| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 693.1 | Shuttle Status for 01/07/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Jan 08 1991 21:30 | 19 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - MONDAY, JAN. 7, 1991 10 a.m.
STS-40 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - VAB
Tiles are being waterproofed and post-flight inspections in
the aft compartment are continuing. Some carrier panels on
Columbia's leading edges have been removed for structural inspec-
tions. A test of the orbiter's S-band antenna is planned. Colum-
bia will remain in the Vehicle Assembly Building until Discovery
is ready to be transferred out of the OPF later this month.
|
| 693.2 | Shuttle Status for 01/08/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Jan 10 1991 13:19 | 18 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - TUESDAY, JAN. 8, 1990 10 a.m.
STS-40 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - VAB
Inspections of the orbiter's hydraulic system are underway.
Technicians are performing post-flight work in the crew cabin.
Brakes have been installed and roll around tires will be in-
stalled today. Tile operations are continuing.
Columbia will remain in the Vehicle Assembly Building until
Discovery is ready to be transferred out of the OPF later this
month.
|
| 693.3 | Shuttle Status for 01/09/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Jan 10 1991 13:20 | 18 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - WEDNESDAY, JAN. 9, 1990 10 a.m.
STS-40 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - VAB
Technicians are performing post-flight work in the crew
cabin. Roll around tires were installed to allow cycling of the
landing gear doors for tile operations. Tile operations and in-
spections of the hydraulic system are continuing.
Columbia will remain in the Vehicle Assembly Building until
Discovery is ready to be transferred out of the OPF later this
month.
|
| 693.4 | Shuttle Status for 01/10/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Jan 10 1991 18:03 | 22 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Thursday January 10, 1991 10:00 a.m. EST
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT
-----------------------------------------------------------------
STS-40 -- Columbia (OV 102) - VAB High Bay 2
Assessments today of a small ding in window number 1 is
leading to discussions of possible removal and replacement.
Hydraulic system inspections are continuing as access allows.
Tile operations are also continuing.
Columbia will remain in the VAB until Discovery vacates the
Orbiter Processing Facility, near the end of January.
|
| 693.5 | | PAXVAX::MAIEWSKI | | Fri Jan 11 1991 16:59 | 4 |
| Did they remove the telescopes yet or does that have to wait 'till they
get to the Orbiter Processing Facility.
George
|
| 693.6 | Shuttle Status for 01/11/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jan 14 1991 08:54 | 21 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Friday January 11, 1991 10:00 a.m. EST
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT
-----------------------------------------------------------------
STS-40 -- Columbia (OV 102) - VAB High Bay 2
Hydraulic system inspections are continuing as access
allows. Trouble shooting of the S-band antenna and tile work on
the landing gear doors continue today.
Columbia will remain in the VAB until Discovery vacates the
Orbiter Processing Facility, near the end of January.
|
| 693.7 | Shuttle Status for 01/15/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Jan 17 1991 19:22 | 21 |
| From: NASA SpaceLink
Organization: NASA
Tuesday January 15, 1991 9:30 a.m. EST
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT
-----------------------------------------------------------------
STS-40 -- Columbia (OV 102) - VAB High Bay 2
Aft flight deck reconfiguration continues today. Both left
and right hand landing gear strut checks are in work. Tile work
continues today.
Columbia will remain in the VAB until Discovery vacates the
Orbiter Processing Facility, near the end of January.
# # # #
|
| 693.8 | Shuttle Status for 01/16/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Jan 17 1991 19:24 | 23 |
| From: NASA SpaceLink
Organization: NASA
Wednesday January 16, 1991 9:30 a.m. EST
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT
-----------------------------------------------------------------
STS-40 -- Columbia (OV 102) - VAB High Bay 2
Crews will be working today to remove the provisions stowage
assembly (PSA) from the payload bay. Engineers have determined
than the chin panel is approved for reflight and trouble shooting
of the S-band antenna continues.
Columbia is scheduled to be moved to the Orbiter Processing
Facility later this month following the rollover of Discovery to
the VAB.
# # # #
|
| 693.9 | Shuttle Status for 01/17/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Jan 17 1991 19:27 | 22 |
| From: NASA SpaceLink
Organization: NASA
Thursday January 17, 1991 9:30 a.m. EST
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT
-----------------------------------------------------------------
STS-40 -- Columbia (OV 102) - VAB High Bay 2
The ground service equipment was installed in the payload
bay last night as crews today continue with plans to remove the
provisions stowage assembly (PSA) from the bay. Preparations also
continue to access the dump line nozzle for failure analysis.
Columbia is scheduled to be moved to the Orbiter Processing
Facility later this month following the rollover of Discovery to
the VAB.
# # # #
|
| 693.10 | Shuttle Status for 01/18/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jan 21 1991 10:14 | 23 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Friday January 18, 1991 9:30 a.m. EST
KSC SPACE SHUTTLE PROCESSING STATUS REPORT
-----------------------------------------------------------------
STS-40 -- Columbia (OV 102) - VAB High Bay 2
Work in the payload bay continues today for the removal of
the provisions stowage assembly (PSA) from the bay. Preparations
also continue to access the waste water dump line nozzle for
failure analysis. Tile work will continue throughout this
weekend.
Columbia is scheduled to be moved to the Orbiter Processing
Facility following the rollover of Discovery to the VAB.
|
| 693.11 | Shuttle Status for 01/22/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Jan 22 1991 17:19 | 20 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - TUESDAY, JAN. 22, 1991
STS-40 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - VAB HB 2
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK COMPLETED:
- Cycles of the main and nose landing gears.
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Post flight inspections of the space shuttle main engines.
- Troubleshooting the S-band antenna.
|
| 693.12 | Shuttle Status for 01/23/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Jan 23 1991 17:49 | 23 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - WEDNESDAY, JAN. 23, 1991
STS-40 - SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - VAB HB 2
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Post flight inspections of the space shuttle main engines.
- Troubleshooting of the S-band phase modulation antenna.
- Cycles of the landing gear doors to accommodate thermal protec-
tion system operations.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Cycles of the main and nose landing gears.
- Troubleshooting of the S-band phase modulation antenna.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Removal of the environmental control life support system dump
nozzle.
|
| 693.13 | Shuttle Status for 01/25/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jan 28 1991 19:05 | 19 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - FRIDAY, JAN. 25, 1991
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - VAB HB 2
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Post flight inspections of the space shuttle main engines.
- Cycles of the landing gear doors to accommodate thermal protec-
tion system operations.
- Thermal protection system work.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Closeouts to ready the vehicle for transfer to the Orbiter
Processing Facility next week.
|
| 693.14 | Shuttle Status for 01/28/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jan 28 1991 19:07 | 17 |
| From: [email protected] (Ron Baalke)
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA.
Nntp-Posting-Host: mars.jpl.nasa.gov
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - MONDAY, JAN. 28, 1991
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - VAB HB 2
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Replacement of an instrumentation cable in avionics bay 1.
- Wing strut mold impressions.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Closeouts to ready the vehicle for transfer to the Orbiter
Processing Facility following Discovery's move to the VAB.
|
| 693.15 | Shuttle Status for 01/29/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Jan 29 1991 18:43 | 20 |
| From: [email protected] (Ron Baalke)
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA.
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - TUESDAY, JAN. 29, 1991
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - VAB HB 2
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Replacement of an instrumentation cable in avionics bay 1.
- Wing strut mold impressions.
- Modification to beef up the lithium hydroxide canister door in
the middeck.
- Thermal protection system operations.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Closeouts to ready the vehicle for transfer to the Orbiter
Processing Facility following Discovery's move to the VAB.
|
| 693.16 | Shuttle Status for 01/30/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Jan 30 1991 18:06 | 19 |
| From: [email protected] (Ron Baalke)
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA.
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - WEDNESDAY, JAN. 30, 1991
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - VAB HB 2
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Installation of wing struts.
- Modification to the middeck.
- Thermal protection system operations.
- Cycling of the landing gear doors for tile operations.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Closeouts to ready the vehicle for transfer to the Orbiter
Processing Facility following Discovery's move to the VAB.
|
| 693.17 | Shuttle Status for 01/31/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Jan 31 1991 19:46 | 20 |
| From: [email protected] (Ron Baalke)
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA.
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - THURSDAY, JAN. 31, 1991
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - VAB HB 2
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Installation of wing struts.
- Modification to beef up the lithium hydroxide canister door in
the middeck.
- Thermal protection system operations.
- Cycling of the landing gear doors for tile operations.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Closeouts to ready the vehicle for transfer to the Orbiter
Processing Facility following Discovery's move to the VAB.
|
| 693.18 | Shuttle Status for 02/01/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Feb 04 1991 18:22 | 21 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - FRIDAY, FEB. 1, 1991
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - VAB HB 2
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Modification to beef up the lithium hydroxide canister door in
the middeck.
- Thermal protection system operations.
- Cycling of the landing gear doors for tile operations.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Closeouts to ready the vehicle for transfer to the Orbiter
Processing Facility several hours after Discovery's move to the
VAB.
|
| 693.19 | Shuttle Status for 02/04/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Feb 05 1991 15:47 | 21 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - MONDAY, FEB. 4, 1991
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - VAB HB 2
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Modification to beef up the lithium hydroxide canister door in
the middeck.
- Thermal protection system operations.
- Troubleshooting of the S-band antenna.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Closeouts to ready the vehicle for transfer to the Orbiter
Processing Facility several hours after Discovery's move to the
VAB.
|
| 693.20 | Shuttle Status for 02/06/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Feb 06 1991 18:12 | 21 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - WEDNESDAY, FEB. 6, 1991
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - VAB HB 2
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Closeouts of the orbiter.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Extension of the landing gears in preparation for the move to
the OPF.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Closeouts to ready the vehicle for transfer to the Orbiter
Processing Facility several hours after Discovery's move to the
VAB.
|
| 693.21 | Shuttle Status for 02/11/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Feb 12 1991 18:56 | 19 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - MONDAY, FEB. 11, 1991 - 9:30 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Access to various parts of the orbiter is being established.
- Preparations to open the payload bay doors.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Transferred to the Orbiter Processing Facility about 9 p.m.
Saturday.
|
| 693.22 | Shuttle Status for 02/12/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Feb 19 1991 17:36 | 22 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - TUESDAY, FEB. 12, 1991 - 9:30 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Access to various parts of the orbiter is being established.
- Preparations to open the payload bay doors.
- Preparations to install flight tires.
- Initial power up preparations.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Roll-around tires have been removed.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Removal of the Astro payload this week.
|
| 693.23 | Shuttle Status for 02/13/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Feb 19 1991 17:37 | 20 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - WEDNESDAY, FEB. 13, 1991 - 9:30 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Access to various parts of the orbiter is being established.
- Preparations to open the payload bay doors.
- Payload bay door functional test.
- Preparations to install flight tires.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Removal of the Astro payload tomorrow.
|
| 693.24 | Shuttle Status for 02/14/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Feb 19 1991 17:40 | 27 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - THURSDAY, FEB. 14, 1991 - 9:30 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Removal of the Astro payload.
- Preparations to remove heat shields around the three main en-
gines.
- Sampling the orbiter's hydraulic fluid.
- Flush of the waste containment system.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Functional test of the payload bay doors.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Radar altimeter test tomorrow.
- Removal of the three main engines next week.
|
| 693.25 | Shuttle Status for 02/19/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Feb 20 1991 20:18 | 30 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - TUESDAY, FEB. 19, 1991 - 9:30 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Removing heat shields from around the three main engines.
- Inspections of the external tank door hinges.
- Repairing the waste dump system.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Removal of the three main engines this weekend.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Installed window no. 1.
- Deserviced freon system.
VEHICLE ASSEMBLY BUILDING WORK SCHEDULED:
- This week, mobile launcher platform 3 will be moved into VAB
high bay 3, which is directly across the transfer aisle from the
external tank to be used on STS-40. MLP 3 will be prepared for
the STS-40 mission.
|
| 693.26 | | DECWIN::FISHER | Pursuing an untamed ornothoid | Fri Feb 22 1991 13:07 | 4 |
| I saw a news article in the Globe yesterday that indicated they had found cracks
in the fuel umbilical door hinge similar to those in Discovery on Columbia.
Burns
|
| 693.27 | | PAXVAX::MAIEWSKI | | Fri Feb 22 1991 15:30 | 10 |
| I saw that too but I don't know if I believe what the Globe says. They
also had an article, maybe the same one, that said that the doors attached
to those hinges are closed shortly after the external tank is released
during launch.
I went back and read it 3 times, I'm sure that's what they said.
Must be a bit drafty in the cargo bay during the 1st few minutes of launch.
George
|
| 693.28 | Shuttle Status for 02/22/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Fri Feb 22 1991 18:29 | 24 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - FRIDAY, FEB. 22, 1991 - 9:30 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Tests of the power reactant storage and distribution system.
- Preparations to remove the three main engines.
- Inspections of the external tank door hinges.
- Repairing the waste dump system.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Removal of the three main engines beginning this weekend.
- Installation of the nose landing gear wheel this weekend.
- Cycling of the external tank doors to evaluate the hinges for
the drive mechanism.
|
| 693.29 | Protection during landing | 37653::SCOLARO | Tardis Del., When it has to be there Yestdy. | Fri Feb 22 1991 18:35 | 11 |
| George,
I think the doors with the cracks on on the bottom of the orbiter and
have no path to the cargo bay. I think their purpose is to cover the
17 inch disconnect pipe that takes fuel from the external tank to the
engines, during reentry. So their purpose is to be open during launch,
to enable fuel to flow from the external tank to the engines and closed
during landing to protect that portion of the orbiter from the heat of
reentry.
Tony
|
| 693.30 | | PAXVAX::MAIEWSKI | | Mon Feb 25 1991 17:35 | 4 |
| That would make more sense. It appeared that they were implying that
the cargo door was open during launch.
George
|
| 693.31 | Shuttle Status for 02/25/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Feb 25 1991 18:32 | 27 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - MONDAY, FEB. 25, 1991 - 9:30 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Tests of the external tank umbilical door hinges.
- Tests of the power reactant storage and distribution system.
- Preparations for draining the auxiliary power unit catch
bottles.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Deservicing the auxiliary power units of lube oil.
- Deservicing the orbital maneuvering system and reaction control
system.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Removal of the three main engines yesterday.
- Installation of the nose landing gear tires.
- Removal of the waste dump valve.
|
| 693.32 | Shuttle Status for 02/26/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Feb 26 1991 18:21 | 23 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - TUESDAY, FEB. 26, 1991 - 9:30 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Tests of the power reactant storage and distribution system.
- Preparations for draining the auxiliary power unit catch
bottles.
- Offloading residual hypergolic propellant from the orbital
maneuvering system and reaction control system.
- Preparations to deservice freon.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Tests of the heads up display.
- Replacement of CRT no. 2.
|
| 693.33 | Shuttle Status for 02/27/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Feb 28 1991 12:08 | 24 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - WEDNESDAY, FEB. 27, 1991 - 9:30 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Tests of the power reactant storage and distribution system.
- Offloading residual hypergolic propellant from the orbital
maneuvering system and reaction control system.
- Preparations to deservice freon.
- Preparations to drain the auxiliary power unit catch bottles.
- Checks of the main propulsion system.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Draining the auxiliary power units of lube oil.
- Routine latch pull tests of the external tank umbilical doors.
|
| 693.34 | Shuttle Status for 03/01/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Mar 05 1991 09:18 | 23 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - FRIDAY, MAR. 1, 1991 - 9:30 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Tests of the power reactant storage and distribution system.
- Offloading residual hypergolic propellant from the orbital
maneuvering system and reaction control system.
- Preparations to deservice freon.
- Preparations to drain the auxiliary power unit catch bottles.
- Checks of the main propulsion system.
- Installation of the environmental control system dump nozzle.
- Replacement of the payload bay door environmental seal.
|
| 693.35 | Shuttle Status for 03/04/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Mar 05 1991 09:19 | 30 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - MONDAY, MAR. 4, 1991 - 9:30 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Filling and bleeding the orbiter's hydraulic system.
- Tests of the power reactant storage and distribution system.
- Offloading residual hypergolic propellant from the orbital
maneuvering system and reaction control system.
- Checks of the main propulsion system helium system.
- Installation of the environmental control system dump nozzle.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Brazed the gaseous oxygen flow control valves in the main
propulsion system.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Orbiter hydraulic operations this week including a brake anti-
skid test, checks of the flight controls, and checks of the nose
wheel steering system.
|
| 693.36 | Shuttle Status for 03/05/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Mar 05 1991 19:16 | 23 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - TUESDAY, MAR. 5, 1991 - 10 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Filling and bleeding of the orbiter's hydraulic system.
- Tests of the power reactant storage and distribution system.
- Offloading residual hypergolic propellant from the orbital
maneuvering system and reaction control system.
- Preparations to drain the auxiliary power unit catch bottles.
- Checks of the main propulsion system helium system.
- Installation of the environmental control system dump nozzle.
- Replacement of the payload bay door environmental seal.
- Replacement of a radiator controller.
|
| 693.37 | Shuttle Status for 03/06/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Mar 07 1991 09:34 | 29 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - WEDNESDAY, MAR. 6, 1991 - 11 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Removal of the external tank umbilical door drive mechanism lug
hinges for shipment to the Rockwell plant in California. The
hinges will be beefed up and sent back to KSC for installation.
- Tests of the power reactant storage and distribution system.
- Offloading residual hypergolic propellant from the orbital
maneuvering system and reaction control system.
- Checks of the main propulsion system helium system.
- Installation of the environmental control system dump nozzle.
- Replacement of the payload bay door environmental seal.
- Replacement of a radiator controller.
- Tests of the nose wheel steering system.
- Brake anti-skid test.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Filling and bleeding the orbiter's hydraulic system.
|
| 693.38 | Shuttle Status for 03/07/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Fri Mar 08 1991 09:33 | 28 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - THURSDAY, MAR. 7, 1991 - 11 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Removal of the external tank umbilical door drive mechanism lug
hinges for shipment to the Rockwell plant in California. The
hinges will be beefed up and sent back to KSC for installation.
- Tests of the power reactant storage and distribution system.
- Offloading residual hypergolic propellant from the orbital
maneuvering system and reaction control system.
- Checks of the main propulsion system helium system.
- X-rays of brazes of the environmental control system dump
nozzle.
- Replacement of the payload bay door environmental seal.
- Replacement of a radiator controller.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Brake anti-skid test and nose wheel steering test.
|
| 693.39 | Shuttle Status for 03/08/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Fri Mar 08 1991 17:40 | 27 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - FRIDAY, MAR. 8, 1991 - 9:30 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Removal of the external tank umbilical door drive mechanism lug
hinges for shipment to the Rockwell plant in California. The
hinges will be beefed up and sent back to KSC for installation.
- Tests of the power reactant storage and distribution system.
- Offloading residual hypergolic propellant from the orbital
maneuvering system and reaction control system.
- Replacement of the helium check valves in the main propulsion
system.
- Tests of the thrust vector control system.
- Hot oil flush of the auxiliary power units.
WORK COMPLETED:
- X-rays of brazes of the environmental control system dump
nozzle.
|
| 693.40 | Shuttle Status for 03/12/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Mar 12 1991 18:34 | 28 |
| From: [email protected] (Ron Baalke)
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA.
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS - TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1991 --- 10:30 a.m.
_________________________________________________________________
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
* Water Spray boiler servicing
* Auxiliary power unit leak and functional tests
* KU band testing
WORK COMPLETED:
* Auxiliary power unit number 2 installation
* External tank umbilical door drive mechanism removed and
shipped to Rockwell plant in California Saturday.
* Freon loop reservicing operations
WORK SCHEDULED:
* OMS/FRCS deservicing operations
* Solid rocket booster stacking operations in VAB following
|
| 693.41 | Shuttle Status - March 13 | ADVAX::KLAES | All the Universe, or nothing! | Thu Mar 14 1991 10:40 | 40 |
| From: [email protected] (Ron Baalke)
Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Shuttle Status for 03/13/91 (Forwarded)
Date: 13 Mar 91 18:38:23 GMT
Sender: [email protected]
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA.
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991 --- 10:30 a.m.
_________________________________________________________________
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
* Water Spray boiler servicing
* Auxiliary power unit leak and functional tests
* Mid-body operations
* Thruster inspections
WORK COMPLETED:
* External tank umbilical door drive mechanism removed and
shipped to Rockwell plant in California Saturday (due back
at KSC end of March)
* Freon loop reservicing operations
* APU number 2 fuel line connections
* APU lube hot oil flush
WORK SCHEDULED:
* OMS/FRCS functional and deservicing operations
* Solid rocket booster stacking operations in VAB following
STS-37 rollout operations
___ _____ ___
/_ /| /____/ \ /_ /| Ron Baalke | [email protected]
| | | | __ \ /| | | | Jet Propulsion Lab |
___| | | | |__) |/ | | |___ M/S 301-355 | Change is constant.
/___| | | | ___/ | |/__ /| Pasadena, CA 91109 |
|_____|/ |_|/ |_____|/ |
|
| 693.42 | Shuttle Status - March 14 | ADVAX::KLAES | All the Universe, or nothing! | Thu Mar 14 1991 13:38 | 30 |
| From: [email protected] (Ron Baalke)
Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Shuttle Status for 03/14/91 (Forwarded)
Date: 14 Mar 91 16:21:25 GMT
Sender: [email protected]
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA.
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - THURSDAY, MAR. 14, 1991 - 9:30 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Tests of the power reactant storage and distribution system.
- Potable water servicing.
- Replacement of the helium check valves in the main propulsion
system.
- Second hot oil flush of the auxiliary power units.
- Cycles of the landing gear.
- Auxiliary power unit functional tests.
- Orbital maneuvering system pod functional tests.
- Water spray boiler leak and functional test.
___ _____ ___
/_ /| /____/ \ /_ /| Ron Baalke | [email protected]
| | | | __ \ /| | | | Jet Propulsion Lab |
___| | | | |__) |/ | | |___ M/S 301-355 | Change is constant.
/___| | | | ___/ | |/__ /| Pasadena, CA 91109 |
|_____|/ |_|/ |_____|/ |
|
| 693.43 | SLS-1 Spacelab module to be displayed | ADVAX::KLAES | All the Universe, or nothing! | Fri Mar 15 1991 12:04 | 59 |
| From: [email protected] (Ron Baalke)
Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.space.shuttle
Subject: STS-40 Payload Showing (Forwarded)
Date: 15 Mar 91 03:20:15 GMT
Sender: [email protected]
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA.
Mitch Varnes March 14, 1991
407/867-2468
KSC Release No. 33-91
Note to Editors/News Directors
STS-40 PAYLOAD SHOWING TO BE HELD MARCH 19 AT KSC
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Space Life Sciences-1 (SLS-1)
Spacelab module, which is scheduled to be launched aboard the
Shuttle Columbia in May, will be the subject of a press photo op-
portunity on Tuesday, March 19. The showing will be held at 1:00
p.m. inside the high bay of the Operations & Checkout Building,
where the payload is being readied for flight. This will be the
final opportunity for news media to view SLS-1 before its mission.
SLS-1 is the first Spacelab mission to be flown since the Shuttle
returned to flight in September 1988 and is the first of several
Shuttle missions dedicated to examine how space affects the human
body. The main objective of the SLS-1 mission is to study the
various dynamics of certain physiological changes that occur
during space flight and to investigate the consequences of the
body's adaption to microgravity.
During Tuesday's showing, SLS-1 will be in a test stand inside
the high bay of the Operations & Checkout Building. Members of
the STS-40 payload processing team will be on hand to answer
questions concerning the processing of SLS-1. About 30 minutes
has beeen allotted for the press opportunity.
Electronic flash is permitted. However, all lighting and
photographic equipment must be self-contained and battery
powered. No external power sources are available inside the high
bay. Safety regulations prohibit flame-producing devices of any
sort, and all attendees must wear slacks and flat, closed-toe
shoes. Dresses, shorts, sandals or high-heel shoes are not allowed.
Transportation from the KSC News Center will be provided. Those
members of the news media wishing to attend the STS-40 payload
showing should be at the News Center by 12:15 p.m. Departure
time is set for 12:30 p.m., sharp. Media needing accreditation
should contact the news center at 407/867-2468 to arrange for
badging.
___ _____ ___
/_ /| /____/ \ /_ /| Ron Baalke | [email protected]
| | | | __ \ /| | | | Jet Propulsion Lab |
___| | | | |__) |/ | | |___ M/S 301-355 | Change is constant.
/___| | | | ___/ | |/__ /| Pasadena, CA 91109 |
|_____|/ |_|/ |_____|/ |
|
| 693.44 | Shuttle Status for 03/18/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Mar 19 1991 09:48 | 23 |
| From: [email protected] (Ron Baalke)
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA.
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - MONDAY, MAR. 18, 1991 - 10 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Tests of the power reactant storage and distribution system.
- Potable water servicing.
- Auxiliary power unit water servicing.
- Orbital maneuvering system pod functional tests.
- Water spray boiler leak and functional test.
- Thermal protection system operations.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Installation of the three main engines pending weather.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Connection of the no. 2 auxiliary power unit fuel line.
|
| 693.45 | Shuttle Status Reports - 03/19/91 - 03/25/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Mar 26 1991 10:00 | 113 |
|
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - TUESDAY, MAR. 19, 1991 - 10 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Testing connections for the payload.
- Installation of the space shuttle main engines.
- Tests of the power reactant storage and distribution system.
- Potable water servicing.
- Auxiliary power unit water servicing.
- Orbital maneuvering system pod functional tests.
- Water spray boiler leak and functional tests.
- Thermal protection system operations.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Installation of the Spacelab Life Sciences payload into the or-
biter this weekend.
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - WEDNESDAY, MAR. 20, 1991 - 10 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Testing connections for the payload.
- Installation of space shuttle main engine no. 2.
- Preparations to service the ammonia boilers.
- Orbital maneuvering system pod functional tests.
- Thermal protection system operations.
- Preparations to replace the S-band antenna.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Installation of the Spacelab Life Sciences payload into the or-
biter this weekend.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Removal of about 10 tiles around the S-band antenna for access.
- Installation of main engines no. 1 and 3.
STS-40 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB
The left and right aft skirts have been removed from the
mobile launcher platform. Earlier this week, gauges attached to
the aft skirts and hold down posts gave readings about the loads
that are not understood. The concern is that the posts are not
aligned properly.
Yesterday, officials decided to destack the boosters, take
optical measurements and realign the posts. Once the optical work
is complete, the boosters are scheduled to be restacked on
Saturday. Schedule impacts are currently being assessed.
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - THURSDAY, MAR. 21, 1991 - 10 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Testing connections for the payload.
- Electrical connections of space shuttle main engines.
- Preparations to service the ammonia boilers.
- Orbital maneuvering system pod functional tests.
- Thermal protection system operations.
- Preparations to replace the S-band antenna.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Installation of the Spacelab Life Sciences payload into the or-
biter this weekend.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Installation of the three main engines.
STS-40 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB
Optical alignment of the hold down posts on the mobile
launcher platform is in progress. The left and right aft skirts
have been removed from the mobile launcher platform. Earlier this
week, gauges attached to the aft skirts and hold down posts gave
readings about the loads that are not understood. The concern is
that the posts are not aligned properly. The aft skirts are
scheduled to be restacked on Saturday. Schedule impacts are cur-
rently being assessed.
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - MONDAY, MAR. 25, 1991 - 10 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Electrical connections between the Spacelab Life Sciences
payload and the orbiter.
- Thermal protection system operations.
- Orbital maneuvering system pod functional checks.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Installation of the Spacelab Life Sciences payload into
Columbia's payload bay Sunday.
STS-40 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB
The left aft booster was successfully stacked on the mobile
launcher platform after the hold down posts were aligned. The
right aft booster is scheduled to be transferred to the VAB on
Thursday, after Discovery and external tank mating operations.
|
| 693.46 | Shuttle Status for 03/26/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Mar 28 1991 17:26 | 27 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS - TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1991 --- 10:00 a.m.
_________________________________________________________________
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
* OMS and Auxiliary power unit checkouts
* Electrical connections between Spacelab Life Sciences payload
and the orbiter
* Left aft solid rocket booster stacking operations in VAB HB 3
WORK SCHEDULED:
* SLS-1 payload interface verification tests tomorrow
* Left aft center SRB stacking operations in VAB Friday
|
| 693.47 | Shuttle Status for 03/28/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Mar 28 1991 17:36 | 24 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS - THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 1991 --- 10:00 a.m.
