage failure
of a ground pump (Primary Pump 126). Tanking was picked up using the
backup pump 127 and the count proceeded normally. The flight crew had
departed the Operations and Checkout Building for Pad 39-B at 6:25am
EDT and was onboard Columbia. At 8:56am (T-minus 29 minutes), the
launch team called a Launch Commit Criteria violation due to a failed
self test on B-Core (Port 1, bit 5) of Columbia's Master Events
Controller #1. The four cores are all redundant allowing the Shuttle
quad-redundancy. Launch commit criteria rules require all four cores to
be operating properly for safe flight. The launch countdown was placed
on hold at the T-minus 20 minute mark while commands were issued to
determine if the problem was with the controller or with
instrumentation. It was determined the problem was with the controller
which will need to be replaced.
At this time, the external tank will be drained and purged, the
rotating service structure moved back around the vehicle and
preparations made to gain access to the aft engine compartment to
remove and replace the MEC. The MEC is scheduled to be removed on
Monday 10/9/95 and the replacement MEC tested on Tuesday 10/10/95. Some
of the experiments in the USML-2 spacelab module must be serviced
before another launch attempt can be made and the onboard cryogenic
tanks must be off-loaded and then re-loaded with liquid hydrogen and
liquid oxygen reactants.
|
| 934.16 | KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT | ERMTRD::CLIFFE | I'll warp my own space-time ... | Tue Oct 10 1995 07:04 | 56 |
| SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1995 (2:37 PM EDT)
KSC Public Affairs Contact: Bruce Buckingham 407-867-2468 (fax
407-867-2692)
MISSION: STS-73 -- U.S. MICROGRAVITY LABORATORY-2
VEHICLE: Columbia/OV-102 LOCATION: Pad 39B TARGET LAUNCH DATE/TIME:
Oct. 14 at 9:46 a.m. EDT (NET & U/R) LAUNCH WINDOW: 2 hours, 30 minutes
TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Oct. 30 at 7:41 a.m. MISSION DURATION: 15
days, 21 hours, 55 minutes CREW SIZE: 7 ORBITAL ALTITUDE and
INCLINATION: 172 statute miles/39 degrees (NET = no earlier than) (U/R
= under review)
NOTE: Launch of Space Shuttle Columbia was scrubbed today at the T-20
minute mark due to the failure of a Master Events Controller (MEC).
The postponement came at about 10 a.m. EDT. The problem was first
noticed during the MEC self-test at about T-29 minutes.
The MECs control all critical functions that occur on the Shuttle at
T-0 and through flight, including routing commands from the Shuttle s
onboard computers to fire the explosive bolts that hold the solid
rocket boosters to the mobile launcher and the pyrotechnics that
separate the boosters from the external tank during flight.
There are two MECs aboard the vehicle and they are located in the aft
engine compartment. Each MEC has two cores. The failure was in the B
core on MEC no. 1. (The four cores are all redundant allowing the
Shuttle quad-redundancy. Launch commit criteria rules require all four
cores to be operating properly for safe flight.)
At this time, the external tank will be drained and purged, the
rotating service structure moved back around the vehicle and
preparations made to gain access to the aft engine compartment to
remove and replace the MEC. The MEC is scheduled to be removed on
Monday and the replacement MEC tested on Tuesday. Also, some of the
experiments in the spacelab must be serviced before another launch
attempt can be made and the onboard cryogenic tanks must be off-loaded
and then re-loaded with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen reactants.
Managers believe that with a success oriented schedule, Columbia could
be ready to fly as early as Saturday, Oct. 14. This is a preliminary
launch date assessment. Over the next several days, managers will be
discussing this assessed launch date and its implications impacting
other missions. If we continue with plans to launch Saturday, the
countdown would begin Wednesday morning, Oct. 11.
The crew is scheduled to return to their homes in Houston. The Red Team
of Bowersox, Rominger, Thornton and Sacco, will return later today. The
Blue Team of Coleman, Lopez-Alegria and Leslie will return on Monday.
Also, the Space Shuttle Atlantis, slated for mission STS-74, is
scheduled to be rolled out to Pad 39A on Tuesday. First motion from the
Vehicle Assembly Building is set for 7 a.m.
|
| 934.17 | High-Packed Digital TV from Columbia.... | NETCAD::BATTERSBY | | Wed Oct 25 1995 15:04 | 53 |
| Another local Mass. company gets a shot at show-casing their hardware.
The NASA TV commentary refers to this as "High-Packed Digital
Communications". The hardware is a highly enhanced digitizing
of analog TV pictures. I've been watching some of the NASA TV
coverage pictures of the new technology, and I'm quite impressed
with the lack of jerkiness seen. If there isn't alot of movement
of people in the pictures, it's difficult to tell at first glance
that one is looking at digitized TV pictures. The large advantage
to this use is that the Principle Investigators for the Spacelab
projects are getting almost continuous coverage of their experiments,
whereas on the last flight where some of the same experiments were
flown, there had to be a prioritized scheduling of video for the
investigators to see.
It's funny, I remember some teleconferencing we did a couple of
projects ago with some engineering folks in Reading. The video
had so much delay, & jerkiness (lack of bandwidth), that you
could watch the video, and as the camera at the other site panned
to another person talking, when the camera panned back in another
direction, a person would be missing (they left the room), or the
video frame would freeze/pause while a person was in the middle of
speaking as in watching freeze-frame video from your VCR. Technologies
inevitably make vast improvements.
Bob
[the following has been copied without permission]
Technology from PictureTel to let shuttle crew keep an eye on Earth
-------------------------------------------------------------------
[article from Boston Globe 10/21/95]
[by Jon Auerbach Globe Staff]
In the popular movie Apollo 13, a television camera mounted in the
space capsule beamed images of the mission's astronauts back to earth.
But while the control team in Houston could clearly see the crew, the
three men in space couldn't see Houston.
Twenty-five years later - and on the 72d space shuttle mission
videoconferencing is finally a two-way affair. Danvers-based PictureTel
Corp. a leader in teleconferencing, supplied the technology that blasted
off with the Columbia yesterday morning.
Cameras and computers installed in the space shuttle and at NASA's
Johnson Space Center in Houston will allow the mission's seven astronauts
to communicate back and forth via video with their families and doctors
on earth.
PictureTel's equipment will also be used during experiments carried out
aboard the 23-foot Columbia Spacelab. Similarly, the technology should
make conducting maintenance work in space easier.
If the Apollo 13 mission had been equipped for two-way videoconferencing,
for example, it would have been much more simple for the engineers in
Houston to explain to the astronauts how to build the carbon monoxide filter
they needed to reduce the increasing level of the toxic gas inside their
lunar module.
