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"920915.DFC" (78293 bytes) was created on 09-15-92 15-Sep-92 Daily File Collection These files were added or updated between 14-Sep-92 at 21:00:00 {Central} and 15-Sep-92 at 21:00:41. =--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:920915.REL 9/15/92: NASA-DEVELOPED 'TELEPRESENCE' KEY TO ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION Drucella Andersen Headquarters, Washington, D.C. September 15, 1992 Michael Mewhinney Ames Research Center, Mountain View, Calif. RELEASE: 92-147 NASA scientists will use "telepresence" technology in the Antarctic this fall to see if life that existed millions of years ago on Earth can provide clues about organisms that once may have lived on Mars. A 5-member research team will travel to Antarctica in October to study sediment on the bottom of ice-covered Lake Hoare on Ross Island. They will examine the physical and biological nature of the lake, including its temperature, chemical composition and the gas content of the water. The key research tool will be a mini-submarine mounting a camera that researchers will control with a video headset. "Antarctica is the most Mars-like environment on Earth," said Dr. Carol Stoker, a scientist and expedition member from NASA's Ames Research Center, Mountain View, Calif. "We're taking this technology to a hostile environment to conduct research that has direct applications to NASA's goal of exploring Mars." The team also plans to continue studies of ice-covered lakes started earlier this year during a joint NASA-Russian expedition in the Bunger Hills Oasis of Eastern Antarctica. That study was part of Ames' research into microbes living in extreme environments. The telepresence technology relies on a video headset that lets researchers use head movements to point the camera on the underwater vehicle. Team members will steer the vehicle by remote control with joysticks or body motion. "There are lots of work going on in the Silicon Valley using telepresence in various engineering applications," Stoker said. "But we are the only ones using this technology for field science." The 2-month expedition is a joint NASA-National Science Foundation project. Team leader is Dr. Robert Wharton, a scientist from the Desert Research Institute at the University of Nevada. Other team members are Dr. Scott Tyler of the Desert Research Institute and Ames researchers Stoker, Dale Andersen and Don Barch. The Telepresence-Controlled Remotely Operated Vehicle was built by Deep Ocean Engineering Inc., San Leandro, Calif. -end- Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61 =--=--=-END-=--=--= =--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:920915.SHU KSC SHUTTLE STATUS 9/15/92 KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - TUESDAY, SEPT. 15, 1992 10 AM STS-47/SPACELAB J - ENDEAVOUR (105) - ON-ORBIT At Hangar AF, blasts of high power water are stripping the exterior cork and thermal protective foam away from the boosters aft skirts. Both boosters will be disassembled and shipped back to the respective vendors for refurbishment. Mobile launcher platform No. 2 will be moved from the pad to the refurbishment site tomorrow. Endeavour is scheduled to land on Saturday at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility at 6:59 a.m. EDT. STS-52/LAGEOS - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1 WORK IN PROGRESS: - Cleaning of the payload bay. - Close outs of the vehicle. - Tests of the hydraulic system. - Preparations to replace the water accumulator for the crystals by vapor transport experiment located in the middeck. WORK SCHEDULED: - Transfer Columbia to the Vehicle Assembly Building targeted for no earlier than 0001 Saturday. Columbia will be bolted to the external tank and boosters. STS-53/DoD - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 3 WORK IN PROGRESS: - Preparations to remove the left orbital maneuvering system pod for repairs of an oxidizer isolation valve. The pod will be transferred to the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility where repairs will be made. - Leak and functional tests of the ammonia system. - Servicing of freon coolant loop No. 1. - Servicing of the potable water. - Replacement of a regulator for a water spray boiler. MODIFICATION PERIOD - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - OPF BAY 2 WORK IN PROGRESS: - Installing the forward reaction control simulator. - Preparations to deservice the freon cooling system. - Removal of various components. WORK SCHEDULED: - Ship Atlantis to the Rockwell International facility in Palmdale, Calif. in mid October for modifications. STS-52 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS/EXTERNAL TANK - VAB HIGH BAY 1 WORK SCHEDULED: - Bolting the orbiter Columbia to the boosters and tank this weekend. STS-53 SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS/ MLP-1 - VAB HIGH BAY 3 WORK IN PROGRESS: - Connecting the right aft center booster segment to the right booster. - Transfer the right forward center segment to the VAB. # # # # Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61 =--=--=-END-=--=--= =--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:920915.SKD DAILY NEWS/TV SKED 9/15/92 Daily News Tuesday, September 15, 1992 24-hour audio service at 202/755-1788 % Endeavour and Spacelab continue to provide flawless performance; % STS-47 crew presses on with materials, life science experiments; % Mission control technicians left in dark as power glitch affects Houston; % Mae Jemison to speak to Chicago-area students tomorrow at 7:56 pm EDT. % Columbia set for move to assembly building as STS-52 preparations continue; % Administrator Goldin names Deidre Lee to deputy procurement position; * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Endeavour and the Spacelab module continue to provide the crew of STS-47 with flawless performance. The crew has accumulated enough surplus power since the mission began for flight controllers to add an additional on- orbit day, should mission managers decide to do so. That management decision will likely be made in the next day or so. Experiments underway in the Spacelab include a variety of materials investigations using both the Continuous Heating Furnace and the Image Furnace as well as acoustic levitation experiments using the Liquid Drop Facility. The Life Science investigations continue with half of the fertilized frog eggs having been placed in the centrifuge and the other half remaining in microgravity. Some of the frog embryos were fixed with formaldehyde so investigators can examine the development of the embryos at various stages. The Spacelab-J crew also continued their investigations into the effects of microgravity on the human body with mission specialists Jan Davis and Mae Jemison both wearing electrocardiographs as they took part in the Lower Body Negative Pressure tests. Other activity by the Endeavour crew included participation in a CBS Radio program by Jay Apt during which the crewman answered phoned-in questions. Apt also reported receiving nearly two thousand amateur radio contacts during yesterday's Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment. Flight controllers at the Mission Control Center in Houston yesterday afternoon were left in the dark for about six minutes during a changeover from diesel-powered generators to the regularly-supplied power from Houston Lighting and Power. The fault was determined to lie with a changeover switch. The control center had previously switched to generator power while thunderstorms raged through the Clear Lake area. The power loss did not cause any data loss to the mission operations computers nor to the payload controllers in Huntsville, who were still in contact with the Endeavour crew. The faulty electrical switch is being fixed. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Tomorrow, Endeavour astronaut Mae Jemison will speak with students from Chicago-area schools in a televised interactive program broadcast from the shuttle. The program, which will begin at 7:56 pm EDT, was developed through a collaboration between NASA, the Chicago Board of Education and Chicago television station WGN. The students will be assembled at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry; WGN will provide broadcast links between Chicago and the Johnson Space Center. WGN will also provide other broadcasters a pool feed of the event. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Preparations for the next shuttle flight are proceeding on schedule at the Kennedy Space Center as technicians get Columbia ready for its move to the Vehicle Assembly Building from the Orbiter Processing Facility later this week. Columbia is tentatively set for a launch in mid-October to deploy a variety of scientific payloads. