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Station Break - February 1992

Bush Proposes Budget Boost for Station; Shuttle Mission
Yields Useful Test Data

        President George Bush has proposed an 11 percent
increase to $2.25 billion for Space Station Freedom's 1993
budget, boosting the 1992 budget of $2.023 billion by about
$23 million.
        The president announced the proposed increase during
a speech to the Young Astronauts Council last month.
        Meanwhile,  a crew of seven Space Shuttle Discovery
astronauts worked vigorously aboard the Spacelab to address
the affects of microgravity on humans and other living
organisms.
        How plants grow in the weightlessness of space and
how exposure to space radiation affects living organisms were
among the questions investigated by experiments managed
by NASA's Ames Research Center during the first International
Microgravity Laboratory (IML-1) mission.  IML-1 flew on the
Space Shuttle Discovery last month.
        The research conducted on this mission will help
Space Station Freedom researchers prepare for future
utilization missions.
        Ames provided payload and science management
support for four life science experiments that examined
gravity's influence on growing plants, bone cells and simple
organisms such as yeast.
        "Before we spend long periods in orbit or make
extended journeys in space, we must know how the radiation
and reduced gravity encountered in space affect life forms that
evolved on Earth," said Ames' IML-1 payload scientist Dr.
Charles Winget.  "We must answer these questions before we
can safely establish a lunar colony or journey to Mars."
        Ames scientists worked closely with colleagues from
the United States and Europe to develop the research into
flight-ready experiments.  Although transforming ground-based
research into experiments likely to succeed in space requires
considerable coordination and effort, Joellen Lashbrook, Ames'
payload manager, is confident that what scientists learn
through these experiments will aid human exploration of
space.
        Dr. Winget is optimistic that it also will improve our
understanding of biological processes on Earth.  "If space
experiments expand our knowledge about basic biological
phenomena such as bone cell production of cartilage and the
effects of radiation on cell genetics, we can apply what we
learn to understanding biological and medical problems on
Earth."


Helping Astronauts Perform Science Experiments in Space

        Passing over the equator, Freedom's crew is finishing
breakfast before the day's work begins.
        In the U.S. laboratory module, an experiment has been
operating throughout the night. As another experiment trial
begins, the experiment computer alerts the crew to
"interesting" data being received on several experiment data
channels.  The computer recognizes that these data items are
significantly different from what the payload investigator
experienced on previous tests.
        However, the crew cannot reach the payload
investigator for immediate consultation because of the early
hour.  Instead, a crew member queries the computer to run a
series of diagnostic checks to show that the experiment
apparatus is functioning properly and that the unusual data are
real.
        Faced with running the remainder of the experiment
under existing protocols or capitalizing on the discovery of
interesting data, the crew member again queries the computer,
which again suggests that the new data warrant additional
investigation.  After a few more keystrokes, the experiment
computer provides the crew member with a new set of
scientific procedures to pursue the new leads within the time
and resource constraints remaining in the schedule.
        In the scenario above, the crew member was able to
follow an improved scientific course even in the absence of the
payload researcher.  In a typical ground-based laboratory, the
payload investigator is able to exert direct control over all
aspects of an experiment.  The payload investigator's
expertise can be brought to bear as events unfold to correct
problems or to follow new leads.
        This direct control is not possible during space
experimentation due to time and resource constraints, and
because of the physical displacement of the investigator, who
must participate from the ground.  Communication is often
neither sufficient nor timely enough to bridge this gap.
Furthermore, astronauts are trained to perform a large number
of experiments in different fields, as well as develop the
necessary skills to operate Freedom's systems, proficiency in
safety procedures, and numerous other aspects of space
flight.
        Astronauts cannot be expected to acquire the in-depth
knowledge required to deal effectively with all unexpected
experiment contingencies.  These problems will be
exacerbated in the space station era because of continuous
on-orbit operations, subjecting the crew to more numerous and
varied experiments with its longer "tours of duty."  On Space
Station Freedom, crew time will be one of the most heavily
demanded resources for many, if not most, flight experiments.
        Researchers at NASA's Ames Research Center,
Johnson Space Center, and the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology are developing a computer system called the
astronaut science advisor to address these problems.  The
astronauts science advisor will provide astronaut
experimenters with an "intelligent assistant" that encapsulates
much of the relevant knowledge commanded by the payload
investigator on the ground.
        By coupling expert systems technology with available
flight-qualified data systems, it will be possible to encode the
requisite knowledge and make it available to astronauts as
they perform experiments in space.  The goal of this project is
to improve the scientific return of experiments performed in
space and to evaluate data management capabilities needed
to support payload experimentation. This work is supported
jointly by the Space Station Level I Engineering Prototype
Development activity and the Office of Aeronautics and Space
Technology.
        The astronaut science advisor is being initially
demonstrated on the "Rotating Dome" experiment devised by
Professor Laurence Young of MIT.  This experiment
measures human adaptation to weightlessness in the
context of the neurovestibular system (vision, balance and
self-orientation awareness).  Visual/vestibular interaction
experiments are typical of the life sciences activities proposed
for Space Station Freedom.  The astronaut science advisor
system captures, reduces and archives experiment data.  It
performs diagnosis and troubleshooting of experiment
apparatus by monitoring data quality and helping to diagnose
equipment problems when experimental data is erratic or poor.
Its protocol management function suggests changes to the
experiment plan to make better use of the available time.
Lastly, the astronaut science adviser system can detect
"interesting" data, which may result in altering the course of an
investigation through modified experiment protocols.
        Last June, the STS-40 Spacelab Life Sciences One
(SLS-1) mission was used as an opportunity to test, on the
ground, some of the system functionalities.  During the
mission, the system was connected to the raw data downlinked
from the Spacelab and monitored by the payload investigators
inside the science monitoring area at Johnson.
        The astronaut science adviser performed flawlessly.  It
correctly acquired and interpreted the experiment data, and
provided meaningful quick-look analyses and statistical
summaries of the data.  Also, the system generated new
protocols that included steps to pursue "interesting" data
making optimal use of the time remaining for the experiment.


