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1990-08-30
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PAYLOAD DESCRIPTION AND MISSION OVERVIEW
This section contains a general payload description and a mission
overview. It is not intended to specify requirements or constraints
that should be specified in other sections.
Payload Description
Configuration A - SAREX-II configuration A consists of a suite of
amateur radio equipment, much of which was flown previously on STS-51 F
and prior to that as a reduced capability configuration (configuration
B) on STS-9. Configuration A is comprised of a low power handheld
Frequency Modulation (FM) transceiver, a pare battery set, an
Interface (I/F) module, an SAREX headset assembly, an equipment
assembly cabinet, a Television (TV) camera and monitor, a Payload
General Support Computer (PGSC) and an antenna capable of being mounted
in one of the Orbiter's flight deck windows. The equipment assembly
houses power supplies, a Slow Scan Television (SSTV) converter, a
packet radio Terminal Node Controller (TNC) and switches and displays
necessary to control the equipment as well as connectors to connect it
to other equipment comprising configuration A.
SAREX-II configuration A is capable of communicating with amateur radio
stations within Line Of Sight (LOS) of the Orbiter in any one of three
modes, e.g., voice, SSTV or data. In the latter two modes, the
equipment can be operated either attended or unattended. In the
attended method of operation, the operator manually provides the
equipment with TV pictures (using the TV
camera) or computer data (using the PGSC keyboard) and observes the TV
picture on the monitor or printed text via the PGSC screen. In the
unattended method of operation, the operator sets up the equipment,
turns the equipment on and selects the operating mode. The operator
then attends to other duties with only occasional observation of the
SAREX-II equipment operation.
The function of each of the SAREX-II configuration A equipment suite is
summarized as follows:
a. Handheld transceiver - Receives and transmits FM voice, SSTV or
packet radio signals in the two meter (144 to 146 MHz) Amateur
Band.
b. I/F module - Serves to provide a means of interconnecting the
SAREX-II equipment with the standard crew microphone/headset or the
SAREX headset assembly and standard crew personal tape recorder.
The I/F module also interconnects the handheld transceiver with the
equipment assembly cabinet.
c. Equipment assembly cabinet - Houses the SSTV converter, packet
radio TNC, power supplies and switches, displays and connectors.
1. SSTV converter - Takes normal TV from the camera or Shuttle
TV distribution system and makes still pictures which can
be transmitted in a voice bandwidth radio circuit and takes
still TV frames transmitted up on a voice bandwidth radio
circuit and converts them for viewing on a standard TV
monitor.
2. Packet TNC - Interconnects a computer with a radio
transceiver so that data to and from the computer is
transmitted to and received from other stations in bursts
of characters using a special amateur developed protocol.
This protocol includes error correction and station
addressing features.
d. TV camera - Allows scenes in the Orbiter as well as external scenes
available through the various windows to be televised and sent to
the SSTV converter.
e. TV monitor - Allows viewing of TV pictures from the SSTV converter.
f. Antenna - Permits the radio signals to and from the handheld
transceiver to be transmitted and received through one of the
Orbiter's windows while limiting the leakage of Radiofrequency (RF)
energy into the cabin.
g. PGSC - Serves as a data terminal for the packet radio portion of
the experiment.
h. Associated cables - Interconnect the various pieces of equipment
making up the SAREX-II configuration A suite of equipment.
i. SAREX headset assembly.
j. Personal tape recorder - to record contacts.
Configuration B - SAREX-II configuration B consists only of the
handheld transceiver, I/F module, spare battery set, SAREX headset
assembly, personal tape recorder, and the window antenna. It is capable
only of exchanging voice communications with amateur stations within
LOS of the Orbiter. Configuration B can be operated only in the
attended mode.
Configuration C - SAREX-II configuration C consists of the handheld
transceiver, I/F module, PGSC, spare battery set, window antenna,
packet module, SAREX headset assembly, personal recorder, and the
required cable assemblies. The packet module contains a power supply
and packet TNC. The power supply provides power for the TNC and the
handheld transceiver. The TNC interconnects with a radio transceiver
so that data to and from the computer is transmitted to and received
from other amateur rado stations. Configuration C is capable of
operating in either the voice or data mode in communications with
amateur stattions within LOS of the Orbiter. This configuration can be
operated in the attended mode for voice communication and either the
attended or automatic mode for data communications.
Configuration D - SAREX-II configuration D is the same as configuration
A except that a Fast Scan Television (FSTV) module is added to the
antenna assembly. The FSTV module contains a receiving RF preamplifier
and a video decoder that provides NTSC video for SAREX-II. This
configuration communicates with amateur stations within LOS of the
Orbiter in one of four modes, e.g., voice, SSTV, data, or FSTV. The
voice mode is operated in the attended mode while SSTV, data, or FSTV
can be operated in either the attended or unattended mode.
Note 1: This band is also part of the Amateur Satellite Service
frequency allocations established on a worldwide basis by the
International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
Mission Overview
Integrated Ground Operations.- After the payload is initially prepared,
it is transported to the Orbiter integration facility. The payload is
installed in the Orbiter at the launch pad.
Flight Operations.- Operation in-flight will be limited to usage during
off-duty hours by licensed crewmembers. Upon completion of in-flight
operation activities, the equipment will be returned to its flight
stowage position(s) for landing.
Postlanding.- After landing, the payload is removed from the Orbiter
and returned to the customer at JSC.
MISSION OPERATIONS
The mission operations section includes a definition of requirements
and constraints by mission phase.
Payload Control Parameters
The payload control weight and payload control dimensions define the
maximum weight and dimensions of the payload for NSTS mission planning
purposes. A payload may not exceed its control weight or control
dimensions without NSTS approval.
The payload control weights are as follows:
Configuration A 60 lb (27.21 kg)
Configuration B 35 lb (15.90 kg)
Configuration C 45 lb (20.41 kg)
configuration D 70 lb (31.75 kg)
All configuration A and D payload equipment, except the window antenna,
will be stowed in one and one half middeck locker volumes. The window
antenna will be stowed in the Orbiter window shade bag. All
configuration B and C payload equipment, except the window antenna,
will be stowed in one half locker volume. The window antenna will be
stowed in the Orbiter window shade bag.
For configurations A, C, and D a PGSC can be used to provide the
middeck SPOC function which would eliminate the requirement to carry a
second SPOC. In this configuration SAREX-II would be operated on a
non-interference basis with SPOC requirements.