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin yesterday named Deidre A. Lee as the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Procurement. Lee has been serving as the Executive Officer to the Acting Deputy Administrator, Aaron Cohen. Lee joined NASA in 1984 and has served in a variety of procurement positions including chief of space shuttle procurement at the Johnson Space Center. Administrator Goldin said "we are very fortunate to have a person with Lee's considerable experience to fill this position at a time when we are undertaking major procurement reforms." * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * NASA is again providing supplementary television coverage for the duration of the STS-47 mission. The mission is being covered in its entirety on the regular NASA Select television transponder. In addition, two-hour daily summaries of mission activity and project briefings are being transmitted on the Spacenet 1 satellite from midnight Eastern Daylight Time through 2:00 am, except for Friday, Sept. 7, when the transmission begins at 3:00 am EDT. The summaries are transmitted on Spacenet to provide additional satellite coverage to residents and organizations located in Alaska, Hawaii and portions of the Pacific NorthwestPall of which lie at the fringe or beyond the footprint of NASA Select's Satcom F2R satellite. Spacenet 1 is located at 120 degrees West Longitude. The NASA transmissions will be on transponder 17L (4060 MHz). Users of 24Pchannel satellite receivers should set their receiver to Channel 18. Here's the broadcast schedule for Public Affairs events on NASA Select TV. Note that all events and times may change without notice, and that all times listed are Eastern. Live indicates a program is transmitted live. Tuesday, September 15, 1992 Live 2:00 pm Today in Space program from MSFC. Live 3:00 pm Mission Status briefing from JSC and MSFC. Live 4:53 pm CNN Interview with mission commander Robert Gibson. 8:30 pm Replay of Today in Space. 9:00 pm Flight Day 4 highlights. Wednesday, September 16, 1992 Live 7:33 am Conversation with Japanese youth. Live 2:00 pm Today in Space program from MSFC. Live 3:00 pm Mission Status briefing from JSC and MSFC. 8:30 pm Replay of Today in Space. Live 7:56 pm Chicago-area students conversation with Mae Jemison. 9:00 pm Flight Day 5 highlights. Thursday, September 17, 1992 Live 6:18 am Crew on-orbit press conference. Live 2:00 pm Today in Space program from MSFC. Live 3:00 pm Mission Status briefing from JSC and MSFC. 8:30 pm Replay of Today in Space. 9:00 pm Flight Day 6 highlights. Friday, September 18, 1992 Live 7:53 am VIP conversation with Japanese payload specialist Mamoru Mohri. Live 2:00 pm Today in Space program from MSFC. Live 3:00 pm Mission Status briefing from JSC and MSFC. 8:30 pm Replay of Today in Space. 9:00 pm Flight Day 7 highlights. Saturday, September 19, 1992 5:59 am Scheduled time of Endeavour's re-entry maneuver. Live 6:59 am Scheduled time of landing of STS-47 crew and Endeavour at Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility. NASA Select TV is carried on GE Satcom F2R, transponder 13, C-Band, 72 degrees West Longitude, transponder frequency is 3960 MegaHertz, audio subcarrier is 6.8 MHz, polarization is vertical. Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61 =--=--=-END-=--=--= =--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:920915A.REL 9/15/92: NASA RESEARCH PLANE TO ASSESS HURRICANE INIKI DAMAGE HQ 92-149/HURRICANE INIKI DAMAGE David Garrett September 15, 1992 Headquarters, Washington, D.C. Donald James Ames Research Center, Mountain view, Calif. RELEASE: 92-149 Mountain View, Calif. -- A NASA Ames Research ER-2 aircraft will take high altitude aerial images of the Hawaiian Islands to help officials determine the full extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Iniki. "The State of Hawaii has an urgent need for high quality, high altitude aerial photography...to assist us in our planning and recovery operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Iniki," the Director of Hawaii's Office of State Planning, Harold Masumoto, stated in a letter Monday to Ames' High Altitude Missions Branch Chief John Arvesen. The ER-2 will take off from Ames at about 6:30 a.m. PDT Wednesday, Sept. 16, flying to Hawaii to take the photographs, then land at Barber's Point Naval Air Station on Oahu. The aircraft will remain in the islands for about a week, Arvesen said. The ER-2 will take black and white, color, color infrared and digital images (using a thematic mapper simulator camera). The black and white film will be processed and analyzed in Hawaii. The other images immediately will be flown back to the mainland for processing at Ames. The ER-2 is the modern successor to the 1950s vintage U-2. It is considered an exceptionally versatile research aircraft and well- suited for multiple mission work. Flying at 68,000 feet, the ER-2 operates above 95 percent of the Earth's atmosphere. At altitudes in that range, data gathered by the aircraft's sensors are similar to that gathered by space-based satellites. Hurricane Andrew NASA provided similar support to the State of Florida after Hurricane Andrew. A Learjet from NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, equipped with a variety of sensors and cameras, gathered data in the South Miami-Homestead area on urban, suburban, farm and natural resource damage. This data enabled disaster officials to get a far- more-accurate picture of damage than they had obtained by on-the- ground inspections. Achieving this degree of accuracy enabled the Governor's office to make a realistic cost estimate of the damage to present to the state legislature and to congressional committees in Washington. The Stennis center also obtained pre-Andrew aerial photographs of the area from a commercial aerial photography firm. They will be used in conjunction with data from the Learjet mission to plan reconstruction and rehabilitation of natural resources. - end - Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61 =--=--=-END-=--=--= =--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:920915B.REL 9/15/92: NASA SPACECRAFT BEGINS GRAVITY MAPPING OF VENUS HQ 92-148/magellan gravity mapping Michael Braukus Headquarters, Washington, D.C. September 15, 1992 Jim Doyle Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. RELEASE: 92-148 The Magellan spacecraft's orbit at its closest approach to Venus was lowered Monday and today it began a full 243- day cycle of gravity mapping, project officials at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., said. Magellan has now completed three cycles of mapping with its radar, covering 99 percent of the surface of Venus. Monday, controllers ordered a 1-hour orbit adjustment burn to lower its periapsis -- closest approach to the planet -- altitude from 160 miles (258 kilometers) to 113 miles (182 kilometers). "That will help us obtain the best possible resolution in the equatorial latitude gravity map," Project Manager Doug Griffith said. The objective of cycle 4, which extends to May 15, 1993, is to obtain a global map of the Venus gravity field from the elliptical orbit. The orbit apoapsis, or furthest point from the planet, remains the same, 5,296 miles (8,543 kilometers). During this fourth cycle, variations in the gravitational pull experienced by the spacecraft are being recorded by carefully tracking the Doppler shift of a radio signal that Magellan will constantly beam to the Deep Space Network tracking stations. When Magellan passes over a dense region of Venus' interior, for example, the spacecraft accelerates in its orbit and the location of the denser region is mapped. Over the course of the 243-day cycle, one rotation of Venus, variations in the planet's density will be mapped at a resolution much higher than achieved by previous missions. Looking at the interior with gravity observations is expected to provide an improved understanding of the forces of tectonics and volcanism that shape the planet. Magellan is managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science and Applications, Washington, D.C. - end - Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61 =--=--=-END-=--=--= =--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_2_2_39_12_15.TXT SL-J Mission Status Report #05 6:00 p.m. CDT, September 14, 1992 01/08:40 MET Spacelab Mission Operations Control Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, Alabama As the third day of the Spacelab-J mission got under way, Mission Specialist Mark Lee and Payload Specialist Mamoru Mohri entered the 23-foot-long Spacelab module to begin another day of life and materials