_________________________________________________________________
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
* ET door housing installation
* OMS pods and FRCS checkouts
* Electrical connections between payload and orbiter
* Solid rocket booster stacking operations in VAB HB 3
WORK COMPLETED:
* APU lube oil and water servicing
* Antenna installation
WORK SCHEDULED:
* SLS-1 payload interface verification tests tonight
* SLS-1 access tunnel adapter installation tomorrow
|
| 693.48 | Shuttle Status for 03/29/91 - 04/02/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Apr 03 1991 01:12 | 90 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - FRIDAY, MAR. 29, 1991 - 11 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Interface verification tests between the Spacelab Life Sciences
payload and the orbiter.
- Thermal protection system operations.
- Orbital maneuvering system pod functional checks.
- Auxiliary power unit lube oil servicing and leak and functional
tests.
- Installation of the modified and beefed up external tank door
bellcrank housings.
## STS-40 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Transferring the right aft booster to the Vehicle Assembly
Building.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Stacking the right aft booster tomorrow.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Attaching the left aft center segment to the left booster.
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - MONDAY, APR. 1, 1991 - 10 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Installation of the Spacelab Life Sciences tunnel extension.
- Main propulsion system and main engine interface checks.
- Main engine regulator flow checks.
- Installation of the external tank door bellcrank housings.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Interface verification tests between the Spacelab Life Sciences
payload and the orbiter on Saturday.
STS-40 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Stacking the left forward center segment on the left booster.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Stacking the right aft booster on the mobile launcher platform.
- Transfer of the left forward center segment to the VAB earlier
this morning.
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - TUESDAY, APR. 2, 1991 - 11:30 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Preparations to install the Spacelab Life Sciences tunnel
tomorrow.
- Orbital maneuvering system tests.
- Environmental control system testing.
- Main engine regulator flow checks.
- Installation of the external tank door bellcrank housings.
- Functional test of the crew hatch.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Installation of three of the four bellcrank housings.
- Main engine interface verifications.
STS-40 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Stacking the left forward center segment on the left booster.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Transfer of the left forward segment to the VAB tomorrow morn-
ing.
|
| 693.49 | Shuttle Status for 04/03/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Apr 03 1991 18:33 | 24 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - WEDNESDAY, APR. 3, 1991 - 10 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Installation of the Spacelab Life Sciences tunnel.
- Orbital maneuvering system tests.
- Environmental control system testing.
- Installation of heat shields around the main engines.
- Installation of the galley.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Installation of all four external tank door bellcrank housings.
- Main engine regulator flow tests.
|
| 693.50 | Shuttle Status for 04/04/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Apr 04 1991 19:28 | 34 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - THURSDAY, APR. 4, 1991 - 10 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Installation of the Spacelab Life Sciences tunnel.
- Functional tests of the forward reaction control system.
- Thermal protection system operations.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Checks of the orbital maneuvering system.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Crew Equipment Interface Test with flight crew this weekend.
#### STS-40 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Mating preparation of the left forward segment to the booster
stack.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Transfer of the left forward assembly to the VAB after the
launch.
|
| 693.51 | Shuttle Status Report - 04/08/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Apr 08 1991 18:31 | 36 |
| From: NASA Spacelink
Organization: NASA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - MONDAY, APR. 8, 1991 - 1:30 p.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Closeouts of the orbital maneuvering system pods.
- Inspections of the radiators.
- Spacelab closeouts.
- Hatch functional test.
- Tests of the S-band antenna.
- Thermal protection system operations.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Installation of the Spacelab Life Sciences tunnel.
- Crew Equipment Interface Test with flight crew this weekend.
## STS-40 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Mating of the right aft center segment to the right booster.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Stacking of the left forward assembly to complete the left hand
booster.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Mating of the external tank to the solid rocket boosters next
week.
|
| 693.52 | KSC Shuttle Status - 04/09/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Apr 10 1991 09:32 | 33 |
| From: NASA Spacelink
Organization: NASA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - TUESDAY, APR. 9, 1991 - 10 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Auxiliary power unit leak and functional tests.
- Inspections of the radiators.
- Hatch functional test.
- Tests of the S-band antenna.
- Thermal protection system operations.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Closeouts of Spacelab.
## STS-40 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Mating of the right forward center segment to the right
booster.
- Closing out the field joints for flight.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Stacking of the right aft center segment.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Mating of the external tank to the solid rocket boosters next
week.
|
| 693.53 | Shuttle Status for 04/10/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Apr 11 1991 09:35 | 36 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - WEDNESDAY, APR. 10, 1991 - 10 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Servicing the auxiliary power units with lube oil.
- Inspections of the radiators.
- Tests of the S-band antenna.
- Thermal protection system operations.
- Main engine thrust vector control systems checks.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Final payload bay door closure.
## STS-40 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Mating of the right forward segment to the right booster.
- Closing out the field joints for flight.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Stacking of the right forward center segment.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Mating of the external tank to the solid rocket boosters next
week.
|
| 693.54 | KSC Shuttle Status - 04/15/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Apr 15 1991 20:25 | 20 |
| From: NASA Spacelink
Organization: NASA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - MONDAY, APRIL 15, 1991 - 11 a.m.
STS-40/Spacelab Life Sciences 1 - COLUMBIA (OV-102)
OPF Bay 1 - LAUNCH-MAY
Closeout work on the SLS-1 payload in Columbia's payload
bay is in work and closeouts of Columbia's elevons and Reaction
Control System continue. In the Vehicle Assembly Building, the
stacking of the STS-40 solid rocket boosters has been completed
and mating of the external tank is scheduled for Thursday. The
rollover of Columbia from the Orbiter Processing Facility to the
VAB is scheduled for April 24 and the move of the completed STS-
40 stack to Complex 39's Pad B is tentatively scheduled for May
4.
|
| 693.55 | Shuttle Status for 04/16/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Apr 17 1991 14:03 | 38 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - MONDAY, APR. 16, 1991 - 11:30 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Stow the Ku-band antenna for flight.
- Functional tests of the external tank doors.
- Thermal protection system operations.
- Hatch functional test.
- Closing the aft compartment for transfer to the VAB.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Final payload bay door closure this week.
- Tow to the Vehicle Assembly Building targeted for April 24.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Connection of pyrotechnic devices in the orbiter.
## STS-40 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Closing out the field joints for flight.
- Preparations to mate the external tank to the boosters tomorrow
after the ET/SRB mate review meeting.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Mating the Shuttle Columbia to the external tank next week.
|
| 693.56 | Shuttle Status for 04/17/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Apr 17 1991 18:28 | 27 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - WEDNESDAY, APR. 17, 1991 - 10 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Stow the Ku-band antenna for flight.
- Thermal protection system operations.
- Closing the aft compartment for transfer to the VAB.
- Preparations to close the payload bay doors.
- Landing gear functional tests.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Leak tests of the crew module and the Spacelab payload.
- Final payload bay door closure tomorrow.
- Tow to the Vehicle Assembly Building targeted for April 24.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Resistance checks of firing circuits of pyrotechnic devices on-
board the orbiter.
- Functional tests of the external tank umbilical doors.
|
| 693.57 | KSC Shuttle Status - 04/18/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Apr 18 1991 19:17 | 40 |
| From: NASA Spacelink
Organization: NASA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - THURSDAY, APR. 18, 1991 - 10 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Thermal protection system operations.
- Closing the aft compartment for transfer to the VAB.
- Cleaning the payload bay.
- Installation of thermal blankets on Spacelab.
- Close the payload bay doors tonight.
- Landing gear functional tests.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Leak tests of the crew module and the Spacelab payload.
- Tow to the Vehicle Assembly Building targeted for April 24.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Ku-band antenna stowed for flight.
- Inspections of the radiators.
## STS-40 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Routing cables between the tank and boosters and launch plat-
form.
- Closing out the solid rocket booster field joints for flight.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Mating the Shuttle Columbia to the external tank next week.
WORK COMPLETED:
- External tank was mated to the solid rocket boosters overnight.
|
| 693.58 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 04/19/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Apr 22 1991 08:30 | 22 |
| From: NASA Spacelink
Organization: NASA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - FRIDAY, APR. 19, 1991 - 10 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Thermal protection system operations.
- Closing the aft compartment for transfer to the VAB.
- Cleaning the payload bay.
- Close the payload bay doors.
- Leak checks of the crew cabin.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Leak tests of the Spacelab payload this weekend.
- Tow to the Vehicle Assembly Building targeted for April 24.
|
| 693.59 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 04/24/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Apr 24 1991 18:01 | 33 |
| From: NASA SpaceLink
Organization: NASA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - WEDNESDAY, APRil 24, 1991 - 11:30 AM
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Weight and center of gravity determinations.
- Attaching the orbiter to the transporter tonight.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Tow to the Vehicle Assembly Building targeted for 9 a.m. tomorrow.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Aft compartment and crew cabin closed out for the transfer.
- Landing gear functional test.
- Main engine rollover preparations.
## STS-40 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS - VAB
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Preparations to mate the orbiter to the external tank.
- Routing cables between the tank and boosters and launch plat-
form.
- Closing out the solid rocket booster field joints for flight.
|
| 693.60 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 04/26/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Sat Apr 27 1991 19:05 | 22 |
| From: NASA Select
Organization: NASA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991 - 10 AM
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - VAB
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Mating the orbiter Columbia to the external tank.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Transfer of the orbiter to the VAB at 12:07 a.m. EDT today.
Move was delayed last night because of inclement weather.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Shuttle Interface Test set to begin midnight Sunday.
- Rollout to Launch Pad 39-B late next week.
|
| 693.61 | Shuttle Status for 04/29/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Apr 30 1991 11:54 | 26 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1991 - 10:30 AM
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - VAB
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Shuttle Interface Test began early this morning.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Orbiter Columbia mated to the external tank.
- Electrical and mechanical connections between the vehicle
elements and the launch platform.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Rollout to Launch Pad 39-B targeted for 12:01 a.m. Thursday,
May 2.
- Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test May 6-7.
- Flight Readiness Review planned May 13-14.
|
| 693.62 | Shuttle Status for 04/30/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Apr 30 1991 18:42 | 23 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1991 - 10:30 AM
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - VAB
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Shuttle Interface Test to verify critical connections between
the vehicle elements and the launch platform.
- Installation of the external tank separation camera.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Rollout to Launch Pad 39-B targeted for 12:01 a.m. Thursday,
May 2.
- Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test tentatively set for May
6-7.
- Flight Readiness Review planned May 13-14.
|
| 693.63 | STS-40 Status - May 6 | ADVAX::KLAES | All the Universe, or nothing! | Mon May 06 1991 17:31 | 35 |
| Article 8032
From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Shuttle Status for 05/06/91 (Forwarded)
Date: 6 May 91 18:48:20 GMT
Sender: [email protected] (USENET Administration)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - MONDAY, MAY 6, 1991 - 11 AM
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-B
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test began on time at 8 a.m.
this morning.
- STS-40 flight crew emergency egress training exercises.
- Launch pad validations.
- Preparations to load hypergolic propellants onboard the orbiter.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Helium signature leak test of the three main engines and main
propulsion system.
- Main engine flight readiness test.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Mock launch countdown with simulated main engine cutoff at
about 11 a.m. EDT tomorrow.
- Loading hypergolic propellants into the orbiter's orbital
maneuvering system and reaction control system storage tanks.
Auxiliary power units and solid rocket booster hydraulic power
units will be serviced with hydrazine as part of this operation
on Thursday.
- Flight Readiness Review planned May 13-14.
|
| 693.64 | COLUMBIA being readied for STS-40 mission | ADVAX::KLAES | All the Universe, or nothing! | Tue May 07 1991 08:24 | 75 |
| Article 1273
From: [email protected] (WILLIAM HARWOOD, UPI Science Writer)
Newsgroups: clari.tw.space,clari.news.aviation,clari.news.military
Subject: NASA looks to next shuttle mission
Date: 7 May 91 05:33:16 GMT
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (UPI) -- With the shuttle Discovery back
on the ground in Florida, enginers Tuesday worked through a practice
countdown setting the stage for the shuttle Columbia's launch May 22
on NASA's third flight in 47 days.
Engineers also stood by to accept delivery of the new shuttle
Endeavour after a weather-delayed five-day flight atop a Boeing 747
transport jet from its California assembly plant, boosting NASA's fleet
of orbiters to four for the first time since Challenger blasted off on
its final voyage in 1986.
Endeavour currently is scheduled to take off on its maiden
flight, a daring satellite rescue mission, in late March or early April
of 1992.
Discovery and its seven-man crew closed out a successful
eight-day ``Star Wars'' research mission Monday by gliding to an
unexpected Kennedy Space Center landing after high Mojave Desert winds
blocked a planned touchdown at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
Officials said the black-and-white spaceplane came through
launch and re-entry in good shape, but a landing gear tire appeared to
be heavily damaged after Discovery's right-side gear slammed into the
runway just a few hundred feet beyond the landing strip threshold.
Whether that caused the abrasion was not immediately clear, but
officials said Discovery's two nose gear tires were damaged as well and
would not be useable for another mission.
Discovery touched down just a few miles from launch pad 39B, where
engineers are readying Columbia for takeoff around May 22 on a nine-day
Spacelab mission to learn more about the effects of weightlessness on
human physiology.
Engineers at pad 39B started a practice countdown Monday and the
ship's four-man, three-woman crew planned to strap in aboard Columbia
early Tuesday for the final hours of the dress rehearsal, which was
scheduled to end with the simulated ignition and shutdown of the
shuttle's three main engines.
``The people who got this mission ready for us did a hell of a job
and this crew's been training and waiting for a long time to fly this
mission,'' Columbia skipper Bryan O'Connor said Sunday after the crew
arrived for the countdown test.
If NASA's launch schedule holds up, Columbia's takeoff will
mark the third shuttle launch in just 47 days, setting a new record
for launch processing.
Discovery's crew -- commander Michael Coats, 45, co-pilot Blaine
Hammond, 39, Gregory Harbaugh, 35, Guion Bluford, 48, Richard Hieb, 35,
Donald McMonagle, 38, and Charles Lacy Veach, 46 -- chalked up one of the
most successful flights in shuttle history.
The goal of the year's second shuttle flight was to learn how to
detect enemy missiles in space against a variety of natural backdrops
including Earth, it's atmosphere and the shimmering aurora, which can
mask an incoming rocket.
The crew also launched a $94.2 million ``SPAS-2'' satellite to
observe the appearance of repeated shuttle rocket firings that sent
Discovery cartwheeling through space in one of the most complicated
orbital ballets ever attempted.
The astronauts accomplished 32 of 33 planned primary
observations, 18 of 21 secondary observations and 41 of 44 category-3
experiments, a remarkable record for any shuttle flight but especially
so for Discovery's action-packed mission.
|
| 693.65 | Questions about Discovery's Landing | 2631::DAHL | Tom Dahl, CDMS | Tue May 07 1991 09:16 | 10 |
| RE: <<< Note 693.64 by ADVAX::KLAES "All the Universe, or nothing!" >>>
>...but a landing gear tire appeared to
>be heavily damaged after Discovery's right-side gear slammed into the
>runway just a few hundred feet beyond the landing strip threshold.
Does this really mean that Discovery landed short? Or does it mean that she
rolled off the end of the runway surface onto the overrun area? Why only the
right side main gear?
-- Tom
|
| 693.66 | | 58457::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Tue May 07 1991 10:19 | 21 |
| RE: <<< Note 693.65 by 2631::DAHL "Tom Dahl, CDMS" >>>
-< Questions about Discovery's Landing >-
>Does this really mean that Discovery landed short? Or does it mean that she
>rolled off the end of the runway surface onto the overrun area? Why only the
>right side main gear?
No, I do not think it landed short, since that would mean landing in the swamp.
The threshold must be the area prior to the runway proper. A few hundred feet
from the threshold is runway. She didn't roll off the end either, because,
if I remembe correctly the end of the runway is swamp also. The reason only the
right side main gear was damaged is because that is the side that landed first.
And obviously it took the brunt of the landing for a second or less. The nose
gear wheels were also damaged, they land about 5 seconds after the main gear.
Seems to me that landing on the concrete runways as opposed to the lake beds
at Edwards puts more abuse on the tires.
I sure that NASA will examine this carefully, but will still keep KSC as an
alternative landing site.
Susan
|
| 693.67 | Plain Old Hard Landing | 2631::DAHL | Tom Dahl, CDMS | Tue May 07 1991 10:37 | 10 |
| RE: <<< Note 693.65 by 2631::DAHL "Tom Dahl, CDMS" >>>
>RE: <<< Note 693.64 by ADVAX::KLAES "All the Universe, or nothing!" >>>
>...but a landing gear tire appeared to
>be heavily damaged after Discovery's right-side gear slammed into the
>runway just a few hundred feet beyond the landing strip threshold.
Oh, I think I understand now. The reference to the threshold is a red herring.
It was just a hard landing.
-- Tom
|
| 693.68 | It Does Sound Short (Same as Last Mission) | LANDO::STONE | | Tue May 07 1991 16:21 | 12 |
| It DOES sound like Discovery landed short. There are overruns at both
ends of the runway of approximately 1000'. The surface is a coarser
material. In fact, Atlantis landed short at Edwards on the provious
mission by more than 600 feet. They were 3000' low and 3000' wide
during the entry to the heading alignment circle. Atlantis landed
close to 25 kts slow (it was the slowest touchdown speed on any
landing). The mission commander (Nagel??) said that it (the landing)
would have caused some grey hairs if it had been at KSC.
If Discovery also landed short, look for some significant action by
the flight office to understand what the problem is. Also look for
increased conservativism in using KSC as the primary landing site.
|
| 693.69 | | 8713::J_BUTLER | L'audace, toujour l'audace! | Tue May 07 1991 17:42 | 13 |
| When I saw a news clip of the landing I thought it appeared that
Discovery was really dropping fast compared to other clips I'd
seen. The rate of descent slowed considerably in the last few
seconds and the remainder of the landing looked normal.
At the time, I thought the apparent fast descent might be camera
angle or possibly due to approach requirements at KSC.
Anybody know if the pilot took control from the computer or perhaps
flew manual all the way in?
John B
|
| 693.70 | STS-40 Status - May 8 | 25626::KLAES | All the Universe, or nothing! | Thu May 09 1991 10:32 | 38 |
| Article 8069
From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Shuttle Status for 05/08/91 (Forwarded)
Date: 8 May 91 22:23:14 GMT
Sender: [email protected] (USENET Administration)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991 - 11:30 AM
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-B
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Preparations to load hypergolic propellants onboard the or-
biter. The pad will be cleared later tonight for this operation.
- Launch Readiness Review this afternoon.
- Inspections of the Spacelab module for damage that could have
been caused by a portable breathing unit that fell from the for-
ward structure of the module to the aft end. (See concerns.)
WORK COMPLETED:
- Calibration of the inertial measurement units.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Loading hypergolic propellants into the orbiter's orbital
maneuvering system and reaction control system storage tanks.
Auxiliary power units and solid rocket booster hydraulic power
units will be serviced with hydrazine as part of this operation
tomorrow.
- Flight Readiness Review planned May 13-14.
CONCERNS:
- The emergency breathing unit weighs about 10-20 pounds and is
about 12 by 12 inches. An inspection of the module is underway
today. Officials want to understand how and when the unit came
loose and fell. Initial inspections show no damage to the module.
|
| 693.71 | Shuttle Status for 05/10/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue May 14 1991 13:29 | 31 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1991 - 10:30 AM
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-B
LAUNCH - MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Post operations associated with loading hypergolic propellants
into the orbiter's orbital maneuvering system and reaction con-
trol system storage tanks.
- Preparations to install ordnance devices on the vehicle and
check firing circuits.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Training exercises to load experiment packages into the
Spacelab late in the launch countdown.
- Installation of ordnance devices this weekend.
- Flight Readiness Review planned May 13-14.
- Installation of the two spacesuits for contigency purposes
early next week.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Hypergolic propellant loading operations. Auxiliary power units
and solid rocket booster hydraulic power units were serviced with
hydrazine as part of this operation.
|
| 693.72 | Shuttle Status for 05/13/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue May 14 1991 13:31 | 28 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - MONDAY, MAY 13, 1991 -- 10 a.m.
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 -- COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-B
LAUNCH -- 3RD WEEK OF MAY
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Closeouts of aft main engine compartment.
- Delivery and offloading of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen
into launch pad storage farms.
- STS-40 Flight Readiness Review underway at KSC.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Launch Control Center preparations to pick up the countdown.
- Extravehicular Mobility Unit checkout.
- Aft main engine closeouts.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Installation of ordnance devices on the vehicle and checkouts
of firing circuits.
- Loading of hypergolic propellants into the shuttle's orbital
maneuvering system and reaction control system storage tanks.
|
| 693.73 | STS-40 Launch Advisory | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue May 14 1991 14:01 | 32 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Date: 14 May 91 04:32:50 GMT
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Mark Hess
Headquarters, Washington, D.C. May 13, 1991
(Phone: 202/453-4164)
Lisa Malone
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
(Phone: 407/867-2468)
STS-40 LAUNCH ADVISORY
NASA managers today set May 22, 1991, as the launch date for
the orbiter Columbia on Shuttle Mission STS-40/Spacelab Life
Sciences-1.
The launch window on May 22 extends from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00
a.m. EDT, with the mission projected to last just over 9 days. A
launch on May 22 at the opening of the window would put landing at
Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. on May 31 at approximately 11:51 a.m.
EDT.
The crew for STS-40 is Commander Bryan D. O'Connor, Pilot
Sidney M. Gutierrez, Mission Specialists James P. Bagian, Tamara E.
Jernigan and Margaret Rhea Seddon and Payload Specialists F. Drew
Gaffney and Millie Hughes-Fulford.
|
| 693.74 | Press Kit available | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue May 14 1991 23:44 | 17 |
| The STS-40 Press Kit is finally available (I only recently managed to get
a few minutes to actually process it). I haven't even seen a printed
copy yet, so there are probably a few more edits in the works (like
I have to rotate the mission logo 90 degrees -- something apparently
beyond the capabilities of our paint program :-(
pragma::public:[nasa]sts-40.ps
Sorry for the delay -- NASA is sending these things up faster than I
can deal with them! (well, almost)
- dave
p.s. I may have a bit of a problem posting timely post-launch
activities for this mission if it takes off on time -- I'll be working
at the Marshall Space Flight Center early next week. I promise a
detailed trip report...
|
| 693.75 | Shuttle Status for 05/14/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu May 16 1991 13:07 | 30 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1991 - 10:30 AM
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-B
LAUNCH - MAY 22
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Launch countdown preparations.
- Purges of the external tank.
- Closeouts of the aft comparment.
- Closeouts of the solid rocket boosters.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Final ordnance installation Thursday.
- Closing the aft compartment for flight Friday.
- Start launch countdown 5 p.m. EDT Saturday.
- STS-40 crew arrives 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
- Launch at 8 a.m. EDT Wednesday, May 22.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Flight Readiness Review held yesterday. No significant issues.
- Installation and testing of the two spacesuits for contigency
purposes.
|
| 693.76 | STS-40 TV transmissions | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu May 16 1991 13:12 | 40 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Date: 14 May 91 17:32:25 GMT
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Les Gaver
Headquarters, Washington, D.C. May 14, 1991
(Phone: 202/453-8372)
N91-35
NOTE TO EDITORS: STS-40 TV TRANSMISSIONS
STS-40 Space Shuttle mission (currently scheduled for a May 22
launch) television programming will be transmitted daily via the
following satellite to accomodate the Alaska and Hawaii audiences:
SPACENET 1
Transponder 18
120 degrees West Longitude
4060.0 MHz (Video)
6.8 MHz (Audio)
Two-hour edited versions of each day's events will be
transmitted via SPACENET 1: May 23 through landing - Midnight to 2
a.m. Eastern time
The continental United States will continue to receive NASA
Select television, 24 hours a day throughout the mission, via:
SATCOM F2R
Transponder 13
72 degrees West Longitude
3960 MHz (Video)
6.8 MHZ (Audio)
Television schedules will be available via computer by dialing
713/483-5817 and by phone at 202/755-1788.
|
| 693.77 | STS-40 Flight Control | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu May 16 1991 17:16 | 254 |
| 5/16/91: STS-40 Flight Control
JSC Release No. 91-042
Flight control for STS-40, the forty-first voyage of the
Space Shuttle, the eleventh flight of Columbia, will follow the
procedures and traditions common to U.S. manned space flights
since the Mission Control Center was first used in 1965.
STS-40 marks the first use of the Spacelab long module since
October, 1985, and the first Space Shuttle mission dedicated
exclusively to study of human physiology and the relative effects
of the micro-gravity environment.
Responsibility for conduct of the mission will revert to the
Mission Control Center (MCC) in Houston once Columbia lifts off
at the Kennedy Space Center. Mission support will begin in the
MCC about five hours prior to launch and will continue around-
the-clock through the landing and post-landing activities.
Once Columbia has been cleared for orbital operations, and
Spacelab systems have been activated, management of science
activities will be the responsibility of JSC controllers manning
the Payload Operations Control Center (POCC) at the Marshall
Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
These simultaneous operations will be conducted around the
clock. Throughout the orbital phase, voice communications
between Columbia and the ground will be carried on two separate
channels--one devoted to science operations, the other devoted to
Orbiter operations.
Science operations will be the subject of communications on
the air-to-ground one (A/G-1) channel, with the Crew Interface
Coordinator (CIC) at the POCC using the call sign "Huntsville,"
and the crew using the call sign "Spacelab." Orbiter flight
operations will be the subject of communications on the air-to-
ground two (A/G-2) channel, with the spacecraft communicator
(CAPCOM) in the MCC using the call sign "Houston," and the
orbiter hailed as "Columbia."
In Houston, the mission will be conducted from Flight
Control Room One (FCR-1) on the second floor of the MCC located
in Bldg. 30 at Johnson Space Center. The teams of flight
controllers will alternate shifts in the control center and in
nearby analysis and support facilities. The handover between each
team takes about an hour and allows each flight controller to
brief his or her oncoming colleague on the course of events over
the previous two shifts.
Four flight control teams for this mission will be referred
to as the Ascent/Entry, Orbit 1, Orbit 2, and Planning teams.
The ascent and entry phases will be conducted by Flight Director
N. W. (Wayne) Hale. The Orbit 1 team will be headed by Flight
Director R. E. (Bob) Castle. The Orbit 2 team, who will support
the activation and deactivation of the Spacelab, will be led by
Lead STS-40 Flight Director, G. A. (Al) Pennington. The Planning
team will be directed by J. W. (Jeff) Bantle.
MCC POSITIONS AND CALL SIGNS FOR STS-40
The flight control positions in the MCC, and their
responsibilities, are:
Flight Director (FLIGHT)
Has overall responsibility for the conduct of the mission.
Spacecraft Communicator (CAPCOM)
By tradition an astronaut; responsible for all voice contact
with the flight crew.
Flight Activities Officer (FAO)
Responsible for procedures and crew timelines; provides
expertise on flight documentation and checklists; prepares
messages and maintains all teleprinter and/or Text and Graphics
System traffic to the vehicle.
Integrated Communications Officer (INCO)
Responsible for all Orbiter data, voice and video
communications systems; monitors the telemetry link between the
vehicle and the ground; oversees the uplink command and control
processes.
Flight Dynamics Officer (FDO)
Responsible for monitoring vehicle performance during the
powered flight phase and assessing abort modes; calculating
orbital maneuvers and resulting trajectories; and monitoring
vehicle flight profile and energy levels during reentry.
Trajectory Officer (TRAJECTORY)
Also known as "TRAJ," this operator aids the FDO during
dynamic flight phases and is responsible for maintaining the
trajectory processors in the MCC and for trajectory inputs made
to the Mission Operations Computer.
Guidance, Navigation & Control Systems Engineer (GNC)
Responsible for all inertial navigational systems hardware
such as star trackers, radar altimeters and the inertial
measurement units; monitors radio navigation and digital
autopilot hardware systems.
Guidance & Procedures Officer (GPO)
Responsible for the onboard navigation software and for
maintenance of the Orbiter's navigation state, known as the state
vector. Also responsible for monitoring crew vehicle control
during ascent, entry, or rendezvous.
