| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 849.1 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 04/27/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Apr 28 1993 11:33 | 34 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Tuesday, April 27, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
STS-51
Mission: STS-51/ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Orbital Alt.: 184 miles
Vehicle: Discovery/OV-103 Inclination: 28 degrees
Location: OPF bay 3 Crew Size: 5
Mission Duration: 9 days/22 hours
Target Launch Period: mid-July
IN WORK TODAY:
* Removal of forward reaction and control system
* Drag chute removal
* Structural inspections
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Transfer FRCS to hypergolic maintenance facility
* Remove main engines
* Deservice hypergolic fuels
* Extend nose cap for thermal system repairs
WORK COMPLETED:
* Replace MADS recorder
* Remove main engine carrier panels and heat shields
* Open payload bay doors
* Payload bay door latch and functional tests
* Removed ATLAS, Spartan and SUVE payloads
|
| 849.2 | | STAR::HUGHES | Less zooty, more dusted | Wed Apr 28 1993 12:53 | 8 |
| Yup, TOS is the Transfer Orbit Stage which has so far flown once (on a
Titan III for the Mars Observer). It used a UTC Orbus 21 solid
propellant motor, the same unit used for the first stage of IUS. This
will be the first flight of the TOS/Shuttle support equipment (I do not
recall the official name for this). ACTS will use it's own propulsion
system for the apogee burn.
gary
|
| 849.3 | Crew List | TROOA::SKLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Thu Apr 29 1993 18:47 | 11 |
|
The crew list is as follows:
STS 51 - Discovery (17) July 9 1993
- ACTS (Advanced Communications Technology Satellite);
- ASTRO/SPAS (Astronomy Telescope-Shuttle Pallet Satellite)
- Commander: Frank Culbertson (2)
- Pilot: William Readdy (2)
- MS1: Daniel Bursch
- FE/MS2: Carl Walz
- MS3: James Newman
|
| 849.4 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 04/29/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon May 03 1993 11:55 | 33 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Thursday, April 29, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
407-867-2468 (fax 867-2692)
STS-51
Mission: STS-51/ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Orbital Alt.: 184 miles
Vehicle: Discovery/OV-103 Inclination: 28 degrees
Location: OPF bay 3 Crew Size: 5
Mission Duration: 9 days/22 hours
Target Launch Period: mid-July
IN WORK TODAY:
* Structural inspections
* Deservice hypergolic fuels
* Auxiliary power unit controller modifications
* Transfer FRCS to hypergolic maintenance facility
* Helium system leak and functional tests
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Remove and service main engines
* TACAN system test
* Remove fuel cell
* Extend nose cap for thermal system repairs
WORK COMPLETED:
* Removal of forward reaction and control system
* Ku-Band integrated testing
|
| 849.5 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 05/05/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu May 06 1993 15:33 | 28 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Wednesday, May 5, 1993
KSC Contact: Mitch Varnes
407-867-2468 (fax 867-2692)
STS-51
Mission: STS-51/ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Orbital Alt.: 184 miles
Vehicle: Discovery/OV-103 Inclination: 28 degrees
Location: OPF bay 3 Crew Size: 5
Mission Duration: 9 days/22 hours
Target Launch Period: mid-July
IN WORK TODAY:
* Structural inspections
* Checks of orbiter fuel cells
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Pre-installation checkouts of main engine controllers
WORK COMPLETED:
* Crew cabin leak checks
* Auxiliary Power Unit lube servicing
* Functional checkouts of orbital maneuvering system pods
|
| 849.6 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 05/10/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue May 11 1993 14:02 | 26 |
|
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Monday, May 10, 1993
KSC Contact: Mitch Varnes
407-867-2468 (fax 867-2692)
STS-51
Mission: STS-51/ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Orbital Alt.: 184 miles
Vehicle: Discovery/OV-103 Inclination: 28 degrees
Location: OPF bay 3 Crew Size: 5
Mission Duration: 9 days/22 hours
Target Launch Period: mid-July
IN WORK TODAY:
* Structural inspections
* Fuel cell single voltage checks
WORK COMPLETED:
* Pre-installation checkouts of main engine controllers
* Functional checkouts of orbital maneuvering system pods
* Installation of Waste Containment System
|
| 849.7 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 05/18/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Fri May 21 1993 10:23 | 32 |
|
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Tuesday, May 18, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
STS-51
Mission: STS-51/ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Orbital Alt.: 184 miles
Vehicle: Discovery/OV-103 Inclination: 28 degrees
Location: OPF bay 3 Crew Size: 5
Mission Duration: 9 days/22 hours
Target Launch Period: mid-July
IN WORK TODAY:
* Power reactant storage and distribution system tests
* Orbital maneuvering system functional tests
* Waste containment system servicing
* Auxiliary power unit leak and functional checks
* ORFEUS-SPAS interface verification test
WORK SCHEDULED:
* ACTS interface verification test (Wednesday)
* ORFEUS-SPAS end-to-end test (Friday)
* Flight control checkouts
* Forward reaction control system installation
WORK COMPLETED:
* Remote manipulator system functional checks
|
| 849.8 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 05/19/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Fri May 21 1993 10:24 | 31 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Wednesday, May 19, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham 407-867-2468 (fax 867-2692)
STS-51
Mission: STS-51/ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Orbital Alt.: 184 miles
Vehicle: Discovery/OV-103 Inclination: 28 degrees
Location: OPF bay 3 Crew Size: 5
Mission Duration: 9 days/22 hours Target Launch Period: mid-July
IN WORK TODAY:
* Power reactant storage and distribution system tests
* Begin inspection of flexible joints in main propulsion system
* Ku-band antenna checks
* Orbital maneuvering system functional tests
* ACTS-TOS interface verification test
* Main engine installation preparations
WORK SCHEDULED:
* ORFEUS-SPAS end-to-end test (Friday)
* Flight control checkouts
* Forward reaction control system installation
WORK COMPLETED:
* Auxiliary power unit leak and functional checks
* ORFEUS-SPAS interface verification test
* Waste containment system servicing
* Drag chute installation
|
| 849.9 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 05/20/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Fri May 21 1993 10:24 | 30 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Thursday, May 20, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
STS-51
Mission: STS-51/ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Orbital Alt.: 184 miles
Vehicle: Discovery/OV-103 Inclination: 28 degrees
Location: OPF bay 3 Crew Size: 5
Mission Duration: 9 days/22 hours Target Launch Period: mid-July
IN WORK TODAY:
* Inspections of flexible joints in main propulsion system
* Orbital maneuvering system (OMS) redundancy tests
* ACTS-TOS interface verification test
* Main engine installation preparations
* Move forward reaction control system (FRCS) to OPF
WORK SCHEDULED:
* ORFEUS-SPAS end-to-end test (Friday)
* Flight control checkouts
* FRCS installation
WORK COMPLETED:
* Removal of thruster from OMS
* Ku-band antenna checks
|
| 849.10 | Payload Status Report: ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS (5/14/93) | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Fri May 21 1993 10:26 | 44 |
| The Orbiting Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet
Spectrometer (ORFEUS) payload has now joined the Advanced
Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) at the Vertical
Processing Facility (VPF). The payload made the journey from the
Hangar AM spacecraft checkout facility on Cape Canaveral Air
Force Station to the VPF located in the KSC Industrial Area on
Tuesday evening, May 11. Yesterday it was removed from its
shipping container, and today was hoisted into the west test cell
of the VPF high bay.
The ORFEUS payload is a German developed payload for stellar
and interstellar observations. It consists primarily of the
ORFEUS telescope and the Interstellar Medium Absorption Profile
Spectrograph (IMAPS) which are mounted on the retrievable Shuttle
Pallet Satellite (SPAS). Also aboard the SPAS is an IMAX film
camera, the Surface Effects Sample Monitor (SESAM) which is a
materials science experiment, and a video television camera which
will provide pictures of Discovery from space.
On Monday, May 10, the ACTS spacecraft attached to its upper
stage booster, a Transfer Orbit Stage (TOS), was removed from its
transporter. The payload had arrived at the VPF previously on
Friday, May 7. After inspections and preparations it was hoisted
into the VPF west test cell on Wednesday, May 12. ACTS is
designed to test advanced experimental satellite communications
concepts.
Next week the payloads will independently undergo
an Interface Verification Test (IVT) using the unique Cargo
Integrated Test Equipment (CITE). The test demonstrates the
payload's compatibility and readiness to be mated with the Space
Shuttle Discovery. It will also prove that the payload can be
checked out by the astronauts before its deployment, and that the
planned activities for each payload can be executed as intended.
The IVT for ORFEUS-SPAS is scheduled next week on May 18 and will
be followed on May 19 by the IVT for ACTS-TOS. An End-to-End
test is also scheduled for ORFEUS-SPAS on May 21 which will
verify communications capability with the spacecraft.
The STS-51 payloads are scheduled to be moved to Pad 39-B on
June 22 based on a mid-July targeted launch of the Space Shuttle
Discovery.
|
| 849.11 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 05/24/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed May 26 1993 10:18 | 32 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Monday, May 24, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
STS-51
Mission: STS-51/ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Orbital Alt.: 184 miles
Vehicle: Discovery/OV-103 Inclination: 28 degrees
Location: OPF bay 3 Crew Size: 5
Mission Duration: 9 days/22 hours Target Launch Period: mid-July
IN WORK TODAY:
* Inspections of flexible joints in main propulsion system
* Freon coolant loop checks/temperature transducer replacement
* Orbiter/payload pre-mate check-outs
* Stacking of right hand solid rocket booster in VAB
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Freon coolant loop servicing
* Orbiter/FRCS interface verification checks
WORK COMPLETED:
* Forward reaction control system (FRCS) installation
* Orbital maneuvering system redundant electrical verifications
* ORFEUS-SPAS end-to-end test
* Main engine installation preparations
* Integrated hydraulic operations
* Stacking of left hand solid rocket booster in VAB
|
| 849.12 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 05/25/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed May 26 1993 10:18 | 35 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Tuesday, May 25, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
STS-51
Mission: STS-51/ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Orbital Alt.: 184 miles
Vehicle: Discovery/OV-103 Inclination: 28 degrees
Location: OPF bay 3 Crew Size: 5
Mission Duration: 9 days/22 hours Target Launch Period: mid-July
IN WORK TODAY:
* Freon coolant loop servicing
* Orbiter/payload pre-mate check-outs
* Potable water servicing
* Lower nose landing gear
* Auxiliary power unit leak and functional checks
* Stacking of right hand solid rocket booster in VAB
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Orbiter/FRCS interface verification checks
* External tank doors functional checks
WORK COMPLETED:
* Freon coolant loop checks/temperature transducer replacement
* Orbital maneuvering system redundant electrical verifications
* Main engine installation preparations
* Integrated hydraulic operations
|
| 849.13 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 05/27/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Jun 01 1993 14:00 | 32 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Thursday, May 27, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
STS-51
Mission: STS-51/ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Orbital Alt.: 184 miles
Vehicle: Discovery/OV-103 Inclination: 28 degrees
Location: OPF bay 3 Crew Size: 5
Mission Duration: 9 days/22 hours Target Launch Period: mid-July
IN WORK TODAY:
* Freon coolant loop servicing
* Forward Reaction Control System (FRCS) electrical mates to the orbiter
* External tank doors functional checks
* Orbiter/payload pre-mate check-outs
* Stacking of right hand solid rocket booster in VAB
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Orbiter/FRCS interface verification checks
* Install main engines
WORK COMPLETED:
* Freon coolant loop checks/temperature transducer replacement
* Auxiliary power unit leak and functional checks
* Orbital maneuvering system redundant electrical verifications
* Orbital maneuvering system aft control check-outs
* Main engine installation preparations
|
| 849.14 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 05/28/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Jun 01 1993 14:02 | 28 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Friday, May 28, 1993
KSC Contact: Lisa Malone
STS-51
Mission: STS-51/ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Orbital Alt.: 184 miles
Vehicle: Discovery/OV-103 Inclination: 28 degrees
Location: OPF bay 3 Crew Size: 5
Mission Duration: 9 days/22 hours Target Launch Period: mid-July
IN WORK TODAY:
* Payload interface verification tests
* Freon coolant loop servicing
* Orbiter/payload pre-mate check-outs
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Mating external tank to solid rocket boosters next week
WORK COMPLETED:
* Functional checks of external tank doors
* Connected forward reaction control system to orbiter
|
| 849.15 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/01/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Jun 01 1993 14:03 | 33 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Tuesday, June 1, 1993
KSC Contact: Mitch Varnes
STS-51
Mission: STS-51/ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Orbital Alt.: 184 miles
Vehicle: Discovery/OV-103 Inclination: 28 degrees
Location: OPF bay 3 Crew Size: 5
Mission Duration: 9 days/22 hours Target Launch Period: mid-July
IN WORK TODAY:
* Orbiter/payload pre-installation testing
* Orbiter/payload pre-mate check-outs
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Orbiter/Forward Reaction Control System (FRCS) interface verification checks
* Install main engines
* Freon coolant loop servicing
* External tank/solid rocket booster mate set for Wednesday
WORK COMPLETED:
* Functional checks of external tank doors
* FRCS electrical mates to the orbiter
* IMAX/orbiter interface verification test
* Orbital maneuvering system redundant electrical verifications
* Orbital maneuvering system aft control check-outs
* Main engine installation preparations
|
| 849.16 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/02/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Jun 03 1993 10:10 | 29 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Wednesday, June 2, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
STS-51
Mission: STS-51/ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Orbital Alt.: 184 miles
Vehicle: Discovery/OV-103 Inclination: 28 degrees
Location: OPF bay 3 Crew Size: 5
Mission Duration: 9 days/22 hours Target Launch Period: mid-July
IN WORK TODAY:
* External tank/solid rocket booster mate in VAB high bay 1
* Freon coolant loop servicing
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Microwave landing system tests
* Orbiter/Forward Reaction Control System (FRCS) interface verification checks
* Crew equipment interface tests
WORK COMPLETED:
* Orbiter/payload pre-installation and interface verification tests
* Functional checks of external tank doors
* FRCS electrical mates to the orbiter
* Orbital maneuvering system aft control check-outs
* Main engine installation preparations
|
| 849.17 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/04/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jun 07 1993 10:44 | 32 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Friday, June 4, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham 407-867-2468 (fax 867-2692)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
STS-51
Mission: STS-51/ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Orbital Alt.: 184 miles
Vehicle: Discovery/OV-103 Inclination: 28 degrees
Location: OPF bay 3 Crew Size: 5
Mission Duration: 9 days/22 hours Target Launch Period: mid-July
IN WORK TODAY:
* Orbiter aft compartment closeouts
* Orbiter mid-body closeouts
* External tank/solid rocket booster electrical checks in VAB
high bay 1
* Microwave landing system tests
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Orbiter/Forward Reaction Control System (FRCS) interface
verification checks
* Crew equipment interface tests
* Main landing gear functional checks
WORK COMPLETED:
* Freon coolant loop sampling
* External tank/solid rocket booster hard mate
* Orbiter/payload pre-installation and interface verification
tests
|
| 849.18 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/07/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Jun 09 1993 10:29 | 30 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Monday, June 7, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham 407-867-2468 (fax 867-2692)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
STS-51
Mission: STS-51/ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Orbital Alt.: 184 miles
Vehicle: Discovery/OV-103 Inclination: 28 degrees
Location: OPF bay 3 Crew Size: 5
Mission Duration: 9 days/22 hours Target Launch Date: July 17
IN WORK TODAY:
* Orbiter aft compartment closeouts
* Orbiter mid-body closeouts
* Preparations to replace Ku-Band deploy assembly
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Main landing gear functional tests
* Close payload bay doors
* Aerosurface checks and operations
WORK COMPLETED:
* Crew equipment interface tests
* Nose landing gear functional checks
* Microwave landing system tests
* External tank/solid rocket booster electrical checks in VAB
high bay 1
|
| 849.19 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/08/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Jun 09 1993 10:29 | 29 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Tuesday, June 8, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
-----------------------------------------------------------------
STS-51
Mission: STS-51/ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Orbital Alt.: 184 miles
Vehicle: Discovery/OV-103 Inclination: 28 degrees
Location: OPF bay 3 Crew Size: 5
Mission Duration: 9 days/22 hours Target Launch Date: July 17
IN WORK TODAY:
* Orbiter mid-body, forward and aft closeouts
* Remove Ku-Band deploy assembly
* Holddown post closeouts in mobile launcher platform in VAB
* Aerosurface checks and operations
* Main landing gear functional tests
WORK SCHEDULED:
* OMS pod leak structural leak checks
* Install Ku-Band deploy assembly from Columbia (Wednesday)
* Close payload bay doors for rollover
WORK COMPLETED:
* Installed hot water tank
* Nose landing gear functional checks
|
| 849.20 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/11/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jun 14 1993 10:37 | 29 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Friday, June 11, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
STS-51
Mission: STS-51/ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Orbital Alt.: 184 miles
Vehicle: Discovery/OV-103 Inclination: 28 degrees
Location: OPF bay 3 Crew Size: 5
Mission Duration: 9 days/22 hours Target Launch Date: July 17
IN WORK TODAY:
* Test Ku-Band deploy assembly
* Orbiter mid-body, forward and aft closeouts
* Preparations for main engine installation
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Final payload bay cleaning
* Main engine installation (Saturday/Monday)
* Close payload bay doors for rollover Vehicle Assembly Building
WORK COMPLETED:
* Install Ku-Band deploy assembly
* Aerosurface and flight control final cycling and checks
|
| 849.21 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/15/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Jun 17 1993 09:50 | 32 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Tuesday, June 15, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
STS-51 -
Mission: STS-51/ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Orbital Alt.: 184 miles
Vehicle: Discovery/OV-103 Inclination: 28 degrees
Location: OPF bay 3 Crew Size: 5
Mission Duration: 9 days/22 hours Target Launch Date: July 17
IN WORK TODAY:
* Main engine securing
* Aft compartment closeouts
* Hydraulic operations for aerosurface positioning
* Final payload bay cleaning
* Close payload bay doors
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Strongback removal following payload bay door closing
* Orbiter jackdown, weight and center of gravity checks
* Rollover to Vehicle Assembly Building June 18/19
WORK COMPLETED:
* Landing gear tire topoff
* Installation of main engines
* Test Ku-Band deploy assembly
|
| 849.22 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/16/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Jun 17 1993 09:51 | 31 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Wednesday, June 16, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
STS-51
Mission: STS-51/ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Orbital Alt.: 184 miles
Vehicle: Discovery/OV-103 Inclination: 28 degrees
Location: OPF bay 3 Crew Size: 5
Mission Duration: 9 days/22 hours Target Launch Date: July 17
IN WORK TODAY:
* Aft compartment closeouts
* Main engine securing
* Preparations for roll to Vehicle Assembly Building
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Orbiter jackdown, weight and center of gravity checks
* Mate to orbiter transport vehicle
* Rollover to Vehicle Assembly Building (First motion scheduled
for 12:01 a.m. June 19)
WORK COMPLETED:
* Final payload bay cleaning
* Close payload bay doors
* Hydraulic operations for aerosurface positioning
* Strongback removal following payload bay door closing
|
| 849.23 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/18/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Sat Jun 19 1993 15:52 | 18 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Launch Minus 2 Days -- Friday, June 18, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
STS-51
Mission: STS-51/ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Orbital Alt.: 184 miles
Vehicle: Discovery/OV-103 Inclination: 28 degrees
Location: OPF bay 3 Crew Size: 5
Mission Duration: 9 days/22 hours Target Launch Date: July 17
NOTE: Discovery was rolled to the Vehicle Assembly Building at about 11:00 a.m.
today. Operations this weekend include mating to the external tank and Shuttle
interface verification tests. Rollout to pad 39-B is targeted for Friday June
25.
|
| 849.24 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/23/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Jun 24 1993 15:51 | 36 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Wednesday, June 23, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
-
-----------------------------STS-51------------------------------
MISSION: STS-51/ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS ORBITAL ALT.: 184 miles
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 INCLINATION: 28 degrees
LOCATION: VAB high bay 1 CREW SIZE: 5
APPROXIMATE MISSION DURATION: 9 days/22 hours
TARGET LAUNCH DATE/TIME: July 17, 9:22 a.m. EDT
EXPECTED KSC LANDING DATE: July 27
IN WORK TODAY:
* Electrical mates to external tank
* Shuttle interface tests
* Heatshield installation and checks
* Main engine leak checks
* External tank interface leak checks
* Launch pad 39-B validations
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Remove mobile launcher platform from pad (Thursday)
* Orbiter/external tank 17-inch disconnect functional checks
* Rollout to pad 39-B (this weekend)
* Deliver payload to pad (Friday)
* Solid rocket booster hydraulic checks
WORK COMPLETED:
* Orbiter mechanical mates to external tank
* T-0 quick disconnect leak and functional checks
-
|
| 849.25 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/24/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Jun 24 1993 20:27 | 47 |
| SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Thursday, June 24, 1993
George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center
STS-51
Vehicle: OV-103/Discovery Mission number: STS-51
Location: VAB High Bay 1 Orbital altitude: 184 sm
Primary payload: ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Inclination: 28.45 deg
Launch timeframe: NET July 17 Landing site: KSC
Mission duration: 9 + 1 days Crew size: 5
STS-51 IN WORK:
- Shuttle Interface Test (mechanical/electrical)
- hydraulic testing of solid rocket booster control systems
- main engine/main propulsion system interface leak checks
- external tank/orbiter interface leak checks
- payload rollout from Vertical Processing Facility at 8:30 p.m.
