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"2_6_4.TXT" (46028 bytes) was created on 09-16-92
16-Sep-92 Daily File Collection
These files were added or updated between 15-Sep-92 at 21:00:00 {Central}
and 16-Sep-92 at 21:00:18.
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:920916.SHU
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS 9/16/92
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 16, 1992 11 AM
STS-47/SPACELAB J - ENDEAVOUR (105) - ON-ORBIT
Hydrolasing activities are continuing on the boosters to remove exterior
cork and thermal protective foam. Both boosters will be disassembled and
shipped back to the respective vendors for refurbishment. Mobile launcher
platform No. 2 was moved from the pad to the refurbishment site yesterday.
Endeavour's mission has been extended one day pushing the landing to Sunday at
Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility at shortly after 7 a.m. EDT.
The exact landing time will be fine tuned later.
STS-52/LAGEOS - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Cleaning of the payload bay.
- Close outs of the vehicle.
- Final brazing of gaseous nitrogen lines in the aft compartment.
- Replacement of 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 Sunday. Columbia will be bolted to the ex-
ternal tank and boosters.
- Flight Readiness Review on October 1.
- Launch targeted for mid-October.
STS-53/DoD - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 3
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Preparations to remove the left orbital maneuvering system
(OMS) pod for repairs of an oxidizer isolation valve. The pod
will be transferred to the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility where
repairs will be made.
- Tests of the Ku-band antenna.
- Electrical redundancy tests of the OMS and reaction control
systems.
- Leak and functional tests of the ammonia system.
- Preparations to connect the auxiliary power unit lines.
- Servicing of freon coolant loop No. 1.
- Servicing of the potable water.
MODIFICATION PERIOD - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - OPF BAY 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Installing the reinforced carbon carbon chin panel.
- Preparations to deservice the freon cooling system.
- Tests of the main propulsion system.
WORK COMPLETED:
- Installed the forward reaction control simulator.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Ferry Atlantis to the Rockwell International facility in
Palmdale, Calif. on October 17 for extensive 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 forward center booster segment to the
right booster.
# # # #
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:920916.SKD
DAILY NEWS/TV SKED 9/16/92
Daily News
Wednesday, September 16, 1992 24-hour audio service at 202/755-1788
% Endeavour and STS-47 crew both continue flawless performance;
% Japanese payload specialist successfully melts glass in acoustic furnace;
% Ames ER-2 to fly over Hawaiian Islands to obtain Iniki damage photos;
% TOPEX/Poseidon continues to undergo checkout doing fine so far;
% Magellan's orbit lowered as spacecraft begins gravity mapping of Venus;
% Columbia to roll over to assembly building this Saturday.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Both Endeavour and the STS-47 crew continue to perform nearly flawlessly in
their 192-mile-high orbit. The seven-member crew is on schedule with their
Spacelab-J experiment timeline. Mission management later today is expected to
extend the mission by one day based on the crew's use of consumables.
Yesterday, the crew reported on the condition of the hornets and carp, Israeli
and Japanese experiments respectively. The subjects of both experiments appear
to be in good shape, though mission specialist Curt Brown and mission commander
Robert Gibson did note that the hornets do not appear to be conducting their
typical organized nest-building activity. The frogs were released from their
containers inside the glove box today and appeared to be in equally good
condition, if somewhat confused at the sudden microgravity freedom afforded by
the large volume of the glove box.
Mission specialist Jay Apt continued with his Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment
calls yesterday and made contact with a group of students at McKinley High
School in Honolulu. Mission specialists Mae Jemison and Jan Davis also
continued their protocols using the Lower Body Negative Pressure device, each
taking turns inside the vacuum container.
Japanese payload specialist Mamoru Mohri yesterday successfully demonstrated
the acoustic suspension of glass as it was being melted by focused heat lamps.
This equipment, part of Japan's Materials Experiment Laboratory, will be used
again today to try and make a type of non- silicon glass with superior infrared
wavelength transmission properties.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Pilots from the Ames Research Center will fly over the Hawaiian Islands on
photographic missions beginning today to help the Hawaii State Planning Office
assess the damage incurred by the recent passage of Hurricane Iniki over the
islands. The reconnaissance photography will be taken from the NASA ER-2
aircraft, which will be based on Oahu for about a week while the photographic
survey is completed.