Designing and Building Freedom's Power System Poses
Challenges

        Designing and building Space Station Freedom's power
system is a challenge, especially since the electric power
system comprises most of the hardware on the 1995 first
element launch.
        Lewis Research Center and its contractor Rocketdyne
are designing and testing the end-to-end electric power system
that converts solar energy to the electric power needed to run
all onboard systems.
        The sun's rays are captured on large 118-foot-long
photovoltaic arrays that convert that energy into electricity.
Some of this energy is used immediately, while the rest is
stored in nickle-hydrogen batteries for later use during the
solar eclipse.
        In the first two levels of power capability, a single 158-
foot truss or beam will support a U.S. built laboratory module
27 feet in length.  Called man-tended capability, this will
include the Lewis and Rocketdyne electric power system that
will generate more than 18.75 kilowatts.
        When NASA adds the habitation or living module and
international laboratory modules in following years, additional
power capabilities to achieve about 56.5 kilowatts of power will
be added.
        With the first portion of this system scheduled for
delivery to the Kennedy Space Center in less than three years,
hardware production and prototype testing is moving along at
a fast pace.
        Last summer, the first engineering model hardware
delivery was made.  The delivery of the battery orbital
replacement unit to Lewis was met on schedule.
        The electronics engineering organization at
Rocketdyne has made significant progress in developing
power management and distribution electronics.
        The design of the common controller card application
specific integrated circuit has been completed, the Local DATA
Interface hybrid circuit developed, built and tested, and
significant progress has been made developing the DC
converter element.
        All of the hardware is being tested at Rocketdyne's
space power electronics laboratory.  This state-of-the-art,
9,800-square-foot electronics laboratory is being used
extensively to support testing of Freedom's electric power
system.
        This first space power electronics lab test of Freedom's
system was successful, and the second, which began last
April, is going well and should be completed soon.
        In space, the power produced by the solar arrays is fed
through the main bus switching units to DC-to-DC converter
units.  The DC-to-DC units convert the power voltage down to
123 volts DC which is used by the station equipment.
        The space power electronics laboratory testing
duplicates this path and simulates construction of the station's
electric power system launch by launch to confirm the
system's performance and normal operations.
        Concurrent engineering activities on the program have
led to a faster, easier-to-manufacture and more robust design.
Examples include the remote programmable controller module
(circuit breaker) enclosure, finned cold plates that remove
excess heat from orbital replacement unit boxes and orbital
replacement unit power supply development.


Benefits of Research on Freedom

        Freedom will provide unprecedented opportunities for
first class basic and applied research in life sciences,
microgravity research and technology development, said
Remer Prince, Space Station Utilization  Branch manager.
        "These efforts are directed toward both our commitment
to improve the quality of life on Earth and our national goal of
world leadership in space.  Research in the microgravity
environment of the station will possibly lead to new
developments in materials, electronics, medicine and the
treatment of diseases," Prince said.
        "Freedom will provide more capability for conducting
space-based research than any spacecraft ever flown.  In the
initial man-tended capability phase, crews will travel to the
station by the Space Shuttle and work in the U.S. laboratory
module for periods as long as 16 days.  At the end of the
decade, there will be two additional laboratory modules
provided by our international partners??Europe and
Japan??and a module for permanent crew habitation.  The
permanently occupied Freedom will provide more volume,
power, data transmission capability and crew time for
experimentation than any other spacecraft including Shuttle,
Spacelab and the Soviet space station, Mir," he said.
        "The specific disciplines that will benefit from research
on Freedom are life sciences, microgravity research and
technology development.  Life scientists will work to provide
for the health and productivity of humans in space.  They will
perform experiments to develop an understanding of the role
of gravity on living systems such as plants, animals and
humans. By studying the effects of near weightlessness on
life, biologists may discover applications to aid in the
treatment of orthopedic disorders, cardiovascular disease,
muscle atrophy and other diseases," he said.
        "Research on human support systems will enable long-
term human space exploration and provide new Earth-bound
advances.  The station will require these advanced human
support systems to sustain living conditions conducive to
productive work in space.  Systems developed for Freedom
potentially can be adapted for water and air purification on
Earth.  To date, space program technology has improved
human health care by contributing to the development of
insulin delivery systems, pacemakers, CAT scans, thermal
video systems to supplement X-ray information and many
other applications," Prince continued.
        "Microgravity research will study the characteristics of
fluids, metals, ceramics and other materials in low-gravity.  In
space, materials mix more evenly, fluids form perfectly round
spheres and pure crystals grow larger because there is no
overpowering gravity.  Furnace facilities will be installed on
the station to expand our knowledge in a wide area of
materials with broad potential applications.  These potential
applications include new optical communications systems,
improved computer memories, improved sensors and solar
cells, and optical storage media for commercial and defense
applications.  Commercial firms will be able to develop more
perfect protein crystals in orbit with potential applications for
the medical, agricultural and chemical industries," he said.
        "Technology development will focus on constructing
advanced space systems for easier and cheaper access to
outer space, improved spacecraft and sensors, and robotics
for conducting activities in space.  Some technologies, such as
integrated circuits, will be tested in space to see how they are
affected by cosmic rays.  The testing of technologies in space
will investigate the impact of microgravity, radiation and other
characteristics of the space environment on mechanical
functions and will help in the development of new technologies
for long duration space flight.  Automation and robotics
technologies have already proven to be of interest to
commercial entities for applications on Earth.  Much of  the
activity in this area will focus on developing technologies that
can enhance efficient operation and utilization of Space Station
Freedom.  The program also has an active technology transfer
program to identify technologies with potential commercial
applications.
        The benefits of Freedom will touch not only scientists
and technologists.  "As the station is assembled in orbit, it will
inspire our youth and stimulate their interest in science, math
and engineering," Prince said.
        NASA Administrator Richard Truly recently said, "Our
programs ... airplanes, spaceships, moon, Mars, and
astronauts...can get to kids.  Ghosts can do it, dinosaurs can
do it, and space can do it. "


Space Station Freedom Test Flight Aboard Shuttle Slated for
May

        The program is gearing up for a Space Shuttle
demonstration flight in May.  The Assembly of Station by
Extravehicular Activity Methods project will allow astronauts to
evaluate assembly and mass handling techniques for space
station assembly.  Also during this demonstration flight, a
record three back-to-back extravehicular activities will be
performed.
        To evaluate construction techniques required to
assemble Freedom's massive segments, astronauts will test
their ability to maintain control while berthing two large mass
structures.  Astronauts also will use Canada's remote
manipulator system to aid in positioning the structures close
enough together to be connected manually using special
berthing adapters developed by McDonnell Douglas.
        These activities will verify the ability to robotically and
manually manipulate and attach various sections of space
station such as elements, modules, payloads and pre-
integrated truss segments.
        Next, astronauts will use the remote manipulator
system to transport the attached structures, while carrying the
two astronauts, to two evaluation areas over the nose of
Endeavor.  This is the planned location for Freedom assembly
activities.  An extravehicular activity crew of two will then
evaluate lighting, temperature, access and other factors at
both locations.
        Astronauts inside the orbiter cabin will be able to view
the spacewalking crew at both the over-the-nose evaluation
points from the overhead and front orbiter windows.  This
activity will demonstrate if proposed locations are good for
assembly.
        All of these flight demonstrations will be recorded on
film and videotape.  These data sources, as well as post-
mission evaluation reports, will provide the critical information
necessary to the development of Space Station Freedom and
long-term crew health.


News Briefs

*       The space station program will conduct an in-house
study of the feasibility of using the Soyuz capsule as the
assured crew return vehicle for Freedom.  The program
expects the Phase B studies of the assured crew return
vehicle to begin early this year, said Richard Kohrs, space
station director.  The program also is studying the possible
use of a long-duration Space Shuttle to complement the
assured crew return vehicle.
*       The space station utilization division will sponsor a
utilization conference early this summer.  Some objectives of
the conference are to:  demonstrate commitment of the
program to all users; provide potential users with information
on Freedom's capabilities; and to provide a forum for users to
present their plans for utilization.
*       Next month, watch for interviews with Associate
Administrator Arnold Aldrich and the Spacelab/Space Station
Freedom Utilization  Director Dr. Robert Parker.