science research. Mohri began his shift by activating the Image Furnace, which supports experiments in crystal growth using the float-zone method of heating. Principal investigator Dr. Souhachi Iwai and co-investigator Dr. Yasaburo Segawa of the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research are hoping to produce a high-quality single crystal which can be widely used in electronic applications requiring infrared sensitivity. After a sample of lead-tin-tellurium was placed into the furnace, a melt zone was established, with Mohri adjusting the power of the lamp inside. Once the proper melt had been established, the furnace automatically controlled the experiment procedures, moving two mirrors and two halogen lamps slowly over the the sample. Toward the end of the sample processing, an error code, indicating some resistance in the mechanism that moves the lamps and mirrors over the sample, appeared on data being downlinked to the science team on the ground. Scientists and engineers at the Spacelab Mission Operations Control center in Huntsville, Ala., decided to have Mohri deactivate the Image Furnace and allow four hours for it to cool down before removing the processed crystal and inserting another sample. Lee activated the small cell of the Organic Crystal Growth Experiment Facility (OCF) and began the growth process of a single, large metal crystal. Organic metals are organic compounds that have metal atoms or ions bound to them, allowing them to conduct electricity. A 35 mm camera, attached to a viewport in the OCF cell, automatically took pictures of the growing crystal inside. Upon deactivation of the small cell, Lee reported that the sample did not appear to have reached the anticipated state of crystallization. The science team, gathered at the Spacelab Mission Operations Control center will make a decision concerning the option of processing a second sample of this metal crystal later in the mission. Principal investigator Dr. Hiroyuki Anzai of the National Electrotechnical Laboratory is interested in this experiment because it may discover new phenomena and will contribute to the development of organic metals and crystal growth in general. Lee also conducted life science research today as he monitored the activities of the carp while they were exposed to light stimulations. This experiment is a neurophysiological study to determine the extent of the conflict between the signals being sent to the brain from the eyes and inner ear. Since many people suffer from what is called Space Adaptation Syndrome for the first day or two after launch, scientists such as principal investigator Dr. Shigeo Mori of Nagoya University will analyze the data collected during this mission to understand more about the causes of this space-related condition. Lee pulled out the General Purpose Workstation for his work with the Frog Embryology Experiment. His activities today involved preserving fertilized frog eggs that have been developing for the past 14 hours. Two samples from eggs located in the centrifuge, providing a gravity-type evironment, and two samples of eggs developing in the weightlessness of space were preserved. This will provide principal investigator Dr. Kenneth Souza of NASA's Ames Research Center with data showing the developmental stages of amphibian eggs which have been harvested, fertilized and grown in space. To better understand the effects of microgravity on cell structure and function, Mohri examined two types of cell cultures. One type of culture was hybridoma cells. These cells are like cancer cells in that they reproduce rapidly; however, hybridoma have a disease fighting capability. The second type of culture that Mohri worked with was surface tissue from monkey kidney cells. Bovine serum was added to provide nutrients for the cells. Dr. Atsushige Sato of the Tokyo Medical and Dental University will use electron microscopes and chemical analysis to observe the skeletal structures, cell division and productivity of these cultures after they are returned to Earth. During the next 12-hour shift, Mission Specialist Jan Davis will spend approximately five hours with an experiment to separate animal cells, cellular organella and biogenic materials by a means of electrophoresis. Science Mission Specialist Mae Jemison will examine the behavior of liquid drops in an acoustic field. Jemison also will preserve the stage of growth for some of the fertilized frog eggs, as well as observe the behavior of tadpoles, hatched prior to launch, as they swim in space. Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61 =--=--=-END-=--=--= =--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_2_2_39_12_16.TXT MISSION CONTROL CENTER STS-47 Status Report #9 Monday, September 14, 1992, 11:30 p.m. CDT The Space Shuttle Endeavour continues to perform almost flawlessly with no systems problems being tracked by flight controllers in the Mission Control Center. The Blue Team -- Jay Apt, Jan Davis and Mae Jemison -- continues to make excellent progress on the materials processing, human physiology and cell development experiments in the Spacelab-J module. Shortly after Orbit 3 flight controllers took over, a power outage shut down all displays in the control center. Communications between Mission Control and Endeavour were temporarily lost, but the Payload Operations Control Center at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., remained in contact with the crew. The outage lasted from 4:50 p.m. CDT to 4:56 p.m. CDT. While flight controllers were in the dark, the Mission Operations Computer Center did not lose power and there was no loss of data to the POCC. The cause of the outage was traced to a faulty switch in the building that supplies power to the MCC. The MCC had been using diesel generator power as a precaution while thunderstorms were in the Houston area. When technicians attempted to switch back to commercial power, the faulty switch malfunctioned, causing the outage. All MCC systems have been restored to normal and are using commercial power. The Red Team -- Hoot Gibson, Curt Brown, Mark Lee and Mamoru Mohri -- is in its sleep shift, and is scheduled to awaken about 5 a.m. CDT. Handover from the Blue to Red Team will occur about 6:30 a.m. Earlier in the day, Gibson and Brown installed a prefilter between the humidity separators and the heat exchangers in the floor underneath the middeck as part of a Development Test Objective. The prefilter is designed to keep clogs from entering the humidty separators and causing leaks. The water passing through the filter appeared to be moving freely through a central tube, but was not passing through an aluminum mesh material surrounding the tube as designed. The Red Team closed the access to the prefilter before beginning its sleep shift, and will reexamine the prefilter on its next work shift. Flight controllers today accumulated enough surplus power and breathing air to add one extra day to the STS-47 mission should the science team request more time. Flight managers will not make a final decision on a possible extension until Tuesday or Wednesday. Endeavour remains in a near-circular 165 by 163 nautical mile orbit in an attitude that minimizes the number of thruster firings so as not to disturb sensitive experiments in the Spacelab module. * * * Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61 =--=--=-END-=--=--= =--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_2_2_39_12_17.TXT SL-J Mission Status Report #06 6:00 a.m. CDT, September 15, 1992 02/20:40 MET Spacelab Mission Operations Control Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, Alabama NASA and Japan's Space Agency NASDA continued their first joint venture in low-gravity research, Spacelab-J, as Blue Team Mission Specialist Dr. Jan Davis and Science Mission Specialist Dr. Mae Jemison conducted science experiments in the pressurized Spacelab module carried in Space Shuttle Endeavour's cargo bay. As the Space Shuttle free-falls around Earth, a low-gravity, or microgravity, environment is created. Science performed in Spacelab may reveal underlying physics phenomena and allow the processing of materials free from the effects of gravity, such as settling and thermal driven convection. Full-time materials and life sciences research are to be conducted later this decade aboard Space Station Freedom by the U.S. and Japan, along with their other international partners: Canada and the European Space Agency. Davis got an early start on her day as she talked with students on the ground in Huntsville, Ala., part of the Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment, a project to permit radio contact between the Space Shuttle crew and ham radio operators. Two of the youngsters are