NASA recently flew its Stennis Space Center-based Learjet on a similar mission
over Southern Florida to provide state government agencies with photographic
and other electronic data to help them assess the damage from Hurricane Andrew.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Jet Propulsion Laboratory flight controllers report that the TOPEX/Poseidon
spacecraft continues to perform nominally. The third in- plane maneuver was
executed successfully yesterday, further tweaking the spacecraft's orbit.
Although the NASA Altimeter is presently in idle mode to allow the French SSALT
altimeter to operate, it recorded 24-foot seas in the Pacific Ocean in the
vicinity of Hurricane Iniki before it was powered down. JPL reports the
spacecraft flew over both the U.S. and French altimeter verification sites this
past weekend.
JPL also reports that the orbit of the Venus- mapping spacecraft Magellan was
successfully lowered the low point of its orbit to 113 miles above the planet
from its previous 160 miles. This will enhance the resolution of the
spacecraft's fourth mapping cycle, which begins this week. The current cycle
will provide data for a Venus gravity map. The map will be produced by
monitoring variations in the Doppler shift of the spacecraft's radio signal as
it orbits the planet. When Magellan passes over a dense region of Venus'
interior, the spacecraft will accelerate and the corresponding Doppler shift
will be recordedPannotating the denser interior.
This look deep inside Earth's twin planet is expected to provide an improved
understanding of the forces of tectonics and volcanism that shape Venus.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Preparations for Columbia's STS-52 mission continue at the Kennedy Space
Center. Technicians now expect to move Columbia from the Orbiter Processing
Facility to the Vehicle Assembly Building no earlier than midnight Saturday.
Columbia will then be stacked and bolted to its external tank and solid rocket
boosters. The STS-52 mission is currently scheduled for a mid-October liftoff
to deploy a variety of scientific satellites.
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.
Wednesday, September 16, 1992
Live 2:00 pm Today in Space program from MSFC.
Live 3:30 pm Mission Status briefing from JSC and MSFC.
Live 8:13 pm Chicago-area students conversation with Mae Jemison.
8:30 pm Replay of Today in Space program.
9:00 pm Flight Day 5 highlights.
Thursday, September 17, 1992
Live 2:38 am Sheriden Broadcasting interview
Live 4:48 am CBS interview with Mae Jemison.
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 program.
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 program.
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:6_2_18_6.TXT
STS-47 SAREX HINTS
The STS-47 crew includes ham-astronauts Mamoru Mohri 7L2NJY and Jay Apt
N5QWL. During free periods they will attempt to make random contacts with hams
around the world. Based on previous SAREX missions the SAREX team has made the
following recommendations to increase your chance for a successful contact.
Make sure you're using the correct frequencies. Do not use packet frequencies
for voice or vice versa. Make sure you're calling on an uplink frequency and
listening to the downlink frequency.
Do NOT call the shuttle constantly. After a couple of tries listen - if the
astronauts hear your call sign they'll respond. State your entire call sign
clearly - using standard phonetics. Post-flight tapes have many partial call
signs or unintelligible calls. The shuttle is a noisy environment, and stating
your sign clearly will make it easier for the astronaut to understand.
The astronauts will use their own calls for voice contacts.
Good luck with your attempts to contact the shuttle! 73s!
Philip Chien KC4YER, Earth News
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. Thesecond 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_12_21.TXT
STS-47 Status Report #12
MISSION CONTROL CENTER
Wednesday, September 16, 1992, 12:15 a.m. CDT
The Blue Team aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour is about half-way through its
Flight Day 5 shift, carrying out a busy schedule of experiments, Earth
observations photography and Shuttle Amateur Radio Contacts.
Mission Specialist Jay Apt, the flight engineer on this shift, continues to
take care of the housekeeping duties on an extremely "clean" orbiter. Flight
controllers on the ground are working no serious problems with any orbiter
system. Mission Specialists Mae Jemison and Jan Davis continue their work with
experiments in the Spacelab-J on-orbit laboratory.
Apt reported a successful SAREX contact with a group of students at McKinley
High School in Honolulu, Hawaii, the sixth such contact the Endeavour crew has
made with school groups so far.
Jemison and Davis had to cut short a planned Lower Body Negative Pressure
Devise ramp session when the surgeon monitoring Jemison's health during the
zero-gravity countermeasure experiment was unable to receive the expected data.