But the movie wouldn't have been as dramatic.
|
| 934.18 | MCC Status Report #1 | TROOA::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Thu Oct 26 1995 21:52 | 20 |
| Mission Control Status Report #1
Friday, October 20, 1995 noon CDT
The Space Shuttle Columbia blasted off from its Florida launch pad at
8:53 a.m. CDT today after a heavy cloud cover that earlier had shrouded
the area cleared. Today's launch tied the record for launch attempts set by
STS-61C which launched on its seventh try in January of 1986.
The STS-73 seven member crew on board will work around the clock
for 16 days conducting 14 major experiments and a variety of other medical
and engineering investigations. The experiments are part of the planned
operations of the United States Microgravity Laboratory 2 payload.
Once on orbit, the crew members set to work configuring Columbia
for on-orbit operations. Columbia's payload bay doors were opened about
90 minutes into the flight, followed by a "go" for on-orbit operations.
With all systems aboard Columbia performing well, the orbiter
continues to circle the Earth every 92 minutes at an altitude of 150 nautical
miles or 172 statute miles.
|
| 934.19 | MCC Status Report #3 | TROOA::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Thu Oct 26 1995 21:59 | 28 |
| STS-73 Mission Control Status Report #3
7 a.m. CDT, Saturday, October 21, 1995
Columbia's crew continued research work in the United States Microgravity
Lab-2 during the night uninterrupted by any problems with the spacecraft.
The Blue Team crew members -- Mission Specialists Mike Lopez-Alegria and
Cady Coleman and Payload Specialist Fred Leslie -- wrapped up their first,
full 12-hour shift in the lab at about 6:38 a.m. CDT. During the last part of
the Blue shift, new shuttle equipment being carried aboard Columbia for the
first time this mission that allows television to be sent from the ground to
the crew was tested. The ground-to-air television test, which included live
scenes from Mission Control, appeared good onboard the shuttle, reported
Columbia Pilot Kent Rominger.
The Red Team crew -- Commander Ken Bowersox, Rominger, Payload Commander Kathy
Thornton and Payload Specialist Al Sacco -- awoke from their first night in
orbit at about 3:53 a.m. CDT today and relieved the Blue Team in the lab
module this morning. The Red Team will remain on duty until 6:53 p.m. CDT.
Highlights of NASA Television today will include the Flight Day 2 Mission
Update program airing at 11:30 a.m. CDT; a Mission Status Briefing press
conference at 1 p.m.; and an interview of the Red Team by the Florida Radio
Network at 5:58 p.m. CDT that may include phone-in questions from listeners
Columbia remains in a 169 by 167 statute mile orbit, completing one revolution
of Earth every 90 minutes. The Johnson Space Center newsroom will be open
today and Sunday for media inquiries from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
|
| 934.20 | MCC Status Reports #4, 5 | TROOA::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Thu Oct 26 1995 22:02 | 51 |
| STS-73 Mission Control Status Report #4
2 p.m. CDT, Saturday, October 21, 1995
All systems aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia continue to work well as the
orbiter's seven member crew continues its microgravity work in the United
States Microgravity Lab-2.
The Red Team crew -- Commander Ken Bowersox, Pilot Kent Rominger,
Payload Commander Kathy Thornton and Payload Specialist Al Sacco --
spent today in the lab module working on a variety of experiments and
tasks. The Red Team hands over its duties to the Blue Team at 6:53 p.m.
today. The Blue Team crew - Mission specialists Mike Lopez-Alegria and
Cady Coleman, and Payload Specialist Fred Leslie -- then will take a turn in
the lab. The Blue Team's shift ends at 6:38 a.m. Sunday.
The first in-flight special event is scheduled for 5:58 p.m. CDT today when
available crew members talk to Alan McBride of the Florida Radio Network.
The event will be audio only.
Columbia remains in a 167 by 170 statute mile orbit, completing one
revolution of the Earth every 90 minutes. The Johnson Space Center
newsroom is closed for the remainder of the day but will reopen at 8 a.m.
Sunday. The newsroom will close at 2 p.m. Sunday.
STS-73 Mission Control Status Report #5
7:30 a.m. CDT, Sunday, October 22, 1995
Columbia sailed through a second smooth night in orbit, continuing around-the-
clock research in its cargo bay laboratory.
The spacecraft remains in excellent condition, and the focus in Mission Control
has been on assisting with the experiment operations when needed. The Red
Team crew -- Commander Ken Bowersox, Pilot Kent Rominger, Payload
Commander Kathy Thornton and Payload Specialist Al Sacco -- is now on duty
in the United States Microgravity Lab-2, having started a 12-hour shift at 6:38
a.m. CDT. The Blue Team -- Mission specialists Mike Lopez-Alegria and Cady
Coleman, and Payload Specialist Fred Leslie -- will begin an eight-hour sleep
period at 8:53 a.m.
Highlights on NASA Television today include the Flight Day 3 Mission Update
program airing at 11:30 a.m.; the Mission Status Briefing at 1 p.m.; and a
replay of video highlights from the past 24 hours of STS-73 airing on the
Flight Day Video File at 3:30 p.m. Other activities upcoming today include a
second test of a system that allows television to be transmitted to the
shuttle from Mission Control to be conducted at about 5:03 p.m. The
ground-to-air shuttle television equipment is flying aboard Columbia for the
first time on STS-73 as a test objective of the mission.
Columbia is in a 170 by 167 statute mile orbit, completing one revolution of
Earth every 90 minutes. The Johnson Space Center newsroom will be open from 8
a.m. to 2 p.m. today.
|
| 934.21 | MCC Status Reports #6, 7 | TROOA::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Thu Oct 26 1995 22:06 | 40 |
| STS-73 Mission Control Status Report #6
Noon, Sunday, October 22, 1995
Space Shuttle Columbia continues to perform well in its supporting role for
the U.S. Microgravity Lab-2. Since Friday morning's launch, the orbiter has
remained a steady host, providing electrical power, cooling and other needs to
keep the orbiting laboratory in business.
The seven-member crew continues to work around the clock in two shifts.
Columbia is in a 170x167 statute mile orbit, circling the Earth every 90
minutes. The JSC newsroom will reopen at 7 a.m. Monday.
STS-73 Mission Control Status Report #7
9:30 a.m. CDT, Monday, October 23, 1995
Columbia continued to perform nearly perfectly overnight, providing no
interruptions to the around-the-clock research under way in the cargo bay lab.
The Red Team crew -- Commander Ken Bowersox, Pilot Kent Rominger, Payload
Commander Kathy Thornton and Payload Specialist Al Sacco -- began a 12-hour
shift at 6:38 a.m. CDT. Their Blue Team crewmates began eight hours of sleep
at 8:53 a.m. CDT.
This morning, Bowersox and Rominger took part in the third test thus of a new
shuttle system that allows the transmission of television from Mission Control
to Columbia. The crew discussed the progress of the flight with Capcom Tom
Jones and Flight Director Rob Kelso in Mission Control. Bowersox reported that
he has been impressed by Columbia's performance so far and complemented
workers at the Kennedy Space Center that prepared the shuttle for flight. The
test was the first to involve two-way television -- simultaneous transmissions
to and from Columbia -- and was highly successful.
Upcoming on NASA Television will be the Flight Day 4 Mission Update program
airing at 11:30 a.m. CDT; a Mission Status Briefing press conference at 1 p.m.
and a replay of highlights from the past 24 hours in the Flight Day Video File
at 3:30 p.m.
Columbia remains in an orbit of 170 by 167 statute miles, circling Earth every
90 minutes.
|
| 934.22 | MCC Status Reports #8-14 | TROOA::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Thu Oct 26 1995 22:22 | 201 |
| 934.23 | MCC Status Reports # 2, 15 16 17 | TROOA::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Mon Oct 30 1995 18:42 | 120 |
| 934.24 | USML-2 Status Reports #1-6, 9-12, 14 | TROOA::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Mon Oct 30 1995 18:51 | 1111 |
| 934.25 | MSFC Launch Report | TROOA::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Mon Oct 30 1995 18:53 | 203 |
| STS-73 LAUNCH REPORT
STS-73
MISSION DATA SUMMARY
PAYLOAD MANIFEST:
PAYLOAD BAY United States Microgravity Laboratory (USML-2) Spacelab
Orbital Acceleration Research Experiment (OARE)
INSTRUMENTATION: None Assigned
LAUNCH DATE: October 20, 1995
LAUNCH WINDOW: 8:50 am - 11:20 am CDT
LAUNCH TIME: 95:293:13:53:00.013 GMT
8:53 am CDT
SSME#3 START TIME: 95:293:13:52:53.458
SSME#2 START TIME: 95:293:13:52:53.577
SSME#1 START TIME: 95:293:13:52:53.690
LAUNCH SITE: KSC Pad 39B
MOBILE LAUNCH PLATFORM: MLP-3
ORBITAL INCLINATION: 39 degrees
ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 150 nautical miles
INSERTION MODE: Direct
MISSION DURATION: 16 days nominal
PRIMARY LANDING SITE: Kennedy Space Center, FL
ABORT LANDING SITES: TAL (Prime) - Ben Guerir, Morocco
TAL Alternates - Moron, Spain
Zaragoza, Spain
VEHICLE DATA
ORBITER: Columbia OV-102 (18th Flight)
EXTERNAL TANK: ET-73
MAIN ENGINES: 2037(BLK-I), 2031(PH-II), 2038(BLK-I)
POWER LEVEL: Nominal...........104/67/104%
Abort....................104%
To Avoid Ditching........109%
SRBs: BI-075
SRM Set Nr.: Left - 360L050A
Right - 360L050B
SRM Burnrate (Delivered): LH - 0.369 IPS at 60 deg F
RH - 0.369 IPS at 60 deg F
CREW
COMMANDER: Kenneth Bowersox
SHUTTLE PILOT: Kent Rominger
PAYLOAD COMMANDER: Kathryn Thornton
MISSION SPECIALIST: Michael Lopez-Alegria
MISSION SPECIALIST: Catherine Coleman
PAYLOAD SPECIALIST: Albert Sacco, Jr.
PAYLOAD SPECIALIST Fred Leslie
1.0 STS-73 FLIGHT SUMMARY
The STS-73 mission was successfully flown from Launch Pad 39B (MLP-3) at
the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) on October 20,1995. This is a civilian
mission of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with
the primary objective of placing the Marshall managed USML-2 in a 150 nm
orbit. The other payload for this flight is the OARE.
This was the seventy second (72nd) flight of the Space Shuttle program.
RSRM ignition occurred at approximately 8:53 A.M. Central Daylight Time
(CDT) (95:293:13:53:00.013 GMT). There were no unscheduled holds. Winds
at liftoff were from approximately 304.6 degrees at 5.52 knots; the
ambient temperature was 77.2 B0 F; the barometric pressure was 29.88 in.
Hg; and the relative humidity was 98.8%.
The successful launch of STS-73 followed vehicle scrubs on 9/28/95,
10/6/95, 10/7/95, and 10/16/95; and two delays on 10/5/95 and 10/14/95.
The first scrub occurred during propellant loading and was due to a
leaking MFV on SSME #1. The second scrub occurred prior to propellant
loading and was caused by an air bubble in the orbiter hydraulic system
#1. Scrub #3 was caused by the Orbiter master events controller #1 which
had 2 failures during the self test at T-20 minutes. Scrub #4, on
10/16/95, was due to launch site weather. The 2 delays were due to
Hurricane Opal (10/5/95) and ultrasonic inspection of the HPOTP discharge
duct on each SSME.
2.0 FLIGHT RESULTS
2.1 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - SRBs BI-075,
RSRMs 360L050A, 360L050B
All Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) systems performed as expected. The SRB
prelaunch countdown was normal, and no SRB or RSRM Launch Commit Criteria
(LCC) or Operational Maintenance Requirements Specification Document
(OMRSD) violations occurred.
Power up and operation of all igniter, and field joint heaters was
accomplished routinely. All RSRM temperatures were maintained within acceptable
limits throughout the countdown. For this flight, the low pressure heated
ground purge in the SRB aft skirt was used to maintain the case/nozzle
joint temperatures within the required LCC ranges. At T-15 minutes, the
purge was changed to high pressure to inert the SRB aft skirt.
Preliminary data indicates that the flight performance of both RSRMs was
well within the allowable performance envelopes, and was typical of the
performance observed on previous flights. The RSRM propellant mean bulk
temperature (PMBT) was 79 degrees F at liftoff.
Both SRBs were successfully separated from the External Tank (ET) at T +
TBD seconds, and reports from the recovery area, based on visual
sightings, indicate that the deceleration subsystems performed as
designed. Both SRBs were observed during descent, and are currently
floating near the retrieval ships.
2.2 EXTERNAL TANK - ET-73
All objectives and requirements associated with External Tank (ET)
propellant loading and flight operations were met. All ET electrical
equipment and instrumentation operated satisfactorily, with the exception
of LOX 100% liquid level sensor #2 (waiver #EK03399), and one LOX tank
ullage temperature (IPR 234). ET purge and heater operations were
monitored and all performed properly.
No ET LCC or OMRSD violations were identified.
Typical ice/frost formations were observed on the ET during the countdown.
There was no observed ice or frost on the acreage areas of the ET. Normal
quantities of ice or frost were present on the LO2 and LH2 feedlines and
on the pressurization line brackets, and some frost or ice was present
along the LH2 PAL ramps. These observations are acceptable per NSTS
08303. The Ice/Frost "Red Team" reported that there were no anomalous TPS
conditions.
The ET pressurization system functioned properly throughout engine start
and flight. The minimum LO2 ullage pressure experienced during the ullage
pressure slump was 14.4 psid.
ET separation was confirmed, and since Main Engine Cutoff (MECO) occurred
within expected tolerances, ET reentry and breakup is expected to be
within the predicted footprint.
2.3 SPACE SHUTTLE MAIN ENGINE - SSMEs 2037(BLK-I), 2031(PH-II), 2038(BLK-I)
All SSME parameters appeared to be normal throughout the prelaunch
countdown and were typical of prelaunch parameters observed on previous
flights. Engine "Ready" was achieved at the proper time; all LCC were
met; and engine start and thrust buildup were normal.
Preliminary flight data indicate that SSME performance during mainstage,
throttling, shutdown and propellant dump operations was normal. HPOTP and
HPFTP temperatures appeared to be well within specification throughout
engine operation. Space Shuttle Main Engine Cutoff (MECO) occurred at T
+ 509.32 seconds. There were no Failure IDs (FIDs), and no significant
SSME problems have been identified.
2.4 MAIN PROPULSION SYSTEM - MPS OV-102
The overall performance of the Main Propulsion System (MPS) was as
expected. LO2 and LH2 loading were performed as planned with no stop
flows or reverts. There were no OMRSD or LCC violations.
Throughout the period of preflight operations, no significant hazardous gas
concentrations were detected. The maximum hydrogen concentration level
in the Orbiter aft compartment (which occurred shortly after the start of
fastfill) was approximately 150 ppm, which compares favorably with
previous data for th= is vehicle.
A comparison of the calculated propellant loads at the end of replenish,
versus the inventory loads, results in a loading accuracy of 0.040 percent
for LH2, and 0.066 percent for LO2.
Ascent MPS performance appeared to be completely normal. Preliminary data
indicate that the LO2 and LH2 pressurization systems performed as planned,
and that all NPSP requirements were met throughout the flight.
2.5 SHUTTLE RANGE SAFETY SYSTEM - SRSS
Shuttle Range Safety System (SRSS) closed loop testing was completed as
scheduled during the launch countdown. All SRSS Safe and Arm (S&A)
devices were armed and system inhibits turned off at the appropriate
times. All SRSS measurements indicated that the system operated as
expected throughout the countdown and flight.
As planned, the SRB S&A devices were safed, and SRB system power was
turned off prior to SRB separation. The ET system remained active until ET
separation from the Orbiter.
2.6 VEHICLE PERFORMANCE
A quick-look determination of vehicle performance was made using vehicle
acceleration and preflight propulsion prediction data. From these data,
the average flight derived engine Isp determined for the time period
between SRB separation and start of 3-G throttling was 452.87 seconds as
compared to an MPS tag value of 452.76 seconds.
3.0 CANDIDATE IN-FLIGHT ANOMALIES AND SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS
No In-Flight Anomalies or significant problems associated with the MSFC
elements have been identified at this time.
|
| 934.26 | MCC Status Reports #18, 19, 20 | TROOA::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Wed Nov 01 1995 15:39 | 81 |
|
Mission Control Status Report #18
5 p.m. CDT Saturday, October 28, 1995
With all continuing to proceed smoothly aboard Columbia on the 72nd Space
Shuttle mission, the seven astronauts that make up this microgravity
laboratory mission have passed the mid-point of the flight.
A short while ago, four the crew members completed their ninth workday in
space and were relieved by the remaining three astronauts. The crew is
split into two shifts working around the clock to support the many
experiments that make up this second dedicated United States Microgravity
Laboratory mission.
Ken Bowersox, Kent Rominger, Kathy Thornton and Al Sacco turned in for the
evening about 6 p.m. and are scheduled to take over for Mike
Lopez-Alegria, Cady Coleman and Fred Leslie about three tomorrow morning.
With no systems problems being tracked by Mission Control, Columbia
continues on its 18th voyage in space at an altitude of 170 miles,
circling the Earth every 90 minutes.
NASA Television programming tomorrow includes Mission Update at 11:30 a.m.
CDT and the Flight Day Video File at 3:30 p.m.
Mission Control Status Report #19
9 a.m. CST Sunday, October 29, 1995
After spending eight hours with its belly pointed toward the sun, Columbia
is back in position to support the sensitive United States Microgravity
Laboratory-2 experiments.
For this mission, Columbia's normal attitude has its left wing pointing in
the direction of travel and its tail pointed toward the Earth. This
attitude, however, exposes some portions of the orbiter to the extreme
cold of space for long periods of time. To keep the pressure in the tires
at the levels necessary to support landing operations, the flight control
team is implementing its pre-flight plan for "thermal conditioning" of the
cold areas.
The maneuver, which will be conducted four times during the mission, calls
for crew members to reposition Columbia so that the sun shines directly on
the lower portion of the orbiter. At the conclusion of the first
conditioning period, the tire pressure was measured at 334 pounds per
square inch (psi), an increase from 328 psi before the period. The
nominal end of mission pressure is targeted at 330 psi.
With no systems problems, Columbia continues on its 18th voyage in space
at an altitude of 170 miles, circling the Earth every 90 minutes.
NASA Television programming today includes Mission Update at 11:00 a.m.
CST and the Flight Day Video File at 3:30 p.m. CST.
Mission Control Status Report #20
8 a.m. CST Monday, October 30, 1995
On its eleventh day on orbit, the Space Shuttle Columbia continues to provide
the United States Microgravity Laboratory-2 with a stable platform above the
Earth for the astronauts to conduct a myriad of experiments.
Flying at an altitude of 170 miles, Columbia is positioned with its tail
pointing toward the Earth and its port wing pointing in the general direction
of travel. This "gravity gradient" attitude is maintained with only minimal
thruster firings. The orbiter will stay in this position until around midnight
tonight when Columbia will begin a 14-hour thermal conditioning period with its
belly pointed toward the sun.
All activities on the orbiter continue to go smoothly, and there are no orbiter
systems problems.