STS-51 WORK SCHEDULED:
- installation of payloads into Pad B payload changeout room
- retraction of VAB access platforms Friday
- positioning crawler transporter beneath MLP Friday
- Space Shuttle rollout from VAB to Pad B Friday at 7:30 p.m.
- Space Shuttle hard-down on launcher pedestals 2 a.m. Saturday
- move rotating service structure 11:30 a.m. Saturday
- power-up Discovery 4 p.m. Saturday
- crew hatch functional check Saturday
- installation of payloads into Discovery Sunday
- mate orbiter mid-body umbilical unit Sunday
- KSC Launch Readiness Review Monday
- STS-51 Flight Readiness Review Thursday, July 1
STS-51 WORK COMPLETED:
- installation of main engine heat shields
|
| 849.26 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 06/28/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Jun 29 1993 16:52 | 40 |
| SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Monday, June 28, 1993
Mitch Varnes
Kennedy Space Center
Public Information Office
STS-51
Vehicle: OV-103/Discovery Mission: STS-51
Location: Pad 39-B Orbital Altitude: 184 sm
Primary Payload: ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Inclination: 28.45 deg.
Launch: NET July 17, 1993 Landing Site: KSC
Mission Duration: 9 + 1 days Crew Size: 5
STS-51 IN-WORK
- KSC Launch Readiness Review today
- Vehicle powered-up
- Foaming around main engines
- Main engine flight readiness test
- Argon servicing of ORFEUS-SPAS payloads inside orbiter
STS-51 WORK SCHEDULED
- ACTS-TOS Interface Verification Test on Tuesday
- Astronauts to arrive at 7 p.m. today for Terminal Countdown
Demonstration Test (TCDT)
- TCDT countdown begins Wednesday at 8 a.m. and concludes at 11
a.m. on Thursday
- STS-51 Flight Readiness Review on Thursday
- Helium signature leak check of engines on Friday
STS-51 WORK COMPLETED
- Space Shuttle vehicle moved to launch pad on Saturday
- Mechanical connections between Shuttle and pad established
- STS-51 mission payloads installed on Sunday
|
| 849.27 | STS-51 payloads arrive at launch pad for next shuttle launch | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Jun 29 1993 16:54 | 130 |
| George H. Diller June 25, 1993
KSC Release No. 70-93
Payloads for the next Space Shuttle mission, STS-51, arrived
at Pad 39-B this morning - passing yet another major milestone in
prelaunch processing.
Riding in the payload canister atop the associated
transporter, the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite
(ACTS) and the Orbiting Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet
Spectrometer (ORFEUS) began the 15-mile trip from the Vertical
Processing Facility (VPF) in the KSC Industrial Area at 9 p.m.
last night. By 1 a.m. this morning, the payloads were at the
sea-side launch pad.
Payload processing team members are busy today installing
the ACTS-TOS and ORFEUS-SPAS into the pad's payload changeout
room.
ACTS will serve as a test bed for advanced experimental
communications satellite concepts and technology. Its Transfer
Orbit Stage (TOS) upper stage booster will lift the satellite to
geosynchronous altitude on the first day of the mission.
ORFEUS is a telescope system which will provide information
on how stars are born and how they die, while also studying
gaseous interstellar clouds. Its carrier, the Shuttle Pallet
Satellite (SPAS), will be deployed from the orbiter for 40 to 60
hours to allow observations during the flight before being
returned to the payload bay.
Based on a 12:30 a.m. rollout of the Space Shuttle Discovery
to the pad, the two STS-51 primary payloads are scheduled to be
installed into the payload bay on Sunday, June 27.
In upcoming payload milestones, an Interface Verification
Test (IVT) is scheduled for Tuesday, June 29, to verify
connections between ACTS-TOS and Discovery's flight deck as well
as the orbiter's electrical and communications systems. The next
day, Wednesday, June 30, a functional test is scheduled to verify
the state of health of the ACTS onboard systems. Finally, the
IVT for ORFEUS-SPAS will be performed on Saturday, July 3, to
verify electrical connections between the payload and orbiter.
Launch of STS-51 remains targeted for mid-July with an
official date to be determined on July 1 at the Flight Readiness
Review.
# # #
Payload Test and Activity Sheet
STS-51 - ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
June 25, 1993
George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center
ACTIVITY SCHEDULED:
Pad 39-B
6/25 ORFEUS-SPAS state-of-health check
6/27 ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS payload bay installation
6/28 ORFEUS-SPAS argon servicing
6/29 ACTS-TOS IVT
6/29 ACTS battery charging
6/30 ACTS Functional Test
7/03 ORFEUS-SPAS IVT
7/11 ACTS-TOS final ordnance operations
7/15 Payload bay doors closed for flight
ACTIVITY COMPLETED:
Hangar AO
2/11 ACTS arrival at Hangar AO
2/16 ACTS spacecraft checkout begins
2/25 Systems Electrical Performance Evaluation Test (SEPET)
3/03 steerable beam antenna test
3/05 solar array edge illumination test
3/06 ACTS spacecraft checkout completed
3/08 ACTS moved to PHSF
PHSF
3/18 ACTS Mission Sequence Test
3/28 ACTS fueling
4/01 Install apogee kick motor
4/08 Install pyrotechnics
4/13 ACTS flight mate to TOS
4/15 ACTS/TOS integrated Mission Sequence Test
4/23 TOS hydrazine fueling
5/07 ACTS-TOS moved to Vertical Processing Facility
Hangar AM
1/25 ORFEUS-SPAS arrival at Hangar AM
2/10 ORFEUS-SPAS checkout begins
2/23 ORFEUS telescope installed
3/03 IMAPS telescope installed
3/08 ORFEUS-SPAS integrated testing begins
3/30 ORFEUS-SPAS integrated testing completed
5/11 ORFEUS-SPAS moved to Vertical Processing Facility
VPF
5/18 ORFEUS-SPAS CITE IVT
5/19 ACTS-TOS CITE IVT (completed 5/20)
5/20 ACTS Functional Test
5/21 ORFEUS-SPAS End-to-End communications test
6/21 ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS payload canister installation
6/24 ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS moved to launch pad
6/25 ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS installed in payload changeout room
|
| 849.28 | | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Jul 01 1993 20:05 | 6 |
| Preliminary press kit available at:
pragma::public:[nasa]sts-51.ps
-dave
|
| 849.29 | Launch Date set for STS-51/Discovery | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Jul 07 1993 10:50 | 24 |
| Jim Cast
Headquarters, Washington, D.C. July 1, 1993
Bruce Buckingham
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
NOTE TO EDITORS: N93-38
Following today's STS-51 Flight Readiness Review at NASA's Kennedy
Space Center, Fla., mission managers targeted July 17 at 9:22 a.m. EDT for
launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery on its 17th flight.
Primary payload activity on the 9-day mission will include deployment
of an Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS), and deployment and
retrieval of the German- built ORFEUS-SPAS astrophysics free-flier. A 6-hour
Extra Vehicular Activity, or space walk, will also be performed by two
astronauts.
Commanding the STS-51 crew is Frank Culbertson who will be making his
second space flight. Pilot Bill Readdy has also flown once in space. Three
mission specialists, each flying for the first time, round out the 5-man crew:
Jim Newman, Dan Bursch and Carl Walz.
|
| 849.30 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/06/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Jul 07 1993 11:03 | 35 |
| SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Tuesday, July 6, 1993
Mitch Varnes
Kennedy Space Center
Public Information Office
STS-51
Vehicle: OV-103/Discovery Mission: STS-51
Location: Pad 39-B Orbital Altitude: 184 sm
Primary Payload: ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Inclination: 28.45 deg.
Launch: July 17, 1993 Landing Site: KSC
Mission Duration: 9 + 1 days Crew Size: 5
STS-51 IN-WORK
- Pad cleared and loading of orbiter's onboard hypergolic propellants is
underway
STS-51 WORK SCHEDULED
- Hypergolic propellant load to continue through Thursday
- Orbiter aft closeouts to begin the end of this week
STS-51 WORK COMPLETED
- ORFEUS/SPAS Interface Verification Test
- Payload bay doors closed
- Installation of gaseous nitrogen flex line
|
| 849.31 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/12/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Jul 13 1993 17:39 | 42 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Monday, July 12, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
MISSION: STS-51 ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: July 17, 1993 CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: 9:22-10:24 a.m. EDT
EXPECTED KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: July 26/27 7:21 a.m. EDT
EXPECTED MISSION DURATION: 8 days/22 hours + 1 day (this addi-
tional day on orbit may be granted if orbiter cryogenics allow)
IN WORK TODAY:
* Aft engine compartment closeouts
* Purge external tank
* Launch countdown preparations
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Remove platforms and install aft doors for flight
* Countdown begins 9:30 a.m. Wednesday July 14.
* Close payload bay doors for flight
* Crew scheduled to arrive KSC 2:30 p.m. Wednesday
WORK COMPLETED:
* Hypergolic fuel/oxidizer pressurization
* Ordnance operations
* TACAN #3 re-test and check-out
* Functional checks of astronauts' spacesuits
* Mass Memory Unit load
NOTE: Forecasters indicate a 10 percent probability of weather
prohibiting launch with a slight chance of showers
being the primary concern.
|
| 849.32 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/13/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Jul 13 1993 17:41 | 36 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Tuesday, July 13, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
MISSION: STS-51 ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: Saturday, July 17, 1993 CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: 9:22 - 10:24 a.m. EDT
EXPECTED KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: July 26 or 27 7:21 a.m. EDT
EXPECTED MISSION DURATION: 8 days/22 hours + 1 day (an additional
day on orbit may be granted if orbiter cryogenics allow)
IN WORK TODAY:
* Aft confidence test
* Payload bay closeouts
* Launch countdown preparations
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Countdown begins 9:30 a.m. Wednesday July 14.
* Crew scheduled to arrive KSC 2:30 p.m. Wednesday
* Close payload bay doors for flight (Wednesday)
WORK COMPLETED:
* Aft engine compartment closeouts
* Purge external tank
NOTE: Forecasters indicate a 10 percent probability of weather
prohibiting launch with a slight chance of showers
being the primary concern.
|
| 849.33 | Countdown scheduled to begin on July 14th | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Jul 15 1993 10:20 | 332 |
| Bruce Buckingham
July 13, 1993
KSC Release No. 82 - 93
The countdown for launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-51
is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, July 14, at the T-43 hour
mark. This will mark the beginning to the 17th launch of the orbiter Discovery
and the 57th overall in the Space Shuttle program. The countdown includes 28
hours and 52 minutes of built-in hold time leading to the opening of the launch
window at 9:22 a.m. (EDT) on Saturday, July 17. The launch window extends
until 10:24 a.m.
A primary objective of this mission is the deployment of the Advanced
Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) and the Transfer Orbit Stage (TOS).
ACTS/TOS is the latest in NASA's series of advanced communication satellites
and a test-bed for technology which will be used in future operational
satellites. Also, the Orbiting Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet
Spectrometer-Shuttle Pallet Satellite (ORFEUS-SPAS) payload will be deployed
and retrieved during this mission.
Also on board is the IMAX camera, the Commercial Protein Crystal Growth
(CPCG) experiment, and Chromosome and Plant Cell Division in Space (CHROMEX)
experiment.
In addition, astronauts Jim Newman and Carl Walz are scheduled to perform
a six hour spacewalk on the fifth day of the mission as a continuation of a
series of test spacewalks to increase experience and refine training methods.
They will work with several tools that may be used during the servicing of the
Hubble Space Telescope mission later this year.
At the beginning of the countdown, the KSC launch team in Firing Room 3 of
the Launch Control Center will verify systems indicating the Shuttle is powered
up and that the data processing and backup flight control systems are operating
trouble free.
Verifications will occur throughout the count to ensure reviews of the
flight software stored in the orbiter's twin memory banks is being conducted,
computer controlled display systems are being activated, and the backup flight
system general purpose computer is being loaded.
This past weekend, final ordnance operations and hypergolic fuel/oxidizer
loading operations were conducted at the pad. The orbiter's aft engine
compartment was closed for flight Tuesday morning. Following commencement of
the countdown at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, operations will begin to prepare the
orbiter for on board cryogenic loading. Orbiter navigation aids will be turned
on and tested and the inertial measurement units will be activated.
Also on Wednesday, ground crews will begin making the final storage of
mid-deck and flight deck supplies and payloads. They will also perform
microbial samplings of the flight crew's drinking water and check water levels
in the crew waste management system.
The STS-51 crew is scheduled to arrive at KSC at about 2:30 p.m.
Wednesday.
At T-27 hours, the countdown will enter its first built-in hold. This is
an eight hour hold lasting from 1:30 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday.
When the countdown resumes, the launch pad will be cleared of all
personnel in preparation for cryogenic fuel loading of the power reactant and
storage distribution system tanks located under the payload bay lining. These
tanks hold the super-cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen reactants used by
the fuel cells to provide electricity to the orbiter and drinking water for the
crew.
Cryogenic flow is scheduled to start at about 11:30 a.m. and continue for
about five hours.
As servicing of the cryogenic tanks concludes, the clock will enter
another built-in hold at the T-19 hour mark. This hold will last for four
hours from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Following cryogenic loading operations, the pad will be reopened for
normal work and the orbiter mid-body umbilical unit used to load the super-cold
reactants in the orbiter's fuel cell tanks will be demated and retracted into
the launch structure.
When the countdown resumes, technicians will complete final vehicle and
facility closeouts and begin activating the orbiter's communications systems
and configuring Discovery's cockpit for flight. The orbiter's flight control
system and navigation aids will be activated. The stowable crew seats will be
installed in the flight and mid-decks.
The countdown will enter a built-in hold at the T-11 hour mark at 5:30
a.m. Friday. This 13 hour, 32 minute hold will last until 7:02 p.m. Friday.
During this hold, time critical equipment will be installed in the orbiter's
cockpit and the inertial measurement units will be activated and warmed up.
At about 11:00 a.m. Friday, the Rotating Service Structure is scheduled
to be moved away from the vehicle and placed in launch position.
At T-9 hours, about 9:02 p.m. Friday, the onboard fuel cells will be
activated. At T-8 hours, the launch team will begin evacuating the blast
danger area and clear the pad for loading the external tank with the super-cold
cryogenic fuels. At T-7 hours, 30 minutes, conditioned air that is flowing
through the orbiter's payload bay and other areas on the orbiter will be
switched to gaseous nitrogen in preparation for fueling the external tank. The
inertial measurement units will transition from the warm up stage to the
operate/attitude determination mode at T-6 hours, 45 minutes.
The countdown will enter another planned built-in hold at the T-6 hour
mark at 12:02 a.m. Saturday. During this one-hour hold, final preparations for
loading the external tank will be completed and a pre-tanking weather briefing
will be conducted.
Chilldown of the lines that carry the cryogenic propellants to the
external tank begins when the clock starts counting again at 1:02 a.m. Filling
and topping off the external tank should be complete at the beginning of the
next planned hold at T-3 hours, or 4:02 a.m. Saturday.
During the two-hour hold at T-3 hours, an ice inspection team will conduct
a survey of the external tank's outer insulation and other Shuttle components.
Also, the closeout crew will be dispatched to the pad and begin configuring the
crew module and white room for the flight crew's arrival. Liquid oxygen and
liquid hydrogen will be in a stable replenish mode during this time to replace
any propellant that "boils" off.
During the hold at T-3 hours, the five-member STS-51 crew will be awakened
at about 4:12 a.m. Saturday.
Following breakfast, the crew will receive a briefing on weather
conditions both at KSC and around the world via satellite from Mission Control,
Houston.
The flight crew will suit-up in their partial-pressure suits, then leave
the Operations and Checkout Building during the T-3 hour hold, or at about 5:52
a.m. They will arrive at the pad's white room at about 6:22 a.m. where they
will be assisted by white room personnel in getting into the crew cabin.
Just prior to the T-1 hour mark, the test team and the flight crew will
get another weather update, including observations from astronaut Robert "Hoot"
Gibson flying in a Shuttle Training Aircraft in the KSC area.
The last two built-in holds will be 10 minutes in duration and will occur
at the T-20 minute mark, or at 8:42 a.m. and at the T-9 minutes mark at 9:03
a.m. During the final hold, the flight crew and ground team receive the NASA
launch director's and the mission management team's final "go" for launch.
Milestones after the T-9 minute mark include start of the ground launch
sequencer; retraction of the orbiter access arm at T-7 minutes, 30 seconds;
start of the orbiter's auxiliary power units at T-5 minutes; pressurization of
the liquid oxygen tank inside the external tank at T-2 minutes, 55 seconds;
pressurization of the liquid hydrogen tank at T-1 minute, 57 seconds; and the
electronic "go" to Discovery's onboard computers to start their own terminal
countdown sequence at T-31 seconds. The orbiter's three main engines will
start at T-6.6 seconds.
COUNTDOWN MILESTONES
Launch - 3 Days (Wednesday, July 14)
Prepare for the start of the STS-51 launch countdown and perform the
call-to-stations at the T-43 hour mark. Countdown will begin at 9:30 a.m. All
members of the launch team will report to their respective consoles in Firing
Room 1 in the Launch Control Center for the start of the countdown.
The payload bay doors are scheduled to be closed for flight at about 4:00
p.m.
Launch - 2 Days (Thursday, July 15)
Enter the first planned built-in hold at T-27 hours for a duration of
eight hours.
Check out back-up flight system and review flight software stored in mass
memory units and display systems. Load backup flight system software into
Discovery's general purpose computers.
Begin stowage of flight crew equipment. Inspect the orbiter's mid-deck
and flight-deck and remove crew module platforms. Start external tank loading
preparations and prepare the Shuttle's main engines for main propellant tanking
and flight.
Resume countdown. Start preparations for servicing fuel cell storage
tanks and begin final vehicle and facility closeouts for launch.
Clear launch pad of all personnel and begin loading liquid oxygen and
liquid hydrogen reactants into Discovery's fuel cell storage tanks.
After loading operations, the pad will be reopened for normal work.
Orbiter and ground support equipment closeouts will resume.
Enter planned built-in hold at T-19 hours for a duration of 4 hours.
Demate orbiter mid-body umbilical unit.
Resume countdown.
Activate orbiter communications systems, flight control and navigation
systems. Install mission specialists' seats in crew cabin. The tail service
masts on the mobile launcher platform will be closed out for launch.
Launch - 1 Day (Friday, July 16)
Enter planned hold at T-11 hours for a duration of 13 hours, 32 minutes.
Perform orbiter ascent switch list in crew cabin. During this hold at
T-11 hours, the orbiter's inertial measurement units will be activated and kept
in the "warm up" mode and film will be installed in the numerous cameras on the
launch pad. In addition, safety personnel will conduct a debris walkdown and
the pad sound suppression system water tank will be filled.
The Rotating Service Structure will be moved to the park position during
this hold at about 11:00 a.m.
Final stowage of middeck experiments and flight crew equipment stowage
will begin.
Resume countdown. Install time critical flight crew equipment and perform
the pre-ingress switch list. Start fuel cell flow-through purge.
Activate the orbiter's fuel cells. Configure communications at Mission
Control, Houston, for launch. Clear the blast danger area of all non-essential
personnel and switch Discovery's purge air to gaseous nitrogen.
Launch Day (Saturday, July 17)
Enter planned one-hour built-in hold at the T-6 hour mark.
Launch team verifies there are no violations of launch commit criteria
prior to cryogenic loading of the external tank. Clear pad of all personnel.
Resume countdown. Loading the external tank with cryogenic propellants is
scheduled to begin at 1:02 a.m.
Complete filling the external tank with its flight load of liquid hydrogen
and liquid oxygen propellants. Perform open loop test with Eastern Space and
Missile Center and conduct gimbal profile checks of orbital maneuvering system
engines.
Perform inertial measurement unit preflight calibration and align Merritt
Island Launch Area tracking antennas.
Enter two-hour hold at T-3 hours and wake flight crew at 4:12 a.m.
Closeout crew and ice inspection team proceeds to Launch Pad 39-B. Crew
departs Operations and Checkout Building for the pad at 5:52 a.m.
Resume countdown at T-3 hours. Complete closeout preparations in the
white room and cockpit switch configurations.
Flight crew enters orbiter. Astronauts perform air-to-ground voice checks
with Mission Control, Houston. Close Discovery's crew hatch. Begin Eastern
Space and Missile Center final network open loop command checks.
Perform hatch seal and cabin leak checks. The white room is closed out
and the closeout crew moves to fallback area. Primary ascent guidance data is
transferred to the backup flight system.
Enter planned 10-minute hold at T-20 minutes.
NASA Shuttle Test Director conducts final briefing.
Resume countdown. Transition orbiter onboard computers to launch
configuration and start fuel cell thermal conditioning. Close orbiter cabin
vent valves. Backup flight system transitions to launch configuration.
Enter last planned hold at T-9 minutes.
Launch Director and Mission Management Team complete final polls for
launch. Resume countdown.
