Space & Astronomy/Space and Astronomy (October 1993).iso/mac/TEXT/STSKITS/STS_55.MW

Text File | 1993-03-02 | 14KB | 282 lines

MISSION WATCH STS-55
The Second German Spacelab Mission
MW-017/1-93

Another year of international cooperation, exploration, and scientific research
in space gets off to a busy start with the launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia
in late February 1993.  Columbia will carry the second reimbursable German
Spacelab on the STS-55 mission.  The Spacelab Module and an exterior experiment
support structure contained in Columbia's payload bay comprise the Spacelab D-2
payload. (The first German spacelab flight, D-1, flew on an earlier Shuttle
mission in October 1985.)

The D-2 mission, as it is commonly called, augments the German microgravity
research program started by the D-1 mission.  The German Aerospace Research
Establishment (DLR) has been tasked by the German Space Agency (DARA) to
prepare the second mission.  DARA has responsibility for program management;
DLR is responsible for mission management.  DLR, NASA, the European Space
Agency (ESA), and agencies in France and Japan are contributing to D-2's
scientific program.  Of the 90 experiments to be conducted on the D-2 mission,
four are sponsored by NASA.

With 90 experiments, the crew will be working in two shifts around-the-clock to
complete investigations into the areas of fluid physics, materials sciences,
life sciences, biological sciences, technology, Earth observations, atmospheric
physics, and astronomy.  Many of the experiments further the research of the
D-1 mission by conducting similar tests or using upgraded processing hardware
and/or methods to take full advantage of the technical advancements since 1985.
The D-2 mission also contains several new experiments which were not previously
flown on the D-1 mission.

The experiments themselves involve everything from the inward examination of
the human body in microgravity to the outward exploration of the Milky Way. The
operations of the D-2 Spacelab complement of experiments will be directed from
the German Space Operations Center in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. The German
operations team will be working with flight controllers at the Johnson Space
Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, and Goddard Space Flight Center. Some of
the experiments of the D-2 mission are further described below.



Spacelab Module Experiments


Robotic Technology Experiment (ROTEX)

The ROTEX uses a robotic arm working in an enclosed workcell.  The crewmembers
and flight controllers in Germany will both take turns at manipulating objects
using the arm to simulate various tasks which may be required of robots working
in space, such as on Space Station Freedom. The experiment has several
objectives including: a comparison of the robot's behavior with a microgravity
system simulator to verify the simulator's accuracy, verification of the design
and operation of an autonomous robot employing advanced sensors, and
demonstration of teleoperations of the robot from on board the orbiter and from
the ground.  The robotic arm is 1.4 meters in length, has a mass of 35
kilograms, and features 6 joints, each involving roll and pitch control.  The
arm is capable of moving at 5 cm/second, with an accuracy of 0.5 mm per axis,
and has a gripping force of 200 Newtons.


Werkstofflabor - "Materials Sciences Laboratory"

Holding almost one-fourth of the D-2 experiments, this facility houses five
furnaces, a fluid physics module, and a crystal growth module.  Many of the
experiments are reconfirming research from the first German Spacelab mission.
The Isothermal Heating Facility, Turbine Blade Facility, High Temperature
Thermostats (2), and Gradient Heating Facility furnaces are used for
investigating materials and processes such as: metallic alloys, diffusion,
solidification of alloys and metal-ceramic composites, and crystal growth.  The
Turbine Blade Facility will try to produce a single crystal in the shape of a
turbine blade while incorporating tiny yttrium oxide clusters.  Such crystals
cannot be formed on earth because the much lighter clusters immediately
aggregate on the molten metal surface.  The turbine blade is comprised of
clusters that act as pinning centers for micro cracks.  This would improve the
performance and life-time of jet aircraft engines.

The Advanced Fluid Physics Module seeks to provide a precision apparatus for
establishing a floating zone between two parallel coaxial discs, allowing for
disturbances to be applied for the study of the fluid's behavior.  The Cryostat
experiment will attempt to grow high- quality crystals of biochemical
macromolecules by diffusion of proteins into corresponding saline solutions.
These crystals will be used to determine the geometric structures of the
molecules on the atomic scale using X-ray diffraction.


