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"6_2_2_21_2.TXT" (498 bytes) was created on 11-14-89
11/7/89: STS-33 DISCOVERY MISSION LAUNCH DATE SET
At the conclusion of today's STS-33 Flight Readiness Review
at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Space Shuttle managers have
targeted a date of no earlier than Nov. 20, 1989 for the launch
of a dedicated Department of Defense mission aboard the orbiter
Discovery.
The 4-hour launch period will begin at 6:30 p.m. EST. At
the present time, no major issues are being worked which might
preclude launch on the 20th.
"6_2_2_21_3.TXT" (1125 bytes) was created on 11-14-89
11/14/89: LAUNCH ADVISORY FOR SHUTTLE MISSION STS-33
Engineers are preparing to remove the two aft integrated
electronics assemblies (IEAs) from the left and right solid
rocket boosters. The IEAs act as the brain for the booster
by routing power, commands and data between the orbiter and
boosters. It was discovered by the vendor that wiring in these
two aft units could potentially have been routed such that some
wires could rub against hardware which could cause a short. Once
removed, these units will be transferred to the USBI facility
where inspectors from Bendix will verify the wiring.
Today, workers are removing closeout material, or foam, from
the IEAs to gain access to these units located in the vicinity of
the external tank attach ring. Later, ordnance devices on the
vehicle will be disconnected and the IEAs can be removed.
Closeouts of the aft compartment for flight are underway.
Purges of the power reactant storage and distribution system
tanks have been completed.
The launch date of mission STS-33 is being evaluated at this
time but is no earlier than Nov. 22, 1989.
"6_2_2_21_4.TXT" (584 bytes) was created on 11-21-89
STS-33 LAUNCH ADVISORY
Although the schedule remains tight, no major issues are
being worked and launch of mission STS-33 aboard the Space
Shuttle Discovery continues to be targeted for Nov. 22, 1989.
This determination was made by Shuttle managers at the conclusion
of today's L-2 day review at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
The four-hour launch period for this dedicated DoD mission
will begin at 6:30 p.m., EST, on the 22nd.
"6_2_2_21_5.TXT" (5511 bytes) was created on 11-21-89
11/21/89: PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPOSURE GUIDELINES FOR NIGHT SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCHES
KSC RELEASE NO. 120-89
The launch of STS-33 will offer a unique and challenging
opportunity to photographers as the Space Shuttle lifts off from
Kennedy Space Center in darkness. The launch period of STS-33 has
been established to be between the hours of 6:30 p.m.- 10:30 p.m.
on Nov. 22. Sunset on that day will be about 5:30 p.m.
This is the first nighttime launch of the Space Shuttle
since Mission 61-B in November 1985. Due to the unusual lighting
situations on the pad at the time of launch and the enormous
burst of illumination at the time of ignition, questions have
been raised regarding proper exposure times, aperture settings
and film types.
Specifically, on launch pad 39-B the Space Shuttle is
illuminated by 31 daylight-balanced xenon searchlights. Light
levels are 200 foot-candles with a color temperature of 6000K up
until the time the main engines are ignited. Daylight balanced
films are recommended.
The following film and exposure tables provide some general
guidance for photographing the shuttle at night. Table I provides
guidelines prior to ignition with the illumination of the xenon
lights. (Brand names are used only as a reference.)
TABLE I
SHUTTLE ON PAD AT NIGHT PRIOR TO IGNITION (WITH XENON LIGHTS)
FILM TYPE ISO/ASA SHUTTER f/STOP
Plus-X 125 1/60 4.0
Tri-X/T-Max 400 1/125 4.5
Kodak Gold 100 1/60 3.5
Kodak Gold 200 1/125 3.5
Kodak Gold 400 1/125 4.5
Ekta-Press 1600 1/250 6.3
Ekta/Kodachrome 64 1/30 4.0
Ekta/Kodachrome 200 1/125 3.5
Ektachrome 1600 1/250 6.3
Immediately following SRB ignition until the time the
vehicle clears the top of the launch tower, illumination will
consist of both the xenon searchlights and reflected flame from
the main engines and twin solid rocket boosters. Light levels
will rapidly rise to about 1000 foot-candles during this five or
six second period. Table II lists exposures using the maximum
light level.
TABLE II
SHUTTLE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING LIFTOFF AND PRIOR TO CLEARING
THE LAUNCH TOWER
(WITH XENON LIGHTS AND FLAME REFLECTION)
FILM TYPE ISO/ASA SHUTTER f/STOP
Plus-X 125 1/250 4.5
Tri-X/T-Max 400 1/250 8.0
Kodak Gold 100 1/250 4.0
Kodak Gold 200 1/250 5.6
Kodak Gold 400 1/250 8.0
Ekta-Press 1600 1/250 16.0
Ekta/Kodachrome 64 1/125 4.5
Ekta/Kodachrome 200 1/250 5.6
Ektachrome 1600 1/250 16.0
After the Space Shuttle has cleared the tower, the only
source of light will be from the reflected flame itself. Light
levels of the reflective flame will be about 4,500 foot-candles
but only a portion of the orbiter's engines will be visible.
Table III provides guidelines for photographers after the
Shuttle has cleared the tower through solid rocket booster
burnout.