Start automatic ground launch sequencer (T-9:00 minutes)
Retract orbiter crew access arm (T-7:30)
Start mission recorders (T-5:30)
Start Auxiliary Power Units (T-5:00)
Arm SRB and ET range safety safe and arm devices (T-5:00)
Start liquid oxygen drainback (T-4:55)
Start orbiter aerosurface profile test (T-3:55)
Orbiter transfers to internal power (T-3:30)
Start MPS gimbal profile test (T-3:30)
Pressurize liquid oxygen tank (T-2:55)
Begin retraction of the gaseous oxygen vent arm (T-2:55)
Fuel cells to internal reactants (T-2:35)
Pressurize liquid hydrogen tank (T-1:57)
Deactivate SRB joint heaters (T-1:00)
LPS go for start of orbiter automatic sequence (T-0:31 seconds)
Ignition of Shuttle's three main engines (T-6.6 seconds)
SRB ignition and liftoff (T-0)
SUMMARY OF HOLDS AND HOLD TIMES FOR STS-51
T-TIME ------- LENGTH OF HOLD ---- HOLD BEGINS ---- HOLD ENDS
T-27 hours --- 8 hours ----------- 1:30 am Thurs.- 9:30 am Thurs.
T-19 hours --- 4 hours ----------- 5:30 pm Thurs.- 9:30 pm Thurs.
T-11 hours --- 13 hrs., 32 mins. - 5:30 am Fri.----- 7:02 pm Fri.
T-6 hours ---- 1 hour ----------- 12:02 am Sat.----- 1:02 am Sat.
T-3 hours ---- 2 hours ----------- 4:02 am Sat.----- 6:02 am Sat.
T-20 minutes - 10 minutes -------- 8:42 am Sat.----- 8:52 am Sat.
T-9 minutes -- 10 minutes -------- 9:03 am Sat.----- 9:13 am Sat.
CREW FOR MISSION STS-51
Commander (CDR): Frank Culbertson
Pilot (PLT): Bill Readdy
Mission Specialist (MS1): Jim Newman
Mission Specialist (MS2): Dan Bursch
Mission Specialist (MS3): Carl Walz
SUMMARY OF STS-51 LAUNCH DAY CREW ACTIVITIES
Saturday, July 17, 1993
4:12 a.m. Wake up
4:42 a.m. Breakfast
5:12 a.m. Weather briefing (CDR, PLT, MS2)
5:12 a.m. Don flight equipment (MS1, MS3)
5:22 a.m. Don flight equipment (CDR, PLT, MS2)
5:52 a.m. Depart for launch pad 39-B
6:22 a.m. Arrive at white room and begin ingress
7:37 a.m. Close crew hatch
9:22 a.m. Launch
|
| 849.34 | Launch Weather Forecast at L-3 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Jul 15 1993 10:22 | 37 |
| LAUNCH WEATHER FORECAST FOR STS-51
L-3 Days
George H. Diller
NASA Kennedy Space Center
Synopsis: High pressure dominates. Weak low altitude and mid-level winds
provide little movement for developing convective showers or thunderstorms over
land, however, offshore activity will move gradually onshore.
At the opening of the launch window at 9:22 a.m. on Saturday forecast
conditions are:
Clouds: scattered low level
Visibility: 7 or miles or greater
Wind - Pad 39B: WSW/4-6 knots
Temperature: 80 degrees
Dewpoint: 70 degrees
Humidity: 69%
Precipitation: slight chance of showers offshore
Other weather concerns: no other significant weather
Probability of launch weather violation on Saturday: 10%
tanking violation on Saturday: 5%
Chance of violation with 24 hour scrub turnaround: 10%
48 hour scrub turnaround: 10%
Cape Canaveral Forecast Facility
Department of the Air Force
7/14/93
|
| 849.35 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/14/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Jul 15 1993 10:24 | 56 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Wednesday, July 14, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
MISSION: STS-51 ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
Launch minus 3 days
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: Saturday, July 17, 1993 CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: 9:22 - 10:24 a.m. EDT
EXPECTED KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: July 26 or 27 7:21 a.m. EDT
EXPECTED MISSION DURATION: 8 days/22 hours + 1 day (an additional day on orbit
may be granted if orbiter cryogenics allow)
NOTE: The countdown for Discovery's launch began at the T-43 hour mark today at
9:30 a.m. Forecasters indicate a 10 percent proba- bility of weather
prohibiting launch with a slight chance of showers being the primary concern.
The five member crew for this mission will arrive KSC at 2:30 p.m. today. Crew
members are: Commander Frank Culbertson, Pilot William Readdy, and Mission
Specialists Daniel Bursch, James Newman and Carl Walz.
IN WORK TODAY:
* Verification of Shuttle power on systems, data processing and
flight control systems
* Final stowage of mid-deck and flight deck supplies and payloads
* Preparations for power reactant and storage distribution
system operations
* Orbiter closeouts
* Pad surface washdown and foreign object debris assessments
* Move solid rocket booster flame deflectors to launch position
* Payload bay closeouts
* Retract payload ground handling mechanism
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Crew to arrive KSC 2:30 p.m. today
* Close payload bay doors for flight this afternoon
* Cryogenic reactants loading for power reactant and storage
distribution system (Thursday)
* Retract rotating service structure (11:00 a.m. Friday)
* External tank loading operations (1:02 a.m. Saturday)
WORK COMPLETED:
* Aft engine compartment closeouts
* Hypergolic pressurization closeout operations
* Launch countdown preparations
* Aft confidence test
* Purge external tank
|
| 849.36 | NASA Select schedule available | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Jul 15 1993 10:27 | 1 |
| pragma::public:[nasa]sts-51.nasa_select
|
| 849.37 | Launch on Saturday was scrubbed | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jul 19 1993 09:29 | 10 |
| In case nobody noticed, the launch was scrubbed due to a technical
difficulty in the launch hardware. The short story is that the pyrotechnics
on the SRB hold-down bolts were reading armed when they shouldn't have or
something of that ilk.
A new launch date has not been set at this date (probably will be set today). It
will take a few days at minimum.
- dave
|
| 849.38 | | STAR::HUGHES | Samurai Couch Potato | Mon Jul 19 1993 11:34 | 10 |
| Yup, a failed photodiode was causing part of the SRB ignition and
release circuitry to be armed when it should not have been. They let
the count run until T-20 minutes. The consensus was that the launch
sequencer would detect this as an anomaly, probably after main engine
start and command a shutdown.
They were talking a turnaround time of approx 1 week (as of Saturday,
haven't seen anything more recent).
gary
|
| 849.39 | | SKYLAB::FISHER | Carp Diem : Fish the Day | Mon Jul 19 1993 13:24 | 3 |
| Any clue as to what a photodiode is used for in the arming circuit?
Burns
|
| 849.40 | News report on launch scrub | VERGA::KLAES | Quo vadimus? | Mon Jul 19 1993 13:43 | 59 |
| Article: 1723
From: [email protected] (IRENE BROWN)
Newsgroups: clari.tw.space,clari.local.texas,clari.news.aviation
Subject: Technical glitch forces shuttle launch scrub
Date: Sat, 17 Jul 93 12:28:20 PDT
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (UPI) -- NASA managers Saturday scrubbed a
planned launch of the space shuttle Discovery on a satellite-delivery
mission because of a switch failure in a system that bolts the shuttle
to the launch pad.
The flight, scheduled for blastoff at 9:22 a.m. EDT, has not yet been
rescheduled, but would not occur before Thursday.
``It's always a disappointment when a smooth launch count is brought
to a halt,'' said launch director Robert Sieck. ``We want to ensure that
we have a fully functional pryotechnics system for launch and it's going
to take some time to do that.''
The faulty hardware was traced to a solid state switch in a
controller on the mobile launcher platform that powers explosive bolts
and other critical liftoff safety systems.
About an hour before Saturday's planned launch, the switch
prematurely armed the backup circuit of eight hold-down bolts and the
liquid hydrogen vent arm on the external fuel tank, preparing the
components for separation from the shuttle. Typically, the devices are
armed at 18 seconds before liftoff.
Although the shuttle and its crew were never in any danger, the
situation raised concerns about the equipment's reliability.
``We've never had experience with a failure like that before,'' said
Sieck, adding that along with trouble-shooting and replacing the faulty
circuit, a thorough inspection of similar components would be conducted.
Commander Frank Culbertson, co-pilot William Readdy, flight engineer
Daniel Bursch, James Newman and Carl Walz climbed out of the orbiter
shortly after the scrub and boarded jets for return to the Johnson Space
Center in Houston.
Sieck said the shuttle should be ready for flight by Thursday or
Friday, but might have to wait until early the following week for an
opening on the Eastern Test Range schedule.
An Atlas rocket carrying a military satellite is scheduled to be
launched Monday, followed by a crucial Titan 4 booster test that will
pave the way for the long-delayed flight of a classified military
payload later this summer.
The range supports shuttle and unmanned rocket activities from Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station and Kennedy Space Center.
The primary purpose of Discovery's flight -- the fifth of eight
shuttle missions planned for this year -- is to deploy an experimental
communications satellite, conduct astronomical research and practice
spacewalking techniques for use in December's shuttle mission to repair
the Hubble telescope.
|
| 849.41 | Re: .-2 -- A bit more on the failed unit.. | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jul 19 1993 15:08 | 50 |
| I looked up your question about the photodiode. There's not much on the details
of circuitry at that level. What I have on the PIC (Pyro Initiation Controller,
note a different definition below) talks a bit about the voltages in and out,
but not about what's inside. Speculating, the photodiode may be used as an
"opto-isolator" in the circuit to prevent static charges or other transients from
doing unusual things further downstream. I can provide the arming and firing
sequence if desired (any opportunity to use "frangible nut" in a sentence :-)).
Attached are some details from Ken Hollis at the Cape...
- dave
From: [email protected]
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: STS-51 launch
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Date: 17 Jul 93 10:16:52 EST
Organization: NASA, Kennedy Space Center
Greetings and Salutations:
The STS-51, OV-103 (Discovery), launch was scrubbed today. The following is
PRELIMINARY INFORMATION ONLY ! FURTHER TROUBLESHOOTING WILL DETERMINE EXACT
PROBLEM !
At approximately T-1 hour and 1/2 the system "B" solid state switch in the PIC
(Pyro Ignition Capacitor) rack was noted to be on. This resulted in the PIC's
for the SRB (Solid Rocket Booster) hold down posts and ET (External Tank)
hydrogen vent arm release to be charged (armed). The problem is that if a
launch was attempted, and this switch all of the sudden turned off, GLS (Ground
Launch Sequencer) (the software that runs the final 9 minutes of launch) would
have broken out and caused a scrub (at whatever time frame the switch failed).
Retest & replacement will probably delay launch until next Friday, July 23rd,
or next Saturday July 24th.
Here is the most likely scenario (assuming the switch is bad). Detank the
vehicle since the ET is fully loaded (Complete by noon or so 7/17/93). Detank
the PRSD (Power Reactant Storage and Distribution (the fuel cells)) system
(Vehicle aft entry required, so PRSD must be off loaded). Roll the RSS
(Rotating Service Structure) back around the vehicle & open back up the aft.
Disconnect all of the ordinance (for retest). Change the switch & retest PIC
system. Hook back up the Ordinance. Close out the aft. Reload PRSD, roll RSS
back. Get back into launch configuration.
--
-----------------------------------------------
Ken Hollis INTERNET: [email protected]
SPAN/HEPnet: KSCP00::HOLLIS
|
| 849.42 | | STAR::HUGHES | Samurai Couch Potato | Mon Jul 19 1993 15:49 | 7 |
| It could be an isolator.
It could also be something simple like detecting that the main engines
are running by light (no light=>no SSME ignition, do not arm the
pyros).
gary
|
| 849.43 | Well.. While we're guessing.... | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jul 19 1993 17:26 | 16 |
| I believe PICs are "general-purpose" modules, so I doubt it is using light
from an external source as part of the arming sequence.
See, ya got your PICs and your NSDs. The PICs do yer armin' and dischargin' and
the NSDs (NASA Standard Detonators) do yer poppin'.... All the NSDs have a PIC,
and pretty much visa versa. PICs need 3 signals to discharge (arm, fire1, fire2)
but they also inform the launch processin' system of their status via some
voltage 'ducers at the pad... PICs and NSDs are all over the place (they
release the hold-down posts, trigger the rocket motor initiator charge in the
SRMs, etc.
Even more speculation: Perhaps they use the photodiode as part of a manual
safety system. By placing an opaque gizmo (like a pin or card) any stray
signals or test signals will be blocked from going anywhere...
- dave
|
| 849.44 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/19/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Jul 20 1993 09:39 | 54 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Monday, July 19, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
MISSION: STS-51 ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: TBD CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: TBD
EXPECTED KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: TBD
EXPECTED MISSION DURATION: 8 days/22 hours + 1 day (an additional
day on orbit may be granted if orbiter cryogenics and allow)
IN WORK TODAY:
* Troubleshooting of the ground pyrotechnic initiator controller
* Argon servicing of the ORFEUS payload
* Trickle charge on ACTS batteries
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Ordnance installation and reconnect operations
* Load onboard cryogenic reactants
* Aft engine compartment closeouts and aft confidence test
* Final payload bay closeouts and close payload bay doors for
flight
WORK COMPLETED:
* Open payload bay doors
* Off load of onboard cryogenic tanks
* Ordnance disconnect and safing operations
* Remove mid-deck payloads for reservicing
NOTE: Launch of the space shuttle Discovery on mission STS-51 was scrubbed
Saturday at the T-20 minute mark due to a problem with a switch in the
pyrotechnic initiator controller (PIC) which governs the pyrotechnic circuits
on the Shuttle. The problem was narrowed down to a prematurely charged
capacitor in the firing circuit of all eight Solid Rocket Booster hold down
posts and the T-0 liquid hydrogen vent arm, located on the side of the external
tank. This charge is normally initiated at the T-18 second mark.
Work to repair the circuit, located on the mobile launcher platform, is
now underway.
A specific launch date has yet to be determined. NASA managers are
discussing launch day options.
The five members of astronaut crew departed for their homes in Houston on
Saturday. Their schedule to return to KSC will be determined by the setting of
a new launch date.
|
| 849.45 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/20/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Jul 21 1993 10:19 | 51 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Tuesday, July 20, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
MISSION: STS-51 ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: TBD CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: TBD
EXPECTED KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: TBD
EXPECTED MISSION DURATION: 8 days/22 hours + 1 day (an additional
day on orbit may be granted if orbiter cryogenics and allow)
NOTE: An announcement is expected later today from NASA managers giving a firm
launch date for Discovery on mission STS-51. At this time, launch will not
occur before Friday, July 23.
The problem circuit card in the pyrotechnic initiator controller which
caused the launch scrub on Saturday has been replaced on the mobile launcher
platform. Efforts to duplicate the problem on the suspect card were successful
at KSC's malfunction laboratory. A thermally unstable circuit was the culprit.
The five members of the astronaut crew departed for their homes in Houston
last Saturday. Their schedule to return to KSC will be determined by the
setting of a new launch date.
The crew for this mission include: Commander Frank Culbertson, Pilot Bill
Readdy, and Mission Specialists Jim Newman, Dan Bursch and Carl Walz.
IN WORK TODAY:
* Extended launch scrub turnaround operations
* Purge of power reactant storage and distribution system
* Ordnance installation and reconnect operations (Pad clear at
about 4:00 p.m. today)
* Trickle charge on ACTS batteries
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Load onboard cryogenic reactants
* Aft engine compartment closeouts and aft confidence test
* Final payload bay closeouts and close payload bay doors for
flight
WORK COMPLETED:
* Troubleshooting and replacement of the ground pyrotechnic
initiator controller circuit card
* Argon servicing of the ORFEUS payload
* Open payload bay doors
|
| 849.46 | Launch Advisory: July 24 new date for STS-51 launch | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Jul 21 1993 10:20 | 30 |
| Ed Campion
July 20, 1993
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
Bruce Buckingham
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
NASA managers today set July 24 as the new launch date for Shuttle Mission
STS-51. The launch window on July 24 opens at 9:27 a.m. EDT and extends for 54
minutes.
The decision to go with July 24 as the new launch date follows the
completion of work to inspect and retest the Pyro Initiator Controller (PIC)
unit on the launch pad. A problem with the unit caused the Kennedy Space
Center launch director to call a scrub during a launch attempt on July 17.
"The July 24 date is the best date all around for the launch of Discovery
on the STS-51 mission" said Shuttle Director Tom Utsman. It gives enough time
for KSC technicians to complete work on the PIC unit, the payload community
time to service the STS-51 experiments and the entire launch team enough time
to put the Shuttle system back into launch configuration. The July 24 date
also is one that the Air Force range safety community can support."
Shuttle Mission STS-51 will see Discovery's five person crew deploy the
Advanced Communciations Technology Satellite which will give industry, academic
and government organizations an opportunity to investigate new ways of
communicating. The crew will also deploy and retrieve the Orbiting and
Retrieveable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer (ORFEUS- SPAS).
|
| 849.47 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/23/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jul 26 1993 10:08 | 81 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Friday, July 23, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
MISSION: STS-51 ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
LAUNCH MINUS 1 DAY
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: Saturday, July 24, 1993 CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: 9:27 - 10:21 a.m. (54 minutes)
KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: August 2/3, 1993 at 7:26 a.m.
MISSION DURATION: 8 days/22 hours + 1 day (An additional day on
orbit may be granted if orbiter cryogenics and allow.)
Work toward Discovery's launch on Saturday, July 24, con- tinues without
problem today at KSC's pad 39-B. Yesterday, opera- tions to load the onboard
cryogenic tanks with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen were completed and the
orbiter mid-body umbilical unit was demated and retracted into the service
structure.
Today, preparations continue to retract the rotating service structure to
launch position at about 10 a.m. Also today, time critical equipment and the
last two mid-deck payloads, CHROMEX and CPCG, are being installed into the
orbiter.
The countdown clock will begin counting at T-11 hours at 7:07 p.m. today.
At about 12:30 a.m. Saturday, the external tank will be ready for fueling
with more than 500,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.
Forecasters continue to indicate a 10 percent probability of weather
prohibiting launch with a slight chance of showers and low ceilings being the
primary concerns. The winds at the pad are expected to be from the southwest
at 6 to 8 knots; temperature 83 degrees F.; visibility 7 miles; and clouds
scattered at 2,500 and 25,000 feet. A 48-hour delay will see about the same
conditions with a forecast 20 percent chance of violation. (No 24-hour forecast
is available since the 24-hour scrub turnaround is not an option for Saturday's
attempt.)
Today five-member astronaut crew are involved with checking out their
mission plans and taking part in orbiter and payload systems briefings. They
are scheduled for some free time this af- ternoon and will be ready for sleep
at about 6:30 p.m. They will be awakened tomorrow at about 4:17 a.m.
SUMMARY OF HOLDS AND HOLD TIMES FOR STS-51
T-TIME ------- LENGTH OF HOLD ---- HOLD BEGINS ---- HOLD ENDS
T-11 hours --- 3 hrs., 40 mins. -- 3:27 pm Fri.----- 7:07 pm Fri.
T-6 hours ---- 1 hour ----------- 12:07 am Sat.----- 1:07 am Sat.
T-3 hours ---- 2 hours ----------- 4:07 am Sat.----- 6:07 am Sat.
T-20 minutes - 10 minutes -------- 8:47 am Sat.----- 8:57 am Sat.
T-9 minutes -- 10 minutes -------- 9:08 am Sat.----- 9:18 am Sat.
CREW FOR MISSION STS-51
Commander (CDR): Frank Culbertson
Pilot (PLT): Bill Readdy
Mission Specialist (MS1): Jim Newman
Mission Specialist (MS2): Dan Bursch
Mission Specialist (MS3): Carl Walz
SUMMARY OF STS-51 LAUNCH DAY CREW ACTIVITIES
Saturday, July 24, 1993
4:17 a.m. Wake up
4:47 a.m. Breakfast
5:17 a.m. Weather briefing (CDR, PLT, MS2)
5:17 a.m. Don flight equipment (MS1, MS3)
5:27 a.m. Don flight equipment (CDR, PLT, MS2)
5:57 a.m. Depart for launch pad 39-B
6:27 a.m. Arrive at white room and begin ingress
7:42 a.m. Close crew hatch
9:27 a.m. Launch
|
| 849.48 | Stubborn stack.... STS-51 scrub #2 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jul 26 1993 10:19 | 28 |
| I lost my satellite feed the night before the launch (#^$^%), so I don't have
many details. CNN stayed with it all of 12 seconds.
The countdown was halted at T-00:00:19 (after T-20 seconds, things get
real interesting, so this was a bit tricky). The reported problem was that
a hydraulic power unit located in the skirt of one of the SRBs was not running
up to speed. This stopped the countdown immediately.
The earliest they could launch again was today, Monday -- the range was
unavailable on Sunday. I haven't heard a new date posted yet.
- dave
p.s. In the L-2 press briefing the nature of the PIC failure was discussed a
bit more. While the exact nature of the component was not discussed, it sounded
like it was a transistor more than a photo-diode (I could be showing my
ignorance here if a photo-diode is a form of a transistor). The component
was working (could not be made to fail) at the pad when then went in to get
it. It was brought back to the failure analysis lab and was made to fail
by raising the ambient temperature (a standard solid-state failure analysis
technique). The problem was that the component was allowing the capacitor
to be charged (arming the circuit) when it shouldn't have.