Rendezvous Guidance and Procedures Officer (RENDEZVOUS)
This position is a GPO specialist who onboard navigation of
the Orbiter during rendezvous operations, and advises the control
team on the status and effect of rendezvous events.
Environmental Engineer & Consumables Manager (EECOM)
Responsible for all life support systems, cabin pressure,
thermal control and supply and waste water management; manages
consumables such as oxygen and hydrogen.
Electrical Generation and Illumination Officer (EGIL)
Responsible for power management, fuel cell operation,
vehicle lighting and the master caution and warning system.
Payloads Officer (PAYLOADS)
Coordinates all payload activities; serves as principal
interface with remote payload operations facilities.
Data Processing Systems Engineer (DPS)
Responsible for all onboard mass memory and data processing
hardware; monitors primary and backup flight software systems;
manages operating routines and multi-computer configurations.
Propulsion Engineer (PROP)
Manages the reaction control and orbital maneuvering
thrusters during all phases of flight; monitors fuel usage and
storage tank status; calculates optimal sequences for thruster
firings.
Booster Systems Engineer (BOOSTER)
Monitors main engine and solid rocket booster performance
during ascent phase.
Ground Controller (GC)
Coordinates operation of ground stations and other elements
of worldwide space tracking and data network; responsible for MCC
computer support and displays.
Maintenance, Mechanical, Arm & Crew Systems (MMACS)
Formerly known as RMU; responsible for remote manipulator
system; monitors auxilliary power units and hydraulic systems;
manages payload bay and vent door operations.
Extravehicular Activities (EVA)
A specialist responsible for monitoring and coordinating
preparations for and execution of space walks. Responsibilities
include monitoring suit and EVA hardware performance.
Payload Data & Retrieval System (PDRS)
A specialist responsible for monitoring and coordinating the
operation of the remote manipulator system.
Flight Surgeon (SURGEON)
Monitors health of flight crew; provides procedures and
guidance on all health-related matters.
Public Affairs Officer (PAO)
Provides real-time explanation of mission events during all
phases of flight.
STS-40 FLIGHT CONTROL TEAM STAFFING
Position Ascent/Entry Orbit 1 Orbit 2 Planning
FLIGHT Wayne Hale Bob Castle Al Pennington Jeff Bantle
CAPCOM Ken Bowersox (A) Bill Shepherd Marsha Ivins Kathy Thornton
Steve Oswald (E)
FAO Fisher Reynolds Fisher Reynolds Debbie Jackson John Curry
INCO Harry Black Harry Black Roberto Moolchan Richard LaBrode
FDO Ed Gonzalez (A) Debbie Langan Dan Adamo Tim Brown
Doug Rask (E)
TRAJ Bruce Hilty (A) Steve Stich Richard Theis Bill Britz
Keith Fletcher (E)
GPO Jeff Bertsch (A) ///// ///// /////
Dennis Bentley (E)
EECOM Dave Herbek Pete Cerna Quinn Carelock Dan Molina
EGIL Robert Floyd Robert Floyd Charles Dingell Robert Armstrong
PAYLOADS Debbie Bulgher Debbie Bulgher Roger Galpin Debbie Pawkett
DPS Gloria Araiza Gloria Araiza David Tee Terry Keeler
PROP Tony Ceccacci Tony Ceccacci Matt Barry Bill Powers
BOOSTER Franklin Markle (A)
Jon Reding (E)
GNC Steve Elsner Stanley Schaefer Kenneth Bain Edward Trlica
GC Per Barsten John Wells Ed Klein Bob Reynolds
Larry Foy Frank Stolarski Joe Aquino Terry Quick
MMACS James Medford James Medford Alan Bachik Ladessa Hicks
SURGEON Denise Baisden Brad Beck John Schulz /////
Larry Pepper
PAO Kyle Herring (A) Kyle Herring Jeff Carr Pam Alloway
James Hartsfield (E)
POCC PAO Billie Deason Billie Deason Brian Welch
Brian Welch
(A) = Ascent; (E) = Entry
|
| 693.78 | KSC Shuttle Status - 05/16/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu May 16 1991 17:30 | 27 |
| From: NASA Spacelink
Organization: NASA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1991 - 10 AM
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-B
LAUNCH - MAY 22
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Pressurizing Columbia's hypergolic propellant tanks.
- Pad will be reopened later today.
- Launch countdown preparations.
- Closeouts of the aft compartment.
- Closeouts of the solid rocket boosters.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Installing the doors on the aft compartment for flight Friday.
- Start launch countdown 5 p.m. EDT Saturday.
- STS-40 crew arrives 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
- Launch at 8 a.m. EDT Wednesday, May 22.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Final ordnance installation.
|
| 693.79 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 05/17/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Sun May 19 1991 11:21 | 30 |
| From: NASA Spacelink
Organization: NASA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - FRIDAY, MAY 17, 1991 - 10 AM
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-B
LAUNCH - MAY 22
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Pressurizing Columbia's hypergolic propellant tanks.
- Launch countdown preparations.
- Closeouts of the aft compartment.
- Closeouts of the solid rocket boosters.
- Removing platforms from the aft flight deck.
- Removing access platforms from the launch platform.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Installing the doors on the aft compartment for flight over-
night.
- Start launch countdown 5 p.m. EDT Saturday.
- STS-40 crew arrives 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
- Launch at 8 a.m. EDT Wednesday, May 22.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Pressurized hypergolic propellant tanks for flight.
|
| 693.80 | Mission at a glance | 58453::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Tue May 21 1991 11:23 | 50 |
| From: [email protected] (United Press International)
Subject: Columbia mission at-a-glance
Date: 18 May 91 19:32:55 GMT
Columbia's launch on the 41st shuttle mission marks the 16th post-
Challenger flight and the third of 1991. Here are mission details at-a-
glance:
--Space shuttle: Columbia, making its 11th flight since its maiden
voyage April 12, 1981. Columbia took off on its most recent previous
flight Dec. 2, 1990, when it carried a suite of astronomy instruments
into orbit.
--Mission highlights: Columbia's flight represents the first shuttle
mission totally dedicated to medical research. Using a Spacelab module
in the shuttle's cargo bay, the ship's seven-member crew plans to
conduct 20 experiments to learn more about how human physiology is
affected by weightlessness. Also on board: 30 rats and 2,400 tiny
jellyfish.
--Launch site: pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
--Launch time: 8 a.m. EDT, May 22.
--Orbital altitude: 178 statute miles.
--Mission duration: 9 days, three hours, 50 minutes.
--Landing site: Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
--Propulsion: Three hydrogen-fueled main engines built by Rocketdyne
of Canoga Park, Calif., serial numbers 2015 (No. 1), 2022 (No. 2), 2027
(No. 3), and two solid-fuel boosters, serial number BI-044, built by
Thiokol Corp. of Ogden, Utah. Columbia is bolted to a Martin Marietta-
built external fuel tank, serial No. 41.
--Flight directors: Wayne Hale (ascent and entry); Robert Castle,
Granvil Pennington (lead flight director), Jeffrey Bantle.
--Shuttle crew: Seven, including two non-NASA ``payload specialists,''
in this case, civilian researchers making one flight only.
--Commander: Marine Col. Bryan D. O'Connor, 44; second flight.
--Co-pilot: Air Force Lt. Col. Sidney M. Gutierrez, 39; first flight.
--Mission specialist No. 1: James P. Bagian, 39, M.D.; second flight.
--Mission specialist No. 2: Tamara E. Jernigan, 32, Ph.D. in astronomy
and space physics; first flight.
--Mission specialist No. 3: Margaret Rhea Seddon, 43, M.D.; second
flight.
--Payload specialist No. 1: F. Andrew ``Drew'' Gaffney, 44, M.D.;
first flight.
--Payload specialist No. 2: Millie Hughes-Fulford, 45, Ph.D. in
chemistry; first flight.
--Crew seating: O'Connor, Gutierrez, Bagian and flight engineer
Jernigan will be seated on Columbia's upper deck for launch with Seddon,
Gaffney and Hughes-Fulford seated below on the shuttle's lower deck.
Seddon and Bagian will swap seats for re-entry.
--Emergency spacewalk personnel: Bagian and Jernigan.
--Mission cost: $175 million for experiments and modifications to the
Spacelab module.
|
| 693.81 | Launch delayed at least 24 hours | 58453::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Tue May 21 1991 11:28 | 69 |
| From: [email protected] (WILLIAM HARWOOD, UPI Science Writer)
Subject: Shuttle launch delayed
Date: 21 May 91 11:25:18 GMT
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (UPI) -- NASA engineers delayed Wednesday's
planned launch of the shuttle Columbia at least 24 hours Tuesday because
of problems with a launch pad fuel temperature sensor, officials said.
A separate problem involving an electronic ``black box'' that
controls booster and shuttle hydraulic systems could delay the launch
longer if NASA engineers decide the unit has to be replaced.
``We're down for at least a day and if they have to (replace the
black box) we're looking at three or four days,'' said NASA spokesman
Bruce Buckingham.
The problems cropped up overnight Monday as technicians were gearing
up to load 30 rats and 2,478 tiny jellyfish aboard Columbia to serve as
test subjects during the crew's medical resarch flight. The work was
canceled before any animals were loaded aboard.
Commander Bryan O'Connor, 44, co-pilot Sidney Gutierrez, 39, Tamara
Jernigan, 32, James Bagian, 39, Margaret Rhea Seddon, 43, Andrew ``Drew''
Gaffney, 44, and Millie Hughes-Fulford, 45, had been scheduled to blast
off at 8 a.m. Wednesday.
The flight was delayed after troubleshooters ran into a problem with
a launch pad fuel line temperature sensor. During a countdown in early
1986, a sensor broke off inside a fuel line and lodged inside Columbia's
engine room plumbing.
That launch was delayed but had the ship taken off, engineers
speculated the sensor could have lodged against a screen in a key engine
valve, possibly causing a catastrophic failure when the engine tried to
shut down in space.
It was not immediately clear what led to the concern this time around
or what will be required to resolve the issue.
It also was not clear whether engineers would have to replace the
suspect black box, called a multiplexer-demultiplexer, or MDM, in
Columbia's aft avionics bay. Buckingham said the unit was used to
control orbiter and solid-fuel booster hydraulic systems and explosive
ordnance used to fracture bolts and other systems during launch.
Replacing the box would require engineers to open Columbia's aft
engine compartment, work that would delay launch three to four days.
A liftoff Thursday would mark NASA's third shuttle flight in 48 days,
a launch processing feat that would beat a record set in 1985 by six
days. Setting other records, Columbia's flight is the first space
mission featuring three women and the first totally dedicated to bio-
medical research.
Such data is considered crucial before astronauts can be cleared for
long-term stays aboard NASA's planned space station or for eventual
flights to Mars, which could take more than a year one way.
Unlike other shuttle Spacelab science missions, Columbia's crew will
not staff the research lab around the clock, but instead will work in a
single shift throughout the flight, waking up around 5:20 a.m. EDT each
day for a full slate of experiments.
Bagian and Seddon, wife of veteran shuttle skipper Robert ``Hoot''
Gibson, are physicians and full-time astronauts. Gaffney, a noted
cardiologist, and Hughes-Fulford, a specialist in cell growth, are
civilian researchers joining the NASA crew on a one-flight-only basis.
The four medical researchers are responsible for carrying out most of
the experiments while O'Connor, Gutierrez and flight engineer Jernigan
are responsible for operating the shuttle's myriad systems.
Throughout the flight, Bagian, Seddon, Gaffney and Hughes-Fulford
will draw repeated blood samples, drink or inject various chemical
``tracers,'' continuously collect urine samples, measure body mass and
work with special devices designed to help probe the causes of space
sickness.
The rats will be killed after the flight for extensive research to
find out if rodents can be used to mimic the responses of various human
systems to weightlessness. The jellyfish will be studied to determine
how primitive ``gravity receptors,'' similar to structures in the human
inner ear, develop in the absence of gravity.
|
| 693.82 | rodent loading has been delayed | STAR::HUGHES | You knew the job was dangerous when you took it Fred. | Tue May 21 1991 13:33 | 13 |
| They are working three problems
- a fault in a propellant temperature sensor. There are 9 of these, two
in each SSME (one for each of the propellants), two in the 17 inch LOX
disconnect and one in the LH2 disconnect. Apparently these were
involved in the LH2 leaks last year. Spares are on hand.
- a failed multiplexor/demultiplexor that interfaces the flight
computers to shuttle systems
- one of the General Purpose Computers was thrown out of the redundant
set by the remaining members (i.e. it CLUEXITed). Not clear if this is
a GPC hardware fault or a software problem.
gary
|
| 693.83 | I hope it's hardware | 2319::SAUTER | John Sauter | Tue May 21 1991 16:23 | 7 |
| re: .82, the CLUEXIT
I hope it's a hardware problem. If NASA suspects it's a software
problem they'll probably ground the fleet until it's fixed. One of
their major worries is that a software problem will shut down all of
the GPCs simultaneously. This happened once during ground training.
John Sauter
|
| 693.84 | | STAR::HUGHES | You knew the job was dangerous when you took it Fred. | Tue May 21 1991 17:32 | 57 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991 - 1 PM
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-B
LAUNCH - POSTPONED UNTIL LATE NEXT WEEK
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Preparations to replace the multiplexer demultiplexer, 9
cryogenic propellant temperature transducers and general purpose
computer no. 4.
- Access to the aft compartment.
- Reconnection of the orbiter midbody umbilical to the orbiter.
This unit was used to deliver reactants to the orbiter's fuel
cell storage tanks and will be used to offload propellants.
- Preparations to disconnect ordnance devices.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Activation of the orbiter's communications systems.
- Preparing the tail service masts on the launch platform for
launch. Liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellants are loaded
into the external tank through these masts.
FLIGHT CREW:
- STS-40 crew will be leaving for Houston early tomorrow morning.
CONCERNS:
Officals decided to postpone the launch until late next week
while the launch team replaces and retests the 9 temperature
transducers, the multiplexer demultiplexer and general purpose
computer no. 4.
After failure analysis recently conducted by the vendor in
New Hampshire, officials decided to replace the nine cryogenic
temperature transducers in the main propulsion system. There is a
concern they could break off as the propellant is flowing through
the main propulsion system and wind up in the main engines.
The multiplexer demultiplexer (MDM) is one of 23 and is lo-
cated in the orbiter's aft compartment bay 5. MDMs receive and
translate data from the orbiter's general purpose computers to
critical systems. This particular MDM FA 2 controls functions for
solid rocket boosters, orbiter hydraulic systems, ordnance
devices and the orbital maneuvering system and reaction control
system.
General purpose computer No. 4 is one of 5 and is located in
the orbiter's crew cabin.
A couple of further points... They mentioned something about cracks in
welds on the temp sensors this morning. They also said that 'the other
three GPCs' threw GPC 4 out of the redundant set; I don't think they
run the ascent profile on all 5.
gary
|
| 693.85 | Launch delayed until June 1st | 58453::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Wed May 22 1991 11:57 | 68 |
| From: [email protected] (WILLIAM HARWOOD, UPI Science Writer)
Subject: Columbia grounded until June 1
Date: 22 May 91 04:16:26 GMT
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (UPI) -- Work to replace one of the shuttle
Columbia's flight computers, nine suspect fuel line sensors and a
critical electronic unit will delay the ship's launch on a medical
research flight at least 10 days to June 1, officials say.
After NASA managers canceled a planned Wednesday launch attempt,
rocket engineers worked overnight Tuesday to drain liquid hydrogen and
liquid oxygen from Columbia's electrical generators to permit routine
access to the ship's engine comparment.
After that, technicians planned to remove and replace nine
temperature sensors from fuel lines leading to Columbia's main engines
and to replace a critical electronic ``black box,'' called a
multiplexer-demultiplexer, that malfunctioned Monday night.
At the same time, engineers were scheduled to replace one of
Columbia's five primary flight computers that failed early Tuesday after
an apparently unrelated glitch.
Columbia, its seven-member crew, 30 rats and 2,478 tiny jellyfish had
been scheduled for launch on the 41st shuttle mission at 8 a.m. EDT
Wednesday to kick off a nine-day medical research flight devoted to
learning more about how the human body adapts to weightlessness.
But the countdown was canceled after engineers ran into three
problems: one of the shuttle's five main flight computers failed;
questions were raised about welds in the fuel line temperature sensors;
and a critical 37-pound electronic unit used to route computer commands
to various flight systems suffered an unknown malfunction.
Replacing the ``general purpose computer,'' or GPC, is a relatively
minor repair job. But replacing the temperature sensors and the ``MDM''
is a complex procedure that will ground Columbia until at least June 1,
NASA officials said Tuesday.
As a result, commander Bryan O'Connor, 44, co-pilot Sidney Gutierrez,
39, James Bagian, 39, Margaret Rhea Seddon, 43, Andrew ``Drew'' Gaffney,
44, and Millie Hughes-Fulford, 45, planned to fly back to the Johnson
Space Center in Houston early Wednesday for additional training.
Crewmate Tamara Jernigan, 32, was scheduled to make the trip
Thursday.
``The crew is disappointed we couldn't go on time,'' O'Connor said in
a statement. ``We were ready to go up and do this mission. We are
looking forward to coming back soon and trying again.''
While the crew was no doubt disappointed with the delay, it came as
particularly bad news for the 30 rats scheduled to serve as research
subjects during the flight.
Instead of being beheaded and dissected later for medical research,
they now will be fed to eagles and other animals at a veterinary
facility operated by the University of Florida. A fresh set of rats will
be used for Columbia's revised mission.
The temperature sensor problem developed after data was received from
shuttle builder Rockwell International about the results of a failure
investigation from a countdown last fall.
After fueling for a launch that ultimately was delayed by fuel leaks,
engineers discovered a cracked weld in one of nine fuel line temperature
sensors in Columbia's engine compartment.
Should certain sensors break off in a fuel line during flight, they
could be sucked into one of the shuttle's main engine turbopumps,
possibly causing a catastrophic failure.
The MDM problem also developed overnight Monday. The unit is one of
two used to translate digital commands from the shuttle's flight
computers. The commands then are sent to various systems, including
those responsible for hydraulic power and for allowing the shuttle's
booster's to separate.
In three instances overnight Monday, the black box suffered a data
transfer glitch. Obeying error correction software, the unit reset
itself and after that, it performed properly.
But because of the critical nature of the device, NASA managers
wanted to make sure it would not develop any problems during ascent.
|
| 693.86 | Repair work begins | 58453::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Thu May 23 1991 09:52 | 92 |
| From: [email protected] (WILLIAM HARWOOD, UPI Science Writer)
Subject: Shuttle repair work begins
Date: 23 May 91 00:11:59 GMT
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (UPI) -- NASA ``dodged a bullet'' when engineers
replaced what turned out to be a cracked sensor in the delayed shuttle
Columbia last fall that could have led to a catastrophic engine failure,
officials said Wednesday.
While NASA's safety system worked -- the sensor was removed and
replaced -- a series of apparent miscues prevented NASA managers from
understanding the severity of the problem until this week, contributing
to the decision to delay Columbia's launch on a nine-day medical
research mission until around June 1.
``The system worked, we got the data and as soon as we found out
something we did the right thing,'' said Dan Germany, a top manager at
the Johnson Space Center in Houston. ``I would like to have gotten the
information earlier.''
Columbia was grounded Tuesday by three unrelated problems: a computer
failure, a malfunction in an electronic ``black box'' that translates
computer commands for various flight systems and test results raising
questions about possible cracks in nine fuel line temperature sensors.
In the meantime, similar though less severe cracks have been found in
at least two sensors removed from the shuttle Discovery, raising the
possibility NASA ``dodged a bullet'' there as well.
Against that backdrop, NASA managers Wednesday briefly considered
clearing Columbia for takeoff as early as Monday, without first
replacing the electronic unit, but they ultimately decided to stick to
the original schedule after engineers said they could not guarantee the
unit's performance.
While launch officially is off until June 1, engineers held out the
possibility of moving the flight up one day, to a week from Friday, if a
series of hydraulic tests can be bypassed after the installation of the
new ``multiplexer-demultiplexer'' unit.
In the meantime, engineers said a series of apparent miscues delayed
tests that indicated the frigid temperatures of supercold liquid
hydrogen -- minus 423 degrees Fahrenheit -- can cause cracks in fuel line
temperature sensors.
Last September, a sensor was removed from Columbia after engineers
detected a small leak. No one suspected a crack at that time and the
sensor was sent to the wrong subcontractor by mistake. It did not reach
the correct company, RDF Corp. of Hudson, N.H., until Jan. 28.
RDF, in turn, notified shuttle builder Rockwell International on
April 1 that the sensor had a serious crack that warranted further
investigation.
Subsequent X-rays and metallurgical analysis showed the cigarette-
size sensor was cracked all the way around the critical weld, apparently
because of repeated exposure to the extreme cold of liquid hydrogen.
The results of the tests did not reach NASA until Monday, more than
eight months after the original problem and just two days before the
shuttle's planned launch.
``I'm discouraged it happened so late, just prior to our launch,''
commander Bryan O'Connor told reporters Wednesday. ``But on the other
hand, they're talking about a potentially very serious problem and the
last thing we want to do is launch with a serious problem on board. So
I'm glad that they're looking at it, we want a safe vehicle up there.''
Nine temperature sensors are mounted in the fuel lines leading to the
shuttle's three main engines: five that measure liquid oxygen
temperatures and four that measure the temperature of liquid hydrogen.
Six of the sensors, three of each type, are located just upstream of
powerful engine turbopumps. Should one of those break off and get sucked
into a pump, a catastrophic engine failure could occur.
Germany told reporters Wednesday the space agency was lucky engineers
noticed the leaking sensor last September, before it could break off
completely.
``We dodged a bullet on that,'' he said. ``The weld was cracked all
the way around and the inside was broken as well. It was just a matter
of time before that tip would have broken off. It was good that we found
the leak and got it removed.''
He said a failure analysis indicates the cracks, which apparently
only involve hydrogen sensors, appear to be the result of a design
change in 1981 that was implemented to correct problems with the
sensors.
As a result, all nine of Columbia's sensors, made up of a mixture of
older and newer sensors, were scheduled to be removed overnight
Wednesday and replaced with original sensors that have been X-rayed and
shown to be crack free.
While that was expected to eliminate the concern, Germany said if any
of the older units removed from Columbia showed signs of cracking,
``then we're going to have to have some more discussions.''
In the meantime, NASA engineers are inspecting sensors aboard the
shuttles Discovery and Atlantis. Two of four hydrogen sensors aboard
Discovery were found to be cracked and X-rays indicate possible problems
with the other two.
All of the sensors aboard Discovery and Atlantis are of the newer
design. But NASA has spares of the older design type and the problem was
not expected to have an impact on upcoming flights by the two newer
orbiters.
Germany said engineers were studying whether the hydrogen sensors
could simply be removed from the shuttles altogether at some point.
Whether such a change could be approved before Columbia's launch next
week was not immediately clear.
|
| 693.87 | 4 GPCs are duplicated; the 5th is redundant functionality | DECWIN::FISHER | "I am NOT a Merry Man"--Worf | Thu May 23 1991 12:28 | 11 |
| re the GPC's:
As I recall, they all run ascent software. However, 4 of them run the SAME
software, while a 5th one runs backup software written by a different contractor.
The s/w run in common on the redundant set has checkpoints built into it every
so often. When a GPC gets there, it pauses and waits till all the other GPCs
are also there. If one of the GPCs does not get to the checkpoint within
a certain amount of time, or if it gets to the wrong checkpoint, it is kicked
out. There are also data checks at various output points as well.
Burns
|
| 693.88 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 05/22/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu May 23 1991 22:14 | 39 |
| From: NASA Spacelink
Organization: NASA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991 - 11:30 AM
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-B
LAUNCH - POSTPONED UNTIL LATE NEXT WEEK
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Preparations to replace the multiplexer demultiplexer (MDM), 9
cryogenic propellant temperature transducers and general purpose
computer no. 4.
- Preparations to disconnect ordnance devices.
- Removal of lockers in the middeck.
- Removal of foam from around the temperature transducers.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Access to the aft compartment.
- Offloaded liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen reactants from
Columbia's onboard storage tanks.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Disconnection of ordnance devices beginning at 8 p.m. tonight.
The pad will be closed during this activity.
- Replacement of the main propulsion system temperature
transducers beginning at midnight.
- Replacement of the new MDM beginning at midnight.
FLIGHT CREW:
- STS-40 crew Commander Bryan O'Connor, Pilot Sidney Gutierrez,
Mission Specialist James Bagian and Rhea Seddon and Payload
Specialist Millie Hughes-Fulford departed KSC at about 9:30 a.m.
enroute to Houston. Mission Specialist Tamara Jernigan and
Payload Specialist Drew Gaffney are planning to return to Houston
tomorrow.
|
| 693.89 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 05/22/91 - Afternoon | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu May 23 1991 22:18 | 33 |
| From: NASA Spacelink
Organization: NASA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS - WEDNESDAY, MAY 22 4 P.M.
AFTERNOON UPDATE
STS-40 - COLUMBIA/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES - LAUNCH PAD 39-B
KSC processing teams are continuing work on a processing
schedule which could lead to launch of Columbia on Saturday, June
1. The two-hour launch window opens at 8 a.m. EDT. Preparations
are in work to replace the nine propellant temperature
transducers, the multiplexer demultiplexer (MDM) and the no. 4
general purpose computer.
Workers are scheduled to disconnect ordnance devices from 8
p.m. to midnight tonight. The pad will be closed to all non-
essential personnel during this operation.
Replacement of all components is scheduled to begin at mid-
night tonight after the pad has been reopened and will continue
through tomorrow. Retest of the transducers and the GPC is
scheduled to complete by tomorrow afternoon. Retest of the MDM
requires more time and is scheduled to continue through Saturday.
Launch countdown preparations will begin Saturday. Ordnance
devices will be reconnected and closed out for flight next week.
The countdown is scheduled to begin Tuesday at 5 p.m. with the
countdown clock at the T-43 hour mark.
|
| 693.90 | KSC Shuttle Status - 05/24/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Fri May 24 1991 17:26 | 35 |
| From: NASA Spacelink
Organization: NASA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991 - 10 AM
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-B
LAUNCH - JUNE 1
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Retest of the new multiplexer demultiplexer (MDM) involving the
orbiter and booster hydraulic system.
- Inspections and cleaning of temperature tranducers for instal-
lation in the vehicle.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Installation of plugs instead of temperature transducers in the
main propulsion system liquid hydrogen main engine inlets. Offi-
cials determined that these transducers can be eliminated and
still meet the launch commit criteria and flight rules. An
analysis is continuing to determine if the liquid oxygen tempera-
ture transducers can also be eliminated.
- Connections of the new general purpose computer and of the new
MDM.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Installation of six propellant temperature probes tomorrow.
- Retest of the new general purpose computer tomorrow.
- Closeouts of the aft compartment begin Sunday.
- Start of launch countdown Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the T-43 hour
mark.
- Launch at 8 a.m. EDT Saturday, June 1. Launch window closes at
10 a.m. EDT.
|
| 693.91 | NASA to review sensor problem, Truly says Columbia is "ready to fly" | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Fri May 24 1991 17:51 | 32 |
| 5/24/91: NASA TO REVIEW SENSOR PROBLEM, TRULY SAYS COLUMBIA 'READY TO FLY'
RELEASE: 91-79
Following a meeting today with senior management of NASA's
space flight and safety programs, Administrator Richard H. Truly
said the agency will conduct a prompt and thorough review
concerning the recent discovery that a fuel sensor removed from
Space Shuttle Columbia last fall was cracked. He emphasized,
however, that he is confident Columbia is fully capable and safe
for the upcoming launch of STS-40/Space Life Sciences-1.
"We have appointed an expert panel to review how the sensor
problem was handled from start to finish," Truly said. "Equally
important, we want to determine where any deficiencies exist in
NASA's system for handling such issues. I guarantee that any and
all necessary changes will be made. NASA will continue to place
the greatest emphasis on mission safety and reliability." Truly
said he expected preliminary findings to be announced by NASA
management at a briefing next Thursday, May 30.
The NASA Administrator said the sensor problem has been
corrected on Columbia and poses no risk to the Shuttle and its crew
of seven, which will undertake a 9-day life sciences mission
involving many important, first-time experiments. Launch, which
was originally scheduled for May 22, is now tentatively scheduled
for June 1.