Holographical Optical Laboratory (HOLOP)

The investigation of heat transfer and of cooling processes in transparent
materials (such as fluids, salt solutions, and solvents) is of great interest
for research into metallurgy and casting.  The HOLOP facility operates with
laser light in order to make the processes easily visible.  This is done by two
different methods: holographic interferometry and holography (such as is widely
used to produce 3-D images, e.g. on credit cards).



Anthrorack

Anthrorack, from the Greek word "anthropos" meaning human being, is a
sophisticated medical research facility which will be used in some 20 different
experiments.  Different organs of the body and their controlling mechanisms
will be investigated.  The Anthrorack is fitted with a variety of instruments,
including a Respiratory Monitoring apparatus and an Echo Cardiograph which uses
ultrasound for measurement of the heart's dimensions and velocity of the blood
in different organs.  The interdependence of their results is meant to disclose
the human body response in its entirety to the exposure of space lights.

Two of the NASA sponsored experiments utilize the Anthrorack facility to study
the effects of microgravity on cardiovascular regulation and lung function.


Baroreflex

This NASA sponsored experiment test the human baroreceptor reflex in
microgravity.  The baroreceptor response regulates the flow of blood to the
head to maintain normal blood pressure.



Materials Sciences Double Rack for Experiment Modules and Apparatus (MEDEA)

The MEDEA is another facility containing two furnaces and one thermostat for
the investigation into critical point phenomena, directional solidification of
metallic crystals, and various long-term crystallization experiments.  One of
the experiments will attempt to grow large crystals of the semiconductor
compound gallium arsenide.  Gallium arsenide is of great importance in
electronic applications such as light emitting diodes, semiconductor lasers,
photo detectors, and high speed switching circuits.



Biolabor

The Biolabor facility will be home to a variety of studies into Gravitational
Biology and Biological Methods. The Statolithic Experiment (STATEX II) will
investigate the development of the vestibular organs of tadpoles and fish.
These organs, located in the inner ear, help humans and animals to determine
orientation within the Earth's gravity field.  The Electrocell Fusion
experiment which has a NASA co-investigator, will try to fuse cells by means of
electrical impulses to create hybrids.  Applications include the development of
plants with new properties.



Exterior Unique Support Structure Experiments

Modular Optoelectronic Multispectral/stereo Scanner (MOMS-2) The MOMS-2 is a
newly developed photographic system which will enable topographical maps to be
produced by automatic data evaluation processes for the first time.  The
experiment will view the Earth by looking vertically downwards and for the
first time it will become possible to produce, by sophisticated digital
processing, simultaneous stereo and multispectral images of the Earth's
surface.  Resolution of 5 to 10 meters will be achieved.



Galactic Ultra-wide-angle Schmidt System (GAUSS) Camera

The exact configuration of the Milky Way, the creation of stars within it and
the interstellar material distributed in the galaxy are subjects of great
interest to astronomers.  The GAUSS camera with its 145 degree field-of-view
camera, operating in six spectral bands, will be able to take pictures of all
parts of the Milky Way and significantly expand the knowledge of our galaxy.


Secondary Payloads

STS-55 crewmembers will also be participating in two amateur radio experiments,
SAREX II from the U.S. and the German SAFEX. The experiments allow students and
amateur radio operators from around the United States, Germany, and the world
to talk directly with the Space Shuttle in orbit.  Schools in Australia,
Africa, France, and the United States plan contact with SAREX II during this
mission.


Educational Activities

Mission Specialist Bernard Harris will videotape a medical examination in space
as part of a Space Medicine Conference being held at the Mayo Clinic during the
mission.  The video will be taped and downlinked to the conference.  In
addition, an audio link with the conference will be established during the
mission for a question and answer session.  Dr. Harris completed his residency
training in internal medicine at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Harris will also
participate in a post-flight video about Space Medicine.