TABLE III
AFTER SHUTTLE HAS CLEARED THE TOWER THROUGH SRB BURNOUT
(WITH FLAME REFLECTION ONLY)
FILM TYPE ISO/ASA SHUTTER f/STOP
Plus-X 125 1/125 11.0
Tri-X/T-Max 400 1/250 16.0
Kodak Gold 100 1/125 11.0
Kodak Gold 200 1/250 11.0
Kodak Gold 400 1/250 16.0
Ekta-Press 1600 1/1000 22.0
Ekta/Kodachrome 64 1/125 9.0
Ekta/Kodachrome 200 1/250 11.0
Ektachrome 1600 1/1000 22.0
Streak exposures may be taken to show the shuttle's long,
arcing path over the Atlantic Ocean east of the pad. For this, it
is best to frame the shuttle on the pad low in the frame using a
relatively wide lens. Lock the shutter open for the duration of
the exposure.
The following table offers suggested f/stops for specified
films and their ISO/ASA settings with the shutter open.
TABLE IV
STREAK EXPOSURE (OPEN SHUTTER)
FILM TYPE ISO/ASA SHUTTER f/STOP
Plus-X 125 open 5.6
Tri-X/T-Max 400 open 9.0
Kodak Gold 100 open 5.6
Kodak Gold 200 open 6.3
Kodak Gold 400 open 9.0
Ekta-Press 1600 open 18.0
Ekta/Kodachrome 64 open 4.0
Ekta/Kodachrome 200 open 6.3
Ektachrome 1600 open 18.0
The exposure guidelines listed in these tables may require
some adjustment to account for variations in cameras and film
processing. The tables were developed by Bruce Hoover,
Photographic Planner assigned to TGS Technology, Inc., the prime
photographic contractor at KSC.
"6_2_2_21_6.TXT" (295 bytes) was created on 11-22-89
STS-33 POST-LAUNCH STATEMENT
8:55 P.M. CST NOV. 22, 1989
Mission elapsed time: 2 hours, 32 minutes.
The crew of Discovery has been given the go for orbit
operations. The orbiter and crew are performing well.
This concludes commentary for this evening on Discovery and the
STS-33 mission.
"6_2_2_21_7.TXT" (299 bytes) was created on 11-24-89
STS-33 LAUNCH-PLUS-24 HOURS STATEMENT
5:45 P.M. CST NOV. 23, 1989
The STS-33 mission will conclude at approximately 7:02 p.m. PST
on Sunday, Nov. 26 with touchdown of Discovery at Edwards Air
Force Base, California. The crew is doing well and the orbiter
continues to perform satisfactorily.
"6_2_2_21_8.TXT" (467 bytes) was created on 11-27-89
NEW LANDING TIME, WAVE-OFF TO MONDAY
7:05 P.M. CST SUNDAY NOV. 26
AFTER FURTHER EVALUATION, MISSION MANAGERS HAVE DECIDED TO
RESCHEDULE THE LANDING OF DISCOVERY. THE NEW LANDING TIME IS
2:52 P.M. PST, MONDAY, NOV. 27 AT EDWARDS AFB. THE CHANGE TO THE
EARLIER LANDING OPPORTUNITY TAKES ADVANTAGE OF HIGHER SUN ANGLE
THEREBY REDUCING SUN GLARE ON DISCOVERY'S WINDOWS DURING
LANDING. ALSO, BOTH RUNWAYS 17 AND 22 WILL BE SUITABLE FOR THE
2:52 P.M. LANDING.
======
STS-33 CREW PATCH -- This is the crew patch for STS-33, designed by
the five crewmembers. It features a stylized falcon soaring into
space to represent America's commitment to manned space flight. The
crewmembers feel the falcon symbolizes courage, intelligence,
tenacity, and love of flight. They intend the orbit around Earth to
represent the falcon's lofty domain; however, the bird, with its keen
vision and natural curiosity, is depicted looking forward beyond that
domain to challenge the edge of the universe. The bold red feathers
of the wings drawn from the American flag overlaying the random field
of stars illustrate the determination to expand the boundaries of
knowledge by American presence in space. The single gold star on a
field of blue honors the memory of the late Rear Admiral S. David
Griggs, originally assigned to this crew.
PLEASE NOTE: The NASA insignia design for Space Shuttle missions is
reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the
NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been
approved only in the form of illustrations by the various news media.
When and if there is any change in this policy, which is not
anticipated, it will be publicly announced.
"6_2_2_21_10.TXT" (1067 bytes) was created on 07-24-90
STS-33 Mission Summary
The fifth Space Shuttle mission dedicated to the Department of
Defense lifted off on Discovery from Pad A, Launch Complex 39, KSC,
on Nov. 22, 1989 at 7:23 p.m. EST. Launch was originally scheduled
Nov. 20, but was delayed because of suspect Integrated Electronics
Assemblies which control ignition and separation of the Shuttle's
solid rocket boosters. It was the ninth flight of Discovery and the
32nd Space Shuttle mission. STS-33 was the third night launch of the
Space Shuttle program, and the first since Shuttle flights resumed in
1988. Landing was scheduled Nov. 26, but was postponed for a day
because of stong winds at the landing site.
Discovery landed on a concrete runway at Edwards AFB, CA, on
Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m. EST, after a mission duration of 5 days, 0 hours
and 6 minutes.
Crew. The five-member crew included Commander Frederick D. Gregory,
Pilot John E. Blaha, and Mission Specialists F. Story Musgrave,
Manley L. Carter Jr., and Kathryn C. Thornton. It was the first space
flight for Carter and Thornton.