The Red Team--Hoot Gibson, Curt Brown, Mark Lee and Mamoru Mohri--is scheduled
to awaken about 4 a.m. and begin its work shift about 5:30 a.m., when the Blue
Team begins its pre-sleep activities.
On the Red Team's last shift, Gibson and Brown carried out an in-flight
maintenance procedure designed to provide drier air for the Oriental hornets
that are the subject of the Israeli Space Agency Investigation About Hornets.
Experimenters have noted some condensation building up in the lower compartment
that could be detrimental to the hornets' health. Brown and Gibson hooked up a
fan from one of the crew launch/entry partial pressure suits to the air inlet
at the front of the ISAIAH enclosure. The effort reduced the humidity level
inside the middeck locker, but it rose again after the fan was disconnected
from the air inlet. Apt is scheduled to begin setting up the fan again shortly
before the Red Team awakens. The fan will be run during the handover period so
as not to disturb the sleep of the off-going team.
Endeavour continues to orbit the Earth every 90 minutes in an orbit of 163 x
166 nautical miles.
###
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_2_2_39_12_22.TXT
MISSION CONTROL CENTER
STS-47 Status Report #13
Wednesday, September 16, 6 a.m. CDT
Mission Control's overnight team assisted Endeavour's crew in troubleshooting a
laptop computer that temporarily malfunctioned and watched as Jay Apt attached
a makeshift air circulation device to reduce humidity levels in a middeck
locker experiment.
A screen problem on a payload general support computer briefly interrupted
insight into data systems in the Spacelab module, but the systems continued to
operate normally. Rebooting the small computer recovered use of its screen.
Just after the other crew members awoke, Apt activated a small air circulation
unit devised from one of the launch and entry suits to help reduce the humidity
level inside the Israel Space Agency Investigation About Hornets experiment on
Endeavour's middeck.
Commander Hoot Gibson performed this procedure yesterday and it proved
successful in reducing the condensation for the period of time the unit was
running.
The current plan is to perform this procedure every day when all seven crew
members are awake.
Three of the crew members are scheduled to conduct a "space classroom" this
morning with school children in Japan during a 30-minute program from space.
All systems aboard Endeavour continue to perform well during the second mission
of NASA's newest Space Shuttle.
###
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_2_2_39_12_23.TXT
SL-J Mission Status Report #08
6:00 a.m. CDT, September 16, 1992
03/20:40 MET
Spacelab Mission Operations Control
Marshall Space Flight Center
Huntsville, Alabama
Science activities aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour continued
around the clock during the Spacelab-J mission, a joint venture
between NASA and the National Space Development Agency of Japan
(NASDA). Science Mission Specialist Dr. Mae Jemison and Mission
Specialist Dr. Jan Davis spent another busy 12-hour shift
performing a variety of life sciences and materials processing
experiments.
During space flight, fluids shift from the lower parts of the body
into the upper region. Although this condition is not detrimental
in space, upon return to Earth space travelers may experience
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problems caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, a condition
known as orthostatic intolerance. Principal investigator Dr. John
Charles and his team from NASA's Johnson Space Center, are working
to overcome this problem with the Lower Body Negative Pressure
(LBNP) system. In this system, baseline physiological data is
taken, a saline solution is ingested, and negative pressure is
applied to the lower body. First, Davis monitored Jemison in the
LBNP device, a cylindrical bag that seals around the waist and acts
as a pressure vessel to force fluids back into the lower
extremities. During the first part of the procedure, the ramp
protocol, pressure to the lower body is gradually reduced, during
which time cardiovascular function is measured. However, there was
a problem with Jemison's electrocardiogram tracing. The problem
was remedied by reversing two of three electrode placement points.
Dr. Charles confirmed that the LBNP team was successfully receiving
the electrocardiogram measurements. Jemison is scheduled for
another LBNP run during her next shift. Next, Jemison monitored
Davis as she participated in the soak protocol, an extended period
of decompression, which acts as a treatment for cardiovascular
deconditioning. After obtaining baseline physiological data, Davis
took salt tablets and drank water during the first hour of
decompression treatment. Jemison, a medical doctor, asked to
consult directly with Dr. Charles and concurred with a modification
consult directly with Dr. Charles and concurred with a modificatio
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