NASA Television programming today includes Mission Update at 11:00 a.m. CST;
the Mission and Science Status Briefings at noon CST; and the Flight Day Video
File at 3:30 p.m. CST. An interview with WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh will air at
8:28 p.m. CST.
|
| 934.27 | USML-2 Status Reports #15 16 | TROOA::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Wed Nov 01 1995 15:41 | 211 |
| USML-2 Public Affairs Status Report #15
6:00 a.m. CST, Oct. 29, 1995
8/21:07 MET
Spacelab Mission Operations Control
Marshall Space Flight Center
Research in the unique laboratory environment of space continued at a
steady pace over the last 24 hours aboard the second United States
Microgravity Laboratory.
During one experiment run yesterday, the Surface Tension Driven Convection
Experiment team observed a phenomenon that had never been seen before.
Fluid flows were erratic, with no obvious organization or pattern, as
Payload Commander Kathy Thornton increased the silicone oil surface
temperature beyond the point at which flows within the fluid began to
oscillate, or become unsteady. Overnight, the ground team conducted
several test runs remotely from the Spacelab control center, freeing the
crew for other activities. The experiment seeks to define the factors
which cause subtle, surface-temperature- driven fluid flows to become
oscillatory. Researchers from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio
will use the extensive data gathered during USML-2 to graph the onset of
oscillations under many conditions. A better understanding of how and why
such fluid flows occur will be valuable for industrial applications from
fuel management and storage to materials processing methods such as
welding.
In a related Glovebox investigation, Payload Specialist Fred Leslie
performed the mission's first run of the Oscillatory Thermocapillary Flow
Experiment.
Though it uses much simpler equipment, the purpose and procedure are
similar to Surface Tension Driven Convection Experiment tests. The major
difference is the proportions of the container. The STDCE chamber's
diameter is twice its own height, while this Glovebox investigation used a
very shallow chamber with a diameter four times its height. Different
chamber sizes provide even more variables for determining the onset of
unstable surface-temperature-driven fluid flows.
Thornton and Payload Specialist Al Sacco exchanged sample cartridges in
the Crystal Growth Furnace yesterday, replacing three processed samples
with three new ones. Last evening, the facility completed its shortest
crystal growth cycle, depositing a thin layer of infrared-detecting
mercury cadmium telluride on a base material, or substrate, in just one
and a half hours.
"We're examining ways to reduce what we call crystal 'birth defects,'
which are transferred from defects in the substrate material which can't
be eliminated, " said Principal Investigator Dr. Heribert Wiedemeier of
the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. "In the crystal we grew on USML-1,
the interface between the substrate and the first layer was much smoother
than in crystals produced on the ground. This was totally new, something
we had never seen before and had not expected."
On USML-2, Wiedemeier is growing much thinner layers to see how far
substrate defects propagate into the first crystal layer. On the ground,
the crystal material first forms separate "islands" on the base, which
join to form a complete layer after about two hours of growth. Wiedemeier
grew his first USML- 2 crystal on Sunday for two and one-half hours to be
sure a compete layer was produced. "With last night's sample, we
deliberately stopped growth in less time than it takes for a layer to form
on Earth. However, there is a good chance that under microgravity we may
get a complete layer in the shorter time period," he said.
If this mission demonstrates that certain reduced convection conditions
produce more uniform initial layers in a shorter growth time, Wiedemeier
feels it could lead to crystal growth methods on Earth that are faster,
require less material and energy, and therefore are less costly.
Sacco completed activating protein crystal growth experiments in the
Glovebox facility yesterday afternoon. Thus far, more than 50 individual
experiments have been set up using seven different proteins -- from viral
disease proteins to several involved in the human immune system. USML-2
crew members will observe the samples on Thursday to monitor the growth of
the crystals. Proteins play vital roles in daily life, from providing
nourishment to fighting disease. Many areas of biotechnology benefit from
new information on the structure of proteins, such as development of food
crops with higher protein content and basic research toward more effective
drugs.
Team members for the Geophysical Fluid Flow Cell Experiment slowed down
the rotation of their experiment hemisphere to get additional data which
relates to fluid motions in Earth's core -- motions that cause such
phenomena as the forced drift of the Earth's continents. The fluid flow
cell is an investigation in fluid dynamics that models fluid flows in
planets, stars and oceans, using silicone oil between two rotating
hemispheres. Controllers can vary electrical charges which simulate
gravity, as well as fluid temperature and rotation speed of the
hemispheres, to reflect conditions in different environments.
Overnight, Mission Specialist Cady Coleman patiently worked through
problems with computer equipment to complete several runs of the Glovebox
Colloidal Disorder-Order Transition (CDOT) investigation. CDOT uses
microscopic plastic spheres suspended in a liquid to model the behavior of
atoms. As planned, red shift crew members will complete the CDOT
activities later today.
When he came back on duty early this morning, Payload Specialist Al Sacco
began a series of experiments in the Drop Physics Module to examine how
chemical additives, called surfactants, affect liquid drop behavior. The
drop studies will continue throughout today's shift.
The Crystal Growth Furnace will begin a 50-hour processing run for its
second gallium arsenide semiconductor sample at around 6:30 a.m. CST.
USML-2 Public Affairs Status Report #16
6:00 a.m. CST, Oct. 30, 1995
9/21:07 MET
Spacelab Mission Operations Control
Marshall Space Flight Center
Drop physics studies and Glovebox investigations dominated crew activities
during the tenth day in orbit for the United States Microgravity
Laboratory-2, while the mission's many remotely controlled experiments
collected valuable data as well.
Geophysical Fluid Flow Cell (GFFC) experiment runs yesterday seem to
validate predictions in a mathematical model of planetary and solar fluid
flows designed by Co-Investigator Dr. Tim Miller. GFFC scientists saw
different heat-driven, or thermocapillary flow patterns when the same
conditions were initiated at different rates. For instance, voltage,
temperature and rotation speed parameters applied slowly to the
experiment's silicone-oil-filled hemispheres produced one thermocapillary
fluid flow, and a different flow resulted when the same parameters were
applied to the experiment quickly.
"These particular flows are relevant to cases where you might have a
planet with a core that's still moving around -- still convecting -- and
also planets with atmospheres that are rotating very slowly," said Miller.
The experiment facility, which simulates fluid flows in oceans, planets
and stars, is operated from the ground with only occasional adjustments
and monitoring by the crew.
Research in thermocapillary flow phenomena could one day aid in forecasting
ocean flows and weather patterns.