In addition to Truly, today's meeting on the sensor issue
included William B. Lenoir, Associate Administrator for Space
Flight; Robert L. Crippen, Director, Space Shuttle; and George A.
Rodney, Associate Administrator for Safety and Mission Quality.
|
| 693.92 | SSME hackers.... | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Fri May 24 1991 17:54 | 7 |
| I'm not sure that putting a plug in the same hole where a temperature
transducer used to be can really be considered a "correction"... I'd
have a bit more confidence if they were pulled while in the VAB as part of
a plan - opposed to a (I can only assume, well thought out) "hack".
- dave
|
| 693.93 | | DECWIN::FISHER | "I am NOT a Merry Man"--Worf | Tue May 28 1991 12:28 | 5 |
| Besides, I think they are not pulling them ALL out. Of course pulling some
reduces the probability of trouble, but I should think the ones they left in
could still cause trouble.
Burns
|
| 693.94 | | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue May 28 1991 13:34 | 22 |
| I would think they would only plug up the ones they feel don't contribute
much to the safety/performance of the engine.
The SSME is a rather highly instrumented gadget and there may be sensors that
are in place strictly because they wanted to observe temperatures or pressures
at a particular spot. After umpteen flights with these engines, some of
these sensors can now be considered redundant or superfluous. Perhaps it
only took these unique events for the engineers to implement something
that has been on their minds for some time now.
Still, when you consider the complexity of the SSME, changes of any nature
can't be taken lightly -- especially if they were an integral part of the
design of the engine (I have no knowledge one way or the other as to the
nature of these sensors, so I can't make a judgement).
I'm hoping this isn't a second-order version of the "pre-Challenger syndrome"
where cracks or blowby's without mission failure was interpreted (by some)
as evidence of goodness - as opposed to a design failure. Here we see
cracked parts not being ignored (this is good), but the problem being fixed
by removing the parts entirely (this can be good or bad).
- dave
|
| 693.95 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 05/28/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue May 28 1991 19:16 | 38 |
| From: NASA Spacelink
Organization: NASA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1991 - 10 AM
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-B
LAUNCH - JUNE 1
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Preparations to begin the launch countdown at 9 p.m. EDT
tonight at the T-43 hour mark.
- Closeouts of the aft compartment.
- Removing protective covers from components in the aft.
- Final inspections of the aft compartment.
- Closeouts of the solid rocket boosters.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Retest of the new multiplexer demultiplexer (MDM).
- Replacement of the six cryogenic propellant temperature
transducers and three plugs in the liquid hydrogen 12-inch feed-
lines.
- Successful leak tests of the temperature transducers and of the
plugs.
- Retest of the newly installed general purpose computer.
- Reconnection and retest of ordnance devices.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Flight crew arrival at KSC scheduled 3 p.m. tomorrow.
- Launch at 8 a.m. EDT Saturday, June 1. Launch window closes at
10 a.m. EDT.
WEATHER FORECAST:
- Probability of having acceptable weather at 8 a.m. Saturday is
80 percent. For the overall window, there is a 95 percent chance
of being within launch weather commit criteria.
|
| 693.96 | Why use the stairs when you can take the shuttle? | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue May 28 1991 19:20 | 59 |
| 5/28/91: NEW TRANSPORT VEHICLE ALLOWS MORE TIMELY ORBITER EGRESS
RELEASE: 91-80
A new transport vehicle, designed to improve egress for
shuttle crewmembers after space flight, will be introduced to the
landing operations when the STS-40 crew returns from their nine-
day flight. The new Crew Transport Vehicle (CTV) joins the
landing convoy to permit safer, more efficient crew egress and
will facilitate medical investigations that take place immediately
after landing.
The CTV is a renovated "people mover" acquired from the
Baltimore Washington International Airport earlier this year.
"People-movers" are used at large airports worldwide to transport
passengers from the terminal to the aircraft. These vehicles can
be raised or lowered by lifts from a floor height of 5 feet 9
inches to a maximum of 18 feet 4 inches for convenience in loading
and unloading passengers.
NASA will use the new CTV to allow the crew efficient egress
after shuttle flights to facilitate life science or mediacal
investigations and to ferry crewmembers from the orbiter after
landing, said Travis Brown, manager of flight projects for the
Medical Sciences Division, NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston.
As after past landings, the convoy's "white room" vehicle,
housing the shuttle changeout crew and flight surgeons, will move
into place at the hatch once the orbiter is safed. When the hatch
is opened, the changeout crew and flight surgeons will enter,
Brown said. The CTV will pull up next to the white room and
extend a ramp to the orbiter.
Inside the CTV, the passenger seats have been removed and the
interior remodeled to meet the unique needs of the returning
astronauts. The CTV provides space for special equipment and for
the CTV crew including space suit technicians, medical personnel
and a driver. The vehicle will be maintained along with other
convoy vehicles at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Facility,
Edwards, Calif.
The CTY contains 11 standard chairs, seven astronaut special
chairs, a bathroom, refrigerator, stryker stretcher and stowage,
all located in compartments behind the vehicle driver's area.
Brown added that because of its past use as an airport
vehicle, the CTV has a number of safety provisions installed to
meet Federal Aviation Administration safety guidelines.
For STS-40, which is dedicated to the exploration of the
human body's reaction in space, the ability to get information
immediately after flight enhances the investigations done on orbit
before the crew readapts to the presence of gravity, Brown said.
"When NASA decided to try to extend shuttle mission
durations, a medical investigation project was initiated to both
assess the risks of longer exposure to microgravity and develop
some inflight countermeasures to enhance readaptation," Brown
said.
|
| 693.97 | NASA Select Schedule available | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue May 28 1991 19:25 | 3 |
| pragma::public:[nasa]sts-40.nasa_select
- dave
|
| 693.98 | Set for Liftoff | 58519::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Fri May 31 1991 12:26 | 75 |
| From: [email protected] (WILLIAM HARWOOD, UPI Science Writer)
Subject: Shuttle Columbia set for liftoff
Date: 31 May 91 10:29:57 GMT
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (UPI) -- Technicians loaded 30 rats and nearly 2,
500 tiny jellyfish aboard the shuttle Columbia early Friday in a tricky
procedure that sets the stage for blastoff Saturday on a medical
research flight.
Sitting in a sling-like harness, a technician was carefully lowered
through Columbia's crew cabin airlock, down through a tunnel and into a
roomy Spacelab module in Columbia's cargo bay early Friday to load cages
housing 20 rats into a special animal holding facility.
The other 10 rodents, along with 2,478 small jellyfish, will ride
into space in cages mounted inside Columbia's crew cabin. They will be
transferred to the Spacelab module after the shuttle reaches orbit.
The work was done in the midst of a major thunderstorm and while
several lightning strikes were recorded at the well-grounded launch pad,
NASA spokesman Bruce Buckingham said the spaceship was not damaged and
the countdown proceeded without problems.
Commander Bryan O'Connor, 44, co-pilot Sidney Gutierrez, 39, Tamara
Jernigan, 32, James Bagian, 39, Margaret Rhea Seddon, 43, Andrew ``Drew''
Gaffney, 44, and Millie Hughes-Fulford, 45, plan to spend nine days in
orbit carrying out the most ambitious bio-medical experiments ever
conducted in space.
If all goes well, engineers will begin pumping a half-million gallons
of rocket fuel into Columbia's giant external tank late Friday to set
the stage for liftoff at 8 a.m. EDT Saturday.
But as usual with recent shuttle launch campaigns, the weather
threatened to be a factor with forecasters calling for only a 60 percent
chance of acceptable conditions at launch time.
Otherwise, all systems were ``go'' and the astronauts pressed ahead
with final preparations.
Late Friday, doctors planned to insert an instrumented 2-foot
catheter into a vein in Gaffney's right elbow that will be maneuvered
into his superior vena cava - about 2 inches from the heart - to monitor
changes in blood pressure as Gaffney's body adapts to weightlessness.
Gaffney will remove the catheter about 10 hours after reaching orbit.
``The risk on this type of procedure is minimal,'' said Bill Collins,
director of radiology at Cape Canaveral Hospital, who was scheduled to
assist in the insertion procedure.
As for removing the catheter in space, Collins said Gaffney, a noted
cardiologist, should not have any problems.
``It's just a matter of pulling it out,'' he said. ``It's like having
your blood drawn. You pull the needle back out and you hold pressure on
there until the vein seals itself off. That's basically the same thing
he's going to do. He will just pull the catheter out. There's no danger
in that.''
The astronauts planned to strap in aboard Columbia shortly before
dawn Saturday to await liftoff on NASA's third shuttle flight in just 57
days, the 41st in the history of the program.
The goal of the mission is to conduct the most ambitious medical
experiments ever attempted in space to learn how the human body is
affected by weightlessness and in so doing, how to combat deleterious
health effects.
Working inside the Spacelab module, physicians Bagian and Seddon -
both full-time NASA astronauts - and civilians researchers Gaffney and
Hughes-Fulford, a biochemist, will repeatedly draw blood, collect urine
samples and make a host of other measurements to find out how the body's
major systems react to the absence of gravity.
While Soviet cosmonauts have stayed in space up to a year at a time,
Gaffney said the quality of their work was not in the same league with
the research that will be carried out aboard Columbia.
``It's one thing to know you can put somebody in a vehicle and have
him survive and somewhat function for a prolonged period,'' Gaffney
said. ``It's another thing to know exactly what happened: why did the
mineral leave the bone structure, why did the muscles waste away despite
three or four hours of exercise a day, why does it take so long to get
your balance back?
``Those questions can only be answered, and the countermeasures
developed, if we understand the mechanisms. And this flight is designed
to understand mechanisms so we have a basis to build on.''
Data from Columbia's mission and future Spacelab Life Science flights
is considered crucial before astronauts can be cleared for long-duration
space station flights or even longer voyages to Mars.
|
| 693.99 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 05/30/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Fri May 31 1991 12:59 | 46 |
| From: NASA
Organization: NASA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1991 - 1:30 PM
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-B
LAUNCH - JUNE 1
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Launch countdown operations on schedule for launch Saturday.
- Disconnection of the orbiter midbody umbilical unit used in
loading the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen reactants into the
orbiter's onboard storage tanks.
- Making adjustments to the flight crew seats for flight.
- Preparations to activate the orbiter's communications systems.
- Loading of rodent food and activating systems on board the
Spacelab module for flight.
- Enter 20 hour, 40 minute built-in hold at the T-11 hour mark at
9 p.m. tonight.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Completed loading of the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen
reactants on board the orbiter at about 3 a.m. today.
WORK SCHEDULED:
Move rotating service structure to the park position at 11 a.m.
Friday.
- Begin chilldown to load the external tank with cryogenic
propellants at 11:40 p.m. Friday.
- Launch at 8 a.m. EDT Saturday, June 1. Launch window closes at
10 a.m.
FLIGHT CREW:
Crew arrived at the Shuttle Landing Facility at 3 p.m. yes-
terday. Commander Bryan O'Connor and Pilot Sid Gutierrez flew in
the Shuttle Training Aircraft this morning. Also this morning,
all crew members performed fit checks of their space suits and
equipment they will take on board the shuttle.
WEATHER FORECAST:
- Probability of having acceptable weather at 8 a.m. Saturday is
60 percent. For the overall window, there is a 70 percent chance
of being within launch weather commit criteria.
|
| 693.100 | STS-40 Mission Highlights | 25626::KLAES | All the Universe, or nothing! | Fri May 31 1991 16:02 | 60 |
| Article 1350
From: [email protected] (United Press International)
Newsgroups: clari.tw.space,clari.news.aviation,clari.news.military
Subject: Columbia mission at-a-glance
Date: 31 May 91 17:21:36 GMT
Columbia's launch on the 41st shuttle mission marks the 16th post-
Challenger flight and the third of 1991. Here are mission details at-a-
glance:
--Space shuttle: Columbia, making its 11th flight since its maiden
voyage April 12, 1981. Columbia took off on its most recent previous
flight Dec. 2, 1990, when it carried a suite of astronomy instruments
into orbit.
--Mission highlights: Columbia's flight represents the first shuttle
mission totally dedicated to life science research. Using a Spacelab
module in the shuttle's cargo bay, the ship's seven-member crew plans to
conduct 20 experiments to learn more about how human physiology is
affected by weightlessness. Also on board: 30 rats and some 2,500 tiny
jellyfish.
--Launch site: pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
--Launch time: 8 a.m. EDT, Saturday, June 1.
--Orbital altitude: 178 statute miles.
--Mission duration: 9 days, three hours, 50 minutes.
--Landing site: Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
--Propulsion: Three hydrogen-fueled main engines built by Rocketdyne
of Canoga Park, Calif., serial numbers 2015 (No. 1), 2022 (No. 2), 2027
(No. 3), and two solid-fuel boosters, serial number BI-044, built by
Thiokol Corp. of Ogden, Utah. Columbia is bolted to a Martin Marietta-
built external fuel tank, serial No. 41.
--Flight directors: Wayne Hale (ascent and entry); Robert Castle,
Granvil Pennington (lead flight director), Jeffrey Bantle.
--Shuttle crew: Seven, including two non-NASA ``payload specialists,''
in this case, civilian researchers making one flight only.
--Commander: Marine Col. Bryan D. O'Connor, 44; second flight.
--Co-pilot: Air Force Lt. Col. Sidney M. Gutierrez, 39; first flight.
--Mission specialist No. 1: James P. Bagian, 39, M.D.; second flight.
--Mission specialist No. 2: Tamara E. Jernigan, 32, Ph.D. in astronomy
and space physics; first flight.
--Mission specialist No. 3: Margaret Rhea Seddon, 43, M.D.; second
flight.
--Payload specialist No. 1: F. Andrew ``Drew'' Gaffney, 44, M.D.;
first flight.
--Payload specialist No. 2: Millie Hughes-Fulford, 45, Ph.D. in
chemistry; first flight.
--Crew seating: O'Connor, Gutierrez, Bagian and Jernigan will be
seated on Columbia's upper deck for launch with Seddon, Gaffney and
Hughes-Fulford seated below on the shuttle's lower deck. Seddon and
Bagian will swap seats for re-entry.
--Emergency spacewalk personnel: Bagian and Jernigan.
--Mission cost: $175 million for experiments and modifications
to the Spacelab module.
|
| 693.101 | Yet another launch delay | JANUS::BARKER | Jeremy Barker - T&N/CBN Diag. Eng. - Reading, UK | Sat Jun 01 1991 19:07 | 5 |
| The launch did not happen as planned. According to the news report I
heard there is a problem with "navigation equipment" and the launch should
take place sometime this coming week.
jb
|
| 693.102 | Balky Navigation Gear postpones launch | 58453::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Sun Jun 02 1991 21:34 | 78 |
| From: [email protected] (WILLIAM HARWOOD, UPI Science Writer)
Subject: Hard-luck shuttle grounded again
Date: 1 Jun 91 16:21:22 GMT
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (UPI) -- Launch of the hard-luck shuttle Columbia
on a medical research flight, already running 10 days late, was
postponed another four days Saturday, to at least Wednesday, because of
balky navigation gear.
``We're going to have to call it off,'' launch director Robert Sieck
radioed the disappointed crew about 45 minutes before Columbia's planned
launch. ``Unfortunately, a lot of hard work was not rewarded today.''
Carrying seven astronauts, 30 rats and some 2,500 baby jellyfish,
Columbia had been scheduled for takeoff on a flight to study the effects
of weightlessness at 8 a.m., 10 days late because of work to replace
faulty computer equipment and suspect fuel line temperature sensors.
But as the countdown ticked into its final hours, engineers ran into
problems with a balky inertial measurement unit, or IMU, one of three
such devices that feed critical navigation data to the shuttle's four
primary computers during flight.
After three unsuccessful attempts to calibrate the device, Sieck
reluctantly canceled the countdown around 7:15 a.m., spoiling an attempt
to get Columbia off the ground on a flight originally planned for 1985
but repeatedly delayed by the Challenger disaster and technical snags.
``It looks like we're not going to be able to resolve the problem
with IMU No. 2,'' Sieck radioed the crew. ``It's unstable and it doesn't
look like it's a flyable machine. So we're going to have to replace it
and that's going to cause a scrub for today. We haven't set a new date
yet, but it'll probably be Wednesday the 5th.''
Commander Bryan O'Connor, 44, co-pilot Sidney Gutierrez, 39, Tamara
Jernigan, 32, James Bagian, 39, Margaret Rhea Seddon, 43, Andrew ``Drew''
Gaffney, 44, and Millie Hughes-Fulford, 45, climbed off the shuttle
about 30 minutes later.
``We're very disappointed this happened,'' O'Connor said later. ``I
think we all realize there are millions of parts involved in this
vehicle and that it's a miracle when we do launch. We're looking forward
to getting three good IMUs and trying again on Wednesday.''
O'Connor and Gutierrez planned to fly to Edwards Air Force Base,
Calif., early Sunday to practice shuttle landings at Columbia's primary
runway. They were scheduled to fly back to the Kennedy Space Center late
Sunday to rejoin their five crewmates for a third launch try.
Gaffney, a civilian cardiologist, had a 2-foot catheter snaked into
his chest through a vein in his right arm Friday to monitor blood
pressure changes during the onset of weightlessness. Officials said the
catheter would remain in place, despite the launch delay.
But technicians planned to replace the rats and jellyfish aboard
Columbia with fresh animals for a series of experiments to learn about
the effects of weightlessness on various systems.
Officials said the rats taken off Columbia would be shipped to a
veterinary facility operated by the University of Florida to serve as
food for injured birds of prey and other large animals.
Columbia, NASA's oldest space shuttle, has had a particularly tough
time getting off the pad.
The ship originally was scheduled for launch May 22 but the flight
was delayed 10 days after a computer failed, an electronic control
device malfunctioned and NASA managers received test results indicating
potentially catastrophic cracks in critical fuel line temperature
sensors.
The failure Saturday involved part of IMU No. 2 used to sense vehicle
acceleration. The IMUs are critical navigation devices that measure a
shuttle's position, velocity and orientation throughout all phases of
flight.
The shuttle is equipped with three IMUs and while the ship can safely
fly with just one, NASA flight rules require all three to be operating
at launch to provide backups in case of an emergency.
Two of the IMUs were installed aboard Columbia shortly before its
10th flight, an astronomy mission carried out last December. The unit
that failed, serial number 23, has been on board since a January 1986
mission that ended just 10 days before Challenger's final flight.
Replacing the unit was expected to take about one day but work to top
off fuel supplies for the shuttle's electrical generators, and to
replace the crew's supply of research animals was expected to delay the
flight at least four days to Wednesday at the earliest.
``The team was looking forward to being rewarded today,'' Sieck said.
``They did a super job of turning around from the previous equipment
failures. In this business ... disappointment is something we deal with.
We're going to attack it and fix it and get on with flying this machine.
''
|
| 693.103 | Columbia repaired and ready to restart launch | 58453::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Sun Jun 02 1991 21:38 | 81 |
| From: [email protected] (WILLIAM HARWOOD, UPI Science Writer)
Subject: Columbia set for countdown restart
Date: 2 Jun 91 19:12:18 GMT
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (UPI) - Engineers replaced a balky navigation
unit Sunday aboard the shuttle Columbia and geared up to restart the
ship's interrupted countdown to blastoff Wednesday on a medical research
flight now running 14 days behind schedule.
Columbia, its seven-member crew, 30 rats and some 2,500 baby
jellyfish were grounded Saturday just 45 minutes before the ship's
planned launch by a faulty navigation device called an inertial
measurement unit, or IMU.
A spare IMU was installed aboard Columbia overnight Saturday and
engineers spent the day Sunday putting the high-tech device through a
series of tests to make sure it would work properly.
At the same time, technicians removed the rats and jellyfish so fresh
specimens can be loaded aboard early Tuesday.
NASA spokesman Bruce Buckingham said the repair work was proceeding
smoothly and that engineers planned to restart Columbia's interrupted
countdown at 1 a.m. Monday for a launch attempt at 8 a.m. Wednesday, 14
days late because of two time-consuming delays triggered by unrelated
technical glitches.
With repair work on track at launch pad 39-B, commander Bryan
O'Connor and co-pilot Sidney Gutierrez flew to Edwards Air Force Base,
Calif., early Sunday to practice landings in a NASA business jet
modified to mimic a shuttle's handling characteristics during final
approach.
They were to fly back to the Kennedy Space Center late Sunday to
rejoin their five crewmates.
O'Connor, 44, Gutierrez, 39, Tamara Jernigan, 32, James Bagian, 39,
Margaret Rhea Seddon, 43, Andrew ``Drew'' Gaffney, 44, and Millie
Hughes-Fulford, 45, plan to spend nine days in orbit carrying out the
most ambitious slate of bio-medical experiments in shuttle history.
The goal of the mission is to learn more about how the body and its
many complex systems react to weightlessness so scientists can figure
out ways to combat the deleterious effects of spaceflight, such as space
sickness, bone loss and muscle deconditioning.
Such research is crucial to clearing the way for future long-term
stays aboard orbiting space stations and eventual flights to Mars and
beyond, which could take years to complete.
Seddon and Bagian are physicians and full-time NASA astronauts while
Gaffney, a cardiologist, and Hughes-Fulford, a biochemist, are making
the flight as ``payload specialists,'' researchers assigned to a shuttle
mission on a one-time-only basis.
In one of a battery of experiments, an instrumented catheter was
inserted into a vein in Gaffney's right arm Friday and maneuvered within
2 inches of his heart to monitor fluid shifts brought on by the onset of
weightlessness.
Doctors decided to leave the catheter in place after the delay
Saturday. It will be removed, as originally planned, by Gaffney and his
medical crewmates about 10 hours after launch.
Working inside a roomy Spacelab module mounted in Columbia's cargo
bay, Bagian, Seddon, Gaffney and Hughes-Fulford will repeatedly draw
blood, collect urine samples and make a host of other measurements to
find out how the body's major systems react to the absence of gravity.
The rats will be killed and dissected after the mission to find out
if rodents can be used to model human reactions to weightlessness.
Because rats of a certain age and condition are needed for the
research, a fresh set of rodents is to be loaded aboard Columbia early
Tuesday, along with a fresh supply of jellyfish.
Columbia's original launch date was May 22 but the flight was delayed
10 days after a computer failed, an electronic control device
malfunctioned and NASA managers received test results indicating
potentially catastrophic cracks in critical fuel line temperature
sensors.
The faulty parts were replaced and retested, clearing the way for a
second launch try Saturday. But it was not to be.
Early Saturday, engineers ran into problems with an acceleration
sensor in IMU NO. 2, one of three identical devices used to feed
critical position and velocity data to the shuttle's four primary flight
computers.
After three unsuccessful attempts to get the balky IMU calibrated,
launch director Robert Sieck canceled the countdown.
The shuttle is equipped with three IMUs and while the ship can safely
fly with just one, NASA flight rules require all three to be operating
at launch to provide backups in case of an emergency.
Two of the IMUs were installed aboard Columbia shortly before its
10th flight, an astronomy mission carried out last December. The unit
that failed, serial number 23, had been on board since a January 1986
mission that ended just 10 days before Challenger's final flight.
|
| 693.104 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 05/31/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jun 03 1991 10:06 | 58 |
| From: NASA Spacelink
Organization: NASA
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1991 - 10 AM
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-B
LAUNCH - JUNE 1
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Countdown operations on schedule for launch on Saturday.
- Preparations to move the rotating service structure to the park
position at 11 a.m. today.
- Preparations to load the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen
propellants into the external tank tonight.
- Preparations to load the remaining 10 rodents and the some
2,500 tiny jellyfish into the middeck later today.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Loading of 20 of the 30 rodents into the Spacelab module early
this morning.
- Disconnection of the orbiter midbody umbilical unit used in
loading the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen reactants into the
orbiter's onboard storage tanks.
- Activation of the orbiter's communications systems.
- Loading of rodent food and activating systems on board the
Spacelab module for flight.
- Countdown entered a 20 hour, 40 minute built-in hold at the
T-11 hour mark at 9 p.m. last night.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Countdown resumes at 5:40 p.m. tonight.
- Begin chilldown to load the external tank with cryogenic
propellants at 11:40 p.m. tonight.
- Flight crew wake up at 3 a.m. tomorrow.
- Crew departs Operations and Checkout Building at 4:45 a.m.
- Launch at 8 a.m. EDT Saturday, June 1. Launch window closes at
10 a.m. EDT.
FLIGHT CREW:
Commander Bryan O'Connor and Pilot Sid Gutierrez flew in the
T-38 jets this morning. Also this morning, all crew members will
be briefed on the status of the vehicle, the payload and weather
conditions expected at launch time.
This afternoon, a catheter will be inserted in a vein in the
arm of Payload Specialist Drew Gaffney and positioned near his
heart as part of research in how the cardiovascular system adapts
to zero-gravity. The catheter will be removed several hours after
launch.
WEATHER FORECAST:
- Probability of having acceptable weather at 8 a.m. Saturday is
60 percent. For the overall window, there is a 70 percent chance
of being within launch weather commit criteria.
|
| 693.105 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/01/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jun 03 1991 10:09 | 45 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS - SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 1991 11 A.M.
STS-40/SLS-1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-B
Launch of Columbia was scrubbed this morning at about 7:15
a.m. EDT today when one of three inertial measurement units
(IMUs) was deemed unacceptable for launch. The IMUs are the heart
of the orbiter's navigation system and all three are necessary
for launch. The accelerometers in IMU no. 2 were behaving errati-
cally early this morning.
IMU no. 2 will be replaced starting later today. The 58
pound unit is located in the orbiter's flight deck just forward
of the control and display panels. Each IMU is about 10 inches
high, 11.5 inches wide and 22 inches long.
Liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellants are being
drained from the external tank today. Residual hydrogen will be
allowed to boiloff until tomorrow morning.
Liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen storage farms at the pad
will be replenished on Sunday and Monday.
Columbia's fuel cell storage tanks will be topped off with
liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen reactants on Monday.
STS-40 Commander Bryan O'Connor and pilot Sid Gutierrez will
be flown by STA to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. tomorrow. They
will practice landing approaches on the primary landing site's
runways, and return to KSC tomorrow night. The rest of the crew
will remain at KSC for the Wednesday launch attempt. Payload
specialist Drew Gaffney will leave the catheter in place in a
vein near his heart.
The 30 rodents and some 2,500 tiny jellyfish will be re-
placed in the orbiter middeck and in the Spacelab. These opera-
tions will be conducted in parallel with the IMU replacement.
Pending the successful completion of planned work, the
launch countdown is scheduled to resume at the T-11 hour mark at
about 5:40 p.m. EDT Tuesday. Launch is planned for 8 a.m. EDT
Wednesday, June 5.
|
| 693.106 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/02/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jun 03 1991 10:11 | 52 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS - SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 1991 -- 11:30 a.m.
_________________________________________________________________
STS-40/SLS-1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-B
LAUNCH - Targeted for JUNE 5 at 8:00 a.m.
Operations at pad 39-B continue this morning as workers move
ahead with launch scrub turn around procedures. Work to replace
the faulty inertial measurement unit that failed yesterday and
prompted the scrub of mission STS-40 has been completed and
engineers have begun the IMU retest. By Monday evening, the IMU
calibrations should be complete.
The launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia and the Spacelab
Life Sciences mission STS-40 is currently targeted for 8:00 a.m.
Wednesday, June 5. Based on this schedule, the countdown is
targeted to begin at the T-27 hour mark at 1:00 a.m. Monday, June
3. The clock will count to the T-16 hour mark and hold at 12 noon
Monday for 4 hours. Then at 4:00 p.m. Monday the clock will
resume counting and hold again at the T-11 hour mark at 9:00 p.m.
The clock will hold at the T-11 hour mark until 5:40 p.m.
Tuesday. At that time the countdown will resume the normal
timeline scheduled for mission STS-40.
Ten of 30 rodents were removed from two animal enclosure
modules last night at about 5:00 p.m. The approximately 2500
jellyfish were also removed at that time.
Removal of the other 20 rats, located in the research and
animal holding facility in the spacelab module in Columbia's
payload bay, is scheduled to begin at 10:00 p.m. tonight.
Other work at the pad today includes circulating an inert
gas into the external tank to keep it dry. Additional liquid
oxygen is scheduled to be delivered to the pad today. A delivery
of additional liquid hydrogen will arrive at the pad tomorrow.
The orbiter mid-body umbilical unit has been mated to Columbia
and the connections leak checked. Fuel cell topping off
operations are scheduled for early Monday morning.
Mission STS-40 Commander Bryan O'Connor and Pilot Sidney
Gutierrez departed for Edwards Air Force Base, California, this
morning at 6:00 a.m. to practice landing approaches on the
primary landing site's runways. They plan on returning to KSC at
about 8:30 tonight.
The remaining five members of the prime crew are staying in
town. Their activities today include reviewing procedures and
repeating any medical baseline testing that is required.
|
| 693.107 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/03/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jun 03 1991 17:46 | 55 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1991 - 11 AM
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-B
LAUNCH - JUNE 5
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Countdown operations on schedule for launch on Wednesday.
- Loading liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen reactants on board
the orbiter to top off the storage tanks for flight.
- Preparations to load the 30 rodents early tomorrow and the some
2,500 tiny jellyfish into the middeck later tomorrow.
- Calibration of the newly installed inertial measurement unit.
- Activation of the orbiter's communications system later today.
- Closing out the orbiter for flight.
- Countdown will hold for 4 hours at the T-16 hour mark at 12
noon. During the hold, the pad will be reopened and the orbiter
midbody umbilical unit will be disconnected from the orbiter.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Installation of the new inertial measurement unit.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Loading of a new set rodents and jellyfish on board the
Spacelab module and in the orbiter's middeck early tomorrow morn-
ing.
- Countdown will enter a 20 hour, 40 minute built-in hold at the
T-11 hour mark at 9 p.m. tonight.
- Rotating service structure moves at 11 a.m. tomorrow.
- Begin chilldown to load the external tank with cryogenic
propellants at 11:40 p.m. tomorrow night.
- Launch at 8 a.m. EDT Wednesday, June 5. Launch window closes at
10 a.m. EDT.
FLIGHT CREW:
Commander Bryan O'Connor and Pilot Sid Gutierrez flew to Ed-
wards Air Force Base, Calif. yesterday to practice approaches in
the Shuttle Training Aircraft at the primary landing site. They
left KSC yesterday at about 6 a.m. and returned at 8:50 p.m.
This morning, O'Connor, Gutierrez and Mission Specialists
Tamara Jernigan flew in STAs. All crew members will be briefed on
the status of the vehicle, the payload and weather conditions ex-
pected at launch time. Pre-flight medical operations associated
with the flight are also planned today.
WEATHER FORECAST:
- Probability of having acceptable weather at 8 a.m. Wednesday is
60 percent. For the overall window, there is a 70 percent chance
of being within launch weather commit criteria. Forecasts are
acceptable for the Transoceanic Abort Landing sites at Moron,
Spain and Ben Guerir, Morroco for launch on Wednesday.
|
| 693.108 | L-2 Weather - 06/03/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jun 03 1991 17:51 | 49 |
| STS-40 L-2 WEATHER
L-2 Day Weather Forecast for STS-40
Conditions expected on Friday, 6/5/91
Synopsis: A surface trough of low pressure will extend across
northern Florida. A surface low will be located in the western
Atlantic Ocean. An upper level trough of low pressure will be
located from southern Georgia into the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
Showers and thunderstorms will be occuring mainly to the west of
the Cape, with possible anvil clouds or thunderstorm debris
clouds affecting the launch area.
At 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning conditions are forecast to be:
Clouds: 2,500-6,000 scattered cumulus (25% sky coverage)
10,000-12,000 scattered altocumulus (25% sky coverage)
25,000-28,000 scattered cirrus (35% sky coverage)
Visibility: 7+ miles
Wind - Pad 39B: WSW at 10 to 17 knots
Temperature: 78 degrees
Dewpoint: 73 degrees
Humidity: 87%
Precipitation: chance of showers
Probability of launch weather criteria violation at the beginning
of the launch period: 40%
Probability of launch weather criteria violation over the
duration of the launch period: 30%
Probability of tanking constraint violation: 5%
Chance of violation at launch time on Thursday: 40%
overall window: 30%
Chance of violation at launch time on Friday: 40%
overall window: 30%
Developed by Cape Canaveral Forecast Facility
USAF Air Weather Service 6/03/91
|
| 693.109 | | 8713::TAVARES | Stay low, keep moving | Mon Jun 03 1991 17:54 | 6 |
| It struck me as strange that they would destroy the present load
of rats (by feeding them to experimental animals, I think the
note said)...is this another case of a contractor trying to sell
as many rats as possible (at $1000 a copy no doubt)? Any ideas
on that one?
|
| 693.110 | Not better with age! | 58457::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Mon Jun 03 1991 23:21 | 5 |
| Re: -1
A couple of notes back it was mentioned that the research animals must be of
a certain age and freshness. Thus new animals are required.
|
| 693.111 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/04/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Jun 04 1991 15:58 | 54 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 1991 - 11 AM
STS-40/SPACELAB LIFE SCIENCES 1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - PAD 39-B
LAUNCH - JUNE 5
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Countdown operations on schedule for launch on Wednesday.
- Retract the rotating service structure away from the vehicle at
11 a.m.
- Closing out the Spacelab tunnel for flight.
- Loading of 10 rodents and nearly 2,500 jellyfish on board the
Spacelab module and in the orbiter's middeck later today.
- 20-hour, 40-minute built-in hold ends at 5:40 p.m. today, with
count resuming at the T-11 hour mark.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Loading liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen reactants on board
the orbiter to top off the storage tanks for flight.
- Calibration of the newly installed inertial measurement unit.
- Activation of the orbiter's communications system.
- Loading of 19 rodents into the Spacelab module. Because of in-
termittent false leak alarms in the water delivery system of one
cage compartment of the Research Animal Holding Facility, the
water delivery system was shut down. Consequently, only 19 rats
have been loaded in the Spacelab. These 19 plus the 10 rats in
the middeck will give a total of 29 rodents instead of the
original 30. This decision was made so that all animals would be
assured of adequate drinking water. This change will still allow
all of the principal investigators to meet the scientific objec-
tives of their investigations.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Begin chilldown to load the external tank with cryogenic
propellants at 11:40 p.m. tonight.
- Flight crew awakens at 3 a.m. tomorrow.
- Crew departs Operations and Checkout Building at 4:45 a.m.
- Launch at 8 a.m. EDT Wednesday, June 5. Launch window closes at
10 a.m. EDT.
FLIGHT CREW:
This morning, Commander Bryan O'Connor and Pilot Sid Gutier-
rez practiced approaches to the Shuttle Landing Facility in the
T-38 jets. All crew members will be briefed on the status of the
vehicle, the payload and weather conditions expected at launch
time.
WEATHER FORECAST:
- Probability of having acceptable weather at 8 a.m. Wednesday is
50 percent. For the overall window, there is a 60 percent chance
of being within launch weather commit criteria.
|
| 693.112 | Up, up and away | 30086::REITH | Jim Reith DTN 226-6102 - LTN2-1/F02 | Wed Jun 05 1991 09:48 | 6 |
| Well, they're off and on their way. Launch just occured at about 9:30am
EST and I heard them successful through SRB separation while on the
phone with my wife about something else (I asked if the shuttle had
gone at 8am and she switched to CNN at T-15 seconds. Don't know the
cause of the 1:30 delay but this mornings radio news said that they
were watching a cold front with thunderstorms to the north.
|
| 693.113 | in orbit | 25491::BIRO | | Wed Jun 05 1991 10:19 | 8 |
| The delay was for weather, they wanted it clear enought so that the
shuttle could land.
The launch according to NPR was at 09:25 EST and it is in
a 150km orbit.
john
|
| 693.114 | Clarify Orbit? | 2631::DAHL | Tom Dahl, CDMS | Wed Jun 05 1991 10:41 | 7 |
| RE: <<< Note 693.113 by 25491::BIRO >>>
> a 150km orbit.
I assume this is a typo and really should be 150nm. 150km is ~93sm or ~81nm.
An orbit this low would only last for a few revolutions.
-- Tom
|
| 693.115 | correcton | 25491::BIRO | | Wed Jun 05 1991 11:43 | 4 |
| got me, yup, that should have been nm
jb
|
| 693.116 | Columbia launched into 178 mile high orbit | 58457::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Wed Jun 05 1991 16:34 | 83 |
| From: [email protected] (WILLIAM HARWOOD, UPI Science Writer)
Subject: Shuttle launched on medical research flight
Date: 5 Jun 91 14:47:50 GMT
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (UPI) -- The shuttle Columbia, carrying seven
astronauts, 29 doomed rats and 2,500 baby jellyfish, thundered safely
into orbit Wednesday on an unprecedented medical research flight to help
pave the way for future trips to Mars.
Running one hour and 25 minutes late because of concern about heavy
clouds, Columbia blasted off at 9:25 a.m. EDT to kick off NASA's third
shuttle flight in just 61 days, the first totally dedicated to
biomedical studies and the first featuring three women.
``We think we're off to an outstanding mission that will be the first
in a series of ever increasingly complicated studies of life in the
weightless environment,'' said William Lenoir, NASA's associate
administrator for space flight.
At the controls were commander Bryan O'Connor, 44, and co-pilot
Sidney Gutierrez, 39, assisted by flight engineer Tamara Jernigan, 32.
Also on board were medical researchers James Bagian, 39, Margaret
Rhea Seddon, 43, Millie Hughes-Fulford, 45, and Andrew ``Drew'' Gaffney,
44. Gaffney and Hughes-Fulford are civilians making a one-time-only
flight while the rest are full-time NASA astronauts.
After slipping into a planned 178-mile-high orbit, the astronauts
began breaking out equipment and gearing up to open the shuttle's cargo
bay doors.
``We're certainly pleased to have Columbia and the crew and all the
critters in orbit,'' said launch director Robert Sieck.
The successful launch was a particularly welcome shot in the arm for
NASA, which is fighting to convince Congress not to kill the agency's
beleaguered space station project.
NASA Admninistrator Richard Truly described Columbia's takeoff as
``picture perfect,'' saying, ``I wish I was on board.'' He then headed
back to Washington where the House of Representatives was scheduled to
debate the station issue Thursday.
Launch came two weeks behind schedule because of a series of
frustrating technical glitches, including a faulty computer, work to
replace cracked fuel line temperature sensors and a balky navigation
device that blocked a launch try Saturday.
In one of several ``firsts'' for the 41st shuttle mission, Gaffney, a
noted cardiologist, made the climb to space with a catheter snaked into
his chest through a vein in his right arm to study how the
cardiovascular system responds to the rigors of launch and the onset of
weightlessness.
He planned to remove the catheter about 10 hours after liftoff. In
the meantime, the astronauts planned to spend most of their first day in
space setting up shop inside a 23-foot-long, 16-foot-wide Spacelab
module in Columbia's payload bay that is connected to the crew module by
a long tunnel.
Bagian and Seddon -- both physicians -- Gaffney and Hughes-Fulford, a
cellular biologist, are responsible for carrying out the mission's
primary experiments while O'Connor, Gutierrez and Jernigan are
responsible for keeping Columbia shipshape and operating smoothly.
Over the course of their planned nine-day mission, the astronauts
plan to conduct an exhaustive battery of medical tests and experiments
to provide the best look yet at how the human body reacts to
weightlessness and how it readapts to gravity after the return to Earth.
Data from Columbia's flight may help scientists develop drugs or
other therapies to combat nauseating space sickness, bone loss and
muscle deconditioning that might otherwise prevent long-term stays
aboard future space stations or spacecraft bound for Mars and beyond.
``We hope to get, for the first time on four subjects, measurements
on a lot of different kinds of systems,'' Seddon said before takeoff.
``A lot of these tests have taken place individually. But never before
have we had four subjects over a long period of time testing many
systems and seeing how they're all integrated together.
``I think it's going to be pretty interesting to see how the heart
and lungs work together, how the hormones (work), many different things
that we think will provide an integrated picture to what happens to the
human body.''
If all goes well, O'Connor and Gutierrez will guide Columbia to a
landing June 14 at Edwards Air Force Base in California's Mojave Desert
to close out a nine-day, three-hour and 50-minute flight spanning 3.8
million miles.
Joining the seven human crew members aboard Columbia were 29 rats and
some 2,500 tiny jellyfish.
Scientists hope to gain insights into how weightlessness affects the
human inner ear by studying ``gravity receptors'' used by the jellyfish
to orient themselves in the sea.
The rats will not undergo any tests during the mission but they will
be killed after the flight so tissue samples can be studied to find out
if rodents can be used to model the responses of human systems. If so,
rats will be used in future flights for more extensive research.
|
| 693.117 | First Irish citizen in space | JANUS::BARKER | Jeremy Barker - T&N/CBN Diag. Eng. - Reading, UK | Thu Jun 06 1991 07:49 | 5 |
| The commander, Bryan O'Connor, was granted Irish citizenship about 3 weeks
ago - he is entitled to dual Irish nationality because his grandparents
were Irish. This makes him the first Irish citizen to fly in space.
jb
|
| 693.118 | Problem on Columbia | 15372::LEPAGE | Welcome to the Machine | Thu Jun 06 1991 13:17 | 9 |
|
I jsut heard that an emergency EVA will be required during this
flight. Apparently a payload bay door seal is out of its groove. Left
unrepaired, this could prevent the payload doors from closing properly
before reentry.
More later...
Drew
|
| 693.119 | Seal break update | 25625::KLAES | All the Universe, or nothing! | Thu Jun 06 1991 17:03 | 100 |
| Article 1396
From: [email protected] (WILLIAM HARWOOD, UPI Science Writer)
Newsgroups: clari.tw.space,clari.news.aviation
Subject: Columbia astronauts gather medical data
Date: 6 Jun 91 17:10:52 GMT
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (UPI) -- The Columbia astronauts collected
priceless medical data about the effects of weightlessness Thursday amid
concern about a broken cargo bay seal that could require an emergency
spacewalk repair later in the mission.
At least two insulation blankets, and a section of rubber seal that
acts like a front door's weather stripping, pulled free from Columbia's
rear payload bay bulkhead during launch Wednesday.
While the displaced blankets posed no threat to the mission,
engineers were concerned the broken seal, pulled out of its channel and
hanging free near the top of the bulkhead, could get caught in the
payload bay door latch mechanism when the 60-foot-long panels are closed
for re-entry next week.
Engineers were optimistic that an emergency spacewalk, called an
extravehicular activity, or EVA, by NASA, would not be required. But
they refused to rule out the possibility, pending the results of an
ongoing analysis.
``We've got a lot of people working on the environmental seal and
we're trying to determine by analysis if we'll be able to close the
doors safely with the environmental seal where it is currently,''
astronaut Jan Davis radioed the crew from mission control in Houston.
``We're hopeful we can clear it by analysis. If we can't, there's
a possibility that we'd do an EVA to replace or remove that seal. We
wouldn't do that EVA any earlier than flight day four (Saturday).''
Astronauts James Bagian and Tamara Jernigan are Columbia's designated
emergency spacewalk personnel should a payload bay excursion be ordered.
If so, the crew's research program would be interrupted and
Columbia's air pressure would have to be lowered to prevent the
spacewalkers from getting the bends in their low-pressure spacesuits.
And that likely would have an impact on the medical data the crew was
launched to gather.
The goal of Columbia's mission, NASA's third in two months, is to
gather data providing an integrated look at how the human body reacts to
weightlessness, knowledge considered crucial for future long-duration
flights to Mars and beyond.
On board are Bagian, 39, flight engineer Jernigan, 32, commander
Bryan O'Connor, 44, co-pilot Sidney Gutierrez, 39, Margaret Rhea Seddon,
43, Andrew ``Drew'' Gaffney, 44, and Millie Hughes-Fulford, 45. Gaffney
and Hughes-Fulford are civilian researchers joining the crew on a one-
time-only basis.
Joining the human astronauts are 29 white mice and 2,500 baby
jellyfish that are the subject of several experiments to find out if
such animals can be used to model human responses.
``We looked in a couple of the cages last night before we went to
bed,'' Seddon radioed mission control Thursday. ``The rats looked happy,
one was smiling at us and the other one was sleeping and they looked
real clean and real nice.''
All 29 will be killed after the flight so tissue samples can be
studied in detail.
Working inside a roomy Spacelab module in Columbia's cargo
bay, the crew spent the day Thursday conducting a variety of
experiments, collecting blood, urine and saliva samples while
gathering cardiovascular data about how the heart, lungs and blood
systems adapt to the absence of gravity.
If all goes well, O'Connor and Gutierrez will guide Columbia to a
landing June 14 at Edwards Air Force Base in California's Mojave Desert.
With operations in orbit going smoothly, engineers on Earth studied
the seal problem to determine whether Columbia's cargo bay doors will be
able to close properly or whether an emergency spacewalk might be required.
Only two unplanned spacewalks have ever been conducted by American
astronauts. The most recent was conducted April 7 when astronauts Jay
Apt and Jerry Ross ventured into the shuttle Atlantis's cargo bay to
free a jammed antenna on a $617 million astronomy satellite.
Engineers believe the insulation blankets and the seal aboard
Columbia popped free of the aft bulkhead when trapped air rushed out of
the payload bay during the climb to orbit. Similar, though more minor,
instances have been noted during previous shuttle flights.
While the loose blankets were not considered a problem, the section
of broken seal prompted NASA managers to order engineers at the Kennedy
Space Center to inspect a similar seal aboard the shuttle Discovery to
find out what, if anything, might need to be done aboard Columbia.
``The primary concern is for that seal to get caught in one of the
door latches when the doors are closed for entry,'' said NASA spokesman
Kyle Herring. ``The major concern is the seal could bind in one of the
latches and the latch would not lock properly for entry and landing.''
|
| 693.120 | NASA element set | 25491::BIRO | | Fri Jun 07 1991 08:16 | 13 |
|
here is the latest NASA element set for STS-40
1991-040A (Launch 91-40- A) Set: 5, Obj: 21399
Epoch Year: 1991 Day: 157.163078700 Orbit # 9
Inclination = 39.00370000 R.A.A.N = 329.28860000
Eccentricity = 0.00152840 Arg of Per = 353.29300000
Mean Anomaly = 270.39340000 Mean Motion = 15.94800719
Drag = 0.10477E-02 Frequency = 0.000
S.M.A. = 6666.9647 Anom Period = 90.2934
Apogee Ht = 298.9945 Perigee Ht = 278.6149
|
| 693.121 | How do you get to the cargo bay? | DECWIN::FISHER | "I am NOT a Merry Man"--Worf | Fri Jun 07 1991 12:29 | 5 |
| How does one get into the cargo bay with Spacelab there? Does Spacelab have
another airlock? (It is connected to the crew cabin via a tunnel to the
airlock normally used in EVAs, correct?
Burns
|
| 693.122 | MCC and POCC Status Reports (Days 1-4) | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Sun Jun 09 1991 12:32 | 447 |
| MCC STATUS REPORT - FLIGHT DAY 1
6 p.m. CDT
6/05/91
Following a flawless ascent and insertion to orbit, the
astronaut crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia has completed
activation of the Spacelab module subsystems and has begun
collecting science data.
All systems aboard Columbia and the laboratory module are
working extremely well, allowing the flight crew and flight
controllers to dedicate their full attention to the mission
objectives of this first dedicated life sciences flight.
While astronauts worked to activate laboratory systems this
morning, flight controllers remotely controlled payload bay
cameras aboard the orbiter to inspect some thermal insulation
blankets which have partially detached from their place on
the aft bulkead of the payload bay. While surveying the
area, flight controllers noticed that a short length of seal
along the payload bay door sill at the top of the aft
bulkhead had also come unseated. The television images were
recorded on the ground for engineering analysis. Neither
condition has caused any immediate concern, and whether the
seal poses any threat to payload bay doors closing has yet to
be determined. However, that possibility is considered doubtful.
The crew will be put to bed this evening about 8 p.m. central
time and will be awakened about 4:20 a.m. central time Thursday
to begin their first full day of science operations.
STS-40 POCC STATUS REPORT
6 p.m. CDT June 5, 1991
After a one hour, 24 minute delay due to marginal weather,
Columbia was launched today on shuttle mission STS-40 with the
Spacelab Life Sciences-1 module in the payload bay, the 41st
shuttle launch. Spacelab Life Sciences 1 (SLS-1) is the first
dedicated life sciences Shuttle mission. The objective is to
carry out a comprehensive interrelated set of experiments aimed
at understanding the physiological responses of humans exposed to
microgravity. Studies will be carried out over the next nine days
that will investigate the changes that occur to the
cardiovascular/cardiopulmonary systems, the renal/endocrine
systems, the musculoskeletal system, the neurovestibular system,
the immune system, as well as the various components of the
blood.
Science activities today began while the orbiter was still
on the launch pad, with readings being taken from a catheter with
which Mission Specialist Drew Gaffney was instrumented. The
indwelling catheter measures some of the important cardiovascular
and fluid shift changes experienced. Data also was gathered soon
after launch with the earliest measurements of changes in leg
volume due to fluid shifts as well as blood sample and urine
sample collections. In addition, payload crew members were
injected with chemical tracers that will help track certain
changes in kidney function.
Three hours and 44 minutes after launch, the first crew
member entered the Spacelab module to begin preparing for
remaining activities. Those included echocardiography
measurements to obtain ultrasound images of the heart, an
immunology experiment aimed at looking at how well lymphocytes,
white blood cells, function in microgravity.
MISSION STATUS REPORT, THURSDAY, JUNE 6
11:30 A.M. CDT
Columbia's crew was awakened at 4:20 a.m. CDT to Jerry Lee
Lewis' "Great Balls of Fire" and immediately began
participating in experiments in support of the Spacelab Life
Sciences mission.
Blood samples were taken from each of the payload crewmembers
Rhea Seddon, Jim Bagian, Drew Gaffney and Millie Hughes-
Fulford. They also participated in an experiment testing
respiratory functions.
Orbiter crewmembers Bryan O'Connor, Sid Gutierrez and Tammy
Jernigan, continue to monitor systems of Columbia with no
problems being tracked. Jernigan is also assisting the
payload crewmembers in the Spacelab and activating middeck
experiments.
Early in the day, a small drop in cabin pressure was noticed
during operation of the Waste Containment System and O'Connor was
asked to cycle the WCS while the environmental consumables
officer monitored systems for any excessive loss of cabin
atmosphere. None was seen and the WCS is functioning normally.
Following discovery of a short length of environmental seal
out of place after payload bay door opening, the engineering
community has formed a team to determine any safety issues
associated with closing the payload bay doors for landing.
Possible options include examining whether the
seal would move away from the latch mechanisms when the doors
closed or whether a spacewalk would be required to put the
seal back in place or remove it completely. The primary safety
concern is the possibility of the seal binding in the latch
assemblies at time of door closure.
The unseated seal was discovered when remotely operated
payload bay cameras surveyed the payload bay shortly after
Columbia reached orbit. A thermal insulation blanket also
was seen to have popped loose from the aft bulkhead, but
it poses no safety problem.
MCC STATUS #3 - FLIGHT DAY TWO
5:30 P.M. CST - JUNE 6, 1991
Columbia's crew members completed their second day in orbit
today, after fourteen hours of measurements and investigations
into the reaction and adaptation of the human body to
microgravity. All scheduled activities have been accomplished
according to plan.
While the astronaut crew and flight controllers give their full
attention to the mission objectives, experts have been working
behind the scenes here in Houston to further evaluate the payload
bay door environmental seal, which came detached from its place
at the top of the aft payload bay bulkhead early in the flight.
It has not yet been determined that any action by the crew will
be required or, if so, just what the action might entail.
Although the possibility of a spacewalk to fix or remove the seal
has been considered, no concrete plans have yet been adopted.
Comumbia and crew continue to perform well. Crew members will
begin their sleep shift about 5:20 p.m. central time tonight and
will be awakened tomorrow morning at 4:20 a.m. central time to
begin another day of intensive work.
POCC Status Report SLS-1
JUNE 6, 1991
Members of the Spacelab Life Sciences 1 crew are busy conducting
their second day of research in orbit. Most of today's
activities are related to baroreflex, pulmonary function, and
muscle protein metabolism studies. The baroreflex studies focus
on how the human blood pressure and heart regulation mechanisms
work in microgravity. The pulmonary function tests are the first
studies of lung function in space. Cardiovascular data to help
determine cardiac output (the amount of blood pumped out of the
heart per minute) also is being gathered today. This activity
was delayed yesterday while a critical piece of hardware was
allowed to stabilize. The device, the Gas Anaylzer Mass
Spectrometer, is now functioning properly. Finally, crewmembers
will be injected with tracers that will give information related
to body fluid volumes. The crew which awoke at approximately 5
a.m. Central Time began its 12-hour research day about 7 a.m.
Yesterday the crew had a smooth and productive first day in space
accomplishing a majority of planned science activities.
Scheduled metabolic studies were fully accomplished as were the
activities related to the immunology studies. Cardiovascular
data including echocardiographs, blood pressure readings, heart
rate readings, and central venous pressure measurements were all
accomplished. The central venous pressure catheter that had been
inserted into one of the Payload Specialists previous to flight
was removed as planned.
STS-40 Status Report #4
MISSION CONTROL CENTER
Friday, June 7, 1991, 4:30 a.m. CDT
A military medley woke Columbia's seven-member crew this morning
to begin the third day of investigating the human body's reaction
to microgravity.
All data collection activities continue to go extremely well.
Today, crew members will test their neurovestibular systems,
collect blood and urine samples, work-out on Columbia's exercise
bicycle and check on the animals.
The payloads officer early Thursday evening reported that the
rats in the Research Animal Holding Facility and in the Animal
Enclosure Module appear and act healthy. She added that the rats
in the RAHF appear to be eating more and moving around more than
their counterparts on the middeck.
About 8 p.m. CDT Thursday, just before crew members began
their sleep period, one of the Space Shuttle Columbia's
vernier jets designated L5L failed. After three hot firings
in rapid succession, Columbia's crew recovered the jet. The
propulsion officer later reported that it was believed that a
helium bubble in the jet caused the temporary failure.
At about 10:30 p.m. CDT, ground controllers detected a
temperature alarm in quadrant four of the RAHF when that
quandrant's temperature reached the container's lower level of 72
degrees Farenheit. After some discussion, investigators and
flight controllers agreed to lower the temperature limit to 69
degrees Farenheit to prevent any disruption of crew
members sleep period. Investigators and flight controllers
reported that the lower temperature limit will not pose a
hazard to the rodents.
Flight controllers also are reviewing plans for adjusting the
Spacelab activities and configuring the Spacelab should an
extravehicular activity or spacewalk become necessary to work on
the loose payload bay door seal. The payload bay door
environmental seal came detached from its place at the top of the
aft payload bay bulkhead early in the flight.
MISSION CONTROL STATUS #5 -- FLIGHT DAY THREE
11:15 a.m. CDT, Friday, June 7, 1991
Payload activities associated with the Spacelab Life Sciences
flight continue to be the focus of Columbia's crew as the
mission reached its third flight day.
Crewmembers Rhea Seddon, Jim Bagian, Drew Gaffney and Millie
Hughes-Fulford provided daily blood samples in order to
closely monitor red blood cell production in the weightless
environment of space.
The crew also took measurements of body mass and collected
urine samples as required by the payload crew activity plan.
Testing of a work station in the Spacelab module was
conducted to help in verifying the unit's capability to
contain liquids and chemical vapors inside the acrylic
fixture. The General Purpose Work Station or GPWS was used
to disperse a liquid inside and ensure no particles would
escape into the module.
The test of the GPWS is to understand its capabilities and
any refinements or applications for use on future Spacelab
missions and for possible use on Space Station Freedom.
The orbiter crew of Commander Brian O'Connor, Pilot Sid
Gutierrez and Mission Specialist Tammy Jernigan continue to
monitor all systems aboard Columbia. No problems exist
aboard the vehicle at this time.
Routine maintenance of the orbiter included a supply water
dump shortly after crew wakeup; changeout of the carbon
dioxide-absorbing cannisters in the orbiter middeck and
Spacelab module; and alignment of the inertial measurement
unit platforms.
Orbiter payload activity today included operation of several
of the cannisters in support of the Getaway Special or GAS
program. These cannisters are mounted on a GAS bridge
assembly behind the Spacelab in Columbia's payload bay.
The GAS experiments operated today included testing new kinds
of miniaturized accelerometers subjected to vibration;
testing ultralight metals for possible application as shock-
absorbing material to shield spacecraft from orbital debris;
investigating potential advantages of crystal growth in
microgravity; and measuring angular motions or "jitter"
produced by various orbiter systems and crew motions.