licensed amateur radio operators. Blue Team crew member Dr. Jay Apt reported that, so far, he has talked with 1,845 amateur shortwave radio operators around the world. Davis took step-by-step instructions from ground controllers at Marshall Center's Spacelab Mission Operations Control as she processed biological materials by electrophoresis. Free-flow electrophoresis is a method of separating mixtures of biological materials with different charges into individual components, using an electrical field. Certain proteins and cellular components can be difficult to separate on Earth due the effects of gravity, because convection currents and sedimentation can remix components. Highly-purified products produced by electrophoresis may contribute to the development of pharmaceuticals and biomedical research. Samples processed by Davis included Salmonella bacteria and a variety of mixed proteins that will be returned to Earth for futher study. Jemison conducted an experiment to deploy a drop of mineral oil and levitate it by sound waves in the Liquid Drop Facility, a box with speakers positioned to focus sound waves strong enough to position liquid drops. The goal is to learn more about the behavior of liquids in an acoustic field to aid in the development of "containerless" processing. When materials are processed on Earth, gravity can cause ingredients to settle and touch the surface of containers, which may introduce impurities. Processing materials while levitated may lead to purer compounds. Although the experiments were not completely successful, co-investigator Dr. Heihachiro Kamimura of Japan's National Aerospace Laboratory thanked Jemison for her hard work and assured her that some results were obtained that are not possible on Earth. In the field of life science research, Jemison rotated chicken eggs that are being flown to further knowledge of embryonic development in space, especially on the bones and muscles. This experiment may provide insight into why bones become weaker and lose calcium during stays in low gravity. The eggs are rotated during each crew shift to simulate the action of hens on Earth. Continuing her work with the Frog Embryology Experiment (FEE), Jemison applied a formaldehyde mixture to stop the growth of certain egg specimens fertilized earlier in the mission, preserving them for post-flight study. This process, called fixation, will be performed at certain cell development stages throughout the mission. Additionally, Jemison gave the FEE research team, stationed in the Science Operations Area of Spacelab Mission Operations Control, a close look at tadpoles hatched from eggs fertilized in the laboratory shortly before launch. These tadpoles are developing the otolith, an inner ear balance system. Scientists hope to learn more about the role that gravity plays in the development of amphibian life and the otolith's role in spatial orientation. Davis and Jemison concluded data collection in an experiment designed by Dr. Patricia Cowings of NASA's Ames Research Center which examines the effectiveness of using biofeedback to counteract the symptoms of Space Motion Sickness. During space flight, some crew members experience disorientation and discomfort. Dr. Cowings and her team are developing feedback training procedures to teach astronauts to gain control over body responses such as heart rate and respiration to enable them to control such sickness without drugs. After completing this third day of diagnostic measurements, the monitoring equipment was stowed. Red Team members Mission Specialist Mark Lee and Payload Specialist Mamoru Mohri will be monitoring the growth of crystals in the Image Furnace and in the Organic Crystal Facility, as well as checking on carp being flown to learn more about the inner ear's relation to orientation. Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61 =--=--=-END-=--=--= =--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_2_2_39_12_18.TXT MISSION CONTROL CENTER STS-47 Status Report #10 Tuesday, September 15, 1992, 6:30 a.m. CDT Endeavour's crew sailed into its fourth day in space with no problems aboard the Shuttle or the Spacelab module cradled in the payload bay. Working 24 hours on two shifts called the Blue and Red Teams, the crew devoted its full attention to experiment data gathering from instruments located on the orbiter's middeck and in the Spacelab. Mission Specialist Jay Apt took time out of his schedule to take part in a CBS Radio interview answering questions ranging from international cooperation in space to differences between Earth observations on his previous Shuttle mission in April 1991 and this one. Apt also showed some videotape of Earth views he shot as Endeavour flew high above the African continent and reported receiving more than 1,800 contacts -- both voice and computer -- using the onboard ham radio equipment. The Red Team lead by Commander Hoot Gibson woke up about 5 a.m. and was scheduled to take over for the Blue Team about 6:30 a.m.. Endeavour remains in a near-circular 165 by 163 nautical mile orbit circling the Earth every 90 minutes in an attitude that minimizes the number of thruster firings so as not to disturb sensitive experiments in the Spacelab module. ### Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61 =--=--=-END-=--=--= =--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_2_2_39_12_19.TXT MISSION CONTROL CENTER STS-47 Status Report #11 Tuesday, September 15, 1992, 4:30 p.m. CDT The Space Shuttle Endeavour today passed the mid-way point in its mission carrying the Spacelab-J on-orbit laboratory. The Red Team--Hoot Gibson, Curt Brown, Mark Lee and Mamoru Mohri--will complete their fourth working day in space with a hand over to the Blue Team--Jay Apt, Jan Davis and Mae Jemison--about 6 p.m. CDT. Blue Team members wake up about 5 p.m. CDT. Gibson and Brown have made scheduled observations and photography of the mid-deck experiment called ISAIAH, the Israeli Space Agency Investigation About Hornets. The ISAIAH experiment studies the effects of weightlessness on combs built by oriental hornets. From information gathered so far, investigators report the hornets are in good health and moving around in the nest-building material, but are not conducting their typical organized nest-building activity. Experimenters have noted some condensation building up in the lower hornet compartment. In an attempt to remove the excess moisture, at about 5 p.m. CDT, Gibson and Brown will hook up a fan from one of the crew launch/entry partial pressure suits to the air inlet at the front of the ISAIAH enclosure. Engineers believe this procedure will increase the air volume going through the hornet enclosure. The oriental hornets are accustomed to a warm, dry environment and excessive humidity can be harmful to their health. If this plan works as expected, Gibson and Brown may need to repeat the procedure at two-day intervals for the remainder of the mission. Endeavour remains in good health, with no significant problems being tracked by the flight control team. Inside Endeavour's crew cabin and laboratory, the STS-47 crew circles Earth every 90 minutes in an orbit of 163 x 166 nautical miles. - end - Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61 =--=--=-END-=--=--= =--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_2_2_39_12_20.TXT SL-J Mission Status Report #07 6:00 p.m. CDT, September 15, 1992 03/08:40 MET Spacelab Mission Operations Control Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, Alabama As Space Shuttle Endeavour continued its orbit of the Earth, crew members were busy on their fourth day of the mission known as Spacelab-J. Forty-three experiments make up the payload for this seven-day, joint venture between the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) and the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA), and several of these investigations were the focus of today's research. Dr. Mamoru Mohri completed the initial operation of the Acoustic Levitation Furnace, one of several which make up Japan's Materials Experiment Laboratory (MEL). He successfully demonstrated that it is possible to heat a glass sample while it is suspended to avoid contact with a container. While the glass was levitated by sound waves traveling between twin curved mirrors, it was heated by the focused light of a pair of halogen lamps. The glass was suspended for an extended period, allowing it to melt and begin to cool, before a random vibration moved it away from the center of its case and caused it to hit the chamber wall. Principal investigator Dr. Junji Hayakawa of the Government Industrial Research Institute was very pleased with the first performance of his experiment facility in space. He asked that the