The Crystal Growth Furnace finished melting its second gallium arsenide
semiconductor sample yesterday afternoon, then began slowly moving the
furnace module down the length of the sample cartridge to solidify the
crystal. Early this morning, the experiment team changed the furnace
translation rate from seven one hundredths of an inch (1.8 millimeters)
per hour to seven tenths of an inch (18 millimeters) per hour. This
ten-fold increase will help Principal Investigator Dr. David Matthiesen
determine whether the solidification rate influences the formation of
bubbles in semiconductor crystals. Gallium arsenide crystals promise
important advantages for electronic applications, operating at high speeds
and using less power than traditional silicon semiconductors.
Over the past 24 hours, Payload Commander Kathy Thornton, Payload
Specialist Al Sacco and Mission Specialist Cady Coleman conducted a series
of Drop Physics
Module experiment runs for Dr. Robert Apfel of Yale University. The
experiment examines the influence of chemicals called surfactants on the
behavior of liquid drops. Surfactants are substances that migrate toward
the free surfaces of liquids, resulting in a reduction of surface tension,
or a weakening in molecular "skins." For instance, soap contains
surfactants which makes water "wetter." The various crew members
levitated different sized drops containing surfactants, then squeezed them
with sound waves. Drop Physics Module team members observed the drops'
oscillations and surface distortions from two perspectives, both of which
were transmitted to the ground simultaneously by Hi- Packed Television.
Dr. Apfel used results from related USML-1 experiments to confirm and
adjust theoretical models. This mission's experiments will help him
refine these theories, which apply to processes as widespread as the
production of cosmetics to the recovery of oil spills and environmental
cleanup.
Sacco performed operations for the Colloidal Disorder-Order Transition
investigation, a Glovebox study which seeks to answer fundamental
questions about how liquids become solids. Tiny spheres suspended in a
fluid were clustered together in crystallized formations, in a model of
how atoms arrange themselves to transition from liquid to solid states.
Research of this type could lead to improvements in materials processing
on Earth, such as developing micromachines or better surgical tools. The
science team expects to get at least a 90 percent return on science from
their data, despite time lost troubleshooting several equipment problems.
Payload Specialist Fred Leslie followed up on two Glovebox studies which
delve into fundamental factors of fluid behavior. He photographed the
position of red fluid inside a mathematically designed, transparent
container for the Interface Configuration Experiment. The study examines
how angles within a container affect the way fluids shift within it.
Leslie also completed the mission's second run of the Oscillatory
Thermocapillary Flow Experiment, heating the surface of silicone oil in a
container whose depth equaled its diameter. The run successfully
pinpointed the transition between steady and unsteady heat-induced fluid
flows. The investigation duplicates the Surface Tension Driven Convection
Experiment (STDCE), but uses containers with different depths to provide
additional insight into the fluid-flow phenomenon. According to Project
Scientist Alex Pline, results were consistent with STDCE results from
earlier in the mission. The team is building an extensive catalogue of
data on these subtle fluid motions which can affect materials processing
on Earth.
Leslie was unsuccessful in several attempts to coax fuel drops onto a
fiber in the Glovebox Fiber Supported Droplet Combustion investigation.
The heptane fuel stubbornly adhered to deployment needles, probably due to
degradation of the needles' non-stick coating. The Glovebox team is
comparing notes with members of other experiment teams and USML-2 payload
controllers to identify other non- stick substances aboard which might be
substituted.
The USML-2 crew schedule for today includes the Glovebox Particle
Dispersion Experiment, more Drop Physics Module surfactant studies,
Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus activities and Astroculture
plant growth facility observations.
|
| 934.28 | USML-2 Status REports #17 18 19 | TROOA::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Fri Nov 03 1995 20:43 | 239 |
| USML-2 Public Affairs Status Report #17
6:00 p.m. CST, Oct. 30, 1995
10/09:07 MET
Spacelab Mission Operations Control
Marshall Space Flight Center
The USML-2 Crystal Growth Furnace experiment team today successfully grew a
crystal of gallium arsenide with a dopant, or impurity, added. Later, the
crystal will be tested to determine if the dopant was evenly distributed
during the crystal's growth. Slightly more than one-inch (7 centimeters) in
length, the semiconductor crystal grew for 12 and one half hours. To produce
high-quality gallium arsenide crystals, scientists need to understand the
processes by which chemical impurities are introduced, whether intentionally
or unintentionally. Electronic devices made from these crystals operate at
higher speed and use less power.
After setting up the Surface Tension Driven Convection Experiment this morning,
Payload Specialist Al Sacco stepped aside and surface tension experiment team
members on the ground were able to run the experiment's heater power by
remote commanding. Team members observed the experiment performance via a
multi-channel digital television link. The remote commanding capability gave
the team a chance to get extra data on their experiment, while Sacco and
Mission Specialist Kathryn Thornton were working with other investigations.
The surface tension experiment studies the transition between steady fluid
flows to oscillatory, or unstable, fluid flows.
Today's surface tension experiment runs featured a test cell with a spacer
disk inserted into the bottom of the chamber. This cut the chamber's depth in
half, thereby lowering the amount of fluid in the cell. An increase in power
was necessary to push the fluid flows to the transition point, giving the
experiment team even more data for discussion and post-mission analysis.
Studying surface tension-driven fluid flows holds valuable applications in
areas of materials processing such as the production of high-tech crystals,
metals, alloys and ceramics.
Dr. Robert Apfel with Yale University, whose experiment studies the effect of
surfactants, or chemicals, on the surface of a liquid drop in the Drop Physics
Module, says the drops' large oscillations, caused by sound waves, have
revealed detailed motions in the sample during the experiment runs. Data he
has thus far received on his experiment is clear, concise and definitive,
allowing him to measure specific oscillation points. He will use this
information in post-mission analysis, comparing it to his numerical
predictions.
Crew members continue to keep an eye on a Spacelab VCR which experienced a
brief problem while recording Drop Physics Module data early this morning.
The VCR is up and running, and the drop physics team believes all their data
was captured on the experiment film magazine when the problem occurred.
Sacco spent about two hours this afternoon photographing and filming the
progress of experiments in the Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus, a
facility which is used for a wide variety of life-science experiments. The
development of the tiny brine shrimp living in the facility are of interest to
investigators, as they could shed light on the importance of gravity in human
development and aging. The different stages of the growing protein crystals
within the facility were also recorded in today's photo session. Proteins are
molecules which serve biological functions. Understanding the structure of
these molecules gives scientists an idea what other molecules would interact
with the protein and change the way it functions, for instance to help cure or
treat an illness.