The particular board is 15 years old (the engineer at the press briefing did
not have the specs for the board or component, but noted that its lifetime
was supposed to be, more or less, indefinite) and came from the SLC-6 pad
at Vandenburg.
|
| 849.49 | | SKYLAB::FISHER | Carp Diem : Fish the Day | Mon Jul 26 1993 13:46 | 6 |
| When I first what the problem was this time, I thought to myself wryly, "at
least this mission is having unique failures". However, the newsies said that a
previous mission had also had problems with the SRB APU. I remember problems
with orbiter APUs, but not with the SRB. Anyone remember?
Burns
|
| 849.50 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/26/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jul 26 1993 17:14 | 52 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Monday, July 26, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
MISSION: STS-51 ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: NET Aug. 2, 1993 CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: TBD
KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: TBD
MISSION DURATION: 8 days/22 hours + 1 day (An additional day on
orbit may be granted if orbiter cryogenics and allow.)
NOTE: The launch of Discovery on mission STS-51 was halted last Saturday at the
T-19 second mark due to a problem with the Hydraulic Power Unit (HPU) on the
right hand Solid Rocket Booster. The HPU controls the rock and tilt actuators
on the booster's nozzel. Specifically, the problem was narrowed down to the
Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) which is the power supply of the HPU. This resulted
in a lower than allowable turbine speed. As a result, only the APU will be
replaced. The faulty unit will be returned to the vendor for complete failure
analysis and a new unit will be installed later this week. No additional work
is scheduled for the left hand booster.
Early assessments indicate another launch attempt will occur no earlier
than Monday, August 2. To support this effort, a com- plete countdown will be
required and the clock recycled to the T-43 hour mark.
IN WORK TODAY:
* Extended scrub turnaround activity
* Raise booster service platforms
* Ordnance disconnect operations (4 p.m.)
* Install payload access platforms
* Install aft engine compartment entry level platforms
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Deservice HPU hypergolic fuels
* Remove and replace right hand SRB APU
* Hot fire HPU
* Reconnect ordnance devices
WORK COMPLETED:
* Drain external tank of cryogenic fuels
* Move rotating service structure around vehicle
* Off load onboard cryogenic fuels
* Demate mid-body umbilical unit
* Open payload bay doors
* Open aft engine compartment doors
|
| 849.51 | Re: .49 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jul 26 1993 17:55 | 30 |
| Indirectly (and partially) answered by Ken Hollis at the KSC..
From: [email protected]
Subject: STS-51 scrub 7/24/93
Date: 24 Jul 93 11:45:12 EST
Organization: NASA, Kennedy Space Center
Greetings and Salutations:
As usual, the below information is preliminary only. This is from the data on
hand and the actual equipment has not been scrutinized yet.
STS-51 scrubbed today because the right hand SRB (Solid Rocket Booster) HPU
(Hydraulic Power Unit) turbine speed came up then went out of limits. The last
time this happened in 1985, a wire on the speed sensor was found not grounded,
and was therefore giving erratic readings. The data this time, however, looks
like it is a real problem with the HPU.
Assuming that the HPU is changed out, here are the events : ET (External Tank)
detank & LH2 boiloff (there are several hundred gallons of LH2 at the bottom of
the LH2 tank even when drained as much as possible), pad access, SCAPE (Self
Contained Atmospheric Protective Ensemble) operation to offload the HPU
hydrazine, HPU R&R, SCAPE operation to reload tanks, HPU hotfire, tank reload
again, then launch.
Rough guesstimate next Wednesday or Thursday for launch.
--
-----------------------------------------------
Ken Hollis INTERNET: [email protected]
SPAN/HEPnet: KSCP00::HOLLIS
|
| 849.52 | And the popular press (UPI) -- note the speeds on the turbines (yikes!) | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Jul 26 1993 17:58 | 64 |
| From: [email protected] (IRENE BROWN)
Subject: Shuttle Discovery launch scrubbed
Date: Sat, 24 Jul 93 10:48:11 PDT
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (UPI) -- NASA managers canceled Discovery's
planned launch Saturday just seconds before liftoff when onboard
computers detected an equipment problem in one of the space shuttle's
two solid rocket boosters.
The computer halted the countdown with 19 seconds to go after
detecting a problem with a power unit in the right solid rocket booster.
``In the nature of this business, there are going to be
disappointments,'' said launch director Robert Sieck.
The flight, already postponed a week by an unrelated equipment
failure, will be rescheduled after engineers troubleshoot the problem
and finalize plans to replace the faulty unit. However, a delay until
the first week of August is expected. A new launch date should be
determined by Tuesday, Sieck said.
The impact on NASA's remaining shuttle flights for the year will take
longer to sort out, he added. Those missions include a targeted Nov. 10
launch of Discovery, whose crew includes a Russian cosmonaut, and a Dec.
2 flight of Endeavour on a critical Hubble Space Telescope repair
mission.
Engineers plan to replace one of two auxiliary power units in
Discovery's right solid rocket booster. The hydrazine-powered units
drive turbines neededto guide the booster during flight. The faulty
unit, designed to operate at speeds of 66,200 to 77,800 rpm, operated
properly for about 20 seconds before levels dropped to below 60,000 rpm,
signaling the shuttle's computers to halt the countdown.
Discovery commander Frank Culbertson, 44, co-pilot William Readdy,
41, flight engineer Daniel Bursch, who turns 36 on Sunday, James Newman,
36, and Carl Walz, 37, planned to return to Houston while repairs to
their spaceship were under way.
The last-minute cutoff was NASA's third this year, including an abort
11 seconds before liftoff on Discovery's last mission in April. That
problem was traced to an improperly configured valve and the shuttle was
successfully launched two days later.
And in March, the shuttle Columbia's engines shut down just three
seconds before launch because of a valve problem.
The frustrating and expensive launch delays -- each setback costs NASA
about $500,000 in overtime expenses and propellants -- follow an
impressive and unprecedented string of eight trouble-free launches last
year.
``Maybe it's the law of averages catching up,'' said Sieck.
``If you look at the reasons why we scrubbed it was random hardware
failures. That's when they chose to bite us,'' he said. ``Problems that
cause you to cut off that late are usually systems that don't become
dynamic until that part of the launch countdown.''
NASA's last attempt to launch Discovery on July 17 ended less
dramatically, with about an hour left before blastoff. Engineers
detected an electrical problem in a system that controls the shuttle's
separation from the launch pad.
The main goal of Discovery's mission, the fifth of eight planned for
1993, is deployment of the Advanced Technology Communications Satellite.
The $363 million spacecraft is intended to serve as a testbed for a
variety of commercial, academic and government users over the next two
years.
Also during the mission, scheduled to last up to 10 days, the
astronauts plan to deploy a small free-flying pallet equipped with three
ultraviolet-sensitive spectrographs for studies of star formation and
lifecycle. The German-built spacecraft is to be retrieved by the crew
before landing and brought back to Earth.
A six-hour spacewalk by astronauts Newman and Walz also is planned to
test equipment and procedures being developed for future satellite
repair and space station assembly missions.
|
| 849.53 | Insufficient reliability risks station plans | LANDO::STONE | | Tue Jul 27 1993 10:43 | 6 |
| Ed. comment: The recent events stalling this launch further expose the
inherent lack of reliability (which is becoming more acute as flight
and ground hardware ages) in the shuttle launch system. This further
compromises NASA's space station plans and further reinforces the need
for a "lifeboat" if and when the station is manned.
One man's opinion..........
|
| 849.54 | | AUSSIE::GARSON | nouveau pauvre | Tue Jul 27 1993 19:21 | 14 |
| re .-1
I wouldn't argue with the fact that the shuttle is a complex system and
that even with individual parts being of high reliability, the probability
of some part failing and halting the launch becomes a nuisance but do you
have any evidence that the problem is becoming worse with age? I'm sure
recent launch delays are fresher in the mind but, for example, what was
the average launch delay in the first 25 flights as opposed to the next
25 or so?
I know that if I were in the station {a chance would be a fine thing
(-:} and there was no ACRV and I was dependent on on-time regular
launches and quick response emergency launches, I wouldn't be all that
comfortable.
|
| 849.55 | Some clarification | LANDO::STONE | | Wed Jul 28 1993 09:36 | 18 |
| re: .-1
True, I don't have any hard data, (I hope NASA does!) relating to age-
related failures. However, if you read between the lines in the number
of status reports (they are great!) and see what components are being
worked on and what is failing, I get a sense of an over-all aging
system. (Case in point, note the corrosion inspection/repair
activities mentioned in preparation of Columbia's next flight.) While
admittedly, the recent HPU problem is not new, and one can argue that
each SRB is relatively "new" due to its refurbishment, ground support
facilities, avionics, and structures all have determinate lifespans
(heck, I just read an article that NASA is starting a $15m renovation
project on the crawlerway to LC39), and I hope that NASA has the proper
funding to repair/replace systems that can compromise reliability. My
major point is that NASA (and the Nat'l Space Committee) must be sensitive to
to the linkage between the space station goals and improving the STS
launch capabilities. If they fail at this, both the shuttle and the
station won't get off the ground.
Cheers
|
| 849.56 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/27/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Jul 28 1993 12:35 | 42 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Tuesday, July 27, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
MISSION: STS-51 ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: Aug. 4, 1993 CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: TBD
KSC LANDING DATE: Aug. 13/14, 1993
MISSION DURATION: 8 days/22 hours + 1 day (An additional day on
orbit may be granted if orbiter cryogenics allow.)
NOTE: Launch of Discovery on mission STS-51 has been rescheduled for Wednesday,
August 4. The launch window is yet to be determined and will be clarified
later today. The countdown is scheduled to pick-up at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday,
August 1 at the T-43 hour mark.
Work at the pad to remove and replace the right hand solid rocket
booster's (SRB) Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) continues today.
IN WORK TODAY:
* Pad closed for deservice of HPU hypergolic fuels
* Remove and replace right hand SRB APU
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Reservice hypergolic fuels
* Hot fire HPU
* Reconnect ordnance devices
* Power reactant storage and distribution system purges
* Aft engine compartment closeouts
WORK COMPLETED:
* Raise booster service platforms
* Ordnance disconnect operations
* Install payload access platforms
* Install aft engine compartment entry level platforms
|
| 849.57 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/28/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Aug 02 1993 15:01 | 40 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Wednesday, July 28, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
MISSION: STS-51 ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: August 4 CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: 9:06 - 10:14 a.m. EDT
KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: August 13/14 (7:05 a.m.)
MISSION DURATION: 8 days/22 hours + 1 day (An additional day on
orbit may be granted if orbiter cryogenics allow.)
NOTE: Launch of Discovery on mission STS-51 is scheduled for Wed- nesday,
August 4, 1993. The launch window opens at 9:06 a.m. EDT and extends to 10:14
a.m. The countdown is scheduled to pick-up at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 1 at
the T-43 hour mark.
IN WORK TODAY:
* Remove and replace right hand solid rocket booster Auxiliary
Power Unit (APU)
* Aft engine compartment closeouts
* Advanced Communications Technology Satellite battery charging
* Countdown preparations
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Reservice APU hypergolic fuels
* Hot fire SRB hydraulic power unit
* Reconnect ordnance devices
* Power reactant storage and distribution system purges
* Vehicle power down on Saturday
WORK COMPLETED:
* Deservice of SRB APU hypergolic fuels
* Raise booster service platforms
|
| 849.58 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 07/29/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Aug 02 1993 15:02 | 36 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Thursday, July 29, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
MISSION: STS-51 ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: August 4, 1993 CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: 9:06 - 10:14 a.m. EDT
KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: August 13/14 (7:05 a.m. on the 13th)
MISSION DURATION: 8 days/22 hours + 1 day (An additional day on
orbit may be granted if orbiter cryogenics allow.)
IN WORK TODAY:
* Service newly replaced right hand solid rocket booster
auxiliary power unit with hypergolic fuels
* Hot fire SRB hydraulic power unit (8 p.m. tonight)
* Advanced Communications Technology Satellite battery charging
* Countdown preparations
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Reconnect ordnance devices
* Aft engine compartment closeouts
* Vehicle power down on Saturday
* Countdown begin 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 1
* Close payload bay doors for flight
WORK COMPLETED:
* Remove and replace right hand solid rocket booster auxiliary
power unit
* Power reactant storage and distribution system purges
|
| 849.59 | Launch Advisory: STS-51 launch date moved to August 12 ("weather" problems) | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Aug 02 1993 15:05 | 26 |
| Ed Campion July 30, 1993
Headquarters, Washington, D.C
James Hartsfield
Johnson Space Center, Houston
Shuttle managers today decided to change the launch date of the STS-51
Space Shuttle Discovery mission to August 12. The decision was made after the
Shuttle team received a briefing and reviewed the latest data on the upcoming
Perseid meteor shower activity in Earth's upper atmosphere which is scheduled
to take place the evening of August 11.
The Perseid event, which happens each August, is one of about a dozen such
occasions each year that are the result of a comet's nucleus shedding debris
along its orbital path as it approaches the Sun. When Earth's orbit passes
through the debris field it causes meteor showers activity or "shooting stars."
The concern with this year's Perseid event is that it is one of the rare times
that the activity is expected to be extremely heavy thus increasing the chances
that a spacecraft in Earth orbit could be damaged by a piece of the debris.
"Our review of the data indicates that the STS-51 mission could be flown
safely during the Perseid event" said Shuttle Director Tom Utsman. "However, we
also recognized that this year's Perseid activity is a unique event that may
not be completely predictable. Therefore, the team felt the best overall
course of action would be to wait until after the comet event to launch
Discovery."
|
| 849.60 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 08/03/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Aug 04 1993 10:18 | 40 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Tuesday, August 3, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
MISSION: STS-51 -- ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: August 12, 1993 CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: 9:10 - 10:07 a.m. EDT
KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: August 21/22
MISSION DURATION: 8 days/22 hours (+ 1 day)
NOTE: On Friday, July 30, NASA mission managers decided to
postpone the launch of Discovery on mission STS-51 until August
12. This delay is due to concerns regarding the Perseid meteor
shower which is expected to peak on the evening of August 11.
IN WORK TODAY:
* Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS)
accelerometer polarity adjustments
* Solid rocket booster (SRB) thermal curtain installation
* SRB aft skirt foaming
* Crew compartment close-outs
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Transfer Orbiter Stage state-of-health checks (Wednesday)
* ORFEUS argon servicing (Thursday)
* ACTS battery charging (Friday)
* Launch countdown preparations
* Countdown scheduled to begin 9:30 a.m. Monday, August 9 at the
T-43 hour mark
WORK COMPLETED:
* Aft engine compartment closeouts
* ACTS battery discharge
|
| 849.61 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 08/05/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Aug 09 1993 14:12 | 30 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
8/5/93
-----------------------------------------------------------------
MISSION: STS-51 -- ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: August 12, 1993 CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: 9:10 - 10:07 a.m. EDT
KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: August 21/22 (7:09 a.m. on the 21st)
MISSION DURATION: 8 days/22 hours (+ 1 day)
IN WORK TODAY:
* Crew compartment close-outs
* Argon servicing of ORFEUS spacecraft
* Launch countdown preparations
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) battery
charging (Friday)
* Countdown scheduled to begin 9:30 a.m. EDT Monday, August 9 at
the T-43 hour mark
* Astronauts to arrive at KSC at 3 p.m. EDT on Monday, August 9
WORK COMPLETED:
* Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) thermal curtain installation
* Foaming of SRB aft skirt trailing edges
|
| 849.62 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 08/06/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Aug 09 1993 14:15 | 41 |
| SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Friday, August 6, 1993
George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center
MISSION: STS-51 -- ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
Vehicle: OV-103/Discovery Mission number: STS-51
Location: Pad 39-B Orbital altitude: 184 sm
Primary payload: ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Inclination: 28.45 deg
Launch date/time: Aug. 12 9:10-10:07 am Landing site: KSC
Duration: 10 days (landing Aug. 22) Crew size: 5
STS-51 IN WORK:
- start ACTS battery recharging
- preparations to repressurize OMS pods with gaseous nitrogen
- countdown preparations in Firing Room 1
STS-51 WORK SCHEDULED:
- pick up launch countdown 9:30 a.m. Monday at T-43 hours
- repressurize OMS pods with gaseous nitrogen Monday
- astronauts return to KSC from Houston at 3 p.m. Monday
- payload closeouts Monday
- close payload bay doors Monday
- load cryogenic reactants Tuesday
STS-51 WORK COMPLETED:
- solid rocket booster closeouts
- aft main engine compartment closeouts
- external tank closeouts
|
| 849.63 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 08/11/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Aug 11 1993 10:33 | 96 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Tuesday, August 10, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
MISSION: STS-51 -- ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
LAUNCH MINUS 2 DAYS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: August 12, 1993 CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: 9:10 - 10:07 a.m. EDT
KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: August 21/22 (7:09 a.m. on the 21st)
MISSION DURATION: 8 days/21 hours/59 minutes (+ 1 day)
The countdown for Discovery's launch continues without problem today. The
pad will be closed for most of today for the loading of the onboard cryogenic
tanks with the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen reactants. These reactants
provide electricity to the orbiter while in space and drinking water for the
crew. The pad was closed to all personnel at about 9:30 a.m. Cryogenic flow
is expected to begin about 11:30 a.m. and last for about 5 hours. Following
this operation the orbiter mid-body umbilical unit will be demated, orbiter
communications activation will start and final vehicle and facility closeouts
will begin.
Tomorrow, preparations will be made to retract the rotating service
structure to launch position at about 11 a.m. Tanking is scheduled to begin at
about 12:30 a.m. Thursday.
The payload bay doors were closed yesterday at 5:30 p.m. following the
completion of all payload bay operations.
Two mid-deck experiments will be installed into the orbiter tomorrow. The
Commercial Protein Crystal Growth (CPCG) experiment will be installed at 9 a.m.
and the Chromosome and Plant Cell Division in Space (CHROMEX) experiment will
be installed begin- ning at about 6 p.m.
Forecasters indicate a 30 percent probability of weather prohibiting
launch with the primary concerns being possible off- shore thunderstorms and a
low cloud ceiling. The winds at the pad are expected to be from the southeast
at 8 to 12 knots; tempera- ture 83 degrees F.; visibility 7 miles; and clouds
scattered to broken at 2,500 and 25,000 feet. The 24-hour and 48-hour delay
forecast reveal similar conditions with 30 percent and 20 percent chance of
violation respectively.
The five-member astronaut crew for this mission arrived at KSC's Shuttle
Landing Facility yesterday at about 2:30 p.m. Today they will be involved with
checking out their mission plans and fit checks of their equipment. They are
scheduled for some free time this afternoon and will be ready for sleep at
about 6:30 p.m. They will be awakened tomorrow at about 2:30 a.m.
SUMMARY OF REMAINING HOLDS AND HOLD TIMES FOR STS-51
T-TIME ------- LENGTH OF HOLD ---- HOLD BEGINS ---- HOLD ENDS
T-19 hours --- 4 hours ----------- 5:30 pm Tues.--- 9:30 pm Tues.
T-11 hours --- 13 hrs.,20 mins. -- 5:30 am Wed.----- 6:50 pm Wed.
T-6 hours ---- 1 hour ---------- 11:50 pm Wed.--- 12:50 am Thurs.
T-3 hours ---- 2 hours --------- 3:50 am Thurs.--- 5:50 am Thurs.
T-20 minutes - 10 minutes ------ 8:30 am Thurs.--- 8:40 am Thurs.
T-9 minutes -- 10 minutes ------ 8:51 am Thurs.--- 9:01 am Thurs.
CREW FOR MISSION STS-51
Commander (CDR): Frank Culbertson
Pilot (PLT): Bill Readdy
Mission Specialist (MS1): Jim Newman
Mission Specialist (MS2): Dan Bursch
Mission Specialist (MS3): Carl Walz
SUMMARY OF STS-51 LAUNCH DAY CREW ACTIVITIES
Thursday, August 12, 1993
4:00 a.m. Wake up
4:30 a.m. Breakfast
5:00 a.m. Weather briefing (CDR, PLT, MS2)
5:00 a.m. Don flight equipment (MS1, MS3)
5:10 a.m. Don flight equipment (CDR, PLT, MS2)
5:40 a.m. Depart for launch pad 39-B
6:10 a.m. Arrive at white room and begin ingress
7:25 a.m. Close crew hatch
9:10 a.m. Launch
|
| 849.64 | PREDICTED STS-51 elements for Aug 12 launch | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Aug 11 1993 10:54 | 19 |
|
STS-51
1 00051U 93224.59913645 .00044522 00000-0 13742-3 0 42
2 00051 28.4660 350.0600 0004874 284.3542 75.6549 15.91341110 23
Satellite: STS-51
Catalog number: 00051
Epoch time: 93224.59913645 = (12 AUG 93 14:22:45.39 UTC)
Element set: 004
Inclination: 28.4660 deg
RA of node: 350.0600 deg Space Shuttle Flight STS-51
Eccentricity: .0004874 Prelaunch Element set JSC-004
Arg of perigee: 284.3542 deg Launch: 12 AUG 93 13:10 UTC
Mean anomaly: 75.6549 deg
Mean motion: 15.91341110 rev/day G. L. Carman
Decay rate: 4.4522e-04 rev/day~2 NASA Johnson Space Center
Epoch rev: 2
Checksum: 258
|
| 849.65 | Pad Abort! | ONE900::HUGHES | Samurai Couch Potato | Thu Aug 12 1993 10:14 | 5 |
| Aaaargh!
Main engine shutdown at about t-2 seconds (my estimate).
gary
|
| 849.66 | | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Aug 12 1993 11:28 | 25 |
| On-pad abort #5 for the program and the second for Discovery. The last
on-pad abort was this spring (STS-55/Columbia).