crew avoid all contact with the furnace panel to alleviate any possible vibrations duing the next sample levitation session, scheduled for late Thursday afternoon. This experiment attempts to create a non-silicon-based glass with superior transmission properties in the infrared wavelength region. Mohri installed a sample containing an alloy of tungsten and nickel powder into the Large Isothermal Furnace (LIF) to test a materials processing application known as sintering. Sintering is a process by which particles are joined together to form a material using heat and pressure, without reaching the melting point of one or both of the materials. The sample of tungsten-nickel mixture was installed in the LIF and heated at 2800 degrees Fahrenheit. Growth of solid particles when one of the compounds is melted is of interest to scientists, but cannot be studied effectively on Earth because gravity segregates the solid particles. The data gathered during this mission will help scientists such as principal investigator Dr. Shiro Kohara of the Science University of Tokyo better understand and possibly improve sintering processes on Earth. It also raises the possibility of conducting such alloy manufacturing in microgravity laboratories like Space Station Freedom. In an effort to understand more about the factors that contribute to space motion sickness, Mohri had his head in a stabilizing device while he tracked a series of lights on a cross made of two bars. The first part of this test investigates how the eye responds to simple visual stimuli in microgravity conditions. The second use of this light-stimulation equipment tested hand-eye coordination under weightless conditions to gather data on human functioning and performance during space travel. One of Mission Specialist Mark Lee's many duties today included giving a report on the health of the carp to scientists at the Spacelab Mission Operations Control center in Huntsville, Ala. He mentioned that the fish looked the same as they did on launch day and appeared to be in good health. This verbal report is in addition to the brain wave recordings made during the light stimulation activities in their containers, which take place two times each day. By gathering data on the sensory conflict between eyes and inner ears during Spacelab-J, scientists hope to better understand this difference and its relationship to space motion sickness. Lee worked with another experiment investigating the effects of space travel when he exchanged the media (nutrient supply) in samples of rat bone-forming cells, which have been growing in a thermoelectric incubator for several days. Principal investigator Dr. Nicola Partridge of the St. Louis University School of Medicine will analyze the data from this experiment to answer some of the questions about the changes that take place when bone is subjected to microgravity. By understanding how spaceflight causes changes in bone cell function, scientists can better understand why bones become weaker during spaceflight. Lee also inserted the second sample of the semiconductor material lead-tin-tellurium into the Gradient Heating Furnace. Principal investigator Dr. Tomoaki Yamada of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation hopes to produce homogeneous single crystals, widely used in electronic applications. During the next 12-hour shift, Science Mission Specialist Mae Jemison and Mission Specialist Jan Davis will concentrate their efforts on providing information about the effects of body fluid loss to the lower extremities during space flight. This investigation, known as the Lower Body Negative Pressure Experiment, will help scientists develop countermeasures for the effects of microgravity on the cardiovascular system for future space travel. Jemison and Davis also will conduct other life and material sciences research during their shift. Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61 =--=--=-END-=--=--= =--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_2_2_39_4.TXT STS-47 element set GSFC-012 (orbit 49) STS-47 1 22120U 92 61 A 92259.61569380 0.00076435 00000-0 25599-3 0 124 2 22120 56.9971 93.6720 0008801 289.1809 70.8314 15.89530661 497 Satellite: STS-47 Catalog number: 22120 Epoch time: 92259.61569380 (15 SEP 92 14:46:35.95 UTC) Element set: GSFC-012 Inclination: 56.9971 deg RA of node: 93.6720 deg Space Shuttle Flight STS-47 Eccentricity: 0.0008801 Keplerian Elements Arg of perigee: 289.1809 deg Mean anomaly: 70.8314 deg Mean motion: 15.89530661 rev/day Semi-major Axis: 6681.7300 Km Decay rate: 0.76E-03 rev/day*2 Apogee Alt: 309.22 Km Epoch rev: 49 Perigee Alt: 297.46 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. G.L.CARMAN STS-47 FLIGHT DAY 1 STATE VECTOR STS-47 FLIGHT DAY 1 STATE VECTOR ON ORBIT OPERATIONS (Posted 09/12/92 by Roger Simpson) ***NOTICE***THIS VECTOR WILL BE UPDATED MONDAY, 9/14/92***NOTICE*** The following vector for the flight of STS-47 is provided by NASA Johnson Space Center Flight Design and Dynamics Division for use in ground track plotting programs. The vector is valid for flight day one. The vector represents the trajectory of Endeavour during on orbit operations, after the OMS-2 maneuver. 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. Lift off Time : 1992/256/14:22:59.974 Lift off Date : 09/12/92 Vector Time (GMT) : 257/00:52:59.970 Vector Time (MET) : 000/10:30:00.000 Orbit Count : 7 Weight : 232265.0 LBS Drag Coefficient : 2.00 Drag Area : 2751.0 SQ FT M50 Elements Keplerian Elements ----------------------- -------------------------- X = -5477293.5 FT A = 3611.8347 NM Y = 21227827.5 FT E = 0.0009500 Z = -302864.1 FT I (M50) = 57.24985 DEG Xdot = -13353.201626 FT/S Wp (M50) = 4.46876 DEG Ydot = -3143.647472 FT/S RAAN (M50) = 104.97727 DEG Zdot = 21317.573316 FT/S / N (True) = 354.59015 DEG Anomalies \ M (Mean) = 354.60040 DEG Ha = 165.76600 NM Hp = 164.40900 NM Mean of 1950 (M50) : Inertial, right-handed Cartesian system whose Coordinate System origin is the center of the earth. The epoch is the beginning of the Besselian year 1950. X axis: Mean vernal equinox of epoch Z axis: Earth's mean rotational axis of epoch Y axis: Completes right-hand system A: Semi-major axis E: Eccentricity N: True anomaly I: Inclination M: Mean anomaly Wp: Argument of perigee Ha: Height of apogee RAAN: Right ascension of ascending node Hp: Height of perigee STS-47 FLIGHT DAY 3 STATE VECTOR ON ORBIT OPERATIONS (Posted 09/14/92 by Roger Simpson) The following vector for the flight of STS-47 is provided by NASA Johnson Space Center Flight Design and Dynamics Division for use in ground track plotting programs. The vector is valid for flight day three. The vector represents the trajectory of Endeavour during on orbit operations. 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. Lift off Time : 1992/256/14:22:59.974 Lift off Date : 09/12/92 Vector Time (GMT) : 258/14:22:59.970 Vector Time (MET) : 002/00:00:00.000 Orbit Count : 32 Weight : 231638.0 LBS Drag Coefficient : 2.00 Drag Area : 2751.0 SQ FT M50 Elements Keplerian Elements ----------------------- -------------------------- X = 8371563.3 FT A = 3606.2414 NM Y = 12929247.8 FT E = 0.0004490 Z = -15598398.4 FT I (M50) = 57.22649 DEG Xdot = -10136.475255 FT/S Wp (M50) = 131.49146 DEG Ydot = 20256.523015 FT/S RAAN (M50) = 97.76796 DEG Zdot = 11347.521518 FT/S / N (True) = 170.70102 DEG Anomalies \ M (Mean) = 170.69271 DEG Ha = 164.27100 NM Hp = 163.72100 NM Mean of 1950 (M50) : Inertial, right-handed Cartesian system whose Coordinate System origin is the center of the earth. The epoch is the beginning of the Besselian year 1950. X axis: Mean vernal equinox of epoch Z axis: Earth's mean rotational axis of epoch Y axis: Completes right-hand system A: Semi-major axis E: Eccentricity N: True anomaly I: Inclination M: Mean anomaly Wp: Argument of perigee Ha: Height of apogee RAAN: Right ascension of ascending node Hp: Height of perigee Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61 =--=--=-END-=--=--= =--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_2_2_39_6.TXT STS-47 TV SKED, REV D *********************************************************************** NASA SELECT TV SCHEDULE STS-47/SPACELAB-J REV D 9/15/92 *********************************************************************** NASA Select programming can be accessed through GE Satcom F2R, transponder 13. The frequency is 3960 MHz with an orbital position of 72 degrees west longitude. This is a full transponder service and will be operational 24 hours a day. Two hour edited programs of each flight day will be replayed for Hawaii and Alaska on SpaceNet 1, transponder 17L, channel 18. The orbital position is 120 degrees West Longitude, with a frequency of 4060 MHz. Audio is on 6.8 MHz. The