The next 12 hours will see the USML-2 blue shift team members Mission
Specialist Cady Coleman and Payload Specialist Fred Leslie on line. Coleman
will continue work with the Drop Physics Module, while Leslie will begin work
in the Glovebox facility on the Particle Dispersion Experiment , an
investigation into the behavior of particles in clouds, such as those in
volcanic eruptions.
USML-2 Public Affairs Status Report #18
6:00 a.m. CST, Oct. 31, 1995
10/22:07 MET
Spacelab Mission Operations Control
Marshall Space Flight Center
The second United States Microgravity Laboratory added to an already
bulging "portfolio" of scientific information as it completed an eleventh
day in space. "It's really great to be collecting all this data that
we've been planning on for so long," said Mission Specialist Cady Coleman
as she sent video views of USML-2 experiment facilities to scientists on
the ground.
Last night's Particle Dispersion Experiment confirmed a theory about the
behavior of dust and particle clouds proposed by Glovebox Investigator Dr.
John Marshall, who works with the SETI Institute and NASA's Ames Research
Center in California. Payload Specialist Fred Leslie agitated several
small transparent chambers inside the Glovebox, dispersing particles of
volcanic material, rounded quartz, angular quartz or copper within the
various chambers. Marshall watched Glovebox video as dispersed particles
in each of the chambers gradually clumped together, or aggregated, due to
electrostatic attraction.
This validates Marshall's hypothesis that aggregation occurs in all dust
clouds: the planetary nebulae which coalesce to form stars, global dust
storms on Mars, dust clouds from a meteor impact on Earth (such as the one
some believe led to extinction of the dinosaurs), and clouds of dust and
ash flung into Earth's atmosphere during volcanic eruptions. The
particles are drawn together by static electrical charges. Because the
resulting clumps are heavier than individual particles, they fall to the
ground to cleanse the atmosphere (or move to the center to form stars)
more rapidly than would be predicted by gravitational theory alone.
The USML-2 investigation built on results of a technology study on USML-1,
which tested methods for dispersing small particles in microgravity.
"Because of the success of the USML-1 investigation, we were able to flesh
out our science objectives and test variables like particle size, density
of the cloud, and type of material. All the materials showed a similar
propensity to aggregate," said Marshall.
Leslie conducted several more runs for the Glovebox Oscillatory
Thermocapillary Flow Experiment, this time using a very shallow silicone
oil chamber to see how the shallow depth affects the onset of unstable
fluid flows. A few small bubbles, introduced into the oil as Leslie
filled the chamber, moved in concert with aluminum tracer particles to
illustrate fluid flow patterns in the last experiment run. The Glovebox
investigation complements the Surface Tension Driven Convection
Experiment's probe into the conditions which cause heat- induced fluid
flows to become unsteady, or oscillate.
Geophysical Fluid Flow Cell Experiment controllers began their first
observation scenario simulating the atmosphere of the planet Jupiter. The
giant gas planet radiates more heat than it receives from the sun, making
its atmosphere of particular interest to Principal Investigator Dr. John
Hart and other atmospheric scientists. "These early runs show dramatic
changes in flow types with very small variations in the instrument
settings," said University of Colorado Team Member Scott Kittelman.
Investigations for the remainder of the flight will concentrate on
atmospheres like those of the gaseous planets Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus.
Hart feels that lessons learned by studying these "gas giants" can be
brought forward to apply to fluid flows on the Earth.
Early in Coleman's shift, she stretched a "bridge" of liquid between Drop
Physics Module injector tips, in an operation designed to profile the
chamber's acoustic characteristics. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory
facility's four loudspeakers produce precisely balanced sound waves, used
to position and manipulate liquid drops within the chamber. The acoustics
system was upgraded after USML-1, and the experiment team used last
night's runs to refine their understanding of how various acoustic
controls affect drop manipulation in microgravity.
Mission Specialist Mike Lopez-Alegria made several adjustments to bring
fuel deployment needles closer together in the Fiber Supported Droplet
Combustion experiment hardware. Glovebox investigators hope this will
make it possible to deposit fuel drops onto a stretched fiber during
upcoming experiment runs. Yesterday's planned combustion study was
thwarted when the needles would not come close enough to the fiber for the
fuel to adhere to it.
The Crystal Growth Furnace has cooled down, after processing Dr. David
Matthiesen's gallium arsenide semiconductor crystal. The furnace is
beginning to melt the next sample, another cadmium zinc telluride
semiconductor crystal for Dr. David Larson. This sample is contained in a
modified ampoule designed to force the crystal to adhere evenly to chamber
walls, further reducing defects.
As they have throughout the mission, the Space Acceleration Measurement
System (SAMS) and the Orbital Acceleration Research Experiment (OARE)
tracked accelerations caused by movements and vibrations within the
Shuttle, as well as by Shuttle maneuvers and atmospheric drag. Both are
part of the Lewis Research Center's Principal Investigator Microgravity
Services project, which provides information to help space scientists
evaluate effects of accelerations on sensitive microgravity experiments.
Both instruments make continuous records of accelerations for analysis
after the flight. In addition, OARE is providing profiles of relatively
steady, or low-frequency, accelerations to the USML-2 mission scientist
every 12 hours.
A Spacelab video cassette recorder which malfunctioned briefly yesterday
morning is back to normal operations, with no loss to USML-2 science data
collection.
Each of the crew members will get a four-hour break today, so their
science activities will be limited to Drop Physics Module surfactant tests
and monitoring ongoing experiments.
USML-2 Public Affairs Status Report #19
6:00 p.m. CST, Oct. 31, 1995
11/09:07 MET
Spacelab Mission Operations Control
Marshall Space Flight Center
USML-2's Crystal Growth Furnace has finished melting a second sample of the
semiconductor material cadmium zinc telluride, and the crystal has begun to
solidify. This crystal is being slowly solidified in one direction, for a
more perfect structural arrangement. On Earth, cadmium zinc telluride is
used as a substrate, or base, for growing mercury cadmium telluride crystals,
useful for making infrared radiation detectors. The alloying element, zinc,
is added to minimize the strain where the two crystals join, thereby reducing
defects. Defects caused by gravity driven fluid flows on Earth produce less
perfect crystals and thus less perfect end products. This is the sixth
semiconductor crystal to be grown on USML-2 in the Crystal Growth Furnace.
This afternoon Payload Specialist Al Sacco continued changing parameters in
the Geophysical Fluid Flow Cell Experiment to produce a variety of fluid flows
which mimic those in planets, atmospheres and stars. Today's experiments
continued a series which study the atmospheres of gaseous planets such as
Jupiter and Saturn. Scientists hope lessons learned from these studies can
apply to fluid flows on Earth. Researchers will use data from this experiment
to build better computer models of fluid behavior which could one day aid in
forecasting ocean flows and weather patterns.
