Conference 7.286::space

834.0. "Planned Space Science Missions for 1993 (NASA)" by PRAGMA::GRIFFIN (Dave Griffin) Wed Nov 11 1992 09:47

OFFICE OF SPACE SCIENCE and APPLICATIONS
MISSION SUMMARIES 1993

Diffuse X-ray Spectrometer (DXS) - Jan. 13 -

Carried in the Space Shuttle payload bay, DXS's two instruments will measure
diffuse X-rays from the interstellar medium and test the theory that the
observed diffuse soft X-ray background originates from the remnant of a star
that exploded eons ago.  The primary payload for this flight is TDRS-F.


Spacelab D-2 - Feb. 18 -

For this is a German Spacelab mission, OSSA is sponsoring 1 microgravity and 2
life science experiments.  The payload operations control center for this
mission will be located in Germany.


Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science (ATLAS-2) - Mar. 11 -

ATLAS-2 is the second in a series of ATLAS flights to study the interaction of
the Sun and the Earth's atmosphere.  It is a crucial component of NASA's
Mission to Planet Earth. Six instruments will be mounted on a Spacelab pallet
in the Shuttle's payload bay.  A seventh instrument and its electronics will be
located in two canisters attached to the payload bay wall.


Spacehab - 1 - (Apr. 28) -

A private industry effort, Spacehab will carry at least one Office of Space
Science and Applications microgravity experiment.


NOAA Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites (NOAA-I) - May -

NOAA-I will conduct global environmental observations and search and rescue
operations.  Acting as NOAA's agent, NASA procures the satellite and
instruments and provides for their launch.  NOAA-I will be launched into a
polar orbit from Vandenberg Air Force Base on an Atlas-E Expendable Launch
Vehicle (ELV).  NOAA-I has a design life of at least two years.


Advance Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) / Orbiting and Retrievable
Far and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer (ORFEUS) - June 30 -

ACTS will test new satellite communications technologies.  ACTS will be
deployed from the Space Shuttle and then propelled into a geostationary orbit
using a Transfer Orbit Stage. ACTS' design life is two years.  ORFEUS is the
first in a series of planned U.S.-German Shuttle Pallet Satellite (Astro-SPAS)
missions.  Astro-SPAS, a free-flying, retrievable space carrier.  ORFEUS
consists of three spectrometers for measuring ultraviolet radiation.


Wind - Aug. 93 -

Part of the Global Geospace Science Program, Wind will determine solar wind
input properties including plasma waves, energetic particles, electric and
magnetic fields for magnetosphere and ionospheric studies.  Wind is a
spin-stabilized spacecraft that will make a lunar swingby and orbit 215 Earth
radii towards the sun.  Wind will be launched on a Delta 2 ELV. Wind's design
life is 3 years.


Sea-Viewing Wide Field Sensor (SeaWiFS) - Aug. -

Launched into low- Earth orbit on a Pegasus, SeaWiFS will measure changes in
ocean color that indicate where concentrations of phytoplankton and chlorophyll
lie on the surface of the ocean.  For global change research, measuring
concentrations of phytoplankton are essential in understanding the role of
oceans in the global carbon cycle.  The satellite will be built, launched and
controlled by Orbital Science Corporation to provide commercially useful data
for sale.


Spacelab Life Sciences-2 (SLS-2) - Aug. 25 -

SLS-2 is the second in a series of Spacelab Life Sciences flights.  A total of
14 experiments will be flown, concentrating on the
cardiovascular/cardiopulmonary systems, neuroscience, regulatory physiology and
musculoskeletal system.


NOAA Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites (NOAA-J) - Dec. -

NOAA-J will conduct global environmental observations and search and rescue
operations.  Acting as NOAA's agent, NASA procures the satellite and
instruments and provides for their launch.  NOAA-J will be launched into a
polar orbit from Vandenberg A.F. Base on an Atlas-E ELV. NOAA-J has a design
life of at least two years.  Though manifested for a Dec. launch, NOAA-J will
be built by NASA and held in storage until requested by NOAA.


Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) - Dec. -

To be launched into a polar orbit on a Pegasus. The TOMS measures total ozone
concentrations.  TOMS design life is three years.


Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Revisit - Dec. 7 -

During this eight-day mission, the Shuttle crew will replace the solar arrays,
correct the spherical aberration and replace the gyroscopes and other
components as necessary.


Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-I) - Dec. -

GOES-I will provide continuous environmental observations including severe
storm warnings.  A NOAA spacecraft for which NASA acts as NOAA's agent in
procuring the satellite and instruments and providing for their launch.  GOES-I
will be launched into a geostationary orbit on an Atlas-I ELV from Cape
Canaveral A.F. Station. GOES-I has a design life of five years.