Bad day for the instrumentation boys (and girls):
Preliminary indications are that a fuel flow sensor on SSME #2 (that's
sensor A-2 :-)) failed completely. The backup sensor showed good data, but
because they disagreed, the GLS stopped the countdown. Safing procedures
went as planned with no fire alarms tripped anywhere on the pad or in the
engine room.
Another instrumentation fluke halted the countdown at T-5 minutes for a
couple of minutes when the GLS was unable to verify that the Orbiter Access
Arm (the thing the crew uses to get to the orbiter) had retracted (though
looking at it out the window seemed to indicate otherwise).
The PAO said that SSME aborts typically result in a 2-3 week delay.
- dave
p.s. Is it me, or was the audio exceptionally great this time? They seem to
be turning it up a bit so you can hear "the machine" hissing, thumping, and
whining... (you could also clearly hear the fire extinguishers :-( ).
|
| 849.67 | Abort number 3 - but better safe than sorry | VERGA::KLAES | Quo vadimus? | Thu Aug 12 1993 15:49 | 61 |
| Article: 1773
From: [email protected] (IRENE BROWN)
Newsgroups: clari.tw.space,clari.news.aviation,clari.tw.aerospace
Subject: Space shuttle halted moments before blastoff
Date: Thu, 12 Aug 93 6:59:21 PDT
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (UPI) -- The shuttle Discovery's main
engines cut off three seconds before liftoff Thursday, aborting a
third launch attempt and indefinitely delaying the orbiter's
satellite-delivery and research flight.
The dramatic launch pad abort was NASA's second this year and the
fourth in shuttle program history. A March 22 launch attempt of shuttle
Columbia on a German Spacelab flight was cut off three seconds before
liftoff because of a main engine valve problem.
``The crew is safe and the systems are stable,'' said NASA launch
commentator George Diller at the Kennedy Space Center.
Preliminary data indicated an instrument that monitors fuel flow to
the shuttle's main engine malfunctioned. Liftoff had been scheduled for
9:10 a.m., but was delayed two minutes to verify that the launch tower's
access arm was fully retracted.
The latest problem is likely to delay the mission at least an
additional two weeks, and possibly longer, so that launch technicians
can inspect the shuttle's three main engines. The postponement will
force NASA to drop at least one of the three remaining shuttle missions
planned for 1993.
The crew -- commander Frank Culbertson, co-pilot William Readdy,
flight engineer Daniel Bursch, James Newman and Carl Walz -- was expected
to return to the Johnson Space Center in Houston while Discovery is
prepared for another launch attempt.
Thursday's launch attempt was the third for Discovery on a mission to
deploy an experimental telecommunications satellite, dispatch a robotic
astronomical observatory and practice spacewalking.
The first countdown was halted about an hour before liftoff on July
17 because of an electrical problem in a system that separates the
shuttle from the launch pad. A second attempt on July 24 was scrubbed
with 19 seconds left on the clock when a solid rocket booster hydraulic
power unit malfunctioned.
The primary purpose of Discovery's mission, the 57th in shuttle
program history, is to deploy a $363 million NASA-owned experimental
communications satellite designed to demonstrate new technologies and
equipment for transmitting data, video and other information.
The astronauts also plan to release a German-built astronomical
observatory for a six-day independent study of stellar ultraviolet
radiation. The Shuttle Pallet Satellite is to be retrieved two days
before landing and returned to Earth in the orbiter's cargo bay for
refurbishment and reflight.
For rookie astronauts Newman and Walz, the highlight of the mission
will be a six-hour spacewalk to test a variety of tools and maneuvers
designed for the Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission, currently
scheduled for December.
|
| 849.68 | | ONE900::HUGHES | Samurai Couch Potato | Thu Aug 12 1993 17:23 | 8 |
| re .66
Yes, the audio has changed. They appear to have installed microphones
at various places on the pad. I noticed on the last launch they picked
up the noise of the SSMEs and later the SRBs immediately (i.e. no
propagation delay).
gary
|
| 849.69 | STS-51 -- More Info | CXDOCS::J_BUTLER | E pur, si muove... | Thu Aug 12 1993 17:43 | 30 |
|
From: Ken Hollis:
Greetings and Salutations:
THE FOLLOWING IS PRELIMINARY DATA ONLY AND HAS NOT BEEN THOUROUGHLY ANALIZED
YET.
STS-51, Discovery, had a main engine abort at T-3 seconds today.
Fuel flowmeter sensor A2 on main engine 2 did not respond when the engine
started today. This initiated a SSME shutdown, and an on pad abort. Waterman
can give more details.
It is easier to change out all three engines than it is to do the turn around
inspections required after an engine start, so therefore the most likely
scenario is that all three main engines will be changed out at the pad
resulting in approximately a one month delay. Keep in mind that OV-102
(Columbia) is being stacked in the VAB now, and might actually be ready at the
same time (or sooner) than Discovery, but I doubt the schedule will be changed
around enough to allow Columbia to launch first.
--
-----------------------------------------------
Ken Hollis INTERNET: [email protected]
SPAN/HEPnet: KSCP00::HOLLIS
Dizzyclaimer:
If you believe this is in any way, shape, or form actual official information or
opinion, then you are probably as confused if not more so than I am...I think...
|
| 849.70 | | AUSSIE::GARSON | nouveau pauvre | Thu Aug 12 1993 19:38 | 3 |
| re .69
Why change all three engines when a sensor on only one of them failed?
|
| 849.71 | | GAUSS::REITH | Jim 3D::Reith MLO1-2/c37 223-2021 | Fri Aug 13 1993 08:38 | 1 |
| Because they were started and shut down on the pad.
|
| 849.72 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 08/16/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Aug 18 1993 18:34 | 41 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Monday, August 16, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
MISSION: STS-51 -- ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: NET early September CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: TBD
KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: TBD
MISSION DURATION: 8 days/2 hours (+ 1 day)
IN WORK TODAY:
* Post scrub turnaround and securing operations
* Defoam main engines
* Remove main engine heatshields
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Remove and replace all three main engines at the pad
* Service ORFEUS/SPAS with liquid argon
* ACTS/TOS health checks
WORK COMPLETED:
* Install engine service platforms under vehicle
* Extend rotating service structure around orbiter
* Orbiter mid-body umbilical mate and leak checks
* Off load onboard cryogenic reactants
* Open aft engine compartment and install work platforms
* ACTS battery discharge
* Open payload bay doors
* Remove and replace faulty fuel flow sensor
* Reposition main engines and aerosurfaces
* Disconnect ordnance
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
| 849.73 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 08/17/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Aug 18 1993 18:34 | 29 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS 8-17-93
MISSION: STS-51 -- ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: NET early September CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: TBD
KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: TBD
MISSION DURATION: 8 days/2 hours (+ 1 day)
IN WORK TODAY:
* Post scrub turnaround and securing operations
* Preparations for removing main engine #1
* Service ORFEUS/SPAS with liquic argon
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Remove and replace all three main engines at the pad
* ACTS/TOS health checks
WORK COMPLETED:
* Defoaming of main engines
* Engine heatshields removed
* Successful duplication of engine sensor failure that led to
August 12 engine shutdown three seconds prior to launch.
|
| 849.74 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 08/18/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Aug 18 1993 18:35 | 34 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Wednesday, August 18, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
MISSION: STS-51 -- ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: NET early September CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: TBD
KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: TBD
MISSION DURATION: 8 days/2 hours (+ 1 day)
NOTE: The faulty fuel flow sensor from main engine number 2 that caused the
recent scrub of Discovery's launch last week was tested at the manufacturer
yesterday. Tests conducted under cryogenic conditions were successful in
duplicating the sensor failure.
IN WORK TODAY:
* Post scrub turnaround and securing operations
* Remove and replace main engine number 1
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Remove and replace main engines 2 and 3 at the pad
WORK COMPLETED:
* Defoam main engines
* Remove main engine heatshields
* Service ORFEUS/SPAS with liquid argon
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
| 849.75 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 08/23/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Aug 24 1993 14:30 | 34 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Monday, August 23, 1993
KSC Contact: Mitch Varnes
MISSION: STS-51 -- ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: NET early September CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: TBD
KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: TBD
MISSION DURATION: 8 days/22 hours (+ 1 day)
IN WORK TODAY:
* Securing of main engine #2
* Checks of Orbital Maneuvering System/ Reaction Control System
* Installation of replacement multiplexer/demultiplexer unit
* Preparations for engine leak checks
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Leak checks of main engines set to begin this evening
* Flight Readiness Test of main engines set for Thursday and Friday
WORK COMPLETED:
* Removal and replacement of all three Shuttle Main Engines
* System checks of orbiter's rudder speed brake
* Removal of multiplexer/demultiplexer unit that failed during a checkout last
Friday
|
| 849.76 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 08/24/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Aug 24 1993 14:31 | 34 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Tuesday, August 24, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
MISSION: STS-51 -- ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: Sept. 10 CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: 7:38 - 9:42 a.m.
KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Sept. 20 / 5:42 a.m.
MISSION DURATION: 9 days/22 hours/4 minutes
NOTE: NASA managers yesterday selected September 10 as the new launch date for
mission STS-51. The launch window lasts from 7:38 - 9:42 a.m. EDT. The
countdown for mission STS-51 will pickup the morning of September 7 (time TBD)
at the T-43 hour mark.
IN WORK TODAY:
* Main engine dome heatshield installation
* Main engine securing operations
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Retest replacement multiplexer/demultiplexer (MDM)
* Flight readiness test of main engines and aerosurfaces
WORK COMPLETED:
* Remove and replace orbiter main engines
* Remove and replace MDM
* Purge power reactant storage and distribution system
|
| 849.77 | Some wonderful details on the flowmeter failure... | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Aug 24 1993 14:32 | 57 |
| Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: STS-51 Launch Abort Update
From: [email protected] (Bob Waterman )
Date: Sat, 14 Aug 1993 17:34:39 -0500
Organization: NASA SSME Avionics
As was posted by Ken Hollis, The STS-51 abort was caused by
a Fuel Flowmeter sensor in engine #2. The fuel flowmeter is
a four pole device (each pole is 90 degrees apart) which
spins in the Low pressure fuel line just upstream of the
inlet to the High Pressure Fuel Pump. The Fuel flowmeter
sensors are made up of 3 sensor taps 120 degrees apart around the
low pressure fuel duct (only 2 of these sensor taps are used, the
third is only used in ground tests). each of these sensor taps
has two coils which picks up the inductive pulse as the flow
meter spins by. This makes up the 4 fuel flowmeter sensors
(2 sensors per tap, 2 sensor taps used).
The main engine controller monitors that both coils within a
sensor tap are within 1800 gallons per miniute (GPM) of each other.
This is called an Intra Channel Test (Tap A, which has sensors
A1 and A2, and Tap B, which has B1 and B2).
For STS-51 Abort, sensors B1, B2 and A1 all had nominal data.
Sensor A2 did not respond. When A1 and A2 differed by 1800 GPM
a failure indication was reported and the onboard general
purpose computers shutdown engine 2 followed 1.2 seconds later
by engine 3 and 1.2 seconds after that by engine 1.
The Main Engine Controller on engine 2 has experience a simular
failure on a test stand at Stennis Space Center. Todate
trouble shooting has shown that the fuel flowmeter sensor A2 works
nominally at ambient temperatures (remember it is in the LH2
environment on launch day -423 degrees F).
The sensor has been removed and will be hand carried to the vendor
on Sunday for failure analysis. Then Main Engine Controller will
be removed (along with the wire harness) and shipped back to its
vendor once the engine is removed from the ship.
Engine removal is scheduled to begin on Wed. 8/18 and be complete
by sunday 8/22. This would say engine wise a launch data of 9/3
or 9/4 is possible. REMEMBER THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL LAUNCH DATA
AND IS ONLY FOR PRELIMINARY PLANNING PURPOSES. The order of engine
swapping will be 1,3,2 based on replacement engine availability.
Also in the works is preparing a software change (which was planned
for STS-62) to make the fuel flowmeter sensors 3 of 4 required for
launch (instead of 4 of 4 as is today). This software may not be
ready for STS-51 but should be in for STS-58.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Bob Waterman [Aqua] | NASA Space Shuttle Main Engine Avionics
Internet: [email protected]
This is NOT an official NASA statement....I'm just an Engineer
--------------------------------------------------------------
|
| 849.78 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 08/25/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Aug 26 1993 14:11 | 33 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Wednesday, August 25, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
MISSION: STS-51 -- ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: Sept. 10 CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: 7:38 - 9:42 a.m.
KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Sept. 20 / 5:42 a.m.
MISSION DURATION: 9 days/22 hours/4 minutes
IN WORK TODAY:
* Main engine securing operations
* Main engine and main propulsion system leak checks
* Retest replacement multiplexer/demultiplexer (MDM)
* Hydraulic circulation and sampling
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Flight readiness test of main engines and aerosurfaces
* Replace solid rocket booster batteries
* Spacesuit functional checkout
WORK COMPLETED:
* Main engine dome heatshield installation
* Remove and replace MDM
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
| 849.79 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 08/26/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Aug 26 1993 14:11 | 34 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Thursday, August 26, 1993
MISSION: STS-51 -- ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: Sept. 10 CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: 7:38 - 9:42 a.m.
KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Sept. 20 / 5:42 a.m.
MISSION DURATION: 9 days/22 hours/4 minutes
IN WORK TODAY:
* Flight readiness test of main engines and aerosurfaces
* Hydraulic circulation and sampling
* Spacesuit installation into orbiter
* Preparations for helium signature test
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Replace external tank and solid rocket booster batteries
* Retest multiplexer/demultiplexer (MDM)
* Spacesuit functional checkout
* Helium signature test
* Ordnance connections
WORK COMPLETED:
* Main engine securing operations
* Main engine and main propulsion system leak checks
* Install liquid oxygen dome temperature sensors
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
| 849.80 | Final press kit available | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Aug 30 1993 18:54 | 11 |
| The final rev of the press kit is available from the usual place. Includes
mission patch and numerous edits.
Dates, etc. are still the original ones supplied way back when.
pragma::public:[nasa]sts-51.ps
27 pages
- dave
|
| 849.81 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 08/30/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Aug 31 1993 10:29 | 37 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Monday, August 30, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
MISSION: STS-51 -- ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: Sept. 10 CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: 7:38 - 9:42 a.m.
KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Sept. 20 / 5:42 a.m.
MISSION DURATION: 9 days/22 hours/4 minutes
IN WORK TODAY:
* X-ray main engine hydraulic quick disconnects
* Open payload bay doors
* Crew module hatch functional checks
* Orbital maneuvering system helium tank pressurization
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Ordnance connections
* Launch countdown preparations
* Aft engine compartment closeouts
WORK COMPLETED:
* Flight readiness test of main engines and aerosurfaces
* Hydraulic circulation and sampling
* Retest multiplexer/demultiplexer (MDM)
* Spacesuit installation into orbiter and functional checkout
* Replace external tank and solid rocket booster batteries
* Helium signature test
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
| 849.82 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 09/01/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Sep 07 1993 14:02 | 39 |
| SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Wednesday, September 1, 1993
George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center
STS-51
Vehicle: OV-103/Discovery Mission number: STS-51
Location: Pad 39-B Orbital altitude: 184 sm
Primary payload: ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS Inclination: 28.45 deg
Launch date: Sep. 10 Landing site: KSC
Duration: 9+1 days Crew size: 5
STS-51 IN WORK:
- ordnance connections
- application of foam insulation to orbiter engine interface lines
- installation of aft skirt thermal curtains
- installation of main engine heat shield carrier panels
- countdown preparations in Firing Room 1
STS-51 WORK SCHEDULED:
- external tank purges Thursday
- begin aft closeouts Thursday night
- ACTS functional test Friday
- ORFEUS argon servicing Friday
STS-51 WORK COMPLETED:
- TOS state-of-health check
- solid rocket booster hydraulic system checkout
|
| 849.83 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 09/03/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Sep 07 1993 14:03 | 34 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS 9-3-93
MISSION: STS-51 -- ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: Sept. 10 CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: 7:39 - 9:42 a.m.
KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Sept. 20 / 5:43 a.m.
MISSION DURATION: 9 days/22 hours/4 minutes
IN WORK TODAY:
* Orbiter aft engine compartment closeouts
* Launch countdown preparations
* ACTS functional test
* ORFEUS gaseous argon servicing
* ACTS battery charging
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Begin countdown at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7 at T-43 hours
* Aft confidence test
* ACTS health checks
* Close payload bay doors for flight
WORK COMPLETED:
* Ordnance connections
* External tank purges
* Ordnance connections
* Main engine foaming operations
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
| 849.84 | Launch Advisory: STS-51 rescheduled to 12-Sep due to ACTS issues review | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Sep 07 1993 14:05 | 31 |
| Ed Campion Sept.3, 1993
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
NASA RESETS LAUNCH OF STS-51 FOR SEPT. 12
NASA officials late Friday rescheduled the launch of the STS-51 mission for
Sunday, Sept. 12, to allow teams from the agency and industry to complete their
review of issues concerning the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite
(ACTS).
The teams met Friday at NASA's Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio, to
discuss their analysis and reviews of the design, production and testing
heritage of the ACTS spacecraft. NASA initiated these reviews after the recent
loss of contact with the Mars Observer spacecraft and the failure of the
NOAA-13 weather satellite.
"While there is no present concern for any particular component, subassembly or
other element of the spacecraft, this additional analysis and review is
intended to reverify the readiness of the ACTS spacecraft for launch," said
William F. Townsend, Deputy Associate Administrator for NASA's Office of
Mission to Planet Earth, which managed the spacecraft's development.
The two-day delay will allow additional time for the ACTS independent Review
Team to thoroughly complete their investigation. While NASA has no reason to
believe there is now, or is likely to be in the future, any problem with the
ACTS spacecraft, this activity has been designed to provide additional
assurance that this is indeed the case.
With a successful conclusion to this activity on Sept. 9, launch of STS-51 can
proceed on Sunday, Sept. 12, as now planned, Townsend said.
|
| 849.85 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 09/07/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Sep 13 1993 10:24 | 37 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT 9/7/93
MISSION: STS-51 -- ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: Sept. 12 CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: 7:45 - 9:40 a.m.
EXPECTED KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Sept. 22 / 4:00 a.m.
EXPECTED MISSION DURATION: 9 days/20 hours/15 minutes
NOTE: Late Friday evening mission managers rescheduled the launch
of STS-51 for Sunday, September 12 to allow engineers and
managers additional time to complete a review concerning the ACTS
payload. Specifically, the ACTS Independent Review Team is re-
examining the spacecraft's design, production and testing
heritage while verifying the readiness of the spacecraft for
launch.
IN WORK TODAY:
* Launch countdown preparations
* Aft confidence test
* Payload vertical closeouts
* ACTS battery charging
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Begin countdown at 8 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 9 at T-43 hours
* Close payload bay doors for flight
WORK COMPLETED:
* Orbiter aft engine compartment closeouts
* ACTS functional test and health checks
* ORFEUS gaseous argon servicing
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
| 849.86 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 09/08/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Sep 13 1993 10:25 | 34 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT 9/8/93
MISSION: STS-51 -- ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: Sept. 12 CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: 7:45 - 9:40 a.m.
EXPECTED KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Sept. 22 / 4 a.m.
EXPECTED MISSION DURATION: 9 days/20 hours/15 minutes
NOTE: The L-4 day weather assessment indicates a 40 percent
chance of weather prohibiting launch. The primary concerns are
for showers, thunderstorms and possible low clouds. Also,
countdown status briefings are scheduled for NASA Select televi-
sion at 9 a.m. on L-3 and L-2 and at 10:30 a.m. on L-1.
IN WORK TODAY:
* Launch countdown preparations
* Orbital maneuvering system gaseous nitrogen pressurization
* Payload vertical closeouts
* ACTS battery charging
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Begin countdown at 8 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 9 at T-43 hours
* Crew arrival at KSC scheduled for 1 - 2 p.m. Thursday
* Close payload bay doors for flight
WORK COMPLETED:
* Aft confidence test
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
| 849.87 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 09/09/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Sep 13 1993 10:26 | 92 |
| KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT 9/9/93
MISSION: STS-51 -- ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: Sept. 12 CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: 7:45 - 9:40 a.m.
EXPECTED KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Sept. 22 / 4 a.m.
EXPECTED MISSION DURATION: 9 days/20 hours/15 minutes
NOTE: The countdown for Discovery's launch began today at 8 a.m.
at the T-43 hour mark. Forecasters indicate a 30 percent proba-
bility of weather prohibiting launch with the primary concerns
being a chance of showers and possible cloud ceilings below 8,000
feet. The five member crew for this mission are scheduled to ar-
rive at KSC at about 1 p.m. today. Crew members are: Commander
Frank Culbertson, Pilot Bill Readdy and Mission Specialists Jim
Newman, Dan Bursch and Carl Walz.