Classroom Activities and Questions

1.  The entire progress of the mission from launch to landing can be observed
on television if your school has a satellite dish.  Direct the dish to the
SATCOM F2R satellite at 72 degrees west longitude.  Tune into NASA Select,
transponder 13, 3960 megahertz.  If your school does not have a satellite dish
but does have a cable television hookup, call your local cable company and
request that they receive NASA Select and either distribute it on one of their
channels or tape it for your use.  Check local news services for updates on
Columbia's liftoff or call the NASA Kennedy Space Center at 407-867-2525 for a
recorded message.

2.  Simulate the ROTEX (robotic) experiment by placing a blindfolded student
behind a table.  The student's arm will simulate a robotic arm.  Place objects
on the table such as blocks, plastic cups, and ping pong balls.  Select a
second student to be the controller.  Using verbal commands, the controller
will direct the arm to pick up and move the objects on the table.  Use commands
like raise arm, lower arm, rotate wrist, open hand, close hand, etc.  Attempt
to place the ping pong balls in the cup and stack the blocks.

3.  Try to grow large crystals in the classroom.  Mix up crystal solutions of
various chemicals such as salt, sugar, alum, etc.  Fill a beaker or glass jar
three quarters full of warm water.  Dissolve as much chemical into the water as
it will allow.  Allow the water to cool and evaporate over several days.  When
the first crystals begin appearing at the bottom or upper edges of the
solution, remove them.  Touch the end of a string or nylon fishing line to some
silicon glue or melted hot glue.  Then touch the string to the crystal so that
the crystal is glued to its end.  When the glue has hardened, suspend the
crystal in the solution.  Tie the upper end of the string to a pencil lying
across the mouth of the beaker.  Observe the growth of the crystal for the next
several days or weeks.  Does a single large crystal or many small crystals
form?

4.  Contact the American Radio Relay League for the name of a local amateur
radio operator who might be willing to provide a SAREX demonstration for your
classroom.  The League coordinates educational activities related to the
experiment, which is expected to fly again on several future Shuttle missions.

    American Radio Relay League
    225 Main Street
    Newington, CT 06111

References and Resources
* To request copies of the publications below, write:

        NASA Education Division
        Code FET
        NASA Headquarters
        Washington, DC 20546

* Publication text is also available from NASA SPACELINK. See references and
resources section below.

Vogt, G. & Wargo, M. (1992), Microgravity - A Teacher's Guide with Activities,
Secondary Level, EP-280, National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
Washington, D.C.

* To request copies of videotapes and slide sets,

write to:       NASA CORE
        Lorain County Joint Vocational School
        15181 Route 58 South
        Oberlin, OH 44074

All Systems Go!  (videotape), Liftoff To Learning series, National Aeronautics
and Space Administration.



NASA SPACELINK provides information about current and historic NASA programs,
lesson plans, the text from previous Mission Watch and Mission Highlights fact
sheets.  Anyone with a personal computer, modem, communications software, and a
long distance telephone line can communicate directly with NASA SPACELINK. Use
your computer to dial 205-895-0028 (8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit).
NASA SPACELINK may also be accessed through Internet through the following
address: spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov


STS-55 Quick Facts

Crew:    Steven R. Nagel (Col., USAF) - Commander
    Terence T. Henricks (Col., USAF) - Pilot
    Jerry L. Ross (Col., USAF) - Payload Commander
    Charles J. Precourt (Lt. Col., USAF) - Mission Specialist
    Bernard A. Harris, Jr. (M.D.) - Mission Specialist
    Ulrich Walter (Ph.D. ) - Payload Specialist
    Hans W. Schlegel (Physicist) - Payload Specialist

Vehicle:     OV-102 Columbia    Mission Duration:     9 days

Orbital Inclination:    28.5 degrees     Orbital Altitude:     296 km

Primary Payload and German Spacelab D-2

Experiments:    SAREX-II - Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment