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"930415.DFC" (43144 bytes) was created on 04-15-93
15-Apr-93 Daily File Collection
These files were added or updated between 14-Apr-93 at 21:00:00 {Central}
and 15-Apr-93 at 21:02:14.
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:930415.REL
4/15/93: NASA SPACE SUIT AND MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES HONORED
Charles Redmond
Headquarters, Washington, D.C. April 15, 1993
Catharine Schauer
Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.
RELEASE: 93-069
NASA technology, developed to keep astronauts cool on the lunar surface,
and a NASA patient-monitoring device, originally designed for astronaut heart
rate transmittal, tomorrow are being inducted into the U.S. Space Foundation's
Technology Hall of Fame. The ceremonies are part of the Foundation's annual
convention in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The honors will be accepted by John Samos, former head of the technology
transfer office at NASA's Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va., and Thayer
Sheets, a technology transfer specialist at the time of the transfers to
industry. NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin will be the keynote speaker at
the banquet.
Liquid-cooled garments
Through the efforts of Langley and a national charitable organization, the
liquid-cooled garments used by astronauts were transformed into cool suits used
for medical applications.
The original garments were worn inside space suits to maintain body
temperature at comfortable levels. A battery- powered pump circulated water
through tubes in the suit and through a chiller mechanism in the suit backpack.
Work which led to this approach was originally done at NASA's Ames Research
Center, Mountain View, Calif., and at the then Manned Spacecraft Center (now
Johnson Space Center), Houston.
Langley adapted the technology to meet medical needs. Now it is used
for patients suffering from multiple sclerosis and related neurologic
disorders, cystic fibrosis, and hypohidrotic extodermal dyspiasia (HED), a
condition where the victim has no sweat glands.
Through the efforts of the HED Foundation and its founder, Sarah Moody,
and NASA Langley staff, 108 of the cooling suits have been donated to children
without sweat glands.
In addition, about 300 suits have been sold to multiple sclerosis patients
since 1991. The U.S. Army used 400 liquid- cooled garments for personnel
during the Persian Gulf conflict, and the suits are used by race car drivers,
hazardous materials handlers, nuclear reactor workers, and paper mill and
shipyard personnel. The technology spinoff has created a multi-million- dollar
industry.
Patient Monitoring Device
The patient monitoring device was first developed by the Sierra Research
Corp., under sponsorship of the U.S. Air Force and Army. It was later adopted
and improved upon by NASA. The monitoring technology enabled the transmission
of information about the wearer's physiological condition from a remote site to
a medical center. In the case of NASA, it is used to transmit astronaut heart
rate and breathing rates.
This system is still in use for astronaut monitoring but has expanded in
scope to include the remote transmittal of patient information from locations
around the planet. With the technology, heart patients can return to their own
homes but still be monitored by nurses at a hospital.
For more than 30 years, NASA's Technology Utilization Program has actively
encouraged the secondary, or spinoff, application of technology originally
developed for aerospace purposes. During this 3-decade period more than 30,000
aerospace innovations have found their way into common use. Collectively,
these spinoffs represent a substantial return on the aerospace investment in
terms of economic gain, lifestyle enhancement and solutions to problems of
general public concern .
Since 1988, the U.S. Space Foundation has selected space technologies that
have made significant social and economic impact for inclusion in their Space
Hall of Fame. Currently, there are 14 other technologies listed in the Hall.
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:930415.SHU
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT 4/15/93
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Thursday, April 15, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
Mission: STS-56/ATLAS-2/SSBUV Orbital altitude: 184 miles
Vehicle: Discovery/OV-103 Inclination: 57 degrees
Mission Duration: 8 days/6 hours Crew size: 5
KSC Landing Date/Time: Friday, April 16/approximately 7:33 a.m.
NOTE: The Shuttle Discovery remains on orbit following launch on
April 8 at 1:29 a.m. Landing is scheduled for Friday, April 16,
at KSC. There are two opportunities for landing at KSC on Friday,
7:33 a.m. and 9:06 a.m. There is one KSC landing opportunity on
Saturday at 7:39 a.m.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Mission: STS-55/SL-D2 Orbital Altitude: 184 miles
Vehicle: Columbia/OV-102 Inclination: 28.45 degrees
Location: Launch Pad 39-A Crew Size: 7
Mission Duration: 8 days/22 hours KSC Landing: May 3
Target Launch Date: NET April 24
Launch Window: 10:52 a.m. - 12:22 p.m.
IN WORK TODAY:
* Operations to enter spacelab for final service of experiments
* External tank purges
* Payload bay closeouts
* Countdown preparations
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Close payload bay doors for flight (Friday)
* Begin aft engine compartment closeouts (Friday)
* Ordnance installation (Sunday)
* Hypergolic fuel pressurization (Sunday)
* Countdown begins 4:00 p.m. Wednesday
WORK COMPLETED:
* Main engine leak checks complete and good
* Orbital maneuvering system heater checks
* Helium signature leak checks
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Mission: STS-57/Spacehab/EURECA-Retrieval Orbital Alt.: 287 miles
Vehicle: Endeavour/OV-105 Inclination: 28 degrees
Location: Vehicle Assembly Building Crew Size: 6
Mission Duration: 7days/23 hours Target KSC Landing: May 27
Target Launch Date: May 19
IN WORK TODAY:
* Shuttle interface test
* SRB hydraulic closeouts
* External tank foaming operations
* Pre-rollout inspections
WORK SCHEDULED:
* Main engine installation (Friday)
* Rollout to pad 39-B targeted for NET April 22
WORK COMPLETED:
* Launch countdown simulation
* Main engine interface inspections
* T-0 umbilical closeouts, leak checks and cavity purge
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:930415.SKD
Daily News/TV Sked 4/15/93
Daily News
Thursday, April 15, 1993
Two Independence Square,
Washington, D.C.