programs will begin launch day and will continue through landing, airing at 11 PM Central time, with the exception of Friday, September 18, when programming will begin two hours later. * DENOTES CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS SCHEDULE ORBIT SUBJECT SITE MET CDT ----- ------- ---- --- --- --------------------------- Tuesday, September 15 --------------------- FD 4 51 TODAY IN SPACE MSFC 03/03:37 01:00 PM HOSTS - DR. BOB SOKOLOWSKI DR. BYRON LICHTENBERG 51 * P/TV07 VISUAL STABILITY TDRW/E 03/04:33 01:56 PM T=25:00 51 MISSION STATUS BRIEFING JSC 03/04:37 02:00 PM MSFC 52 * CNN INTERVIEW WITH TDRW 03/05:25 02:48 PM HOOT GIBSON AND CURT BROWN A/V CHECK-OUT T=10:00 52 P/TV10 ENZYME CRYSTAL TDRE 03/05:41 03:04 PM T=10:31 52 P/TV10 ENZYME CRYSTAL TDRW 03/06:02 03:25 PM T=19:35 53 P/TV11 CELL CULTURE TDRW 03/06:25 03:48 PM T=5:00 54 * CNN INTERVIEW WITH TDRW 03/06:30 03:53 PM HOOT GIBSON AND CURT BROWN T=20:00 54 P/TV03 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRE 03/08:11 05:34 PM T=30:00 54 RED/BLUE HANDOVER 03/08:30 05:53 PM 55 P/TV34 LBNP TDRW 03/09:35 06:58 PM T=41:13 56 REPLAY - TODAY IN SPACE MSFC 03/10:07 07:30 PM T=30:00 56 FLIGHT DAY FOUR HIGHLIGHTS JSC 03/10:37 08:00 PM T=30:00 56 P/TV34 LBNP TDRW 03/10:57 08:20 PM T=17:15 58 P/TV03 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRW 03/14:16 11:39 PM T=16:00 58 P/TV34 LBNP TDRW 03/14:32 11:55 PM T=17:01 ------------------------- Wednesday, September 16 --------------------- FD 5 58 P/TV34 LBNP TDRE 03/14:54 12:17 AM T=18:53 62 P/TV27 CONVERSATION TDRE 03/19:45 05:08 AM WITH JAPANESE YOUTH A/V CHECK-OUT T=30:00 62 BLUE/RED HANDOVER 03/20:00 05:23 AM 62 P/TV03 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRW 03/20:43 06:06 AM T=12:00 62 P/TV27 CONVERSATION TDRE 03/21:10 06:33 AM WITH JAPANESE YOUTH T=30:00 64 P/TV22 IMAGE MIRROR FURNACE TDRW 03/23:58 09:21 AM T=23:00 64 P/TV22 IMAGE MIRROR FURNACE TDRE/W 04/00:23 09:46 AM T=59:12 65 P/TV22 IMAGE MIRROR FURNACE TDRW 04/01:30 10:53 AM T=27:00 66 P/TV22 IMAGE MIRROR FURNACE TDRE 04/02:05 11:28 AM T=55:18 67 TODAY IN SPACE MSFC 04/03:37 01:00 PM HOSTS - DR. BOB SOKOLOWSKI DR. BYRON LICHTENBERG 68 P/TV03 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRW 04/05:03 02:26 PM T=26:00 68 P/TV11 CELL CULTURE TDRE 04/05:30 02:53 PM T=5:00 68 * MISSION STATUS BRIEFING JSC 04/06:07 03:30 PM MSFC 68 P/TV10 ENZYME CRYSTAL TDRW 04/06:11 03:34 PM T=35:40 69 P/TV03 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRE 04/06:46 04:09 PM T=34:00 69 RED/BLUE HANDOVER 04/07:30 04:53 PM 71 * WGN/CHICAGO MUSEUM TDRW 04/09:35 06:58 PM SCIENCE/INDUSTRY INTERVIEW WITH MAE JEMISON A/V CHECK-OUT T=15:00 71 * WGN/CHICAGO MUSEUM TDRW 04/09:50 07:13 PM SCIENCE/INDUSTRY INTERVIEW WITH MAE JEMISON T=15:00 71 REPLAY - TODAY IN SPACE MSFC 04/10:07 07:30 PM T=30:00 71 FLIGHT DAY FIVE HIGHLIGHTS JSC 04/10:37 08:00 PM T=30:00 73 P/TV03 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRE 04/13:13 10:36 PM T=30:00 74 P/TV34 LBNP TDRW 04/14:24 11:47 PM T=31:00 ------------------------- Thursday, September 17 ---------------------- FD 6 75 P/TV32 EARTH VIEWS - JAPAN TDRW 04/16:05 01:28 AM T=2:54 77 BLUE/RED HANDOVER 04/19:40 05:03 AM 77 CREW CONFERENCE TDRE 04/19:55 05:18 AM T=30:00 78 P/TV19 BUBBLE BEHAVIOR UNIT TDRW 04/20:57 06:20 AM T=11:55 78 P/TV19 BUBBLE BEHAVIOR UNIT TDRE 04/21:22 06:45 AM T=20:00 79 P/TV19 BUBBLE BEHAVIOR UNIT TDRE 04/21:59 07:22 AM T=8:00 80 P/TV15 IMAGE MIRROR FURNACE TDRE 04/23:02 08:25 AM T=5:00 80 P/TV03 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRE 04/23:35 08:58 AM T=14:00 80 P/TV15 IMAGE MIRROR FURNACE TDRW 05/00:07 09:30 AM T=21:54 81 P/TV15 IMAGE MIRROR FURNACE TDRE 05/00:34 09:57 AM T=20:50 81 P/TV15 IMAGE MIRROR FURNACE TDRE 05/00:55 10:18 AM T=37:20 81 P/TV15 IMAGE MIRROR FURNACE TDRW 05/02:00 11:23 AM T=10:08 82 P/TV15 IMAGE MIRROR FURNACE TDRE 05/02:15 11:38 AM T=54:02 83 TODAY IN SPACE MSFC 05/03:37 01:00 PM HOSTS - DR. BOB SOKOLOWSKI DR. BYRON LICHTENBERG 83 P/TV15 IMAGE MIRROR FURNACE TDRE 05/04:05 01:28 PM T=10:00 83 P/TV03 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRE 05/04:18 01:41 PM T=23:00 84 * MISSION STATUS BRIEFING JSC 05/05:37 03:00 PM MSFC 85 RED/BLUE HANDOVER 05/07:00 04:23 PM 87 P/TV34 LBNP TDRW 05/09:47 07:10 PM T=31:00 87 REPLAY - TODAY IN SPACE MSFC 05/10:07 07:30 PM T=30:00 87 FLIGHT DAY SIX HIGHLIGHTS JSC 05/10:37 08:00 PM T=30:00 88 P/TV34 LBNP TDRW 05/11:19 08:42 PM T=19:50 -------------------------- Friday, September 18 ----------------------- FD 7 90 P/TV35 FLUID THERAPY SYSTEM TDRW 05/14:43 12:06 AM T=21:38 92 P/TV35 FLUID THERAPY SYSTEM TDRW 05/17:48 03:11 AM T=14:50 92 BLUE/RED HANDOVER 05/18:30 03:53 AM 93 P/TV20 ACOUSTIC LEVITATION FURNACE TDRE 05/19:50 05:13 AM T=12:25 93 P/TV25 VIP CONVERSATION WITH TDRE 05/20:10 05:33 AM JAPANESE PS A/V CHECK-OUT T=30:00 94 P/TV25 VIP CONVERSATION WITH TDRE 05/21:30 06:53 AM JAPANESE PAYLOAD SPECIALIST T=15:00 95 P/TV25 EARTH VIEWS - JAPAN TDRE 05/21:45 07:08 AM T=15:00 95 P/TV03 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRE 05/22:01 07:24 AM T=18:00 96 P/TV03 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRE 05/23:31 08:54 AM T=30:00 96 P/TV07 VISUAL STABILITY TDRW 06/00:30 09:53 AM T=8:00 97 P/TV07 VISUAL STABILITY TDRE 06/00:45 10:08 AM T=32:48 97 P/TV07 VISUAL STABILITY TDRE 06/01:20 10:43 AM T=22:01 98 P/TV03 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRE 06/02:37 12:00 PM T=37:59 98 TODAY IN SPACE MSFC 06/03:37 01:00 PM HOSTS - DR. BOB SOKOLOWSKI DR. BYRON LICHTENBERG 99 MISSION STATUS BRIEFING JSC 06/04:37 02:00 PM MSFC 99 P/TV39 PCG DEACTIVATION TDRW 06/04:54 02:17 PM T=55:59 101 RED/BLUE HANDOVER 06/07:00 04:23 PM 103 REPLAY - TODAY IN SPACE MSFC 06/10:07 07:30 PM T=30:00 103 FLIGHT DAY SEVEN HIGHLIGHTS JSC 06/10:37 08:00 PM T=30:00 105 NASA SELECT ORIGINATION SWITCHED JSC 06/13:42 11:05 PM TO JSC ------------------------- Saturday, September 19 ---------------------- FD 8 109 DE-ORBIT BURN (NOT TELEVISED) 06/19:36 04:59 AM 109 NASA SELECT ORIGINATION SWITCHED KSC 06/19:52 05:15 AM TO KSC 110 KSC LANDING KSC 06/20:36 05:59 AM LANDING REPLAYS KSC TBD POST-LANDING PRESS CONFERENCE KSC TBD MSFC ASTRONAUT DEPARTURE KSC TBD *********************************************************************** DEFINITION OF TERMS *********************************************************************** AFTE: Autogenic Feedback Training Experiment A/V: Audio/Visual CDT: Central Daylight Time DFRF: Dryden Flight Research Facility EDW: Edwards Air Force Base FD: Flight Day JSC: Johnson Space Center KSC: Kennedy Space Center LBNP: Lower Body Negative Pressure Experiment MET: Mission Elapsed Time. The time which begins at the moment of launch and is read: DD/HH:MM. MSFC: Marshall Space Flight Center PCG: Protein Crystal Growth Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61 =--=--=-END-=--=--= =--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_6_10_4_6.TXT TOPEX/Poseidon status 9/14/92 PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE JET PROPULSION LABORATORY CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION PASADENA, CALIF. 91109. TOPEX/POSEIDON STATUS REPORT September 14, 1992 The TOPEX/Poseidon satellite is performing nominally and is healthy. Attitude control, solar array, batteries, telecommunications, and the on-board computer are all functioning normally. In-Plane Maneuver #3 was performed successfully today. This was the first burn performed using the four, small 1 Newton thrusters. The next TRIM Maneuver is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 21. The NASA altimeter remain in idle mode while the SSALT is in track mode. The SSALT will be turned off today and the NASA altimeter will be commanded to track. Over the weekend, the SSALT had near overflights of both the NASA and CNES verification sites. The SSALT, also, overflew hurricane Iniki on several obit passes over the Pacific Ocean. Before it was put into idle mode, the NASA altimeter recorded 24-foot waves in the Pacific, presumably due to the hurricane. Project engineers are analyzing why the Global Positioning System Data Recorder failed to come out of idle mode today when it was commanded to track. Over the weekend the GPSDR memory was reloaded, readout, and a checksum was verified. The satellite is now sharing TDRSS resources with the shuttle. TDRSS support continues to be excellent with no significant impact to our mission. ###### Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61 =--=--=-END-=--=--= =--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_8_2_5_27.TXT GALILEO STATUS 9/4-10/92 GALILEO MISSION DIRECTOR STATUS REPORT POST-LAUNCH September 4 - 10, 1992 SPACECRAFT 1. On September 8, realtime commands were sent to change the System Fault Protection (SFP) AACS-INIT (Attitude and Articulation Control Subsystem) pointing slot from the Earth to the Sun prior to the Dual Drive Actuator (DDA) No. 3 pulse activities. This change will allow the spacecraft to return to a sun-pointed attitude if an AACS Power on Reset (POR) occurs during the DDA No. 3 pulse activities (see Special Topic No. 2). 2. On September 8, the DDA pulse mini-sequence memory load went active. The warming turn to a 45-degree off-sun attitude commenced at approximately 1536 UTC and completed at 1608 UTC. The first of two motor turn on pulses occurred at 1826 UTC for approximately two seconds, as planned. The DDA motor temperature was approximately minus 12 degrees C at turn on. The DDA motor current data analysis is in progress. 3. On September 9, after approximately 28 hours at the warming attitude, the second motor turn on pulse occurred at 1916 UTC for approximately two seconds, as planned. The DDA motor temperature was approximately plus 9 degrees C at turn on. DDA motor current data playback completed at approximately 1921 UTC on September 10 and data analysis is in progress. Additionally, the spacecraft, under stored sequence control, was commanded back to a six degree off-sun attitude at approximately 1923 UTC. After the sun acquisition, sun gate data was collected to determine if an antenna rib is still obscuring the sun gate signal. Preliminary data analysis indicates that the sun gate is still obscured, indicating no ribs released; analysis is continuing. 4. The AC/DC bus imbalance measurements exhibited some change. The AC measurement remained unchanged and reads 3.3 volts. The DC measurement has ranged from 120 DN (14.0 volts) to 140 DN (16.4 volts) and now reads 129 DN (15.1 volts). These measurement variations are consistent with the model developed by the AC/DC special anomaly team. 5. The Spacecraft status as of September 10, 1992, is as follows: a) System Power Margin - 68 watts b) Spin Configuration - Dual-Spin c) Spin Rate/Sensor - 3.14rpm/Acquisition Sensor d) Spacecraft Attitude is approximately 5 degrees off-sun (leading) e) Downlink telemetry rate/antenna-40 bps (coded)/LGA-1 f) General Thermal Control - all temperatures within acceptable range g) RPM Tank Pressures - all within acceptable range h) Orbiter Science- UVS, EUV, DDS, MAG, EPD, and HIC are powered on i) Probe/RRH - powered off, temperatures within acceptable range j) CMD Loss Timer Setting - 264 hours Time To Initiation - 206 hours TRAJECTORY As of noon Thursday, September 10, 1992, the Galileo Spacecraft trajectory status was as follows: Distance from Earth 64,280,500 miles (.69 AU) Distance from Sun 141,694,300 miles (1.53 AU) Heliocentric Speed 55,100 miles per hour Distance from Jupiter 642,944,800 miles Round Trip Light Time 11 minutes, 38 seconds SPECIAL TOPIC 1. As of September 10, 1992, a total of 8114 real-time commands have been transmitted to Galileo since Launch. Of these, 3236 were pre-planned in the sequence design and 4878 were not. In the past week, 1 real time command was transmitted and pre-planned in the sequence design. In addition, 5677 mini-sequence commands have been transmitted since March 1991; 3519 were pre-planned and 2158 were not. In the past week, no mini-sequence commands were transmitted. Major command activities this week included commands to change a System Fault Protection parameter. 2. The Dual Drive Actuator (DDA) pulse mini-sequence No. 3 covers spacecraft activities from September 8 to 11, 1992. The warming turn to a 45-degree off-sun attitude along with the first DDA two second motor turn on pulse occurred on September 8. The spacecraft remained at the warming attitude for approximately 28 hours. The second DDA two second motor turn on pulse occurred just prior to turning back to approximately a 6 degree off-sun attitude. Sun gate data was collected on September 10. The star scanner checkout along with the collection of wobble data is scheduled for September 11. GALILEO STATUS REPORT September 9, 1992 The Galileo Spacecraft is operating normally in the dual-spin mode and is transmitting coded telemetry at 40 bps. Yesterday, the turn to a 45 degree warming attitude along with a first of two DDA (Dual Drive Actuator) motor turn on pulses was performed over DSS-43 (Canberra 70 meter antenna), as planned. Today, September 9, 1992, the second DDA motor turn on pulse along with a turn back to a Sun pointed attitude is scheduled over DSS-43. Tomorrow, the data playback of the second DDA motor turn on pulse is scheduled over DSS-43. GALILEO STATUS REPORT September 10, 1992 The Galileo Spacecraft is operating normally in the dual-spin mode and is transmitting coded telemetry at 40 bps. Yesterday, the second DDA (Dual Drive Actuator) motor turn on pulse along with a turn back to a Sun pointed attitude was performed over DSS-43 (Canberra 70 meter antenna), as planned. Today, September 10, 1992, the data playback of the second DDA motor turn on pulse is scheduled over DSS-43, along with collection of sungate data. Tomorrow, real-time commands are scheduled to check out the scan scanner, reacquire celestial reference, and collect precise wobble estimates. Tracking is scheduled over DSS-43. GALILEO STATUS REPORT September 11, 1992 The Galileo Spacecraft is operating normally in the dual-spin mode and is transmitting coded telemetry at 40 bps. Yesterday, the data playback of the second DDA (Dual Drive Actuator) motor turn on pulse was conducted over DSS-43 (Canberra 70 meter antenna), along with collection of sungate data. Today, September 11, 1992 real-time commands are scheduled to check out the scan scanner, reacquire celestial reference, and collect precise wobble estimates. Tracking is scheduled over DSS-43. Over the weekend, no spacecraft activity is scheduled. Tracking is scheduled over DSS-43, DSS-63 (Madrid 70 meter antenna), and DSS-14 (Goldstone 70 meter antenna). Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61 =--=--=-END-=--=--= =--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_8_3_11.TXT 9/15/92: NASA SPACECRAFT BEGINS GRAVITY MAPPING OF VENUS HQ 92-148/magellan gravity mapping Michael Braukus Headquarters, Washington, D.C. September 15, 1992 Jim Doyle Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. RELEASE: 92-148 The Magellan spacecraft's orbit at its closest approach to Venus was lowered Monday and today it began a full 243- day cycle of gravity mapping, project officials at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., said. Magellan has now completed three cycles of mapping with its radar, covering 99 percent of the surface of Venus. Monday, controllers ordered a 1-hour orbit adjustment burn to lower its periapsis -- closest approach to the planet -- altitude from 160 miles (258 kilometers) to 113 miles (182 kilometers). "That will help us obtain the best possible resolution in the equatorial latitude gravity map," Project Manager Doug Griffith said. The objective of cycle 4, which extends to May 15, 1993, is to obtain a global map of the Venus gravity field from the elliptical orbit. The orbit apoapsis, or furthest point from the planet, remains the same, 5,296 miles (8,543 kilometers). During this fourth cycle, variations in the gravitational pull experienced by the spacecraft are being recorded by carefully tracking the Doppler shift of a radio signal that Magellan will constantly beam to the Deep Space Network tracking stations. When Magellan passes over a dense region of Venus' interior, for example, the spacecraft accelerates in its orbit and the location of the denser region is mapped. Over the course of the 243-day cycle, one rotation of Venus, variations in the planet's density will be mapped at a resolution much higher than achieved by previous missions. Looking at the interior with gravity observations is expected to provide an improved understanding of the forces of tectonics and volcanism that shape the planet. Magellan is managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science and Applications, Washington, D.C. - end - Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61 =--=--=-END-=--=--= =--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_8_3_4_11.TXT MGN REPORT 9/14 Magellan Status Status report of Magellan for Monday, September 14, 1992: 1. Magellan completed the latest radar mapping operations over the weekend bringing total Venus mapped area to 99 percent of the planet. The radar has been put in standby mode to prepare for gravity operations. 2. Early Monday morning, 14 September, final spacecraft configuration changes were made for the orbit trim maneuver (OTM) to be performed between 12:54 and 01:48 pm PDT. The OTM is targeted to lower the orbit periapsis altitude from 258 to 182 kilometers. This will enhance gravity data collection for the beginning of Cycle-4 on 15 September 1992. Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61 =--=--=-END-=--=--= =--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_8_3_4_12.TXT MGN REPORT 9/15 Magellan Status Status report of Magellan for Tuesday, September 15, 1992: 1. Magellan successfully performed a major Orbit Trim Maneuver (OTM) yesterday. A 54 minute thruster burn lowered Magellan's periapsis from 258 kilometers to 184.7 kilometers. The telemetered data indicates the burn was accurate to about one percent, but the final altitude corresponds to a 3% underburn. Results are well within expected error limits. 2. Gravity science data collection is currently underway, marking the beginning of the predominant activity of Cycle 4. Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61 =--=--=-END-=--=--= =--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_8_5_3_28.TXT ULYSSES STATUS REPORTS #106 & #107 SUBJECT: ULYSSES MISSION OPERATIONS REPORT No. 106 PERIOD: 25th to 31st August 1992 1. MISSION OPERATIONS Experiment reconfigurations have been carried out as required. On 26th August a HED (Magnetic Field instrument) calibration was carried out. Further BAM-I (Solar Wind Plasma) counter overflows have been observed during the reporting period. The cause is still under investigation by the instrument team. Anomaly Report No. 26 has been raised to cover this anomaly. Also in the STO (Radio and Plasma Waves) experiment, parameter error flags have been giving non-zero values on a regular basis. The instrument team are analysing the significance of these events. Anomaly Report No. 27 has been raised to cover this anomaly. The spacecraft achieved maximum range from the Earth on 26th August. The range on this date was 938,488,610 Km. Routine Earth pointing manoeuvres were performed on 26th and 29th August. On 30th August Antenna problems at Canberra caused 45 minutes of real time data and 90 minutes of playback data to be lost. On 31st August bad weather at the Madrid complex caused 16 minutes of real time data and 32 minutes of playback data to be lost. An average of 96.97 % data recovery was achieved during the reporting period. The percentage of data acquired as a function of bit rate is as follows: 1024 bps 54.32 % 512 bps 42.39 % A reduction in the number of ranging passes continued during the reporting period in order to improve the poor signal to noise ratio encountered at the present large spacecraft-Earth distances. 2. SPACECRAFT STATUS POWER Nominal. Estimated S/C power consumption 259 watts. AOCS Nominal. TTC The spacecraft is currently configured with receiver 2 as the prime unit fed via the high gain antenna and with receiver 1 as backup fed through the low gain antenna (LGA-F). The downlink is provided through EPC2/TWTA2. The 34 meter ground stations are in use to support TTC operations, with at least one 70m station pass per week to support ranging. Received downlink level -148 dBm.(34 meter) X-band. (Variations of up to 10 db. can be expected as a result of station antenna in use, local weather conditions, and spacecraft antenna off-pointing). Received uplink level -127 dBm. DATA HANDLING The anomaly on CTU2 (Central Terminal Unit) reported in previous Operations Reports is still under investigation. However, some conclusions have now been reached which point to an electrical connection between two adjacent data lines as a result of component failure. The operational impact of this anomaly is being studied by both the Spacecraft Control Team and the instrument teams in the event that this CTU would have to be configured for operational use. THERMAL Nominal. 3. FLIGHT DYNAMICS Solar Aspect The angle decreased from 1.97 on Angle (deg.) 25th August to 1.52 on 31st August. Sun-Probe-Earth The angle decreased from 1.88 on Angle (deg.) 25th August to 1.50 on 31st August. Spin Rate 4.982 rpm. 4. ORBITAL DATA Data taken at 13:00 PDT on 31st August. Distance from Earth 937,998,473 km. Velocity relative to the Earth 115,521 km/hr. Velocity relative to the Sun 31,028 km/hr. Ecliptic latitude 9.1 deg/south 5. PLANNED OPERATIONS Routine data gathering operations will continue together with experiment reconfigurations as required. On 1st September the Sun-Earth-Probe angle (SEP) will be at a minimum. Since Ulysses is now 9.1 degrees south of the Ecliptic Plane this geometry will not give rise to a Conjunction and no special operations will be necessary for Sun avoidance as they were in August 1991. Earth pointing manoeuvres will be performed on 1st, 3rd and 7th September. Periods of 2048 bps at low antenna elevations will be avoided to improve the signal to noise ratio in the coming months. This will slightly reduce the percentage of 1024 bps real-time data received. During this period, 70m passes will also be scheduled to perform ranging at large spacecraft-Earth distances while maintaining the desired bit rates. 6. GROUND SEGMENT The ground segment performed nominally during the reporting period with the exception of the two incidents reported above. SUBJECT: ULYSSES MISSION OPERATIONS REPORT No. 107 PERIOD: 1st to 7th September 1992 1. MISSION OPERATIONS Experiment reconfigurations have been carried out as required. On 2nd September a KEP (Energetic Particles and Interstellar Neutral Gas instrument) EPAC RAM dump was carried out. Routine Earth pointing manoeuvres were performed on 1st, 4th and 7th September. Minimum Sun-Earth-Probe angle (SEP) occurred on 1st September. Since the spacecraft is now in excess of 9 degrees south of the Ecliptic Plane sun avoidance manoeuvres were not necessary. However, data recovery problems occurred during the period immediately following minimum SEP angle and it is suspected that the proximity of the propagation path to the solar corona was a contributing factor to the data recovery problems. An average of 96.69 % data recovery was achieved during the reporting period. The percentage of data acquired as a function of bit rate is as follows: 1024 bps 59.31 % 512 bps 37.36 % A reduction in the number of ranging passes continued during the reporting period in order to improve the poor signal to noise ratio encountered at the present large spacecraft-Earth distances. 2. SPACECRAFT STATUS POWER Nominal. Estimated S/C power consumption 259 watts. AOCS Nominal. TTC The spacecraft is currently configured with receiver 2 as the prime unit fed via the high gain antenna and with receiver 1 as backup fed through the low gain antenna LGA-F. The downlink is provided through EPC2/TWTA2. The 34 meter ground stations are in use to support TTC operations, with at least one 70m station pass per week to support ranging. Received downlink level -148 dBm.(34 meter) X-band. (Variations of up to 10 db. can be expected as a result of station antenna in use, local weather conditions, and spacecraft antenna off-pointing). Received uplink level -127 dBm. DATA HANDLING The anomaly on CTU2 (Central Terminal Unit #2) reported in previous Operations Reports is still under investigation. However, some conclusions have now been reached which point to an electrical connection between two adjacent data lines as a result of component failure. The operational impact of this anomaly is being studied by both the Spacecraft Control Team and the instrument teams in the event that this CTU would have to be configured for operational use. THERMAL Nominal. 3. FLIGHT DYNAMICS Solar Aspect The angle increased from 1.40 on Angle (deg.) 1st September to 1.66 on 7th September. Sun-Probe-Earth The angle increased from 1.48 on Angle (deg.) 1st September to 1.69 on 7th September. Spin Rate 4.982 rpm. 4. ORBITAL DATA Data taken at 13:00 PDT on 7th September. Distance from Earth 935,780,184 km. Velocity relative to the Earth 117,113 km/hr. Velocity relative to the Sun 31,148 km/hr. Ecliptic latitude 9.5 deg/south 5. PLANNED OPERATIONS Routine data gathering operations will continue together with experiment reconfigurations as required. Earth pointing manoeuvres will be performed on 10th, 13th and 16th September. A HUS (Solar X-Rays and Cosmic Ray Bursts instrument) end-to-end timing test will take place via the Canberra station on 15th September. Periods of 2048 bps at low antenna elevations will be avoided to improve the signal to noise ratio in the coming months. This will slightly reduce the percentage of 1024 bps real-time data received. During this period, 70m passes will also be scheduled to perform ranging at large spacecraft-Earth distances while maintaining the desired bit rates. 6. GROUND SEGMENT The ground segment performed nominally during the reporting period. Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61 =--=--=-END-=--=--= =--=END OF COLLECTION---COLLECTED 19 FILES---COMPLETED 21:07:46=--=