IN WORK TODAY:
* Countdown began today at 8 a.m. at the T-43 hour mark
* Verification of Shuttle power on systems, data processing and
flight control systems
* Stowage of mid-deck and flight deck supplies and payloads
* Preparations for power reactant and storage distribution
system operations
* Orbiter and payload bay closeouts
* Retract payload ground handling mechanism
* Close payload bay doors (4 p.m. today)
* Crew arrival (1 p.m. today)
* Repressurize orbital maneuvering system with gaseous nitrogen
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Load cryogenic reactants into onboard power reactant storage
and distribution system tanks (Friday)
* Retract rotating service structure (11 a.m. Saturday)
* External tank loading operations (11:25 p.m. Saturday)
WORK COMPLETED:
* Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) battery
charging
* Crew compartment close-outs
* Launch countdown preparations
SUMMARY OF HOLDS AND HOLD TIMES FOR STS-51
T-TIME ------- LENGTH OF HOLD ---- HOLD BEGINS ---- HOLD ENDS
T-27 hours --- 8 hours ----------- 12 am Fri.------ 8 am Fri.
T-19 hours --- 4 hours ----------- 4 pm Fri.------- 8 pm Fri.
T-11 hours --- 13 hrs.,25 mins. -- 4 am Sat.------- 5:25 pm Sat.
T-6 hours ---- 1 hour ------------ 10:25 pm Sat.--- 11:25 pm Sat.
T-3 hours ---- 2 hours ----------- 2:25 am Sun.---- 4:25 am Sun.
T-20 minutes - 10 minutes -------- 7:05 am Sun.---- 7:15 am Sun.
T-9 minutes -- 10 minutes -------- 7:26 am Sun.---- 7:36 am Sun.
CREW FOR MISSION STS-51
Commander (CDR): Frank Culbertson
Pilot (PLT): Bill Readdy
Mission Specialist (MS1): Jim Newman
Mission Specialist (MS2): Dan Bursch
Mission Specialist (MS3): Carl Walz
SUMMARY OF STS-51 LAUNCH DAY CREW ACTIVITIES
Sunday, September 12, 1993
2:50 a.m. Wake up
3:20 a.m. Breakfast
3:50 a.m. Weather briefing (CDR, PLT, MS2)
3:50 a.m. Don flight equipment (MS1, MS3)
4:00 a.m. Don flight equipment (CDR, PLT, MS2)
4:30 a.m. Depart for launch pad 39-B
5:00 a.m. Arrive at white room and begin ingress
6:15 a.m. Close crew hatch
7:45 a.m. Launch
|
| 849.88 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 09/11/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Sep 13 1993 10:27 | 73 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Saturday, September 11, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
MISSION: STS-51 -- ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
LAUNCH MINUS 1 DAY
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: Sept. 12 CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: 7:45 - 9:40 a.m. (EDT)
EXPECTED KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Sept. 22 / 4 a.m.
EXPECTED MISSION DURATION: 9 days/20 hours/15 minutes
The countdown for Discovery's launch continues without
problem today. Yesterday work to load cryogenic fuels into the
orbiter storage tanks was completed on time and the pad was
reopened for regularly scheduled operations. Following fueling
operations the orbiter mid-body umbilical unit was demated from
the vehicle. Orbiter communications activation and final vehicle
and facility closeouts are continuing today.
This morning, preparations are being made to retract the
rotating service structure to launch position. First motion
remains set for about 11 a.m.
At about 11:25 p.m. tonight, operations will begin to load
the external tank with more than 500,000 gallons of liquid
hydrogen and liquid oxygen. Operations toward that milestone are
proceeding without problem.
Two mid-deck experiments are on the schedule for installa-
tion into the orbiter today. The Commercial Protein Crystal
Growth (CPCG) experiment was installed at 7:45 a.m. and the
Chromosome and Plant Cell Division in Space (CHROMEX) experiment
will be installed beginning at about 4:30 p.m.
Forecasters indicate a 30 percent probability of weather
prohibiting launch tomorrow with the primary concerns being pos-
sible showers and thunderstorms and a low cloud ceiling. The
winds at the pad are expected to be from the northeast at 5 to 7
knots; temperature 74 - 80 degrees F; visibility 7 miles; and
clouds scattered at 2,500 and 10,000 feet and broken at 25,000
feet. The 24-hour and 48-hour delay forecast reveal an increasing
threat of showers and isolated storms at KSC during the launch
window and list a 30 percent chance of violation each day.
Today, the five-member astronaut crew for this mission have
been given a briefing on tomorrow's weather outlook and completed
their review of launch day activities and mission plans. All
STS-51 crew members flew in the T-38 training aircraft this morn-
ing. The crew will be granted several hours of free time this af-
ternoon and be ready for sleep at about 5 p.m. They will be
awakened tomorrow at 2:50 a.m.
SUMMARY OF REMAINING HOLDS AND HOLD TIMES FOR STS-51
T-TIME ------- LENGTH OF HOLD ---- HOLD BEGINS ---- HOLD ENDS
T-27 hours --- 8 hours ----------- 12 am Fri.------ 8 am Fri.
T-19 hours --- 4 hours ----------- 4 pm Fri.------- 8 pm Fri.
T-11 hours --- 13 hrs.,25 mins. -- 4 am Sat.------- 5:25 pm Sat.
T-6 hours ---- 1 hour ------------ 10:25 pm Sat.--- 11:25 pm Sat.
T-3 hours ---- 2 hours ----------- 2:25 am Sun.---- 4:25 am Sun.
T-20 minutes - 10 minutes -------- 7:05 am Sun.---- 7:15 am Sun.
T-9 minutes -- 10 minutes -------- 7:26 am Sun.---- 7:36 am Sun.
|
| 849.89 | Launch Statement; MCC Status Reports #1,#2 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Sep 13 1993 10:29 | 90 |
| STS-51 Launch Statement September 12, 1993
The Space Shuttle Discovery rocketed into partly cloudly Florida skies at 6:45
a.m. CDT this morning. Solid Rocket Booster separation occurred 2 minutes, 10
seconds after launch, with Main Engine Cut-Off (MECO) at 8:36 Mission Elapsed
Time (MET).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MISSION CONTROL CENTER
STS-51 STATUS REPORT #1
Sunday, September 12, 1993, 7 a.m. CDT
The Space Shuttle Discovery lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida
on time this morning at 6:45 am central time carrying a five member crew and
high technology satellite to be deployed later today.
Upon reaching orbit about 8 and a half minutes later, crew commander Frank
Culbertson remarked that the crew was "very happy to be here." Culbertson also
took time to thank the launch team for their perseverance and hard work in
making the launch a success.
The crew will shortly begin preparing the Advanced Communications Technology
Satellite for it's deployment from Discovery's payload bay at 2:43 pm this
afternoon. The satellite will serve as an orbiting testbed for technologies
that could lead to a new generation of communication satellite.
Assuming things go smoothly, the crew will release a sophisticated free- flying
ultraviolet spectrometer, nicknamed ORFEUS, tomorrow morning at about 8:30
central time.
On Thursday, mission specialists Carl Walz and Jim Newman will venture into the
vacuum of space for a six-hour space walk to evaluate tools and techniques to
be used on the Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission in December.
One week from today, the ORFEUS will be retrieved after a week of investigating
very hot and very cold matter in the universe.
Discovery and crew are orbiting in a 160 mile circular orbit and doing well as
they embark on their week and a half long mission.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STS-51 Status Report #2
MISSION CONTROL CENTER
Sunday, September 12, 1993, 6 p.m. CDT
Discovery's crew had a long but productive first day in orbit, accomplishing
the first main objective of their flight by deploying the Advanced
Communications Technology Satellite and its Transfer Orbit Stage at 4:13:29
p.m. CDT.
The Transfer Orbit Stage fired on time 45 minutes later, and ACTS satellite
controllers have reported that their satellite is in excellent condition and
enroute to its planned orbit.
The first attempt to deploy ACTS was delayed by the crew when two-way
communications were lost with Mission Control about 30 minutes before the
deploy time. Flight controllers could receive telemetry and voice
communications from Discovery, however the crew could not receive
communications from the ground. The crew waived off the 2:43 p.m. CDT deploy
when they did not receive a "go" from Mission Control as called for in
preflight plans made for just such an occurrence.
After the waive off of deploy, the crew changed the shuttle's S-Band
communications system to a lower frequency and restored two-way communications
with the ground. The two-way communications had been lost for a total of about
45 minutes. After consulting the crew, flight controllers began immediately
planning for the second, and ultimately successful, deploy attempt. A second
deploy opportunity had not originally been planned for today to avoid forcing
the crew into an extremely long day of work. However, Culbertson told Mission
Control he and his crew were "100 percent" and ready to proceed with the longer
day.
Flight controllers believe the communications problems were due to interference
by the Payload Interrogator on Discovery, a piece of equipment that allows the
shuttle to act as a communications relay station. The payload interrogator
apparently interfered with the S-Band communications frequencies used for voice
and telemetry communications, blocking the reception of communications onboard.
The crew eventually switched the S-Band communications system to a lower
frequency and restored two-way communications. Separating the two
communications frequencies -- that used by the payload interrogator and by the
S-Band system -- by a greater distance alleviated the situation.
Due to the long day's work, the crew will go to sleep tonight at 6:15 p.m.
CDT, a half-hour later than planned. They will be awakened at 2:45 a.m.
Monday for their second day in orbit.
|
| 849.90 | NASA Select schedule | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Sep 13 1993 10:34 | 5 |
| The NASA Select schedule for STS-51 can be found in:
pragma::public:[nasa]sts-51.nasa_select
- dave
|
| 849.91 | UPI: Astronauts release second spacecraft | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Sep 13 1993 14:22 | 28 |
| From: [email protected] (UPI)
Subject: Astronauts release second spacecraft
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (UPI) - The Discovery astronauts dispatched a
small robotic astronomical observatory Monday for a six-day independent
study of celestial ultraviolet radiation.
Using the shuttle's robot arm, flight engineer Daniel Bursch released
the 6 1/2-ton spacecraft at 11:06 a.m. EDT, completing the second
objective of Discovery's long-delayed flight.
The shuttle and five astronauts blasted off Sunday for a 10-day
mission.
Deployment was delayed about 90 minutes because of a data
communications problem between the spacecraft at its control center at
the Kennedy Space Center.
An audio communications problem forced a 90-minute delay Sunday in
deploying the primary payload, a NASA experimental communications
satellite.
``Two days, two deploys. You couldn't ask for any more than that,''
said astronaut Jay Apt from Mission Control in Houston.
The Orbiting Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer
science satellite is mounted on a pallet, which also includes a second
ultraviolet telescope and an IMAX large-format camera, which was
remotely commanded to film the shuttle as it deployed and backed away
from the spacecraft.
The crew plans to retrieve the pallet later in the mission and return
with it to Earth next week. Landing is targeted for 4:04 a.m. EDT Sept.
22 at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
|
| 849.92 | MCC Status Reports #5,6 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Sep 14 1993 10:20 | 73 |
| STS-51 Mission Status Report 5
Space Shuttle Mission STS-51
Mission Control Status Report #5
7:30 p.m. CDT Sept. 13, 1993
Following the successful deploy of a second satellite in as many days,
Discovery's crew has turned in for the night and will be awak ened for a third
day of work at 12:45 a.m. central time.
Discovery is currently about 4 nautical miles ahead of the Orbiting and
Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer/Shuttle Pallet Satellite
released by the shuttle earlier today, moving farther ahead of the satellite
at a rate of about 2 nautical miles p er orbit. When the crew awakens,
Discovery will be about 14 nautical miles ahead of the satellite telescope.
ORFEUS/SPAS will spend at least the next six days flying free of Discovery,
studying the origin and nature of stars. Before starting a sleep period, the
crew partially powered down Discovery as part of a standard
electricity-conserving mode often used on long shut tle missions, turning off
some unneeded backup equipment and excess lights.
Tuesday, the crew will have a lighter work load, concentrating on the secondary
experiments located on the shuttle's lower deck, inc luding one that studies
the nature of a material used in medical and industrial filters on Earth,
called the Investigation into Poly mer Membrane Processing experiment. In
addition, they will lower the air pressure in the crew cabin to prepare for a
spacewalk plann ed on the fifth day of the mission.
Discovery is in excellent condition with flight controllers working on no
significant mechanical problems.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STS-51 Status Report #6
Mission Control Center
Tuesday, September 14, 1993, 6 a.m. CDT
Mission Control woke up Discovery's crew early this morning with the Jimmy
Buffett song "Changes in Attitudes, Changes in Lattitudes." After configuring
the orbiter for today's activities, the crew got down to business working with
several of the experiments being carried on the flight, including work with the
Commercial Protein Crystal Growth experiment designed to supply information on
the scientific methods and commercial potential for growing large, high-quality
protein crystals in microgravity.
Other work today includes studies of the polymer membrane processing and
radiation monitoring experiments. The Investigation into Polymer Membrane
Processing, or IPMP, is designed to research the mixing of various solvent
systems in the absence of convection found on Earth in hopes of controlling the
porosity of various polymer membranes. RME measures gamma ray, electron,
neutron and proton radiation levels in the crew cabin throughout the flight.
Science activities have already begun aboard the free-flying ORFEUS Shuttle
Pallet Satellite released from Discovery's robot arm yesterday. The two
spacecraft are currently about 25 nautical miles apart. A small jet firing of
the orbiter's thruster engines began to slow the opening distance between the
two in order to begin a slow return of Discovery to the satellite for retrieval
later in the mission.
Early this morning, the crew showed some more of the spectacular video taken by
the SPAS yesterday as Discovery slowly moved away from the satellite after
release.
Later today the crew will lower the cabin pressure to reduce the amount of time
required by Mission Specialists Jim Newman and Carl Walz to prebreathe pure
oxygen prior to their scheduled spacewalk Thursday morning.
Discovery's systems are in excellent shape as the vehicle circles the Earth
every 90 minutes at an altitude of 160 nautical miles.
|
| 849.93 | STS-51 element set GSFC-008 (orbit 32) | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Sep 14 1993 10:21 | 27 |
|
STS-51
1 22795U 93 58 A 93257.42094323 0.00038116 00000-0 90668-4 0 86
2 22795 28.4627 345.1906 0025897 342.1374 17.8327 15.94535880 320
Satellite: STS-51
Catalog number: 22795
Epoch time: 93257.42094323 (14 SEP 93 10:06:09.50 UTC)
Element set: GSFC-008
Inclination: 28.4627 deg
RA of node: 345.1906 deg Space Shuttle Flight STS-51
Eccentricity: 0.0025897 Keplerian Elements
Arg of perigee: 342.1374 deg
Mean anomaly: 17.8327 deg
Mean motion: 15.94535880 rev/day Semi-major Axis: 6667.7402 Km
Decay rate: 0.38E-03 rev/day*2 Apogee Alt: 306.62 Km
Epoch rev: 32 Perigee Alt: 272.08 Km
NOTE - This element set is based on NORAD element set # 008.
The spacecraft has been propagated to the next ascending
node, and the orbit number has been adjusted to bring it
into agreement with the NASA numbering convention.
R.A. Parise, Goddard Space Flight Center
G.L.CARMAN
|
| 849.94 | MCC Status Reports #7,8; ACTS Status Report | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Sep 15 1993 12:38 | 116 |
|
ACTS Status Report #1
Monday, 3:30 pm EDT
September 13, 1993
The ACTS spacecraft is in the proper transfer orbit,
stable, healthy and under the control of Martin Marietta
Astro Space at the company's Astro Spacecraft Operations
Center in East Windsor, New Jersey.
ACTS is at the nominal attitude and rotating at 55
revolutions per minute for firing the apogee kick motor
to circularize the orbit.
NASA and Martin Marietta project managers today decided
to postpone firing of the apogee kick motor by one day.
Originally a firing at apogee 4, to be reached Tuesday,
was planned. Now the firing will be commanded at apogee
6, to be reached on Wednesday.
The reason for the delay is to allow the team to acquire
orbit data over a longer time so as to refine the orbit
parameters before circularization. This change in
nominal plans was a prelaunch option which has now been
selected. No mission degradation will result from this
option.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STS-51 Status Report #7
MISSION CONTROL CENTER
Tuesday, September 14, 1993, 3 p.m. CDT
Discovery's crew spent a lighter work day in orbit today, with the ORFEUS/SPAS
satellite trailing the shuttle by about 30 to 40 nautical miles.
The crew fired Discovery's engines twice today to maintain their distance from
the science satellite and act as a communications relay station for
ORFEUS/SPAS' transmissions to and from the ground. A new piece of shuttle
equipment making a debut on STS-51, the Extended Range Payload Communications
Link, or ERPCL, has worked well in allowing the shuttle to perform that relay
function from greater distances than previously possible.
Onboard today, Mission Specialist Jim Newman donned a special visor to perform
a medical experiment testing vision in weightlessness as part of investigations
into how vision compensates for the inner ear's lack of balance in space.
Newman also successfully tested a Global Positioning System receiver flying
aboard Discovery as an evaluation of using such equipment to supplement the
shuttle's navigation.
In another medical evaluation, Commander Frank Culbertson and Mission
Specilaist Dan Bursch rode a stationary bike on Discovery's lower deck as part
of a continuing study of using exercse to counteract the effects of
weightlessness on the body. The crew also powered up an experiment that looks
at improving membrane filters in weightlessness and checked on another
experiment that has been running well studying the effects of microgravity on
plant cells.
Discovery's cabin pressure was dropped from 14.7 pounds per square inch, normal
Earth sea level air pressure, to 10.2 psi, a pressure roughly equal to the air
pressure at an altitude of 10,000 feet as part of preparations for a Thursday
spacewalk. The lower pressure assists in purging nitrogen from the bloodstream
to protect against a condition commonly called "the bends" when donning the 4.3
psi pressure spacesuit.
The crew sent engineers several television views of the Superzip insulation
ring, a loose band on the support equipment that held the ACTS/TOS satellite
which was deployed from Discovery on Sunday. Preliminary studies by engineers
indicate that the band is attached securely and that no actions need to be
taken to better restrain the device. However, a final decision on the analysis
is not likely until at least Wednesday.
The crew also shot photographs and video of Hurricane Kenneth in the Pacific
and a continent-wide smoke cloud above South America as part of the shuttle's
continuing series of environmental observations. Discovery is now about 40
nautical miles ahead of the ORFEUS/SPAS in an orbit with a high point of 163
nautical miles and low point of 147 nautical miles.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STS-51 Status Report #8
MISSION CONTROL CENTER
Wednesday, September 15, 1993, 6 a.m. CDT
The sound of Perry Como singing "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes" awoke
Discovery's crew to begin its fourth flight day in space.
The highest priority activity for the crew today was to check out the two
spacesuits that will be used for tomorrow's spacewalk. The checkout is always
done the day before spacewalks to ensure the suits -- called extravehicular
mobility units, or EMUs -- are in proper working order to support the
spacewalk.
Just after the suit checkout, crew members took time out to discuss the mission
with the CBS program "This Morning." The interview was taped at 5:20 a.m. for
air at 7:10 a.m. central time in Houston. The crew answered questions ranging
from the two satellite deployments conducted earlier in the flight to the
upcoming spacewalk tomorrow by Jim Newman and Carl Walz.
Plans for tomorrow's spacewalk are to test equipment and procedures that will
be used later this year on Endeavour's mission to service the Hubble Space
Telescope.
Other activities for the crew today will be to continue with middeck
experiments including the plant growth experiment called CHROMEX, and work with
a Global Positioning System receiver being evaluated as a supplement to the
shuttle's onboard navigation system.
Discovery remains at a leading distance of about 35 to 40 nautical miles from
the Shuttle Pallet Satellite released two days ago and will remain in that
stationkeeping position until Sunday or Monday when the crew will perform
rendezvous burns to catch up with, and capture the satellite for the return
home.
|
| 849.95 | STS-51 Element Set GSFC-012 (orbit 46) | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Sep 15 1993 12:41 | 73 |
|
STS-51
1 22795U 93 58 A 93258.29702907 0.00036093 00000-0 86022-4 0 122
2 22795 28.4632 338.6049 0022969 350.2043 9.8119 15.94638032 469
Satellite: STS-51
Catalog number: 22795
Epoch time: 93258.29702907 (15 SEP 93 07:07:43.31 UTC)
Element set: GSFC-012
Inclination: 28.4632 deg
RA of node: 338.6049 deg Space Shuttle Flight STS-51
Eccentricity: 0.0022969 Keplerian Elements
Arg of perigee: 350.2043 deg
Mean anomaly: 9.8119 deg
Mean motion: 15.94638032 rev/day Semi-major Axis: 6667.4554 Km
Decay rate: 0.36E-03 rev/day*2 Apogee Alt: 304.38 Km
Epoch rev: 46 Perigee Alt: 273.75 Km
NOTE - This element set is based on NORAD element set # 012.
The spacecraft has been propagated to the next ascending
node, and the orbit number has been adjusted to bring it
into agreement with the NASA numbering convention.
R.A. Parise, Goddard Space Flight Center
G.L.CARMAN
STS-51
PREDICTED STATE VECTOR
ON ORBIT OPERATIONS
(Posted 09/15/93 by Roger Simpson)
The following vector for the flight of STS-51 is provided by NASA Johnson
Space Center, Flight Design and Dynamics Division for use in ground track
plotting programs. The vector represents the trajectory of the ORFEUS-SPAS
during on deployed operations. The Space Shuttle Discovery is currently
station keeping within 30 miles of the SPAS.