A demonstration used to isolate sensitive experiments from small vibrations
and disturbances in the Shuttle was deactivated today. Earlier this week, the
Suppression of Transient Acceleration by Levitation Evaluation, or STABLE,
was tested with an experiment called "CHUCK," an investigation designed to
study materials processes in microgravity that are applicable to crystal
growth mechanics. Comparisons of these data will be made post-mission, and
should help determine the effectiveness of STABLE for reducing background
vibrations. The STABLE experiment was designed and developed by McDonnell
Douglas of Huntington Beach, Calif., and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.
Early in the blue shift, Mission Specialist Cady Coleman began setting up the
Drop Physics Module for an experiment run which will involve positioning a
drop of water in the center of a silicon oil drop. Precise adjustments to
sound waves within the drop chamber may enable Coleman to maneuver the water
drop to the oil's center. The ability to deploy and manipulate compound drops
is an important step towards uniform encapsulation -- a technique which could
aid scientists in using polymer systems to study the encapsulation of living
cells aimed at the possible treatment of hormonal disorders such as diabetes.
In other Drop Physics Module activity, scientists obtained detailed
observations of the water drops and how they are affected by surfactants, or
chemicals, that change the surface tension. In today's experiments, different
concentrations of the same chemical were added to the drops which Payload
Commander Kathryn Thornton then manipulated using sound waves. Principal
Investigator Dr. Robert Apfel of Yale University gathered a plethora of data
on the oscillations of the drops which were squeezed and then released so
their shapes, thanks to microgravity, repeated themselves over a period of
time.
Surfactants change the properties of a liquid drop, and are of interest to
scientists for the role they play in countless industrial processes, from the
production of cosmetics, to the dissolution of proteins in synthetic drug
production. Another application could be the production of new surfactants
with more desirable properties.
During the next 12 hours, crew members Coleman and Payload Specialist Fred
Leslie will alternate their four-hour breaks, working with the Drop Physics
Module, the Oscillatory Thermocapillary Flow Experiment, and the Geophysical
Fluid Flow experiment.
|
| 934.29 | MCC Status Reports #21 22 23 | TROOA::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Fri Nov 03 1995 20:45 | 93 |
| 934.30 | | AUSSIE::GARSON | achtentachtig kacheltjes | Fri Nov 03 1995 22:29 | 9 |
| re .28
>The USML-2 Crystal Growth Furnace experiment team today successfully grew a
>crystal of gallium arsenide with a dopant, or impurity, added. Later, the
>crystal will be tested to determine if the dopant was evenly distributed
>during the crystal's growth. Slightly more than one-inch (7 centimeters) in
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
NASA obviously still grappling with the metric system.
|
| 934.31 | Give them an inch & they..... | NETCAD::BATTERSBY | | Mon Nov 06 1995 14:00 | 7 |
| RE: .30 Yes the PAO non-technical types NASA hires to do their
public relations thing, certainly need better training and orientation
sessions. :-)
For the most part though, the PAO's handle their duties fairly well
considering the amount of data & info that passes through their hands.
Bob
|
| 934.32 | Misson Control Status Reports #24-30 | TROOA::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Thu Nov 09 1995 16:32 | 271 |
| 934.33 | USML-2 Status Reports #20 - 26 (Final) | TROOA::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Thu Nov 09 1995 16:34 | 907 |
| 934.34 | MCC Status Report #31 32 (Final) | TROOA::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Thu Nov 09 1995 16:58 | 51 |
| Mission Control Status Report #31
8:30 p.m. CST Saturday, November 4, 1995
Columbia is in the final hours of it's 18th mission, as the crew continues
preparing the vehicle for Sunday's planned landing at the Kennedy Space
Center in Florida.
Managers have elected to attempt the landing in Florida Sunday and Monday
and only call up the California landing site at Edwards Air Force Base for
Tuesday, if required. The two landing opportunities Sunday are at 5:45 a.m.
and 7:19 a.m. Central with the deorbit ignition firing about an hour prior to
each landing time.
Much of the afternoon and evening was spent with Mike Lopez-Alegria, Cady
Coleman and Fred Leslie packing up the Spacelab and orbiter crew
compartment for entry and landing activities that begin with the wakeup of the
four remaining astronauts about 11 p.m.
Ken Bowersox, Kent Rominger, Kathy Thornton and Al Sacco will assist with
landing preparations after wakeup as the seven crew members wind down what
will be the second longest Space Shuttle mission to date. A one day extension
will put Columbia's STS-73 mission in the number one spot for Shuttle mission
duration.
The current weather forecast for Sunday's landing attempts shows a chance of
low clouds hampering visibility on the first opportunity and excessive
crosswinds on the second. Weather conditions improve slightly for Monday and
are even better on Tuesday.
FINAL STS-73 STATUS REPORT
6 a.m. CST, Sunday, Nov. 5, 1995
Space Shuttle Columbia returned to Earth Sunday morning, completing the U.S.
Microgravity Laboratory-2 mission, the second longest space shuttle mission to
date. Columbia and its seven-member astronaut crew touched down at the Kennedy
Space Center runway at 5:45 a.m. CST after nearly 16 days conducting
microgravity experiments in space.
The astronauts, commander Ken Bowersox, pilot Kent Rominger, mission
specialists Kathy Thornton, Cady Coleman, and Mike Lopez-Alegria, and payload
specialists Al Sacco and Fred Leslie, are expect to return to Houston's
Ellington Field late Sunday afternoon. The crew return ceremony is open to the
public.
Launch of space Shuttle Atlantis on the STS-74 mission for the second docking
flight with the Russian Mir space station, is scheduled for November 11.
|
| 934.35 | Landing Statement | TROOA::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Thu Nov 09 1995 16:58 | 20 |
|
STS-73 Landing Statement
November 5, 1995
The Space Shuttle Columbia landed at Kennedy Space Center early this
morning to end the United States Microgravity Laboratory - 2 mission.
Columbia was given the okay for landing at the first available
opportunity, resulting in a spectacular landing shortly after dawn.
Following are the landing times for the STS-73 mission:
Main Gear Touchdown 5:45:21 am
Mission Elapsed Time 15 days 21 hours 52 minutes 21 seconds
Nose gear Touchdown 5:45:35 am
Mission Elapsed Time 15 days 21 hours 52 minutes 35 seconds
Wheel Stop 5:46:16 am
Mission Elapsed Time 15 days 21 hours 53 minutes 16 seconds
|