Flight controllers and crew members attempted to troubleshoot
a "crosstalk" problem between the two air-to-ground circuits.
These circuits are split between the Payload Operations
Control Center in Huntsville, Ala., and the Mission Control
Center in Houston.
Meanwhile, an engineering team continues to evaluate what, if
anything, should be done regarding the environmental seal
that pulled loose during launch or payload bay door opening
Wednesday. A spacewalk to replace or remove the seal is
still a possible option, though analysis at the Kennedy Space
Center on Orbiter Discovery is continuing.
If program managers determine a spacewalk is required, it
would not occur prior to flight day five.
MCC STATUS REPORT #6 - FLIGHT DAY THREE
Friday 6/7/91
6:30 PM CDT
The crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia continues to keep pace
with a timeline packed with intensive investigations into the
reaction of the human body to microgravity. All science and
Orbiter activities are being accomplished as planned, while
Columbia and laboratory systems continue to perform without
flaw.
In addition to the ongoing life sciences investigations, the
crew experimented with a prototype filter designed to remove
contamination from air and water before it flows into the
Orbiter's humidity separators. Crew commander Bryan O'Connor
and pilot Sid Gutierrez carried out the test and beamed
television to the ground for engineering analysis. The test
was accomplished as planned and produced exceptional data for
designers of the filter. An additional test may be added to
the timeline later in the flight.
As is the case each day during this mission, the crew will
start its sleep shift tonight at about 8:15 central time.
The crew's circadian cycles are strictly managed to provide
for uniformity in the biomedical data collection. The crew
will again be awakened about 4:20 am central time tomorrow
for the start of its fourth day in orbit.
POCC STATUS REPORT #3
JUNE 7, 1991
The Spacelab Life Sciences 1 (SLS-1) crew began their third
day in space today. The science activities for the day
include cardiovascular, neurovestibular, and metabolic
measurements related to understanding the human body's
response to microgravity. In addition, tests will be
performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the particulate
containment capabilities of the Research Animal Holding
Facility (RAHF) which is one of the facilities used to house
the rats that are onboard SLS-1. Other animal activities
include the videotaping of the jellyfish onboard as well as
videotaping the rats in their cages.
The cardiovascular measurements include leg volume
measurements, and echocardiography imaging of the heart while
the crew members are exercising at a sub-maximum level. The
neurovestibular measurements that will be made involve how
aware the crew members are about the position of their limbs,
their posture, and various target locations. The metabolic
measurements involve the collection of blood samples, urine
samples and measurements of body mass, all of which are done
on a daily basis. In addition, the crew members will be
injected with tracers to measure the rate of iron uptake in
the blood.
Yesterday the crew had a full day and were able to accomplish
all of the planned science activities. The baroreflex
studies and the pulmonary function studies were the major
activities of the day. In addition, muscle protein metabolism
studies were carried out as well as lymphocyte activation
studies. Cardiovascular measurements were also taken on
various crew members.
MCC STATUS REPORT #7 - FLIGHT DAY FOUR
12:30 PM CDT -- JUNE 8, 1991
Columbia's crew was notified near the end of the Orbit 1
shift (12:30 pm CDT) that a spacewalk will not be required in
order to safely close the payload bay doors for the return
home on Friday.
Meanwhile, scientific data collection in support of the
Spaclab Life Sciences-1 mission continue to take priority as
Columbia and crew begin the fourth flight day of the STS-40
mission.
In the module, payload crewmembers conducted experiments in
better understanding effects of the microgravity environment
on the human body.
Aboard the orbiter, all systems are performing exceptionally
well allowing most of the attention to be devoted to the
science portion of the mission.
The only activity outside systems monitoring for the crew on
the flight deck of Columbia was a procedure to recover use of
the camcorder using the power cable, but the voltage checks
were inconclusive. The camcorder can be operated using
rechargeable batteries.
The ops 2 recorder aboard Columbia began running without
being commanded near the end of the orbit 1 shift. The
signatures were similar to those seen prior to the launch of
Discovery last month on the STS-39 mission. Flight
controllers continue to monitor the recorder. The unit
records orbiter and payload data.
Also, the crew is monitoring closely the orbiter
refrigerator/freezer which has experienced intermittent
higher temperatures during the mission.
Earlier in the day, video tape was shown of activities at the
Kennedy Space Center to demonstrate that the payload bay
doors could be closed despite the protruding environmental
seal that was discovered shortly after Columbia reached
orbit.
The work at KSC was conducted on Discovery by astronaut Kathy
Sullivan and engineers in the Orbiter Processing Facility.
The analysis demonstrated the doors would close properly into
the latch-ready position.
Based on that analysis, it was determined that a spacewalk to
remove or replace the seal on Columbia would not be necessary
prior to payload bay door closure on flight day ten.
POCC STATUS #4 SLS-1
SLS-1
POCC STATUS REPORT #4
JUNE 8, 1991
The Spacelab Life Sciences 1 mission has begun the fourth day
of inflight activities about an hour ahead of schedule.
Today's physiological measurements include a continuation of
the baroreflex studies using the baroreflex neck cuff that
was used yesterday as well as a continuation of the
cardiopulmonary assessments being carried out to look at lung
function in space and the distribution of blood flow through
the lung. The daily collection of blood, urine, and the daily
measurements of body mass will be carried out as well. The
lymphocyte study will be continued with procedures that
include not only labeling and fixation of the lymphocyte
cells, but also spinning the cells at varied levels of
gravity in the centrifuge onboard.
A health check of the rats will take place today and some
very focussed hardware verification tests will be performed
that are related to the particulate containment capabilities
of the Research Animal Holding Facility (RAHF). The RAHF is
one of the hardware elements that house the rats and that
provide the environmental control systems. A test of this
facility was carried out successfully yesterday and today's
tests are related to the animal transfer units that are used
to move animals out of the RAHF to the General Purpose Work
Station (GPWS) and back to the RAHF. Finally, hardware
verification tests will be carried out on a Surgical Work
Station to evaluate the effectiveness and convenience of the
restraining features of this facility. The Surgical Work
Station is being considered for use in the Health Maintenance
Facility aboard Space Station Freedom
|
| 693.123 | Re: .121 - EVA access with Spacelab module | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Sun Jun 09 1991 12:59 | 21 |
| Assuming they are using payload bay configurations similar to prior
Spacelab missions with the experiment module flying, EVA access is
provided by the tunnel adapter - located between the orbiter
mid-deck and the Spacelab module:
---+
| +-------------
| EVA Hatch & |
| Airlock +======|
| / | | Spacelab Module
Orbiter | _____ | +=|
Mid- |-+ +-====================+ | |
Deck | | | |
| | Transfer Tunnel | |
|--------+=========================+ |
| \ |
Tunnel Adapter
- dave
|
| 693.124 | MCC Status Report #8 (Jun 8 - 05:00 CDT) | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Sun Jun 09 1991 13:46 | 49 |
| MISSION CONTROL CENTER Status Report #8
Flight Day 5
Sunday, June 8, 1991 -- 5 a.m. CDT
The Space Shuttle Columbia's crew was awakened at 4:20 a.m. CDT
for their fifth day in space to a tune performed by Mr. Raffi, a
childrens' music performer. Good morning greetings from crew
members' children followed and the message ended with "Somewhere
Out There" from the animated movie "An American Tail."
Following the wake-ups, a special message was sent to Payload
Specialist Drew Gaffney on the occasion of his 45th birthday
today. Several of the crew members' children passed along their
well wishes before singing "Happy Birthday."
On the ground, flight controllers report consumable management
has been successful and crew members have enough power in reserve
for a fully-powered day of Spacelab activities on Flight Day 7.
Originally that day was planned as a partial or un-powered day in
the Spacelab module.
Overnight, the crew received a link error message for the
Spacelab Experiment Computer Operating System at about 9:05 p.m.
CDT. Commander Bryan O'Connor and flight controllers worked a
troubleshooting procedure and recovered the computer within 10
minutes. ECOS activates, controls and monitors payload operations
and provides experiment data acquisition and handling.
Flight controllers are working on plans for the late deactivation
of the Spacelab module so a crew member can stay in the module to
observe the paylad bay door closing during the deorbit
preparations. The crew was notified Saturday that a spacewalk
will not be required in order to safely close the payload bay
doors for the return home June 14. Discussion of a possible
extravehicular activity arose when the crew and flight
controllers noticed the payload bay door's environmental seal had
come detached from its place at the top of the aft bulkhead early
in the flight.
Crew members will have a busy day as they continue with their
medical investigations. Among today's activities are body mass
measurement operations, pulmonary function testing,
echocardiograph operations, cardiovascular operations, a rodent
health check and troubleshooting the Gas Analyzer Mass
Spectrometer 2.
|
| 693.125 | Status Reports: MCC #9, POCC #5 (Jun 9) | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jun 10 1991 01:14 | 77 |
| MCC STATUS REPORT #9 -- Flight Day 5
Sunday, 1:30 p.m. CDT -- June 9, 1991
Columbia's crew sailed into the fifth flight day aboard a
vehicle free of any systems problems, allowing attention
to be focused on the Spacelab life sciences experiments.
This morning crewmembers took standard body mass measurements
and performed pulmonary function tests, echocardiograph
operations, cardiovascular operations and a rodent health check.
The orbiter crew retested a filter designed to
remove debris and contaminants from the air and water stream
coming from the cabin heat exchanger through the humidity
separator and into storage tanks below the floor of the
middeck.
While SLS-1 activities were going on, the orbiter crew
activated one of the 12 Getaway Special or GAS canisters in
aft payload bay. This canister contains five student
experiments from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. One
will attempt to grow large zeolite crystals. Another
will study the behavior of fluids in microgravity. The third
records information about sound, light, temperature and
pressure within the canister. A fourth will measure with precision
the acceleration of the Shuttle along three axes and the fifth
experiment will study the fogging of film in space.
All orbiter and Spacelab systems continue to perform very
well, with no problems being tracked by the flight control
team.
--------
SLS-1
POCC STATUS REPORT #5
JUNE 9, 1991
The crew aboard the orbiter Columbia are entering their fifth
day of science activities and once again are ahead of
schedule. Initial activity for the day includes the routine
urine collections and body mass measurements. The major
science to be carried out today includes the continuation of
the studies related to examining cardiovascular function both
at rest and under conditions of exercise. Initially,
echocardiographic images will be obtained from the
crewmembers while they are at rest. Following this procedure,
the crewmembers will begin exercising. In addition to the
previous levels of exercise that have been performed at 30%
and 60% of maximum, the crew will exercise to the level of
90% and 100% and carry out measurements of heart rate, blood
pressure, cardiac output, and look at the gas exchange
dynamics in the lung.
A new procedure will be carried out today related to the
examination of cardiovascular function. The compliance or
elasticity of the veins in the legs will be measured using
the System for Venous Occlusion Plethysmography (SVOP). This
system allows for an examination of blood pressure and blood
flow in the leg which is important to understand more fully
the fluid shift phenomena known to occur in space. Another
major activity will be the pulmonary function test which is a
continuation of similar activities carried out yesterday.
The hardware verification test of the Medical Restraint
System (MRS) was successfully carried out yesterday. The
assembly of this clinical examination table, which is slated
for potential use on the Space Station Freedom, went very
smoothly and the restraining features for both a patient and
a clinician were shown to be effective. In addition, an
acoustical examination was carried out in the middeck of the
orbiter to establish a vibrational acoustic profile of this
area.
|
| 693.126 | A small amount of dissention in the ranks | DECWIN::FISHER | "I am NOT a Merry Man"--Worf | Mon Jun 10 1991 08:37 | 16 |
| Although it is not mentioned in the "sanitized" mission reports, apparently
there was a significant disagreement between astronauts and the ground about
whether they should try to fix the cargo bay seal with an EVA or not. The
astronauts were reported (by NPR and the wire services) to be a bit put out when
Houston told them no EVA would be necessary. After a bit of discussion, they
agreed to wait till they got the report (and procedures for closing the door?)
on the teleprinter. After getting this, they agreed. This is why news reports
today are saying that "Everyone, *including the astronauts* now agree that no
EVA will be necessary"
I have a sneaky suspicion that aside from safety concerns, which are of course
significant, the astronauts were also a bit disappointed that they did not
have to go out. ("Right. My business trip to Hawaii was canceled, was it? But
you know how important this trip is to the company..." :-)
Burns
|
| 693.127 | | 8713::J_BUTLER | L'audace, toujour l'audace! | Mon Jun 10 1991 09:03 | 15 |
| If the disagreement had been unresolved, the Mission Commander retains
the final decision on matters concerning flight safety.
(This according to my daughter who, at her most recent trip to the
Space Academy in Huntsville, attended a briefing given by a previous
shuttle crew member (she didn't mention the name). Apparently, this
question came up during a question-and-answer session.)
I can imagine the two astronauts identified for EVA were disappointed,
but I also heard that to do the EVA, they would have to lower the
air pressure in the Spacelab module, which would have an adverse
effect on some of the experiments ("well...one of the 'constants' just
became a 'variable!'")
John B.
|
| 693.128 | MCC Status Report #10 (Jun 10) | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jun 10 1991 10:27 | 40 |
| MISSION CONTROL CENTER Status Report #10
Flight Day 6
Monday, 5:30 a.m. CDT -- June 10, 1991
Columbia continues to perform extremely well, and flight
controllers are not tracking any major systems anomalies at this
time.
Last night two members of the Space Shuttle Columbia's crew took
a few minutes before going to sleep to perform a magic trick for
flight controllers. Mission Specialist Jim Bagian, who does
magic as a hobby, and his assistant Pilot Sid Gutierrez conducted
the on orbit card trick while Orbit 2 CAPCOM Marsha Ivins and
Orbit 2 Flight Director Al Pennington participated in the trick
from the ground. Bagian asked Pennington to select a card from a
new deck. Bagian also had a deck of cards and said pre-flight he
had selected a card and turned it opposite to the other cards.
Bagian predicted that the card he had selected pre-flight would
match the card Pennington selected on the ground. Pennington
selected the four of spades as did Bagian.
Yesterday crew members conducted body mass measurement
operations, pulmonary function testing, echocardiograph
operations, cardiovascular operations, videotaped jellyfish
activity, and checked on the 29 rodents on board.
Planning shift flight controllers spent their shift monitoring
systems, working on flight plan adjustments and preparing
messages for the crew. Additionally, flight controllers worked on
plans for deactivating the Spacelab module late so that a crew
member can videotape the closing of the payload bay doors from
the Spacelab module.
Columbia's crew was awakened at 4:20 a.m. CDT to "Cow Patty," a
humorous western ballad that is a favorite of mission specialist
Tammy Jernigan. The crew continues taking medical science data
today. Among their planned activities are more cardiovascular
and neurovestibular experiments to help scientists understand the
human body's response to microgravity.
|
| 693.129 | More on the emergency spacewalk | 58457::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Mon Jun 10 1991 11:12 | 88 |
| From: [email protected] (WILLIAM HARWOOD, UPI Science Writer)
Subject: Emergency spacewalk appears unlikely
Date: 7 Jun 91 21:33:52 GMT
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (UPI) -- Off to a ``picture-perfect'' start, the
Columbia astronauts collected reams of medical data Friday with
engineers increasingly confident an emergency spacewalk will not be
needed to fix a broken cargo bay seal.
Even a group of white mice aboard Columbia that will be dissected
after the mission to learn more about the effects of weightlessness
appeared to be enjoying their final days, ``floating around and having a
good time, doing somersaults and getting quite used to zero gravity,'' a
crew member reported.
Back on Earth, chief flight director Randy Stone said analysis
indicated Columbia's 60-foot-long cargo bay doors will close properly
for re-entry next week despite a strip of pulled-up weather stripping at
the back of the cargo hold near the seam between the doors and the
bulkhead.
``As I hoped, this analysis is coming in and it's showing us every
indication that we have little requirement, if any, to do anything other
than to fly the (normal) mission, close the doors and come home (on
schedule next Friday),'' he said.
To make sure, engineers at the Kennedy Space Center planned to
deliberately damage a similar seal on the shuttle Discovery Friday and
then to close the big panels to check for any interference. Veteran
spacewalker Kathryn Sullivan was on hand to test various repair
procedures should a spacewalk be ordered.
The rubber seal, along with at least two insulation blankets, pulled
away from the aft bulkhead during Columbia's ground-shaking launch
Wednesday, possibly when trapped air rushed out of the cargo hold during
the climb to space.
While the displaced blankets posed no threat to the mission,
engineers were concerned the broken seal, pulled out of its channel and
hanging free near the top of the bulkhead, could get caught in the
payload bay door latch mechanism when the 60-foot-long panels are closed
for re-entry next week.
If so, astronauts James Bagian and Tamara Jernigan could be ordered
to make an emergency spacewalk to either push the seal back into its
channel or simply cut the offending piece off. No such repair job would
be ordered before Sunday at the earliest.
More likely, officials said, Columbia's crew first would be asked to
close the shuttle's doors next week to find out if the seal poses any
problems. If not, the issue would be put to rest and the astronauts
would press on with their mission.
Stone said ground-based analysis indicated the seal was not necessary
for a safe re-entry, that little heat damage would occur and that the
drive mechanism used to close the doors was more than strong enough to
lock the panels down despite interference from the rubber seal.
Meanwhile, 178 miles up, Bagian, 39, Jernigan, 32, commander Bryan
O'Connor, 44, co-pilot Sidney Gutierrez, 39, Margaret Rhea Seddon, 43,
Andrew ``Drew'' Gaffney, 44, and Millie Hughes-Fulford, 45, pressed
ahead Friday with another remarkably successful day in space.
``I'm pleased to report another first for our mission,'' said program
scientist Ron White. ``This is the first Spacelab mission that has had
an almost picture-perfect day. We're very pleased with it to this point.
''
Riding a space bicycle, drawing blood, collecting urine and probing
each other's hearts, the researchers are gathering priceless data about
how the heart, lungs, kidneys and endocrine systems respond to
weightlessness along with studying its effects on bones, muscles and the
immune system.
John West, studying how the lungs behave in weightlessness, said he
was surprised to discover that blood flow across the organs was uneven
in two crewmembers.
``We had expected that the distributions would be completely uniform,
'' West said. ``For some reason, they're not. That's going to be an
interesting area to try and sort out. There's clear evidence of
differences of blood flow between one region of the lung and another.''
Working inside a roomy Spacelab module in Columbia's cargo bay,
physicians Bagian and Seddon, along with cardiologist Gaffney and
Hughes-Fulford, a biochemist, are conducting some 20 primary experiments
in the first U.S. space mission totally dedicated to biomedical
research.
Joining the human astronauts are 29 white mice and 2,500 baby
jellyfish that are the subject of several experiments to find out if
such animals can be used during future missions to model human
responses.
Despite work to fix a balky refrigerator needed to keep blood, urine
and saliva samples cool, the astronuts conducted a smorgasbord of
experiments and tested the performance of a medical ``work station''
that provides a sealed off environment for dealing with animals or
dangerous materials.
So far, the flight has proceeded like clockwork with few of the
technical glitches that have hampered Spacelab crews in the past.
``Every day we've exceeded what we expected to accomplish,'' said
Schneider. ``We're ahead of the game. It's delightfully boring most
probably, but that's good for us.''
|
| 693.130 | Shuttle Status for June 6 1991 | 58457::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Mon Jun 10 1991 11:15 | 28 |
|
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS - THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1991 -- 10:00 a.m.
_________________________________________________________________
STS-40/SLS-1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - ON ORBIT
WORK IN PROGRESS:
* Solid Rocket Booster recovery ships are scheduled to arrive
Port Canaveral today at 11:30 a.m. and at Hanger AF before 3:00
p.m.
* Engineers report minimal damage to pad 39-B and mobile
launcher platform following launch yesterday. No damage was
reported in the payload changeout room.
WORK COMPLETED:
* Launch of Columbia on mission STS-40 with the Spacelab Life
Sciences module occurred yesterday, June 5, at 9:24.51 a.m. EDT.
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Move mobile launcher platform to VAB high bay 3 (Monday)
* Columbia is currently scheduled to land at Edwards Air Force
Base, Calif. at 1:14 p.m. EDT, Friday, June 14.
|
| 693.131 | Scientist hail "superb" shuttle flight | 58457::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Mon Jun 10 1991 11:17 | 81 |
| From: [email protected] (WILLIAM HARWOOD, UPI Science Writer)
Subject: Scientists hail 'superb' shuttle flight
Date: 10 Jun 91 12:22:05 GMT
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (UPI) -- The Columbia astronauts, in agreement
with mission control on what to do about a broken cargo bay seal, have
accomplished 140 percent of their medical research so far in a flight
scientists say is a ``superb'' success.
``So far, we've accomplished every objective that we've had, plus
some,'' program scientist Ron White said Sunday by telephone from
Houston. ``We're certainly over the 100 percent mark by a reasonable
amount. I couldn't plan for a better mission no matter what I did.''
Orbiting 178 miles up, commander Bryan O'Connor, 44, co-pilot Sidney
Gutierrez, 39, Tamara Jernigan, 32, James Bagian, 39, Margaret Rhea
Seddon, 43, Andrew ``Drew'' Gaffney, 45, and Millie Hughes-Fulford, 45,
took time out Monday to discuss their mission with CBS News.
O'Connor said the crew was in agreement with mission control on
ruling out an emergency spacewalk to fix a broken seal near the rear
bulkhead of Columbia's cargo bay.
Earlier in the flight, O'Connor questioned test results indicating
the ship's cargo bay doors would close properly if the seal got caught
in a critical latch. But after discussing the matter further, he said he
agreed with plans to close the doors on time for a normal re-entry and
landing Friday.
``Everybody was worried when we first saw that seal,'' he said. ``You
can't always communicate everything on paper, sometimes you need to talk
a little bit and that's why we called down and asked some more questions
about it. But we're all in (agreement) and we're happy the ground took
so much effort to sort out that problem.''
The goal of the 41st shuttle mission, the first featuring three women
and the first dedicated entirely to biomedical research, is to gather
data about how the human body adapts to weightlessness so
countermeasures can be devised to combat space sickness, muscle
deconditioning and bone loss.
Such data is considered crucial before astronauts can be cleared for
long-duration stays aboard NASA's planned space station or for eventual
multi-year flights to Mars and beyond. And so far, the Columbia
astronauts are living up to expectations.
``We're at 140 percent of what we had expected to do,'' Hughes-
Fulford radioed Monday.
But the 18-hour days have taken their toll and O'Connor told flight
controllers earlier in the day to schedule some free time during the
remainder of the mission ``to allow the crew the flexibility to come up
and look at their home town or take a break and then go get their work
done.''
``We manage to poke our head out the window every once in a while, a
little bit after we wake up and a little bit after we go to sleep,''
Jernigan said. ``I think perhaps the most beautiful of all is the Earth
(edge) and going over the various continents and over the vast oceans
and really enjoying the beauty of our whole planet.''
Throughout the flight, the astronauts have repeatedly collected
blood, urine and saliva samples, studied each other's hearts, measured
lung performance and blood flow and subjected themselves to disorienting
rides in a spinning chair to learn more about the causes of space
sickness.
``If I were to characterize the mission up to this point with one
word ... today the word for the mission is superb,'' White said at a
news conference.
Joining the astronauts aboard Columbia are 29 rats and some 2,500
baby jellyfish. The jellyfish, which use motion sensors similar to
structures in the human inner ear, will be studied after the flight to
find out how weightlessness affects their ability to move about.
The rats will be beheaded and dissected for detailed microscopic
tissue studies that are not possible with human subjects.
While complete data analysis will not be possible until Columbia
returns to Earth Friday, White said scientists already are recording
suprising results.
Data from one experiment indicates blood does not move evenly through
the lungs as scientists had expected.
``When we are sitting up or standing up, most of the blood that's
traveling through the lung is traveling through the bottom of the lung,''
White said. ``The top of the lung is minimally profused with blood.
That's a gravitational effect that we've understood for a long time.''
Scientists had thought the absence of gravity would result in blood
being evenly distributed throughout the lungs. But that does not appear
to be the case, at least during the initial stages of space adaptation.
``What appears to happen is, at least over a short period of time,
the differences don't disappear,'' White said. ``It says there's some
new physiology to understand there if that observation holds up under
close analysis.''
|
| 693.132 | Rats in space | DECWIN::FISHER | "I am NOT a Merry Man"--Worf | Mon Jun 10 1991 12:09 | 6 |
| I find it quite amazing that the rodents would be able to "figure out" how to
get around in a free-fall environment. Obviously, they must be able to control
their motion sufficiently to get to the food/water dispensers. (They can't be
tied down, since the crew said something about them "doing summersaults".
Burns
|
| 693.133 | Insider information from MER | 58457::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Mon Jun 10 1991 17:12 | 136 |
|
Interesting article from someone on the front line. However, in typical NASAese
this is difficult at time to read and figure out what the acroymns are.
From: [email protected] (Mary Shafer)
Subject: View of STS-40 from the Mission Evaluation Room
Date: 10 Jun 91 19:35:27 GMT
Organization: NASA Dryden, Edwards AFB, CA
A colleague (Lou Adornato adornato%[email protected]) asked me
to pass this on, since he doesn't have access from this machine. Someone
who understands the technique of e-mailing to berkeley to post should
pass the information to both of us, please.
NOTE: The following is unofficial and unauthorized and should be taken as
heresay only (otherwise a guy named Bruno's going to come down from Washington
and rearrange my pulmonary system).
I am happy to report that there have been no orbiter DPS or avionics
concerns on this mission so far. (The reason I'm happy to report that
is that it means that Mike Wallace won't be showing up at my place
with a film crew). On flight days 4, 5, and 6 I'm the second shift's
avionics team lead in the Mission Evaluation Room (MER). Here's the
view of STS-40 from where I've been sitting.
Initial ground radar data indicated that STS-40 missed it's MECO
velocity target by 22 fps. Subsequent analysis of the observed
orbital elements now indicate that MECO velocity was within 4fps of
target, and that the radar data was incorrect. Further analysis is
planned post flight.
As of the end of my shift on Flight Day 5, there are no major IFA's on
any spacelab or orbiter systems, with the exception of the
environmental seal on the PBD and some loose thermal blankets on the
aft bulkhead. Thermal reports that there are no potential hazards in
the loose blankets. At this time it looks as though proper thermal
conditioning (via sun angle) will cause the seal to deflect away from
the door and prevent it from interfering with the latching mechanism.
(My understanding is that a failure of latch group 4 wouldn't be a
problem anyway - you have to loose at least 2 latch groups before you
have a situation) Contingency plans are being put in place for an EVA
IFM "just in case" (the incredibly unofficial motto of the Mission
Operations Directorate). Current plans are for one crew member to
reenter the hab module after deactivation to observe the PBD closing
(through the spacelab's endcone window). There was some concern over
the safety of this procedure since the cabin air fan will be off at
this time (it's turned off to save power as part of the deactivation
procedure, and running it without the condensate separator could
impact the turnaround for US MGL). The observer should be in the
module no more than 15 minutes, but a localized CO2 buildup (in the
absence of convection currents) was a concern. Analysis indicates
that there is no safety concern because several of the racks will be
forcing air into the subfloor, and there should be an air flow down
the tunnel from the middeck. Aditionally, the observer will be in
constant contact with the rest of the crew, and there's an emegency
breathing station right by the viewport.
One RCS vernier (R5F, I think) has failed off (due to erratic chamber
pressure readings, I think), but there's no impact on vernier attitude
control (the verniers are arranged in such a way that it would take at
least 2 adjacent jet failures to cause even an inconvenience). An
APU3 Exhaust Gas Temperature sensor failed on ascent (indicating
+/-200F changes is less than a minute), and the crosstalk took a gas
generator bed temp sensor with it. This isn't considered critical - I
can't be sure but I think there are redundant backups, and I don't
think either reading is really essential to safe operation of the APU.
An unknown problem resulted in the S/L computer being re-IPL'd on FD4,
but no experiment data was lost and the problem has not returned (dump
analysis is still in progress). The humidity seperator experiment
(DTO976, I think) was aborted early on FD2 because a large slug of
water broke off from the prefilter and temporarily swamped the humsep.