Lift off Time : 1993/255/11:44:59.971
Lift off Date : 09/12/93
ORFEUS-SPAS VECTOR
Vector Time (GMT) : 258/11:44:59.97
Vector Time (MET) : 003/00:00:00.00
Orbit Count : 049
Weight : 7321.0 LBS
Drag Coefficient : 3.00
Drag Area : 119.6 SQ FT
M50 Elements Keplerian Elements
----------------------- --------------------------
X = 21306168.6 FT A = 3603.1809 NM
Y = 357878.3 FT E = 0.003705
Z = 4666953.9 FT I (M50) = 28.37716 DEG
Xdot = -2729.578980 FT/S Wp (M50) = 13.89797 DEG
Ydot = 22878.501160 FT/S RAAN (M50) = 337.04363 DEG
Zdot = 10804.713529 FT/S N (True) = 12.85484 DEG
M (Mean) = 12.76064 DEG
Ha = 164.457 NM
Hp = 145.753 NM
Questions regarding these postings may be addressed to Roger Simpson,
Mail Code DM4, L. B. J. Space Center, Houston, Texas 77058,
Telephone (713) 483-1928.
|
| 849.96 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 09/13/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Sep 15 1993 12:44 | 21 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Monday, September 13, 1993
MISSION: STS-51 -- ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Orbit (Flight Day 2) INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE/TIME: Sept. 12, 7:45 a.m. EDT
EXPECTED KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Sept. 22 / 4:04 a.m.
EXPECTED MISSION DURATION: 9 days/20 hours/19 minutes
CREW: Commander (CDR) Frank Culbertson, Pilot (PLT) Bill Readdy
and Mission Specialists Jim Newman (MS1), Dan Bursch (MS2)
and Carl Walz (MS3).
NOTE: KSC managers are reporting very minimal damage to pad 39-B
following yesterday's successful launch of Discovery at 7:45 a.m.
EDT. The twin solid rocket boosters are due into the port early
this afternoon.
|
| 849.97 | KSC Shuttle Status Report - 09/14/94 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Sep 15 1993 12:44 | 21 |
| KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Tuesday, September 14, 1993
MISSION: STS-51 -- ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Orbit (Flight Day 2) INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE/TIME: Sept. 12, 7:45 a.m. EDT
EXPECTED KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: Sept. 22 / 4:04 a.m.
EXPECTED MISSION DURATION: 9 days/20 hours/19 minutes
CREW: Commander (CDR) Frank Culbertson, Pilot (PLT) Bill Readdy
and Mission Specialists Jim Newman (MS1), Dan Bursch (MS2)
and Carl Walz (MS3).
NOTE: The twin solid rocket boosters arrived at Hanger AF yester-
day early afternoon. Disassembly and flight assessments are in
work today. The mobile launcher platform will be removed from pad
39-B tomorrow morning.
|
| 849.98 | MCC Status Report #9 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Sep 16 1993 09:18 | 32 |
| STS-51 Status Report #9
MISSION CONTROL CENTER
Wednesday, September 15, 1993, 2:30 p.m. CDT
Discovery's crew spent today double-checking gear and preparing the shuttle for
tomorow's planned spacewalk by Mission Specialists Jim Newman and Carl Walz.
All of the spacesuit equipment checked out in excellent shape.
Before signing off for the night, Discovery's Commander Frank Culbertson told
Mission Control the crew was fully prepared and expected a smooth day Thursday.
The crew went to sleep at 2:45 p.m. central and will awaken at 10:45 p.m.
central to start a fifth day in space.
The six-hour spacewalk is scheduled to begin with Newman and Walz's exit from
the shuttle's airlock at about 4 a.m. In addition to building spacewalk
experience and refining techniques, the two will evaluate tools, tethers and a
foot restraint platform planned for use on a shuttle mission to service the
Hubble Space Telescope in December. Pilot Bill Readdy will provide in-cabin
assistance to the spacewalking team. Walz, designated Extravehicular Crewman
1, will wear a red stripe on the legs of his space suit to distinguish him from
EV2 Newman.
Controllers for the ORFEUS/SPAS satellite are reporting excellent observations
by their science instruments. ORFEUS/SPAS is now trailing the shuttle by about
40 nautical miles. Also, controllers for the Advanced Communications
Technology Satellite, deployed on the first day of the mission, reported ACTS
has reached its final orbit and is in good health.
Discovery is in a 163 by 146 nautical mile orbit, circling Earth every 90
minutes, 21 seconds.
|
| 849.99 | | ONE900::HUGHES | Samurai Couch Potato | Thu Sep 16 1993 12:17 | 5 |
| They are just finishing up the EVA. As I type they are mugging it up
for the camera and folks at mission control. The EVA apparently went
very well with most tasks completed ahead of schedule.
gary
|
| 849.100 | MCC Status Reports #10-13; ACTS Status Updates #2-5 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Sep 20 1993 10:29 | 226 |
| STS-51 Status Report #10
MISSION CONTROL CENTER
Thursday, September 16, 1993, 5 a.m. CDT
Buoyed by this morning's wake up music, "Walk, Don't Run," Discovery's crew got
an early start in preparing for today's spacewalk which is designed to evaluate
equipment, translation aids and orbiter positions that will be used on the
December mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope.
The song, performed by the Fabulous Blue Moons, of which Mission Specialist
Carl Walz's brother is a member, awoke the crew late last night. Walz and
fellow crew member Jim Newman wasted no time getting ready, and began putting
on their protective spacesuits.
With guidance from Pilot Bill Readdy, the two astronauts left the crew
compartment to begin more than six hours of hardware evaluations in the payload
bay at 3:32 a.m. central -- about a half hour earlier than planned. The early
start puts the conclusion of the spacewalk at about 9:45 a.m.
Currently about halfway through the spacewalk, the two astronauts are gaining
valuable first-time experience and refining techniques to be used by future
space walkers. The two will evaluate tools, tethers and a foot restraint
platform planned for use on Endeavour's mission to service the Hubble Space
Telescope in December.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MISSION CONTROL CENTER
STS-51 Status Report #11
Thursday, September 16, 1993, 2:30 p.m. CDT
Spacewalkers Jim Newman and Carl Walz completed evaluations of tools,
tethers and a foot restraint platform today, with their findings reassuring the
designers and planners of the Hubble Space Telescope servicing flight that their
preparations are sound.
The new equipment designed for the extensive spacewalk work that will be
required on the December telescope servicing mission was only part of the goal
of today's spacewalk, and Newman and Walz fulfilled the other goals as they
explained at length to Mission Control the differences they perceived between
work in orbit and ground training. The two EVA crewmen were ahead of
schedule much of the day, and completed more tasks than originally planned
for the spacewalk.
However, as they were cleaning up, a balky tool box lid slowed them down
when they had to pry it free and close it for Discovery's trip home. The
toolbox lid stretched the spacewalk by about 45 minutes over what had been
planned, with Newman and Walz logging a total seven hours, five minutes and
28 seconds of spacewalk time.
This morning, shuttle managers decided to stick to original plans for shuttle
mission STS-51 to land at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 4:30 a.m.
central Tuesday, Sept. 21, after nine days in orbit.
After the spacewalk was completed today, Discovery fired its engines to stop
its drift away from the ORFEUS/SPAS satellite released by the shuttle three
days ago. Discovery was about 62 nautical miles ahead of the satellite at the
time of the engine firing and is now closing on ORFEUS/SPAS at about 2
nautical miles per orbit of Earth. Tomorrow, Discovery will fire its engines
when it reaches a point 30 nautical miles ahead of the satellite and pass above
ORFEUS/SPAS to trail the science platform for another two days before
picking it up and bringing it home.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MISSION CONTROL CENTER
STS-51 Status Report #12
Friday, September 17, 1993, 6 a.m. CDT
Discovery's crew beat Mission Control's wakeup call this morning with
videotaped views of the Earth beamed down to the sound of the song, "Theme
for the Common Man."
The crew's sixth flight day in space has been devoted to Orbiter maneuvers to
begin the rendezvous phase with the ORFEUS/SPAS.
At about 5:20 a.m. central, Discovery actually passed about 21,000 feet
directly above the SPAS and is now trailing the satellite. The furthest the two
spacecraft will be apart prior to Sunday's final rendezvous and retrieval of the
SPAS will be about 30 to 40 nautical miles.
Crew members Carl Walz and Jim Newman took time out this morning to
answer questions about their spacewalk, the satellite deploys and other mission
objectives, with two radio stations -- one in Cleveland and one in Boston. At
8:08 am central time, available crew members will speak with television news
affiliates of the Fox Network in New York, Washington D.C., and Chicago.
The crew will spend the rest of its day conducting experiment checks and
documenting observations made during yesterday's spacewalk.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STS-51 Status Report #13
MISSION CONTROL CENTER
Friday, September 17, 1993, 2:30 p.m. CDT
Discovery's crew spent their sixth day in space working on secondary
experiments, with their spacecraft now trailing the ORFEUS/SPAS satellite by
about 15 nautical miles.
Discovery will continue to move further behind the ORFEUS/SPAS until operations
are begun to retrieve it on Sunday. Three new experiments were set up aboard
the shuttle today, two that study the glowing effect created around the shuttle
when it encounters atomic gasses in orbit and another that studies the effects
of space on various materials.
Astronauts Carl Walz and Jim Newman operate the experiments designed to study
the glowing effect, one a spectrometer that records the effect on film in fine
detail and another that records the effect on still photographs. The
experiments are hoped to provide information about just what types of gasses --
in addition to atomic oxygen -- create the glow. The information on kinds of
gasses in the extreme reaches of the atmosphere may be coupled with the
materials exposure experiment in the cargo bay to assist with the design and
construction of future spacecraft.
The crew went to sleep at about 1:45 p.m. central today and will awaken at 9:45
p.m. Tomorrow's day onboard will be similiar to today with the focus remaining
on secondary experiments aboard the shuttle, and the crew will be interviewed
by WEWS-TV, Cleveland, Ohio, at 7:14 a.m. central Saturday.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACTS STATUS REPORT #2
This ACTS status update was prepared at NASA's Lewis Research Center at 3:30
p.m. EDT on Tuesday, September 14, 1993
The health of ACTS remains good in its second day in geosynchronous transfer
orbit. It is spinning at the desired 55 RPM rate about its thrust vector axis.
Orbit parameter information continues to be refined. The spacecraft pointing
attitude is being fine-tuned in steps today and tomorrow morning in preparation
for Wednesday's, September 15, 1993, firing of the Apogee Kick Motor at 11:52
a.m. EDT. Mission operations are being controlled by the NASA/Martin Marietta
Astro Space Team at the control center in New Jersey.
ACTS STATUS REPORT #3
This ACTS status update was prepared at NASA's Lewis Research Center at 12:30
p.m. EDT on Wednesday, September 15, 1993
The Advanced Communications Technology Satellite fired its Apogee Kick Motor
(AKM) this morning at approximately 11:44 EDT. Quick-look data indicate a
success. Firing was commanded on the sixth apogee of the geosynchronous
transfer orbit. The event circularized ACTS onto an approximate geosynchronous
orbit. It will now drift over a period of days to its permanent location of
100 degrees west longitude.
All spacecraft systems are functioning nominally following the firing.
Activities are underway to determine the exact orbit and attitude achieved.
Tonight the spacecraft will be commanded to execute the first in a series of
small-thruster burns. These will gradually place ACTS in its stationary orbit
over the equator.
ACTS STATUS REPORT #4
This ACTS status update was prepared at NASA's Lewis Research Center at 1:00
p.m. EDT on Thursday, September 16, 1993
Wednesday's Apogee Kick Motor burn occurred at the planned time of 11:44 a.m.
EDT. It was commanded near the sixth apogee of the geosynchronous transfer
orbit.
"The Thiokol Apogee Kick Motor performed perfectly," said Jim Swale, Martin
Marietta mission designer.
The total impulse from the AKM was extremely close to the nominal value.
Spacecraft pointing during the burn was within the expected uncertainty and
well within the pre- mission planning value. This pointing error during the
burn induced a residual inclination of approximately 0.4 degrees. This
inclination will be removed during the remaining drift orbit maneuvers.
Late Wednesday, the spacecraft was commanded to execute the first in a series
of station acquisition maneuvers. These maneuvers are a series of propulsive
burns that reduce the westerly drift rate of the ACTS spacecraft in preparation
for stopping the spacecraft at 100 degrees west longitude.
The maneuver was controlled by the spacecraft attitude control system which
activates four one-pound thrusters. The thrusters were pulsed for a period to
reduce the drift rate from 25 to 11.3 degrees per day.
Mike Kavka, Martin Marietta program manager for ACTS stated, "The spacecraft is
performing flawlessly."
NASA Lewis Research Center and Martin Marietta astro space engineers continue
to monitor ACTS telemetry.
ACTS STATUS REPORT #5
This ACTS status update was prepared at NASA's Lewis Research Center at 2:00
p.m. EDT on Friday, September 17, 1993
Late Thursday evening, the ACTS spacecraft successfully completed the second
station acquisition maneuver.
The station acquisition maneuver was executed by commanding a 45 minute
propulsive burn through the ACTS four one-pound hydrazine thrusters.
ACTS is presently located at 80 degrees west longitude with a westerly drift
rate of approximately 4 degrees per day. This drift rate will be gradually
slowed to zero so that ACTS will become stationary at 100 degrees west
longitude. The spacecraft is expected to arrive at its destination late
Friday, September 24, 1993.
All spacecraft systems are performing nominally. Larry Schultz, Martin
Marietta mission manager at Astro Space Control Center in Princeton, New
Jersey, stated that "Operations are going extremely well."
The next station acquisition burn is planned to occur on Saturday, September
18, 1993, at 11:08 a.m. EDT.
|
| 849.101 | MCC Status Reports #14-18 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Sep 20 1993 10:32 | 185 |
| STS-51 Status Report #14
MISSION CONTROL CENTER
Saturday, September 18, 1993, 6 a.m. CDT
Dueling wake up calls started Discovery's seventh flight day in space which
will include continued experimentation in composite material studies, as well
as studying the plasma glow around orbiter surfaces.
The crew played "A Whole New World" for Mission Control followed closely by the
"Star Wars Theme" sent to the orbiter.
After completing routine post-sleep housekeeping chores, the crew got down to
business studying the glow that is evident around orbiter surfaces when the
payload bay is pointed into the velocity vector -- or the direction of travel.
Mission Specialists Carl Walz and Jim Newman are operating the photographic
instruments when Discovery is on the dark side of the Earth. One spectrometer
records the effect on film in fine detail and another records the effect on
still photographs. Hopes are that data obtained from these and another
materials exposure experiment in the payload bay may assist in the design and
construction of future spacecraft.
Discovery remains behind the ORFEUS/SPAS at a distance of about 30 nautical
miles with minor thruster burns planned today to prepare for tomorrow's
retrieval operations. The Shuttle Pallet Satellite is scheduled to be tucked
back into the payload bay about 9 a.m. central Sunday after the IMAX camera
films additional views of the orbiter.
At about 7:15 this morning, Walz and his fellow crew members are scheduled to
take time out to answer questions about the mission with Cleveland television
station WEWS.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
STS-51 Status Report #15
MISSION CONTROL CENTER
Saturday, September 18, 1993, 2 p.m. CDT
Following a smooth day of secondary experiments, Discovery's crew went to sleep
at about 1:25 p.m. central, to rest up for Sunday's retrieval of a science
satellite released from the shuttle on the second day of the mission.
Today, the crew worked with experiments that will be used to analyze the gases
that cause a glowing effect on the orbiter's surfaces as it speeds through the
sparse extreme upper atmosphere in orbit. The crew also exercised, taped IMAX
films of various Earth sites and fired the shuttle's engines to begin
approaching the Orbiting and Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet
Spectrometer and its carrier Shuttle Pallet Satellite. When the crew went to
bed, Discovery was about 46 nautical miles behind ORFEUS/SPAS, separating from
it at three miles per orbit. The firing reversed Discovery's course in
relation to the satellite, putting the shuttle on a trajectory that closes in
on a point about 37 n.m. behind it.
Sunday's retrieval activities will begin when Discovery reaches that 37
nautical mile distance at about 1:38 a.m. central. The crew will then fire the
orbiter's engines to set it on a course that will take Discovery, over the
ensuing three hours, to a point 8 n.m. behind the satellite. At about 4:39
a.m. central, Discovery will fire its engines to begin the final approach to
the science platform.
As Commander Frank Culbertson flies Discovery to within 50 feet, Mission
Specialist Dan Bursch is expected to grasp the satellite with Discovery's
mechanical arm at about 6:45 a.m. After a survey of the shuttle using the IMAX
camera and a test to verify plans for shuttle mission STS-60, Bursch is planned
to set the satellite in Discovery's cargo bay by about 8:55 a.m. central.
The crew will awaken at 9:25 p.m. today for their eighth day of orbital work.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STS-51 Status Report #16
MISSION CONTROL CENTER
Sunday, September 19, 1993, 5 a.m. CDT
The mood-setting song "Rendezvous," by the Hudson Brothers awakened the crew of
Discovery which got down to the business of catching up with the Shuttle Pallet
Satellite and returning it to the orbiter's cargo bay for the trip home.
The rendezvous sequence began at about 1:30 this morning central time when the
first of today's thruster burns was conducted. The crew then checked the
rendezvous navigation system of the orbiter and made sure the robot arm was in
good condition for the capture.
The terminal initiation burn, or TI burn, occurred on-time at 4:38 a.m.
followed by a few tweak burns prior to Commander Frank Culbertson manually
flying Discovery to within 35 feet for the capture.
Mission Specialist Dan Bursch is scheduled to grasp the satellite with the 50-
foot robotic arm at about 6:45 a.m.
While on the end of the arm, the IMAX camera mounted on the satellite is
expected to photograph Discovery from various positions. The SPAS should be
locked safely in the payload bay for the trip home by about 8:55 a.m.
An added bonus for the crew today was to test the effects of the robot arm's
movements on the orbiters attitude to collect data for Discovery's next mission
in January to deploy and retrieve the Wake Shield Facility, a spacecraft
designed to collect data on the benefits of creating an ultra-vacuum in space
for semi-conductor manufacture.
Pre-mission simulation training shows that the robot arm movements with the WSF
attached creates movement in the orbiter and STS-51 allows actual inflight data
to be collected substituting the SPAS, in this case, for the Wake Shield
Facility.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STS-51 Status Report #17
MISSION CONTROL CENTER
Sunday, September 19, 1993, 7 a.m. CDT
Discovery's Commander carefully guided the orbiter to about 35 feet of the
Shuttle Pallet Satellite followed by the capture of the satellite by Mission
Specialist Dan Bursch using the 50-foot long robotic arm at 6:50 a.m. central.
The next phase of the mission is for the IMAX camera mounted on the satellite
to photograph Discovery from various positions never before captured on film.
The flight plan calls for the satellite to be safely tucked into the payload
bay for the trip home by about 8:55 a.m.
An added bonus for the crew today was to test the effects of the robot arm's
movements on the orbiters attitude to collect data for Discovery's next mission
in January to deploy and retrieve the Wake Shield Facility, a spacecraft
designed to collect data on the benefits of creating an ultra-vacuum in space
for semi-conductor manufacture.
Pre-mission simulation training shows that the robot arm movements with the WSF
attached creates movement in the orbiter and STS-51 allows actual inflight data
to be collected substituting the SPAS, in this case, for the Wake Shield
Facility.
The rendezvous sequence began at about 1:30 this morning central time when the
first of today's thruster burns was conducted. That was followed at 4:38 a.m.
by the terminal initiation burn, or TI burn, which set the stage for the final
rendezvous sequence and manual flying of the orbiter to the desired capture
distance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STS-51 Status Report #18
MISSION CONTROL CENTER
Sunday, September 19, 1993, 2 p.m. CDT
Discovery's crew will awaken at 8:45 p.m. today to begin their final full day
in orbit, with landing scheduled for a touchdown at the Kennedy Space Center,
Florida, Shuttle Landing Facility Runway at 4:28 a.m. central on Tuesday.
Highlights for the crew tomorrow will include a survey of Discovery's cargo bay
using the mechanical arm, a checkout of the equipment Discovery will use for
its return home, and a test-firing of the shuttle's steering jets. Toward the
latter part of the day, the crew will begin packing and prepare the spacecraft
for Tuesday's return.
This morning, all actvities concerning retrieval and stowing of the Orbiting
and Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer and its Shuttle Pallet
Satellite carrier went smoothly. After six days flying free from Discovery and
observing various stars and astronomical targets, ORFEUS/SPAS is now securely
latched back in the shuttle's cargo bay.
After mission specialist Dan Bursch captured the satellite with the robot arm
at about 6:50 a.m. central, he moved the arm through a series of 11 different
positions to allow an IMAX film camera on the platform to film Discovery from
various angles. Next, with Discovery's steering jets turned off, Bursch moved
the arm through a test designed to gain information to assist in planning a
January 1994 shuttle flight that will carry the Wake Shield Facility, a payload
that will be moved about on the arm in a similiar fashion.
After that was completed, Bursch set ORFEUS/SPAS back in place in the bay and
latched it securely. The crew also turned off one of Discovery's three
electricity-generating fuel cells in a test designed to gain information to be
used on future flights when the shuttle docks with a space station and turns
off its generators for long periods. Discovery's fuel cell will be turned back
on tomorrow. Meanwhile, the other two fuel cell generators will supply ample
power for all shuttle's operations.