The PI suspected it might be a transient or startup condition. The
test was rerun yesterday, but not for as long as was originally
planned (due to timeline considerations, I think). Some free water was
detected by the crew in the lower equipment bay on the waste water
tank drain valve solenoid, but it was wiped off and the source wasn't
found - the crew will probably check again today to see if the water
has returned.
Other issues that have come up are include a loss of about 7lbs of N2
on FD1, which was apparently due to a leak through the WCS (the handle
wasn't thrown all the way after use, resulting in inadequet seal on
the WCS vaccum line (even in space you sometimes have to jiggle the
handle to make the toilet stop running). The OMS crossfeed line A
heater failed off (apparently due to a thermostat failure), and the
line has been isolated (there's a backup). The pressure 'ducer on the
RAHF (the rat-rack) water supply has failed, but the POCC will
determine water useage indirectly by using the Lixit counts from
individual cages along with pre-launch calibrations (which means that
someone, somewhere has a fairly precise number for the value of a rats
lick). Some problems with the Obriter Refridgerator/Freezer (ORF) have
caused it to be shut down, and several short IFMs have been done to
try to isolate the cause. Similar problems appeared on the S/L fridge
on FD1, but went away, so there's no risk to the samples. Also, a
strange smell has been coming fromthe ORF (the crew reports that it
smells like aldehyde), which is suspected to be acetic acid ougassing
from the silicone seals - toxicology says there's no risk to the crew.
One of the LIOH storage locker doors jammed on FD1, and the crew had
to pry it open, but it's been left open since then, and will be shut
for structural reasons just after the deorbit burn. The IV pump
experinent was having some problems on FD1, but the IFM guys had the
crew wrap a blood pressure cuff around the intake bag to provide
suffient head pressure (this one has to be my personal favorite
IFM...), and it's working fine. The GAMS 1 experiment (I have no idea
what that is...) has been causing some problems, but the crew's been
using the backup without any problems, and will probably try an IFM on
the last flight day. There have been some problems with one of the
video cameras, but I haven't been following them.
The rats seem to be enjoying themselves (they don't know what's in
store for them once they get back), and the jellyfish are healthy but
somewhat confused (probably a natural state in something with a
nervous system only slightly better than that of a slime mold, but
they've been swimming in circles).
No one had a chance to make a visual on the soviet MIR station on
either opportunity yesterday. Current consummable levels are good for
a 9+2 mission, with LIOH being the limiting factor.
Proper NASA terminology is "nominal" for the mission, but I prefer
"fan-dam-tastic". Considering the number of things that can go wrong,
I'm still astounded when things go this right. All that planning and
care really means a lot when it gets around to flight time. I wish
the news media had shown those views of the lower equipment bay that
came down yesterday. It's really sobering to think how many pieces in
there could cause a loss of *at least* mission success, and to realize
that this mission is coming off so well.
| This information is unclassified.
Lou Adornato | Material herein not cleared by the Public
NASA/JSC Engineering Directorate | Affairs Office. Opinions and attitudes do
Flight Data Systems Division | not reflect those of NASA. NASA takes no
Flight Software Branch (EK2) | responsibility for inaccuracies in my data.
|
| 693.134 | MCC Status Report #11, POCC Status Report #6 (Jun 10) | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jun 10 1991 19:40 | 82 |
| MCC STATUS REPORT #11 -- FLIGHT DAY SIX
11:30 a.m. CDT -- Monday, June 10, 1991
Gathering together in one place -- a rarity for the seven
astronauts -- Columbia's crew participated in an interview
with CBS "This Morning" shortly after waking up to begin
their sixth flight day in orbit.
Each crewmember responded to questions ranging from the
loose environmental seal on the orbiter's aft bulkhead to
science activities and results gathered in the Spacelab
module.
Following the interview, the crew went their separate ways to
begin another day of data collecting in support of the
Spacelab Life Sciences-1 mission. The activities conducted
included collecting body mass measurements; investigating the
interaction between visual, vestibular and tactile
information; obtaining echocardiograph data; and checking on
the jellyfish.
During Spacelab work, Commander Bryan O'Connor toured the
crew cabin and module taking sound level measurements in
support of the Detailed Supplementary Objective or DSO designed
to analyze noise levels at various locations.
Scheduled deactivation of the cabin air cleaner test was
delayed when the crew reported noticeably cleaner air. The
air cleaner was to remain powered for the remainder of the
day.
A procedure to determine if the orbiter refrigerator/freezer
is working properly was terminated when Mission Specialist
Jim Bagian powered the unit on and "within a minute" detected
the same odor observed previously. The ORF was immediately
powered off and will remain off until further evaluation.
Columbia's systems continue to perform well with consumables
capable of supporting three additional flight days beyond the
scheduled landing on Friday. Latest estimated landing time
would occur on orbit 146 between 10:43 and 10:44 a.m. central
on the concrete runway at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
SLS-1 experimenters desire a landing between 10:30 and 11:00
a.m. CDT for optimum life sciences research.
SLS-1
POCC STATUS REPORT #6
JUNE 10, 1991
The crewmembers aboard the orbiter Columbia began their sixth
day in space with a full schedule of activities that
includes the continuation of the baroreflex testing, and the
cardiovascular studies related to rest and exercise at 30%,
60%, 90%, and 100% levels of maximum exercise capacity. Leg
volume measurements will be made along with leg compliance
and blood flow determinations. In addition, echocardiographic
imaging of the heart will take place to further investigate
the changes in volume and other structural characteristics of
the heart due to microgravity and how these changes are
related to changes in cardiovascular function.
An activity that has been carried out on a previous Spacelab
mission is a neurosciences study looking at how the
crewmembers perceive motion and orientation in space. The
investigation, which is planned for today, uses a rotating
dome that rotates around the crewmember's visual field to
create a specific sensation and to measure the crewmember's
perception of that sensation. Today's activities also include
the routine rat health check and the videotaping of the
jellyfish behavior.
The crew has been extremely busy during everyday of the
mission so far. Each day, they have begun their science
activities early and at times have even worked through their
meal times. This has resulted in a dramatic increase in the
amount of science that has been accomplished.
|
| 693.135 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/10/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jun 10 1991 19:49 | 19 |
|
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS - MONDAY, JUNE 10, 1991 -- 10:00 a.m.
_________________________________________________________________
STS-40/SLS-1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - ON ORBIT
WORK IN PROGRESS:
* Solid Rocket Boosters cleaning and preparations for shipping
operations at Hanger AF.
* Post launch operations at pad 39-B.
* Move mobile launcher platform to VAB high bay 3 (Monday)
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Columbia is currently scheduled to land at Edwards Air Force
Base, Calif. at 11:51 a.m. EDT, Friday, June 14.
|
| 693.136 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/11/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Jun 11 1991 15:04 | 19 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS - TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1991 -- 10:00 a.m.
_________________________________________________________________
STS-40/SLS-1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - ON ORBIT
WORK IN PROGRESS:
* Solid Rocket Boosters cleaning and preparations for shipping
operations at Hanger AF.
WORK COMPLETED:
* Move mobile launcher platform to park site
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Landing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. currently assessed
for 11:40 a.m. EDT, Friday, June 14.
|
| 693.137 | MCC Status Reports #12, #13, #14 (Jun 11) | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Jun 11 1991 15:09 | 182 |
| MCC STATUS REPORT #12 -- FLIGHT DAY 7
12:30 a.m. CDT -- Tuesday, June 11, 1991
The Space Shuttle Columbia's crew will get an extra day to gather
science in the Spacelab today during flight day 7. Original
flight plans called for the Spacelab to be unpowered on flight
day 7 because of concern over limited consumables, but because of
crew members' and flight controllers' conservative use of
consumables crew members will conduct science investigations in a
fully powered Spacelab module.
Among the activities scheduled for flight day seven are trouble
shooting the Gas Analyzer Mass Spectrometers and the Orbiter
Refrigerator Freezer, and working with the lymphocyte experiment.
The Gas Analyer Mass Spectrometers or GAMS 1 and 2 analyzes the
crew member's inhaled and exhaled gases at the point of the
mouthpiece and the cardiopulmonary rebreathing unit or CRU
connection. Gas samples are transported to the instrument by a
capillary tube. The gases are analyzed for this experiment by the
GAMS are nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapor and
argon. The results of the GAMS analysis are entered into the
data stream for downlinking. GAMS 2 worked for a while earlier
today then went into automatic shutdown. While trouble shooting
began on that unit, the GAMS 1 was used to downlink data.
Trouble shooting on the orbiter refrigerator/freezer or ORF was
conducted yesterday but was stopped when Mission Specialist Jim
Bagian detected the same odor observed previously. The ORF was
powered off and will remain off pending further evaluation.
The lymphocyte investigation involves the injection of cell
specimens with substances to study white blood cell reproduction
in a weightless environment.
Among the optional activities for flight day seven should the
crew have time are: the verification of an animal handling
procedure that will involve rodents currently housed in
the Research Animal Holding Facility or RAHF which is installed
in the Spacelab module. During the procedure an animal will be
removed from the RAHF and, while in a transfer unit, moved to the
General Purpose Work Station or the GPWS. Other optional
activities for tomorrow are: the rotating dome experiment; a
rodent health check; videotaping jellyfish; and conducting
intravenous fluid pump procedures.
Just before crew members began their sleep period last night, a
detailed test objective (DTO 910) Orbital Acceleration Research
Experiment was activated. The primary objective of the DTO is to
provide accurate measurements of aerodynamic acceleration in a
specific gravity range along the orbiter's principal axes. These
measurements will increase the data base for the fundamental
aerothermodynamic flow phenomena in the upper atmosphere. This
information will enable predictions of aerodynamics for advanced
re-entry missions. The DTO also will provide data at orbital
altitudes to expand the technology that might be used for orbital
drag predictions in the design of space systems such as the Space
Station Freedom. To accommodate this DTO the orbiter will fly in
a gravity gradient or stable attitude during the crew sleep
period with its nose pointing toward the earth and its port wing
into the velocity vector or the line of travel.
Crew members will perform a supply water dump this morning, then
they will perform both waste water and supply water dumps this
evening.
Flight controllers are continuing to analyze an earlier problem
that was encountered with the Spacelab Experiment Computer
Operating System (ECOS) and now feel that the problem was
hardware related. The ECOS is one of three identical computers in
the Spacelab command and data management system which provides a
variety of services to Spacelab experiments and subsystems. ECOS
is dedicated to Spacelab experiments, a second computer referred
to as SCOS or Subsystem Computer Operating System and it supports
Spacelab subsystems, and the third computer is a backup that is
referred to as BUC that can function in the place of either
computer.
Planning shift flight controllers are spending their overnight
shift monitoring systems, working on minor adjustments to the
flight plan and preparing messages that will be uplinked to the
crew this morning.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MCC STATUS REPORT #13 -- Flight Day 7
4:30 a.m. CDT --- Tues., June 11, 1991.
The Space Shuttle Columbia's crew was awakened this morning to
the lively tune "Shout - The Faber College Theme" from the movie
"Animal House."
CAPCOM Kathy Thornton told the crew that ground flight
controllers had seen a second link error in the Spacelab
Experiment Computer Operating System (ECOS). The
computer experienced its first link error on flight day four
(Sat., June 6). A trouble shooting procedure was performed and
the computer was recovered within 10 minutes.
Ground flight controllers opted not to awaken the crew when the
link error was seen at a MET of 5/16:02 or about 12:30 a.m. CDT
and crew members apparently were not awakened by the low level,
single tone message alert on board. Flight controllers commanded
the computer to downlink its data from its mass memory. This
precaution insures that no data will be lost while controllers
and crew members trouble shoot the link error. The crew and
flight controllers are expected to work a recovery procedure
later this morning.
The ECOS is one of three identical computers in the Spacelab
command and data management system which provides a variety of
services to Spacelab experiments and subsystems. ECOS is
dedicated to Spacelab experiments. A second computer, called the
Subsystem Computer Operating System or SCOS, supports Spacelab
subsystems. A third computer, called the Backup Computer or BUC,
can function in the place of either the ECOS or the SCOS.
The flight crew monitors and operates Spacelab subsystems and
payload experiments through data display and keyboard units. The
experiment computer, or ECOS, activiates, controls and monitors
payload operations and provides experiment data acquisition and
handling. The subsystem computer provides control and data
management for basic Spacelab services that are available to
support experiments, such as electrical power distribution,
equipment cooling and scientific airlock operations.
Planning shift flight controllers spent their overnight shift
monitoring systems, adjusting the flight plan, and preparing
messages that have been uplinked to the crew.
Crew members will get an extra day to gather science in the
Spacelab today during flight day 7. Original flight plans called
for the Spacelab to be unpowered on flight day 7 because of
concern over limited consumables, but because of crew members'
and flight controllers' conservative use of consumables crew
members will conduct science investigations in a fully powered
Spacelab module.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
MCC STATUS REPORT #14 -- FLIGHT DAY 7
11:30 a.m. CDT -- Tuesday, June 11, 1991
Columbia's crew got an extra day to gather science in the
Spacelab module today due to conscientious planning to
conserve onboard fuel used to produce electricity for all
orbiter and payload systems.
Optional activities for the payload crew aboard Columbia
included verifying a handling procedure that will involve
rodents currently housed in the Research Animal Holding
Facility installed in the Spacelab module.
Other optional activities are working with the rotating dome
experiment; a rodent health check; videotaping jellyfish;
and conducting intravenous fluid pump procedures.
Last night the Orbital Acceleration Research Experiment was
activated. The objective of the experiment is to accurataly
measure aerodynamic acceleration rates in zero G to expand
the database of knowledge in predicting orbital drag in the
design of future space systems like Space Station Freedom.
Earlier on the orbit 1 shift, OARE was performed as Columbia
flew three separate 360 degree maneuvers: pitch, yaw and
roll. The orbiter was also put into calibration attitude and
the crew remained still and quiet for about an hour.
Commander Bryan O'Connor radioed to Mission Control that the
crew apparently had traced the communication problem that the
two payload specialists encountered yesterday to a faulty
audio interface unit. The two had switched to a unit mounted
in the crew cabin to reestablish communications.
Shortly after handover from the Planning Team, the Text and
Graphics System jammed and has not been used since. Messages
are currently being routed through the onboard teleprinter.
Other orbiter systems continue to perform smoothly with no
systems problems being tracked by the flight control team.
|
| 693.138 | MCC Status Report #15 (Jun 12) | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Jun 12 1991 11:48 | 29 |
| MCC STATUS REPORT #15 -- FLIGHT DAY 8
4:30 a.m. CDT --- Wed., June 12, 1991
The Space Shuttle Columbia's crew was awakened this morning to
the song "Twistin' the Night Away" performed by Sam Cooke in the
movie "Animal House."
The song is in honor of the orbiter's maneuvering which is part
of detailed test objective (DTO 910) Orbital Acceleration
Research Experiment. The experiment was activated Monday night.
The objective of the experiment is to accurately measure
aerodynamic acceleration rates in a weightless environment to
expand the informational database currently held dealing with the
prediction of orbital drag. Such information will be used in
predicting orbital drag that will be considered in the design of
future space systems like Space Station Freedom.
To accommodate this DTO, the orbiter has flown in a gravity
gradient or stable attitude during the crew sleep period with its
nose pointing toward the Earth and its port wing into the
velocity vector or the line of travel.
Planning shift flight controllers spent their overnight shift
monitoring systems, adjusting the flight plan, and preparing
messages that have been uplinked to the crew on the teleprinter.
Early yesterday the Text and Graphics System (TAGS) experienced a
paper jam and is no longer being used. Messages now are being
routed through the onboard teleprinter, a backup system to the
TAGS.
|
| 693.139 | What do you do on a Solar Flare Day? | 25491::BIRO | | Wed Jun 12 1991 13:25 | 13 |
| Is there any infomation what the crew is doing either
as a medical experiment or for safty of the crew about the recent
intese solar flares? It would be an excellent time
to study the medical problems with these solar flares.
I hope they have stored the film in a shielded box else
it may be fogged.
I also wonder if this was one of the reason why they will
not be doing any EVAs?
john
|
| 693.140 | MCC Status Report #16; POCC Status Reports #7, #8 (Jun 12,11,12) | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Jun 12 1991 17:22 | 106 |
| MCC STATUS REPORT #16 -- FLIGHT DAY 8
11:30 a.m. CDT --- Wednesday, June 12, 1991
Spacelab Life Sciences-1 crossed the one week point of the
mission as activities in the module stepped up following a
day of reduced activity by the STS-40 crew.
Columbia continues to perform well allowing the focus
of the mission to be devoted to payload activities.
A failure of a heater on one of the electricity-producing
hydrogen tanks was the only problem reported on the Orbit 1
shift. The tank has a backup heater that is working fine and
fueling the units producing onboard electricity to Columbia
and Spacelab.
In the module, crewmembers continued SLS-1 experiments
including body mass measurements; blood pressure checks;
echocardiograph observations; and urine and saliva sample
collections.
Commander Bryan O'Connor radioed down that he observed a dust
storm cloud generated over Algeria that stretched across the
Atlantic Ocean into the Caribbean.
The crew also sent down a videotape of a tour of the Spacelab
module with crewmembers narrating the various activities
relating to the life sciences experiments on board.
The Orbit 1 team sent a "big picture" message relating to
changes in the deorbit preparations prior to and including
closing the payload bay doors before landing on Friday now
expected to be between 10:36 and 10:40 a.m. CDT at Edwards
AFB, CA.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SLS-1
POCC STATUS REPORT #7
JUNE 11, 1991
The crew onboard the orbiter Columbia began their seventh day in space today
and are facing a lighter day than usual. Original plans for this seventh day
were to power down the Spacelab module and perform only essential activities
related to the care of the animals, processing of the lymphocytes, as well as
carrying out Shuttle maneuvers related to obtaining measurements for the
Orbital Acceleration Research Experiment (OARE). The power requirements for
the previous six days of sciecne activities were less than anticipated which
results in the ability to power up the Spacelab module for this seventh day and
perform a variety of extra activities. A list of possible activities has been
compiled, the choice of which will be left to the crew's discretion.
Included on the list of possible activities are the inflight animal handling
procedure, a continuation of the neurosciences rotating dome experiment that
was started yesterday, filming of the jellyfish, additional IV Fluid Pump
procedures, and a videotaping activity related to the crew participating in a
Spacelab tour.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SLS-1
POCC STATUS REPORT #8
JUNE 12, 1991
The crew aboard the orbiter Columbia has begun their eighth
day of science activities after completing a full day of
bonus activities yesterday. Today's activities will include
the continuation of the baroreflex testing using the neck
collar for an examination of how microgravity affects blood
pressure and heart rate regulation. In addition, other
cardiovascular measurements will be continued looking at
cardiovascular function at rest and at 30% and 60% levels of
exercise. As before, echocardiographic images of the heart
will be obtained during the sessions at rest, with cardiac
output and lung volume measurements, heart rate, and blood
pressure measurements to be taken during rest and the various
levels of exercise.
Metabolic activities will take place today involving
measurements designed to further characterize the fluid shift
dynamics that occur in space. This involves the collection of
blood and urine samples which will be used in the
determination of body fluid volumes and to look at the
changes in kidney function. Other metabolic activities will
be done related to obtaining information on calcium
regulation in the body. In addition, various blood studies
will be carried out to further examine the life cycle of the
red blood cells, as well as to look at muscle protein
metabolism. All of these studies involve the collection of
body fluid samples that will be analyzed in detail once the
samples are returned to Earth.
The crew will be videotaping the rats and the jellyfish today
and will be carrying out their normal rat health check
procedures. The rats have been healthy throughout the
mission and all activities related to the animal hardware
verification have been successful. In preparation for the
landing Friday and specifically to enable a sufficient water
supply in the event of a delay in landing, the water supply
for the rats in Spacelab will be augmented by inserting gel
packs, a jello-type water supply, into the water delivery
system in the Research Animal Holding Facility.
|
| 693.141 | They are on their way back... | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Fri Jun 14 1991 11:31 | 4 |
| They fired the OMS engines a few minutes ago. Touch-down expected
at 11:39 eastern time.
- dave
|
| 693.142 | | 7672::MOSHER::COOK | Stormtrooper of Death | Fri Jun 14 1991 13:05 | 2 |
|
I saw it live on CNN. perfect touch down.
|
| 693.143 | MCC Status Reports #17-19, POCC #9, Post-Landing Statement | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jun 17 1991 10:39 | 263 |
| MCC STATUS REPORT #17 -- FLIGHT DAY 9
3:30 a.m. CDT -- Thursday, June 13, 1991
Ground controllers interrupted STS-40 crew members' sleep period
four times overnight to troubleshoot a Research Animal Holding
Facility cooling loop and the Spacelab module's two balky
refridgerator/freezers.
The first interruption occurred at a MET of about 7/14:05 or
10:35 p.m. CDT Wednesday when flight controllers alerted the crew
that a Mission Peculiar Equipment (MPE) water loop that provides
cooling to the Research Animal Holding Facility (RAHF) had shut
down. The RAHF is in the Spacelab module. Pump #1 had shut down
but there are two redundant cooling pumps in addition to pump #1
-pump #2 and an auxiliary coolant pump. Both redundant pumps also
can provide cooling to the RAHF.
Ground controllers believed there was a problem with pump # 1's
circuit breaker and asked crew members in the Spacelab module to
recycle the breaker. Crew members recycled the pump's breaker but
it remained in a shut down mode. Crew members then reconfigured
the system to activate pump #2, one of the redundant water loops.
That pump is working nominally.
The crew's sleep period was interrupted a second time a few
minutes later at a MET of 7/14:41 or 11 p.m. CDT when
ground controllers asked crew members to leave the L8I freezer
door in the Spacelab module closed as they were seeing the
freezer temperatures warm.
Earlier problems with the second Spacelab freezer, L9I, resulted
in all urine and blood samples being moved into the L8I freezer.
Only an empty tray was left in freezer L91.
There is a third refridgeration unit on board, the Orbiter
Refridgerator Freezer (ORF) which is located on the orbiter's
mid-deck. Problems also were encountered earlier in the mission
with that unit when crew members detected an odor coming from the
unit. The ORF was powered off on Flight Day 7 after a
troubleshooting procedure resulted in the emission of the same
odor. That unit remains powered off.
The third interruption occurred at a MET of about 7/15:41 or
12:10 a.m. today when ground controllers asked the crew to work a
troubleshooting procedure on freezers L8I and L9I. Ground
controllers said they had continued to see a warming trend in
freezer L8I which is housing the blood and urine samples, and
believed there was a blockage in freezer L9I's freon line that
they wanted to try and clear and attempt to bring that unit back
into operation.
Mission Specialist Jim Bagian worked the 40 minute
troubleshooting procedure and turned freezer L8I off and was
asked by ground controllers not to open the door. Bagian reported
the L8I temperature at minus 4.6 degrees Celsius or 23.8 degrees
Farenheit at a MET of 7/16:23, which was below the 32 degree
Farenheit limit. Bagian also worked a troubleshooting procedure
on freezer L9I. Ground controllers reported preliminary data
showed L9I appeared to be working and CAPCOM Kathy Thornton told
Bagian that if temperatures in freezer L9I reached the desired
freezing before the crew sleep period ended, it could become
necessary to wake the crew again.
That prediction proved true when crew members were awakened a
fourth time at about a MET of 7/18:14 or 2:43 a.m. CDT and asked
to transfer the urine and blood samples from the Spacelab's
freezer L8I into freezer L9I because L9I had reached an
acceptable temperature. Mission Specialist Jim Bagian completed
the transfer and recycled freezer L8I so ground controllers could
gather data to determine if the machine is still viable. Bagian
reported the temperature of freezer L8I before the transfer at
minus 1.5 degrees Celsius or 29.3 degrees Farenheit.
CAPCOM Kathy Thornton also told crew members they could sleep one
orbit late because of the interruptions and that ground
controllers had added 90 minutes to their wakeup time or a wakeup
time of about 5:50 a.m. CDT. Flight controllers are continuing
work on the crew's flight day nine timeline to accommodate that
late wakeup.
Flight controllers will continue to monitor the
refridgerator/freezer temperatures.
During the first freezer troubleshooting procedure, the Space
Shuttle Columbia flew over the Phillippine Islands on orbit
123. Evidence of an erupting volcano was visible as the orbiter
flew over the area. Mount Pinatubo, which is located northeast of
Manila in the Phillippines, erupted with three explosions
Wednesday, shooting a giant plume of ash more than 12 miles high.
The giant ash plume was visible as a yellow pall from Columbia's
158 nautical mile altitude.
Later today crew members will conduct some science investigations
during their last full day in space prior to a nominal end of
mission that would result in a Friday morning landing at Edwards
Air Force Base in California. Preliminary weather reports show
favorable weather in California on Friday. Other activites that
are scheduled include changing out the RAHF feeder, performing
echocardiograph testing, performing jellyfish fixation activities
that will require the use of the General Purpose Work Station in
the Spacelab module, and performing inlet checks of the Spacelab
module's two refridgerator/freezers.
MISSION STATUS REPORT #18 -- FLIGHT DAY 9
11:30 a.m. CDT -- Thursday, June 13, 1991
Columbia's crew was awakened to The Nylons' "Chain Gang" an
hour and a half late following a restless night of
interuptions to switch cooling loops on the Research Animal
Holding Facility and move experiment samples from one freezer
to the other.
Following wakeup, the crew busily conducted the final hours
of work in the Spacelab collecting urine, blood and saliva
samples along with echocardiograph and pulmonary function
data.
The last Getaway Special canister at the back of the payload
bay was opened. This payload consists of six experiments
performing various tests concerned with aqueous phases,
growing organic crystals and thin films, metallic materials,
observing cosmic ray interactions and measuring cosmic
radiation on the genetic and chromosomal structure of yeast.
The orbiter crew also was busy this morning putting Columbia's
systems through their paces to verify readiness to support
tomorrow's deorbit, entry and landing at Edwards AFB, CA.
Columbia continues to perform very well as the crew prepares
to stow equipment in the cabin and Spacelab module for tomorrow's
return.
Weather predictions at Edwards for the landing appear to be
favorable with winds out of the southwest at 15 knots gusting
to 20. With landing scheduled for runway 22, a direct
headwind on the orbiter presents no problem for landing.
The touchdown time is set for approximately 10:39 a.m. CDT.
SLS-1
POCC STATUS REPORT #9
JUNE 13, 1991
Today marks the final day of science activity for the crew of
SLS-1. Besides the normal routine body mass measurements,
diet and fluid logs, and urine samples, today's planned
activities include the completion of cardiovascular studies
looking at heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, lung
volume, and echocardiographic images of the heart at rest.
The final pulmonary function test is planned for today as
well as the final activities related to blood studies looking
at iron uptake and the red blood cell life cycle. Yesterday
marked the final day of data collection for the baroreflex
study, the muscle metabolism study, the bone metabolism
study, and the final rat videotaping session was carried out.
The jellyfish fixation procedure will take place today and
the crew will perform a feeder changeout on the Research
Animal Holding Facility (RAHF) and the final rat health check
in preparation for tomorrow's landing. Plans for this
afternoon include the stowage and closeout of all cables and
hardware in Spacelab in preparation for a planned 4:40 a.m.
CDT Spacelab deactivation.
The crew continue to pay close attention to the two
refrigeratior/freezer units aboard Spacelab. High priority
blood, urine, and saliva samples which require cold storage
have been moved from one freezer to the other while the two
units are alternately warmed, defrosted, and returned to
operation. Engineers on the ground suspect moisture has
accumulated on the evaporator coils of the units, causing
them to ice up after extended operation.
MCC STATUS REPORT #19 --- FLIGHT DAY 10
5:00 a.m. --- Friday, June 14, 1991
Planning shift flight controllers spent their overnight shift
monitoring systems and reviewing plans for the final steps in the
Spacelab module and orbiter deactivations procedures in addition
to plans for deorbiting and landing.
Columbia's orbiter crew, commander Bryan O'Connor, pilot Sid
Gutierrez, and mission specialist Tammy Jernigan, were awakened
to "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong at 2:44 a.m. CDT
while the remainder of the crew slept until 3:44 a.m.
Today the crew will power down the equipment in the Spacelab,
stow the KU-band antenna, and close the payload bay doors in
preparation for landing. The port payload bay door closing is
scheduled to occur about 6:24 a.m. CDT.
About five minutes before the port payload bay door closing,
Mission Specialist 1 Jim Bagian will reenter the Spacelab module
and put the final urine samples in the lab's freezer L9I which
overnight was empty. All other urine, blood and saliva samples
are stowed in the lab's other freezer unit L8I. Bagian then will
videotape the payload bay door closing to document how the door
closing occurs with the loose environmental seal on the orbiter's
aft bulkhead. The closing of the starboard payload bay door is
scheduled for 7:01 a.m. CDT.
Columbia's deorbit burn is scheduled for 9:37 a.m. CDT. The
deorbit burn occurs when the vehicle's engines fire about three
minutes. That slows the spacecraft which allows it to begin its
fall toward the Earth's atmosphere. Landing is expected to occur
at 10:39 a.m. CDT at Edwards Air Force Base in California on the
base's concrete runway 22.
Weather predictions at Edwards for the landing continue to be
favorable with winds out of the southwest at 12 knots gusting
to 20 knots.
Three of Columbia's crew members, O'Connor, Gutierrez and
Jernigan, will return to Houston about 10 hours after landing.
The remainder of the crew - Bagian, Seddon, Gaffney and Hughes-
Fulford - will stay at Edwards for a week of continued
experiments to learn more about how the human body readapts to
gravity after being in a weightless environment for nine days.
STS-40 Postlanding Report 6/14/91
The seven-member STS-40 crew glided to a landing aboard Columbia
this morning at Edwards Air Force Base. Columbia's reentry and landing
went nominally and weather at Edwards was exceptionally crisp and clear as
Columbia landed right on time at 11:39 am EDT on concrete runway 22.
Even though Columbia's mission is finished and commander Bryan O'Connor,
pilot Sid Gutierrez and mission specialist Tammy Jernigan have completed
their mission tasks, the other crewmembers have another seven days of
life science experiments and procedures awaiting them. Mission
specialists Rhea Seddon and Jim Bagian and payload specialists Millie
Hughes-Fulford and Drew Gaffney will remain at Dryden Flight Research
Facility in the medical science facility for a week's worth of experiments
which mirror those performed in the Spacelab. The post-landing life science
investigations are as important to an understanding of the effects of
weightlessness as were the on-orbit investigations.
O'Connor, Gutierrez and Jernigan are scheduled to depart for Houston
tonight. Columbia will be ferried back to Kennedy Space Center next week.
In yesterday's final mission science summary briefing, mission experiment
director Dr. Ron White said Columbia's crew had accomplished nearly
100 percent of the required experiments and also had gathered data from
additional crew subjects for several of the investigations. The few
experiments whose data requirements were not completely met are presently
scheduled to refly on SLS-2. The science data has been superb, according
to White, and will form an exceptionally solid foundation for the SLS-2
mission, as well as adding to the database required for space station studies.
|
| 693.144 | Why Back to KSC??? | KAOFS::R_YURKIW | | Mon Jun 17 1991 10:58 | 4 |
| Why are they taking Columbia back to KSC? I thought that Columbia
was going to go in for a years worth of refitting in California.
|
| 693.145 | | HELIX::MAIEWSKI | | Mon Jun 17 1991 11:36 | 6 |
| In the past when an orbiter was scheduled for a refit they have flown it
to KSC then back to Calf because the Orbiter Processing Facility is the
only place where they can perform many of the post flight functions. I don't
know if that is the case this time or not, but it's probably a good guess.
George
|
| 693.146 | Columbia lands. | TROA02::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Mon Jun 17 1991 12:44 | 82 |
| From: [email protected]
Subject: Columbia glides to smooth touchdown
Date: 14 Jun 91 20:00:14 GMT
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (UPI) -- The shuttle Columbia, carrying
seven astronauts, 29 doomed rats and 2,478 jellyfish, glided to a
flawless touchdown Friday, capping nine days of ``superb'' research to
probe the medical mysteries of weightlessness.
``Now that was a great mission!'' said shuttle program director
Robert Crippen. ``I am extremely proud of the way the Columbia
performed. Some people tell me Columbia's got a few years on her, but
machines don't fly any better than that.''
Dropping out of a clear blue Mojave Desert sky, skipper Bryan
O'Connor and co-pilot Sidney Gutierrez guided Columbia to a smooth
touchdown at 8:39 a.m. PDT at Edwards Air Force Base to close out a 3.8-
million-mile voyage that could help pave the way for future multi-year
flights to Mars and beyond.
``Welcome back. It looked great, Bryan, and congratulations on a
super flight,'' astronaut Stephen Oswald radioed from mission control in
Houston.
Despite earlier concern about dislodged weather stripping in
Columbia's cargo bay, the shuttle's twin 60-foot-long payload bay doors
closed and locked without incident before re-entry Friday and television
views of the orbiter after landing did not show any obvious signs of
major damage.
O'Connor, 44, Gutierrez, 39, flight engineer Tamara Jernigan, 32,
James Bagian, 39, Margaret Rhea Seddon, 43, Andrew ``Drew'' Gaffney, 44,
and Millie Hughes-Fulford, 45, left the shuttle about 30 minutes after
landing.
But in a departure from past practice, the astronauts walked straight
into a $200,000 airport-style elevated ``people mover'' so they could
make the trip to a nearby clinic while resting in recliners, minimizing
physical exertion that might otherwise affect the way their bodies
readapt to gravity.
In the meantime, technicians climbed into the orbiter to remove
frozen blood, urine and saliva samples along with the jellyfish and lab
rats, which faced decapitation and dissection for detailed medical
study.
``This was a superb mission, so far,'' said Arnauld Nicogossian,
director of life sciences for NASA. ``We still have one week of
additional data collection ... before we can analyze the results and
understand what we have. There are a lot of happy people looking forward
to analyzing the data.''
O'Connor, Gutierrez and Jernigan planned to fly back to their homes
in Houston late Friday.
But for physicians Bagian and Seddon, along with cardiologist Gaffney
and Hughes-Fulford, a biochemist, landing marked only the halfway point
in an exhausting medical research flight that began June 5 with a
thundering climb to orbit from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
All four shuttle fliers planned to remain at Edwards for a full week,
duplicating the experiments they conducted in orbit to probe the medical
effects of weightlessness. But this time around, the goal is to find out
how their bodies readapt to the tug of gravity.
``The reason that we're doing that is the physiological readjustments
back to Earth and Earth's gravity are as important to understand as the
readjustments that took place when we went into space,'' said program
scientist Ron White.
``In some sense, they're a mirror image of those initial adjustments.
By probing in a detailed way how the body is changing back to normal, we
get to look at the mechanisms involved another time.''
The shuttle's non-human crew -- 29 lab rats and 2,478 tiny jellyfish --
faced a different fate.
Scientists planned to dissect one group of rats shortly after landing
for detailed microscopic tissue studies to find out how the rodents were
affected by weightlessness. The rest will be killed 10 days later to
find out how they readapted to the tug of gravity.
The jellyfish were on board so scientists could study the development
of primitive gravity sensors that are similar to structures in the inner
ear that help humans maintain their balance and orientation.
Only a handful of technical glitches marred an otherwise near-
flawless flight, including trouble with a pair of balky Spacelab
freezers used to chill blood, urine and saliva samples and a glitch-
plagued gas analyzer used to study exhaled air.
But scientists said no data was lost despite the problems.
With Columbia back on the ground, engineers at the Kennedy Space
Center are gearing up to haul the shuttle Atlantis out to launch pad 39-
A for blastoff around July 25 to ferry a NASA communications satellite
into orbit.
Crippen said he plans to hold a review next week to discuss the
possibility of resuming routine shuttle landings at the Florida
spaceport starting with Atlantis's mission.
|
| 693.147 | Crew continue medical tests. | TROA02::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Mon Jun 17 1991 12:46 | 79 |
| From: [email protected]
Subject: Shuttle crew continues medical tests
Date: 15 Jun 91 22:41:29 GMT
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (UPI) -- Four of the seven Columbia
astronauts pressed ahead Saturday with a full week of medical tests,
duplicating experiments they carried out in orbit to learn how the body
adapts to weightlessness.
But this time around, the astronauts are interested in finding out
how their bodies readapt to the tug of gravity, data that will be
crucial for future long-duration stays aboard NASA's planned space
station and for eventual multi-year flights to Mars.
``The physiological readjustments back to Earth and Earth's gravity
are as important to understand as the readjustments that took place when
we went into space,'' said program scientist Ron White.
``In some sense, they're a mirror image of those initial adjustments.
By probing in a detailed way how the body is changing back to normal, we
get to look at the mechanisms involved another time.''
Commander Bryan O'Connor, 44, co-pilot Sidney Gutierrez, 39, flight
engineer Tamara Jernigan, 32, James Bagian, 39, Margaret Rhea Seddon,
43, Andrew ``Drew'' Gaffney, 44, and Millie Hughes-Fulford, 45, landed
Friday at Edwards Air Force Base to close out a successful nine-day
mission.
Shortly after touchdown, technicians removed 29 rats and 2,478
jellyfish from Columbia, along with samples of blood, urine and saliva
taken from the crew during the mission.
Despite problems with two of three on-board freezers, officials said
Saturday all the samples remained frozen throughout the flight and no
data was lost.
As for Columbia, officials said the veteran spaceplane came through
launch and re-entry in good condition with only a handful of dinged
heat-shield tiles and no visible signs of damage near an aft payload bay
bulkhead where a piece of weather stripping pulled away during launch
June 5.
``This was just an outstanding flight,'' said Bascom Murrah, the
engineer in charge of Columbia's ground processing. ``The vehicle
performed flawlessly as far as I'm concerned.''
The only out-of-the-ordinary problem noted after landing was heat
damage on a latch used to hold two fuel line covers open during launch.
The latch, not used after launch, was partially melted during Columbia's
re-entry, but Murrah said the damage was minor and that the shuttle was
never in any danger.
The $2 billion spaceplane is scheduled to be flown back to the
Kennedy Space Center atop a Boeing 747 jumbo jet late this week so
engineers can remove a $1 billion Spacelab research module from its
payload bay.
After that, Columbia will be flown to Palmdale, Calif., in mid August
for five months of modifications that will allow the shuttle to stay in
space for up to 16 days for extended research missions.
A few hours after landing Friday, O'Connor, Gutierrez and Jernigan
flew back to their homes in Houston.
But physicians Bagian and Seddon, along with cardiologist Gaffney and
Hughes-Fulford, a biochemist, remained at Edwards for a full week of
work to duplicate the experiments they conducted in orbit.
Working the same shifts they maintained in space, the four shuttle
fliers are scheduled to collect more blood, urine and saliva samples
while plowing through a battery of experiments to study how their
hearts, lungs, kidneys, bones and muscles respond to gravity.
Other areas of interest include endocrine activity and how the
astronauts' sense of balance and orientation is regained after nine days
without gravity.
At the same time, scientists will begin studying tissue samples taken
from half the lab rats to find out how the rodents were affected by
weightlessness. The other animals will be killed next week for
microscopic studies on how they readapted to gravity.
Researcher Lawrence Young said Columbia's landing marked ``just the
beginning of an intensive week of post-flight data collection.''
``Out there in the desert, away from the attention of the press, we
look carefully at the process of readaptation to Earth's gravity and
this is of interest both scientifically and operationally,'' he said.
The Bush administration has called for an eventual return to the moon
and the manned exploration of Mars early in the 21st century, the
cornerstone of NASA's Space Exploration Initiative.
``If people are going to go to Mars ... then we need to have some
confidence that those individuals when they land on the surface of a new
planet ... are going to be able to function appropriately,'' Lawrence
said. ``So the process of readapting to gravity is as interesting and
important as the process of adapting to zero gravity.''
|
| 693.148 | Landing at KSC to be determined | TROA02::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Mon Jun 17 1991 12:55 | 19 |
|
Re: last couple
> Crippen said he plans to hold a review next week to discuss the
>possibility of resuming routine shuttle landings at the Florida
>spaceport starting with Atlantis's mission.
Interesting, seems the confidence in the brakes is back and they
are ready to try again. This would certainly save time on turnarounds. But I
still would be worried about landing short or with a crosswind.
> The $2 billion spaceplane is scheduled to be flown back to the
>Kennedy Space Center atop a Boeing 747 jumbo jet late this week so
>engineers can remove a $1 billion Spacelab research module from its
>payload bay.
The reason why they take Columbia back to KSC. This would be easier
if they land at KSC, as indicated above.
|
| 693.149 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/19/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Jun 19 1991 16:01 | 19 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER - SHUTTLE STATUS - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1991
STS-40 / COLUMBIA/SPACELAB
Columbia, with the Spacelab module in the payload bay and
riding atop the 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, departed Edwards
Air Force Base at 10:59 a.m. Eastern time. Arrival at Biggs Army
Air Field at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas is expected at 1:09 p.m.
Eastern time.
Columbia will overnight in El Paso and the 747 will be
refueled. Departure on Thursday morning will be for Kelly Air
Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Departure from Kelly and the
route of flight beyond Texas will depend upon the enroute
weather.
Arrival at KSC is expected to occur Friday or Saturday.
|
| 693.150 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/20/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Jun 20 1991 18:49 | 15 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS - THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 1991 -- 10:30 a.m.
_________________________________________________________________
STS-40/SLS-1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102)
Departed Biggs Army Air Field, El Paso, Texas, shortly after
8:00 a.m. EDT today. Arrived at Kelly Air Force Base, San
Antonio, Texas, about 9:40 a.m. EDT. Scheduled to depart Kelly
for Columbus Air Force Base, Columbus, Mississippi, at 12 noon
EDT where it will remain overnight. Return to KSC is expected to
be no earlier than 9:30 a.m. Friday.
|
| 693.151 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/21/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Fri Jun 21 1991 13:52 | 13 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS - FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 1991 -- 9:00 a.m.
_________________________________________________________________
STS-40/SLS-1 - COLUMBIA/SCA (OV 102) KSC's SLF
Arrived at Columbus Air Force Base, Columbus, Mississippi,
yesterday afternoon at 2:25 p.m. EDT. Departed Columbus at 6:45
a.m. today EDT en route to KSC. Arrived at KSC's Shuttle Landing
Facility shortly before 9:00 a.m.
|
| 693.152 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/24/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jun 24 1991 18:38 | 27 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS - MONDAY, JUNE 24, 1991 -- 11:00 a.m.
_________________________________________________________________
STS-40/SLS-1 -- COLUMBIA (OV 102) -- OPF Bay 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
* Preps for tailcone removal
* Work platform configuration
WORK COMPLETED:
* Arrived at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility at 8:59 a.m. last
Friday.
* Demated from Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and towed to OPF early
Saturday morning
* Jack and level operations
* Payload bay door strongback installation
* Post mission propellant deservicing
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Vehicle power up
* Open payload bay doors
* Inspections of payload bay door bulb seal
* Remove from payload bay the Spacelab Life Sciences module
|
| 693.153 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/25/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Jun 25 1991 15:35 | 21 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 1991 - 10 AM
STS-40/SLS-1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Payload bay door bulb seal inspections.
- Removal of ferry flight kit hardware.
- Installation of platforms for access to various parts of the
vehicle.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Removal of tail cone.
- Preliminary inspections inside the Spacelab module.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Offloading of residuals from the auxiliary power units.
|
| 693.154 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/26/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Jun 26 1991 14:14 | 23 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT FOR WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1991 - 10 AM
STS-40/SLS-1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Opening of the payload bay doors.
- Removal of the Spacelab Life Sciences module.
- Payload bay door bulb seal inspections.
- Removal of ferry flight kit hardware.
- Installation of platforms for access to various parts of the
vehicle.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Removal of tail cone.
- Preliminary inspections inside the Spacelab module.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Offloading of residuals from the auxiliary power units.
|
| 693.155 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/27/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Fri Jun 28 1991 13:55 | 20 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT FOR THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1991 - 10 AM
STS-40/SLS-1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Removal of the Spacelab Life Sciences module.
- Payload bay door bulb seal inspections.
- Removal of ferry flight kit hardware.
- Installation of platforms for access to various parts of the
vehicle.
- Preparations to drain residuals from the auxiliary power units.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Opening of the payload bay doors.
|
| 693.156 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/01/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Jul 03 1991 11:27 | 19 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT FOR MONDAY, JULY 1, 1991 - 10 AM
STS-40/SLS-1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Preparations to remove the forward reaction control system.
- Payload bay door bulb seal inspections.
- Removal of ferry flight kit hardware.
- Preparations to drain residuals from the auxiliary power units.
- Thermal protection system operations.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Removal of the Spacelab module and getaway special beam Friday.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Removal of the forward reaction control system tomorrow.
|
| 693.157 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/02/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Jul 03 1991 11:30 | 23 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT FOR TUESDAY, JULY 2, 1991 - 10 AM
STS-40/SLS-1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Payload bay door bulb seal inspections.
- Draining residuals from the auxiliary power units.
- Thermal protection system operations.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Removal of the forward reaction control system (FRCS).
- Removal of the main and nose gear tires.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Preparations to remove the power reaction storage and distribu-
tion system tanks.
- Transport the FRCS to the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility pend-
ing weather.
|
| 693.158 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/09/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Jul 09 1991 13:52 | 26 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT FOR TUESDAY, JULY 9, 1991 - 10 AM
STS-40/SLS-1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Venting the orbital maneuvering system helium tanks.
- Removal of the power reactant storage and distribution system
tanks.
- Removal of heat shields from around the main engines.
- Payload bay door bulb seal inspections.
- Thermal protection system operations.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Removal of auxiliary power unit no. 3.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Removal of the brakes.
- Offloading residual propellants this weekend.
- Removal of the two orbital maneuvering system pods this weekend
and early next week.
- Ready for ferry flight to Palmdale, Calif. in early August.
|
| 693.159 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/12/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jul 15 1991 13:56 | 26 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT FOR FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991 - 10 AM
STS-40/SLS-1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Preparations to offload the residual propellants from the
auxiliary power units, orbital maneuvering system and reaction
control system tanks.
- Removal of the power reactant storage and distribution system
tanks.
- Removal of heat shields from around the main engines.
- Payload bay door bulb seal inspections.
- Thermal protection system operations.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Venting the reaction control system and orbital maneuvering
system helium tanks.
- Installation of the simulated forward reaction control system.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Removal of the brakes.
- Offloading residual propellants this weekend.
- Ready for ferry flight to Palmdale, Calif. in early August.
|
| 693.160 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/16/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Jul 16 1991 19:48 | 22 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT FOR TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1991 - 10 AM
STS-40/SLS-1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Preparations to remove the ammonia boiler.
- Removal of the power reactant storage and distribution system
tanks.
- Removal of heat shields from around the main engines.
- Payload bay door bulb seal inspections.
- Thermal protection system operations.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Disconnected ground support equipment used in offloading
residual propellants from the auxiliary power units, orbital
maneuvering system and reaction control system tanks.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Ready for ferry flight to Palmdale, Calif. in August.
|
| 693.161 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/17/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Jul 18 1991 14:11 | 24 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991 - 10 AM
STS-40/SLS-1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Removal of the Ku-band antenna.
- Shuttle main engine drying operations.
- Preparations to remove the ammonia boiler.
- Removal of the power reactant storage and distribution system
tanks.
- Removal of heat shields from around the main engines.
- Payload bay door bulb seal inspections.
- Thermal protection system operations.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Disconnected ground support equipment used in offloading
residual propellants from the auxiliary power units, orbital
maneuvering system and reaction control system tanks.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Ready for ferry flight to Palmdale, Calif. in August.
|
| 693.162 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/18/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Jul 18 1991 14:13 | 26 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT FOR THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1991 - 10 AM
STS-40/SLS-1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Preparations to remove the left orbital maneuvering system pod.
- Shuttle main engine drying operations.
- Deservicing of the ammonia boiler system.
- Removal of the power reactant storage and distribution system
tanks.
- Thermal protection system operations.
- Installation of the forward reaction control system ferry
cover.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Removal of heat shields from around the shuttle's main engines.
- Electrically disconnected the left OMS pod from the vehicle.
- Removed the Ku-band antenna.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Removal of the left OMS pod tomorrow night.
- Removal of the three shuttle main engines next week.
- Ready for ferry flight to Palmdale, Calif. in August.
|
| 693.163 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/19/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jul 22 1991 10:01 | 23 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT FOR FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991 - 10 AM
STS-40/SLS-1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Preparations to remove the left orbital maneuvering system pod.
- Deservicing of the ammonia boiler system.
- Removal of the power reactant storage and distribution system
tanks.
- Thermal protection system operations.
- Repositioning the simulated forward reaction control system.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Main engine drying operations.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Removal of the left OMS pod overnight.
- Removal of the right OMS pod next week.
- Removal of the three shuttle main engines next week.
- Ready for ferry flight to Palmdale, Calif. in August.
|
| 693.164 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/22/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Jul 23 1991 12:39 | 21 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT FOR MONDAY, JULY 22, 1991 - 11 AM
STS-40/SLS-1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Preparations to remove the right orbital maneuvering system
(OMS) pod.
- Removal of the power reactant storage and distribution system
tanks.
- Thermal protection system operations.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Removal of the left OMS pod.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Removal of the three shuttle main engines starting tomorrow.
- Installation of the mock OMS pods for the ferry flight.
- Ready for ferry flight to Palmdale, Calif. in August.
|
| 693.165 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/23/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Jul 24 1991 09:25 | 20 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT FOR TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1991 - 11 AM
STS-40/SLS-1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Removal of the three shuttle main engines.
- Deservicing of freon coolant loop no. 1.
- Removal of the power reactant storage and distribution system
tanks.
- Thermal protection system operations.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Removal of the right OMS pod.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Installation of the mock OMS pods for the ferry flight.
- Ready for ferry flight to Palmdale, Calif. in August.
|
| 693.166 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/25/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Jul 25 1991 19:30 | 24 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT FOR THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1991 - 10 AM
STS-40/SLS-1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Purges of the potable water system.
- Thermal protection system operations.
- Installation of closeout panels.
- Installation of the ferry flight cover for the forward reaction
control system.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Removal of the three shuttle main engines.
- Deservicing of freon coolant loop no. 1.
- Removal of the power reactant storage and distribution system
tanks.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Installation of the mock OMS pods for the ferry flight.
- Ready for ferry flight to Palmdale, Calif. in August.
|
| 693.167 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/26/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jul 29 1991 10:09 | 24 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT FOR FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1991 - 10 AM
STS-40/SLS-1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Inspections of the payload bay door seal.
- Forward reaction control system fit checks.
- Removal of the catch bottles for the auxiliary power units.
- Purges of the potable water system.
- Thermal protection system operations.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Radiators stowed.
- Closed payload bay doors.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Installation of the mock OMS pods next week for the ferry
flight.
- Installation of the tail cone next week.
- Ready for ferry flight to Palmdale, Calif. in August.
|
| 693.168 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/29/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jul 29 1991 17:39 | 21 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT FOR MONDAY, JULY 29, 1991 - 11 AM
STS-40/SLS-1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Inspections of the payload bay door seal.
- Forward reaction control system fit checks.
- Thermal protection system operations.
- Preparations to install the simulated left orbital maneuvering
system pod.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Final payload bay door closure.
- Installation of the tail cone.
- Transfer to OPF bay 3 on Aug. 7 for a one-day facility fit
check.
- Ferry flight to Palmdale, Calif. targeted Aug. 9.
|
| 693.169 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/30/91 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Jul 30 1991 13:42 | 25 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT FOR TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1991 - 10 AM
STS-40/SLS-1 - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Inspections of the payload bay door seal.
- Thermal protection system operations.
- Preparations to install the simulated left orbital maneuvering
system pod.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Installation of the ferry cover for the forward reaction con-
trol system.
- Removal of the auxiliary power unit catch bottles.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Final payload bay door closure.
- Installation of the tail cone.
- Transfer to OPF bay 3 on Aug. 7 for a one-day facility fit
check.
- Ferry flight to Palmdale, Calif. targeted Aug. 9.
|
| 693.170 | Final Payload Processing Report for STS-40/SLS-1 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Aug 12 1991 19:59 | 50 |
| From: [email protected] (Peter E. Yee)
Date: 12 Aug 91 21:28:58 GMT
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Mitch Varnes
NASA KSC News Center
407/867-2468
FINAL PAYLOAD PROCESSING REPORT: STS-40/SLS-1
August 12, 1991
Deintegration of the Spacelab module used this past June during
the highly successful STS-40/SLS-1 flight of the Space Shuttle
Columbia is now complete. The experiments have been returned to
their principal investigators, and the hardware elements of the
module have been turned over to the processing teams of upcoming
Spacelab missions.
STS-40/SLS-1 PAYLOAD DEINTEGRATION MILESTONES
* Returned to Operations & Checkout Building from
Orbiter Processing Facility ------------------------July 1, 1991
* Preparations for Spacelab floor, tunnel
and experiment rack deintegration-------------------July 8-12
* Spacelab floor removal----------------------------July 15-17
* Removal of experiment racks and deintegration-----July 22-26
* Final experiment and module deintegration---------July 29-Aug 1
FUTURE USE OF STS-40/SLS-1 SPACELAB PAYLOAD
* The Spacelab tunnel has been slated for use on the STS-42
International Microgravity Laboratory mission planned for launch
in late January 1992
* The floor of the Spacelab module will be used during the
Spacelab-J (SL-J) STS-47 mission, now planned for launch during
late summer 1992
* The Spacelab module will be used for the United States
Microgravity Laboratory (USML) STS-50, now targeted for launch in
late spring 1992
* The experiment racks from SLS-1 will be divided as necessary
and used on both the USML and SL-J missions.
|
| 693.171 | SPACELAB mission yields new medical data | MTWAIN::KLAES | All the Universe, or nothing! | Fri Sep 20 1991 12:46 | 70 |
| Article 1696
From: [email protected] (DOUGLAS A. LEVY, UPI Science Writer)
Newsgroups: clari.tw.space,clari.tw.health,clari.news.top
Subject: Shuttle mission yields new data on human body
Date: 19 Sep 91 22:36:42 GMT
WASHINGTON (UPI) -- The human body's adaptation to weightlessness
begins on the launchpad and researchers need to develop new ways to
counteract these physiological effects, NASA scientists said Thursday.
In a preliminary report on the June Spacelab shuttle mission, NASA
officials said the 9-day life sciences research flight produced a huge
amount of information that confirms previous theories and forces
scientists to rethink others.
``A great deal of the adaptation to space occurs on the launchpad and
during launch,'' said Dr. Gunmar Blomqvist of the University of Texas.
Space agency scientists reported a 70 percent reduction in the amount
of fluid and food consumed by astronauts during the first part of space
flight, apparently a result of early exposure to weightlessness.
``Weight changes occur very early in flight,'' said Dr. Carolyn
Leach, who said the average astronaut lost 6 pounds early in flight but
gained half of that weight back before returning to Earth.
Leach said the drop in body fluid was a surprising finding, raising
important questions about how the kidney is affected by weightlessness,
which the scientists hope to better understand. This was accompanied by
a drop in the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow, Leach said.
She also said white blood cells, an important part of the disease-
fighting immune system, are less responsive in space.
Blomqvist said the decreased body fluid appeared to reduce heart
pumping capacity but weightlessness did not seem to affect the heart
muscle itself.
Another unexpected finding was that the lung function apparently does
not differ in a weightless environment, said Blomqvist.
Scientists thought that gravity affected lung function so that a
person's lungs functioned differently depending on posture.
Based on the findings from the Spacelab mission, ``some
countermeasures need to be applied earlier in flight in preparation for
a return to Earth,'' said Dr. Arnauld Nicogossian, NASA's Life Sciences
Division director. ``Clearly the initial phases are vastly different''
from what previously was thought.
The Spacelab mission of shuttle Columbia carried seven
astronauts, 29 lab rats and 2,478 tiny jellyfish into a 178-mile-high
orbit June 5 to kick off a 9-day flight, the first dedicated solely to
studies of the medical effects of weightlessnes.
In one of several ``firsts'' for the 41st shuttle mission,
cardiologist Andrew ``Drew'' Gaffney made the climb to space with a
catheter snaked into his chest through veins in his arm to study how the
cardiovascular system responds to the rigors of launch and the onset of
weightlessness.
Scientists hoped to gain insights into how weightlessness
affects the human inner ear by studying how it affects similar ``gravity
receptors'' used by the jellyfish to orient themselves in the sea.
After Columbia landed, four of its crew remained at Edwards
Air Force Base, Calif., for seven days to duplicate the experiments
they conducted in orbit, along with several others, to gather precise
data about their readaptation to gravity.
|