Discovery is in a 165 by 142 nautical mile orbit, circling Earth each 90
minutes, 17 seconds.
|
| 849.102 | STS-51 element set GSFC-023 (orbit 116) | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Sep 20 1993 10:34 | 71 |
|
STS-51
1 22795U 93 58 A 93262.67646730 0.00041829 00000-0 92822-4 0 230
2 22795 28.4601 305.6510 0028882 51.0189 309.2990 15.95638878 1160
Satellite: STS-51
Catalog number: 22795
Epoch time: 93262.67646730 (19 SEP 93 16:14:06.78 UTC)
Element set: GSFC-023
Inclination: 28.4601 deg
RA of node: 305.6510 deg Space Shuttle Flight STS-51
Eccentricity: 0.0028882 Keplerian Elements
Arg of perigee: 51.0189 deg
Mean anomaly: 309.2990 deg
Mean motion: 15.95638878 rev/day Semi-major Axis: 6664.6671 Km
Decay rate: 0.42E-03 rev/day*2 Apogee Alt: 305.53 Km
Epoch rev: 116 Perigee Alt: 267.03 Km
NOTE - This element set is based on NORAD element set # 023.
The spacecraft has been propagated to the next ascending
node, and the orbit number has been adjusted to bring it
into agreement with the NASA numbering convention.
R.A. Parise, Goddard Space Flight Center
G.L.CARMAN
STS-51
PREDICTED STATE VECTOR
ON ORBIT OPERATIONS
(Posted 09/16/93 by Roger Simpson)
The following vector for the flight of STS-51 is provided by NASA Johnson
Space Center, Flight Design and Dynamics Division for use in ground track
plotting programs. The vector represents the trajectory of the ORFEUS-SPAS
during on deployed operations. The Space Shuttle Discovery is currently
station keeping approximately 30 miles of the SPAS.
Lift off Time : 1993/255/11:44:59.971
Lift off Date : 09/12/93
ORFEUS-SPAS VECTOR
Vector Time (GMT) : 259/12:44:59.97
Vector Time (MET) : 004/01:00:00.00
Orbit Count : 065
Weight : 7321.0 LBS
Drag Coefficient : 2.20
Drag Area : 119.6 SQ FT
M50 Elements Keplerian Elements
----------------------- --------------------------
X = -13132768.2 FT A = 3601.0291 NM
Y = -14232651.0 FT E = 0.002569
Z = -10214319.3 FT I (M50) = 28.32236 DEG
Xdot = 19359.808821 FT/S Wp (M50) = 4.35995 DEG
Ydot = -16218.711746 FT/S RAAN (M50) = 329.16391 DEG
Zdot = -2157.119110 FT/S N (True) = 255.16428 DEG
M (Mean) = 255.44900 DEG
Ha = 164.729 NM
Hp = 144.264 NM
|
| 849.103 | MCC Status Reports #19,20 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Sep 21 1993 10:20 | 80 |
| MISSION CONTROL CENTER STS-51 Status Report #19
Monday, September 20, 1993, 6 a.m. CDT
Following a rousing wakeup call by the astronaut band Max-Q, Discovery's crew
began preparations for tomorrow's planned return to Earth at the Kennedy Space
Center in Florida.
The sound of Mission Specialist Carl Walz, serving as lead singer for the band,
woke the crew with a recording of the hit song "Heartbreak Hotel."
Soon after, Commander Frank Culbertson and Pilot Bill Readdy checked the
orbiter's flight control surfaces and thruster jets to ensure they are ready to
support tomorrow's entry and landing. One of the jets failed and another
showed an improper chamber pressure reading but neither will affect orbiter
operations . Three other identical thruster engines on each side of
Discovery's tail would have to fail before any concern would be raised.
Conclusion of the mission remains scheduled for tomorrow and forecasters
predict favorable weather with only scattered clouds and light winds at the
Florida landing site. A slight chance of rain showers within 30 miles of the
Shuttle Landing Facility runway is the only question mark in the forecast.
Two landing opportunities are available at KSC tomorrow -- at 4:28 a.m. central
on orbit 143 and 6:03 a.m. central on orbit 144. There are two additional
landing opportunities available Wednesday in Florida and two at the Edwards Air
Force Base facility in California if needed.
Later today, Discovery's five-member crew will begin packing up the spacecraft
in preparation for the trip home.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MISSION CONTROL CENTER STS-51 Status Report #20
Monday, September 20, 1993, 2:30 p.m.. CDT
After a day of preparations and packing for the trip home, Discovery's crew is
asleep and will be awakened at 8:45 p.m. to begin working toward a 4:28 a.m.
Tuesday landing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Today, the crew checked out the equipment Discovery will use tomorrow for its
reentry into Earth's atmosphere and glide home and found it all in order and
ready. A test firing of the shuttle's steering jets did find one jet not
working and another with a faulty sensor, and both will not be used for entry.
However, since each has at least two backup jets that perform the same
function, it will have no impact on the landing.
Late this morning, the crew restarted one of the three electricity-generating
fuel cells onboard that had been turned off yesterday as part of a continuing
series of investigations of such procedures in orbit. The fuel cell is now
working normally and is back on line, supplying power to the spacecraft along
with its two counterparts.
Discovery's primary landing opportunity is to begin with an engine firing by
the shuttle at 3:31 a.m. CDT to begin its descent and culminate in a 4:28 a.m.
CDT touchdown on the Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility Runway 15.
Discovery's course would take it just north of the west Texas town of Marfa;
north of Austin, the state capitol; north of College Station, Texas; south of
Alexandria, La.; and almost directly above Biloxi, Miss., Mobile, Ala., and
Pensacola, Fla., before it flies across the Gulf of Mexico and makes landfall
above the west coast of the Florida Peninsula. Residents of any city within the
vicinity of Discovery's course may be able to see the shuttle's glowing trail
as it descends through the atmosphere if they are watching by at least 4:08
a.m. CDT, 20 minutes prior to the planned touchdown. Houston residents have a
marginal chance to see the descent, low on the northern horizon, starting at
about 4:12 a.m. CDT. The northern track, however, will make the observation
difficult since the shuttle may be no more than about 17 degrees above the
horizon for Houston viewers.
A second opportunity to land in Florida also is available for Discovery
tomorrow, starting with a 5:06 a.m. engine firing by the spacecraft and
culminating in a 6:03 a.m. touchdown on KSC's Runway 15. The shuttle's course
would take it much farther south on the later landing, and the only U.S. area
that may be able to see the shuttle would be residents of Brownsville, Tx.,
where Discovery would pass directly overhead around 5:43 a.m. CDT.
|
| 849.104 | First landing attempt waived off due to bad weather at KSC | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Tue Sep 21 1993 10:26 | 20 |
| They waived off the first day attempt to KSC due to "dynamic weather
conditions" at the KSC (translation: it was raining now and then).
Weather for KSC looks better tomorrow, and then declines after that. Mission
rules dictate that if KSC is a no-go tomorrow they will land at Edwards. There
are "5" landing opportunities tomorrow 2 for KSC and 3 for Edwards (2 of the
3 Edwards landing ops are the KSC ones).
Another anomaly discussed was that a GPC failed to sync with the redundant set
during the transition from the orbital ops program to the entry program. The
software was reloaded and it came up fine. They don't anticipate further
problems with the GPC.
- dave
|
| 849.105 | Second attempt successful | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Sep 22 1993 10:29 | 6 |
| First night landing at KSC was an apparent success (popular news media
sources only).
More details later.
- dave
|
| 849.106 | First Night Landing at KSC? | LHOTSE::DAHL | Customers do not buy architectures | Wed Sep 22 1993 11:32 | 10 |
| RE: <<< Note 849.105 by PRAGMA::GRIFFIN "Dave Griffin" >>>
>First night landing at KSC...
A radio report I heard said the same thing. But I could swear that there was
an earlier night landing at KSC. I'm picturing in my mind a photo of the
landing, where there are bushes or other growth to the sides of the landing
strip, which wouldn't exist at Edwards. The one White Sands landing was in the
dark, wasn't it? Maybe I'm thinking of that.
-- Tom
|
| 849.107 | The TV replay had Discovery in the er.. spotlight :-) | LEVERS::BATTERSBY | I Really Haven't Got The Time | Wed Sep 22 1993 14:02 | 11 |
| I've been a RON in here for the last 4 months. I got to see the
landing on NASA Select TV this morning. It was quite a view. Later
in the morning (just before I left the house for work), they replayed
the landing from all the other video camera views. They even had some
infra-red camera shots of the landing, plus some long-range shots of
the shuttle glowing as it came down through the atmosphere.
The infra-red shots showed the bottom of the shuttle as still quite
warm :-). The runway was lit up like a Christmas tree. :-) The
Shuttle pilot couldn't miss it. :-)
Bob
|
| 849.108 | | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Sep 22 1993 14:18 | 6 |
| One of the slickest shots during landings comes from the IR cameras that
follow a shuttle before touching down. The *INSTANT* the back wheels touch,
the tires go from a dull grey/black to the whitest thing on the screen!
- dave
|
| 849.109 | Smoking beacon? :-)....or heat from the quartz halgen becon.. | LEVERS::BATTERSBY | I Really Haven't Got The Time | Wed Sep 22 1993 18:23 | 11 |
| Yup, that's one of the shots shown. It's an IR camera apparently
placed at the up-end of the runway (the end that the shuttle glides
over before making touch-down a little further down). The shot has
the aft end of the shuttle with the 3 primary engines in view (they
show up fairly cold - grey), but like you said, the minute the wheels
touch asphalt, they light right up.
Incidently, right fore of the vertical tail of the shuttle is what
looks like a beacon in a normal picture, but in the IR video, it looks
like it's giving off smoke every time it flashes. It's wierd. :-)
Bob
|
| 849.110 | IR "Smoke" | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Sep 22 1993 18:32 | 4 |
| You are seeing the visible and IR signature of the APU exhaust.
- dave
|
| 849.111 | UPI: Shuttle caps mission with first night-time Florida landing | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Wed Sep 22 1993 18:33 | 27 |
| From: [email protected] (IRENE BROWN)
Subject: Shuttle caps mission with first night-time Florida landing
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 93 9:27:43 PDT
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (UPI) -- Space shuttle Discovery and its five-man
crew capped an ambitious and successful 10-day flight with NASA's first
night-time landing at the shuttle's home base.
Gliding through clear, star-studded skies, commander Frank Culbertson
steered Discovery toward Kennedy Space Center's narrow, canal-lined
runway, circling high over the ocean to burn off speed, then easing the
100-ton spaceship onto the zenon-lit landing strip at 3:56 a.m. EDT.
``That was a super ending to a super mission,'' said launch director
Robert Sieck.
Minutes before touchdown, twin sonic booms rifled across Central
Florida, jolting unsuspecting sleepers, as infrared cameras tracked the
final 50 miles of the shuttle's 4.1-million-mile, 158-orbit journey.
Across Texas, Discovery left a glowing plasma trail as it blazed
through the atmosphere, creating a rare night-time spectacle.
Shuttle pilots have made five previous landings in darkness, but only
at NASA's expansive Mojave Desert landing site in California. Two other
missions were targeted for night landings in Florida, but were diverted
to California because of unacceptable weather.
``The capability (for night landings at KSC) has always been there,''
said Sieck. ``The crew is trained for it. Obviously, it's nice to have
the first one under your belt.''
Flight directors had planned to end Discovery's mission Tuesday, but
postponed landing a day because of rain in the area.
|
| 849.112 | APU= Auxilary Power Unit? | LEVERS::BATTERSBY | I Really Haven't Got The Time | Wed Sep 22 1993 18:35 | 1 |
|
|
| 849.113 | yes (modulo the spelling) | AUSSIE::GARSON | nouveau pauvre | Wed Sep 22 1993 19:18 | 0 |
| 849.114 | Abnormal Plumes | IVOS02::EVANS_GR | Here comes the bad guys | Wed Sep 22 1993 21:03 | 4 |
| A "break from current procedures" was initiated and Discovery's #1 & #2
APU's were shut down earlier than planned because technical observers
were seeing abnormal exhaust plumes.
|
| 849.115 | ...Was quite impressed with the TV coverage of STS-51 :-) | LEVERS::BATTERSBY | I Really Haven't Got The Time | Thu Sep 23 1993 11:00 | 18 |
| Incidently, this was my first opportunity to watch the NASA Select
TV coverage of a Shuttle mission. My cable company [as a result of
the recent FCC rulings] added the NASA channel (albiet piggy-backed
6:00am - 8:00pm on a pay-per-view channel. So although I wasn't
availed 24 hour viewing, I did get my first opportunity to view a
Shuttle mission by doing some time-shifting VCR recording during the
day while at work. I've been an advocate of the space program since
back in the 60's since the early capsule missions. Since the novelty
wore off the networks providing any coverage on a consistent basis of
the Shuttle flights, it's been difficult getting my dosage of space
flight news except what I do see and read in the media and other
magazines I subscribe to. The 30 second sound-bites of video coverage
highlighting some shuttle activity just didn't hack it with me. Now
I'll have to lobby & convince my cable company to dump a home-shopping
channel or something so that the NASA channel can be viewed 24 hours
a day. :-)
bob
|
| 849.116 | MCC Status Reports #21,22,Landing statement (just to be complete) | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Sep 23 1993 14:09 | 92 |
| MISSION CONTROL CENTER STS-51 Status Report #21
Tuesday, September 21, 1993, 5 a.m. CDT
Both landing opportunities to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida this morning
were passed up due to clouds and rain in the vicinity so Discovery and its
five-member crew were told to stay in space an additional day.
Despite coaxing the crew and mother nature with "Surfin' Safari" by the Beach
Boys, to set the tone for the Florida landing, the weather did not cooperate as
low level clouds and scattered rain showers within the limit of 30 miles
prevented the first night landing in Florida by one day.
Wednesday holds four landing opportunities for concluding the STS-51 mission --
two in Florida and two at the Edwards Air Force Base facility in California.
The Florida landing times tomorrow have Discovery landing at about 2:56 or 4:31
a.m. central. The California landing times are approximately 2:47 and 4:22
a.m. central. The actual landing times may vary by a couple of minutes and
will be updated by Mission Control's Flight Dynamics Officer later this
morning.
The weather forecast for tomorrow shows some improvement at KSC with Edwards
remaining stable.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MISSION CONTROL CENTER STS-51 Status Report #22
Tuesday, September 21, 1993, 4 p.m. CDT
Flight controllers are now looking at a total of four nighttime landing
opportunities early Wednesday morning following today's weather wave-off, two
at Kennedy Space Center in Florida and two at Edwards Air Force Base in
California.
The first opportunity targets a 1:55 a.m. CDT deorbit burn on Orbit 157 to
support a 2:56 a.m. landing on KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility Runway 15. The
second opportunity targets a 3:21 a.m. CDT deorbit burn on Orbit 158 to
support a 4:22 a.m. landing on Edwards' concrete Runway 22. The third
opportunity also is on Orbit 158, with a deorbit burn at 3:31 a.m. CDT and
landing at KSC at 4:31 a.m. CDT. The last opportunity being considered would
begin with a deorbit burn at 4:57 a.m. CDT on Orbit 159 and end with a 5:57
a.m. landing at Edwards.
Entry Flight Director Rich Jackson said the strategy is to shoot for a
Wednesday landing either in Florida or California. The weather forecast calls
for a dynamic situation at the Florida landing site on Wednesday involving
clouds and a chance of showers, but for some improvement on Thursday. The
forecast at Edwards is for clear skies but a possibility of unfavorable winds.
The two KSC landing tracks are expected to provide some excellent viewing
opportunities on the ground. The Orbit 157 landing track would take Discovery
across the Baja Peninsula and northern Mexico, crossing the Texas border south
of El Paso and north of the Big Bend in the Rio Grande River. The track would
continue over San Angelo and Waco, Texas, then over Shreveport, Baton Rouge and
New Orleans, Louisiana. Discovery would move out over the Gulf of Mexico after
passing above Biloxi, Mississippi, then cross the western Florida coast north
of Tampa. The Orbit 158 ground track would cross the west Texas border over the
Big Bend area, fly almost directly over San Antonio, Houston, New Orleans and
Biloxi before skimming south of the Florida panhandle and again crossing the
western Florida coast north of Tampa.
Houston residents may be able to see not only the orbiter's glowing plasma
trail, but the shuttle itself on Orbit 158 beginning about 4:15 a.m. CDT when
the shuttle comes within 40 miles at a maximum elevation of 60 degrees above
the northern horizon. Discovery's sonic booms should be heard several minutes
after it passes overhead at about 12,200 mph.
Residents in those areas should get to their viewing sites about 20 minutes
before the scheduled touchdown times. For the best viewing, residents are
urged to get away from city lights and allow 5 to 10 minutes for their eyes to
adjust to darkness.
The crew began its sleep shift at noon CDT, and will awaken at 8 p.m. CDT.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STS-51 Landing
9/22/93
Space Shuttle Discovery's STS-51 mission concluded
with the first night landing at the Kennedy Space
Center at 3:56 a.m. EDT. The landing ended the 10 day
mission which deployed the Advanced Communications
Technology satellite, deployed and retrieved the
ORFEUS-SPAS science satellite. This mission also
highlighted a spacewalk which enabled crew members to
evaluate tools that will be used during the upcoming
Hubble Space Telescope Servicing mission.
|
| 849.117 | ACTS Status Report - 09/24/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Sep 27 1993 18:48 | 15 |
| ACTS Status
10 a.m. EDT
24 Sept 1993
Checkout of the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) has begun
following the successful deployment of the satellite's solar arrays and
antennas. The checkout period is scheduled to last nine weeks. Bus and
payload checkouts are scheduled to be completed by Oct. 1, and program handover
from NASA's Office of Mission to Planet Earth to the Office of Advanced
Concepts & Technology is scheduled for Dec. 1.
The spacecraft's receive antenna was deployed at 6:32 p.m. EDT Thursday and
the transmit antenna at 6:55 p.m. Release of the Steerable Antenna Beam was
confirmed at 7:30 p.m. The solar arrays had been deployed at 8 p.m.
Wednesday.
|
| 849.118 | NASA Board to investigate STS-51 hardware problem | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Oct 18 1993 15:25 | 34 |
| Ed Campion
October 13, 1993
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
RELEASE: 93-184
NASA Associate Administrator for Space Flight Jeremiah W. Pearson today
announced the formation of an investigation board to examine the causes of a
simultaneous detonation of two Super*Zip explosive cords, one primary and the
other a backup, that occurred during the deployment of the Advanced
Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) and its Transfer Orbit Stage (TOS)
booster from Discovery during Shuttle Mission STS-51 (September 12-20, 1993).
The board will submit an initial report to Pearson by mid-November. A
final report of the findings of the review will be submitted by early December.
The investigation board will be headed by Robert T. Wingate, Systems
Engineering and Operations, Langley Research Center (LaRC), Hampton, Va. Other
members of the team include Michael A. Greenfield, Office of Safety and Mission
Assurance, Headquarters (HQ); Charles R. Gunn, Office of Space Science, HQ;
Keith L. Hudkins, Office of Space Flight, HQ; Lawrence J. Bement, Systems
Engineering and Operations, LaRC; Robert M. Stephens, Office of the General
Counsel, HQ; Robert W. Moss, Systems Engineering and Operations, LaRC; and
Tommy W. Holloway, Office of Space Flight, HQ.
Significant data on the anomaly has been gathered. Earlier this month,
NASA technicians, while performing post- flight inspections of Discovery
following the STS-51 mission, found debris damage to the aft bulkhead,
consisting of surface damage on thermal insulation, some penetrations of the
insulation and payload bay liner and one penetration of the aft cargo bay
bulkhead wall. The damage was discovered and categorized when Discovery's
payload bay was opened and the area was closely inspected in the processing
hanger.
|
| 849.119 | ACTS Status Report - 10/14/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Mon Oct 18 1993 18:32 | 18 |
| Forwarded from Rodney M. Knight, ACTS Project Office, is the
following:
ACTS Status - Thursday, October 14, 8 a.m.
Testing of the ACTS Baseband Processor network is now taking on a
predominant role during this system checkout phase. Lewis test
conductors are directing the execution of test procedures which
exercise and verify communications protocols and links between
the various earth stations in the net. Yesterday this procedure
was completed with T1 VSAT's in Florida and Maryland.
One new VSAT was initially acquired and brought into the network
yesterday. It is located in New Jersey and is the first in the
spacecraft's east beam forming network. It is also the only VSAT
ordered from Harris which has 110 MBPS uplink capability. Thus
both spacecraft 110 MBPS demodulators are now verified as
functional.
|
| 849.120 | ACTS Status Report - 10/18/93 | PRAGMA::GRIFFIN | Dave Griffin | Thu Oct 21 1993 09:51 | 19 |
| Forwarded from Rodney M. Knight, ACTS Project Office:
ACTS STATUS - Monday, October 18, 1993, 5 p.m.
A new milestone was achieved today. One of the High Data Rate
earth stations, under development by BBN Systems and
Technologies, received a CW tone from LET through the ACTS
Microwave Switch Matrix. The HDR earth station RF equipment used
is in the Phoenix area, being developed by Motorola as a
subcontractor to BBN. These earth stations are planned to be
available to begin their experiments phase late next summer.
These current HDR tests are the first of several planned with the
spacecraft during the development phase. They will grow in
complexity as the earth station subassemblies become available.
Later today the spacecraft was reconfigured to the Baseband
Processor Mode. A new earth station was brought up and acquired,
bringing the total to 9. This one is in Washington state.
|