Audio Service: 202/358-3014
% STS-56 mission status;
% Columbia targeted to launch April 24;
% Technicians prepare Endeavour for a May launch;
% Mars Observer mission status.
Discovery's STS-56 mission is going smoothly. Crew members continue to work
through a variety of experiments. Discovery's landing at the Kennedy Space
Center is still targeted for a 7:33 a.m. EDT touchdown tomorrow. At present
the weather forecast is favorable, although flight controllers are keeping a
close watch on the speed with which a frontal system is approaching Florida.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
In preparation for Columbia's upcoming launch, technicians at the Kennedy Space
Center conducted main engine leak checks, continued engine check valve leak
checks and performed orbital maneuvering system heater checks. Today workers
are scheduled to begin aft engine compartment closeouts and perform external
tank purges. Friday technicians will close Columbia's payload bay doors for
flight.
Space Shuttle Columbia is targeted for launch April 24. The launch window will
open at 10:52 a.m. The STS-55 mission is scheduled to last 9 days and carry
the Spacelab-D2 payload.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Space Shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to make its next flight into space on May
19. Technicians at the Kennedy Space Center will begin main engine
installation tomorrow. Workers have completed the launch countdown simulation
and completed main engine interface inspections. Endeavour is scheduled to
rollout to pad 39-B on April 22.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
All is well as the Mars Observer travels to the planet Mars. The Mars Observer
is scheduled to reach Mars on August 24, 1993. On April 9, the spacecraft
experienced a slight attitude change. This was caused when an internal
software test failed and erroneously indicated that inertial reference had been
lost. This problem has occurred before and is understood by ground control.
The gravitational wave experiment, using Mars Observer and two other
interplanetary spacecraft, Galileo and Ulysses, was concluded on Monday at
about 4:20 a.m. EDT. The radio science team will spend a minimum of 6 months
analyzing the data.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Here's the broadcast schedule for Public Affairs events on NASA 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.
NASA TV will continue with its 24-hour a day coverage of the STS-56 mission.
NASA TV is carried on GE Satcom F2R, transponder 13, C-Band, 72 degrees West
Longitude, transponder frequency is 3960 MHz, 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:930415A.REL
4/15/93: ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY SATELLITE BEING READIED AT
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER FOR DISCOVERY'S UPCOMING STS-51 MISSION
George H. Diller April 15, 1993
KSC Release No. 36-93
Even as Discovery continues in orbit on Mission STS-56, its
next major payload is being readied for launch.
A milestone in payload processing for the upcoming STS-51
mission was achieved this week when the Advanced Communications
Technology Satellite (ACTS) was mated to its upper stage booster,
a Transfer Orbit Stage (TOS). This processing milestone occurred
at the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) and will be
followed with integrated tests between the two payload flight
elements.
The ACTS/TOS combination will be moved to KSC's Vertical
Processing Facility (VPF) during the first week of May for
testing to assure its compatability with the Space Shuttle and
readiness for integration with Discovery.
ACTS arrived at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station runway
on Feb. 11 aboard a C-5B military aircraft and was taken to
NASA's Spacecraft Hangar AO nearby for checkout activities. It
underwent a complete set of stand-alone tests before being moved
to the PHSF at Kennedy Space Center on March 8.
ACTS is a communications satellite designed to test an
experimental advanced satellite communications concepts. ACTS
will be deployed from Discovery shortly after launch which is
currently targeted in mid-July.
# # #
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:930415B.REL
4/15/93: SERVICING OF SPACELAB D-2 LABORATORY MODULE ABOARD COLUMBIA
CONCLUDES TODAY FOR APRIL 24 LAUNCH
George H. Diller April 15, 1993
KSC Release No. 37-93
The STS-55 payload test team is concluding its Spacelab D-2
servicing activities today, leading to closing Columbia's payload
bay doors for flight on Friday.
After Columbia's initial launch attempt on March 21, the
team moved to implement a plan which would assure that the
Spacelab D-2 experiments would meet all mission success criteria.
This meant replacing some experiment samples and testing other
experiments, or their associated flight hardware. The task at
hand is to implement the "MVAK" plan, which stands for Module
Vertical Access Kit.
The work is performed in three phases. Phase one on April 8
was to destow, or remove the experiment samples which had to be
replaced or refurbished. This occupied 40 continuous hours with
a team working inside the German Spacelab D-2 laboratory module,
as well as in the payload changeout room (PCR) at the launch pad.
In some cases, the sample exchanges could be done during Phase 1.
Principal investigators were stationed in the PCR and could
exchange their experiment samples with fresh ones and the trays
were reinstalled the same day. The four elements of the
Holographic Optics Laboratory, as well as other materials and
life sciences experiments, were removed and taken to Hangar L for
a refurbishment process which took approximately four days to
complete.
Phase two was "powered maintenance." This was performed on
April 12 and lasted 18 hours. This included operation and
checkout of video recorders, the experiment water pumps, a
turbomolecular pump, two laser systems, and the Biolabor and
Anthrorack experiment racks.
Phase 3, which is underway today, involves restowing
experiments which were removed for replacement or refurbishement
during Phase 1. This work takes about 12 hours. Being restowed
today are the four elements of the Holographic Optics Laboratory,
the Chemical Garden, and the materials samples taken from the
MEDEA experiment.
The two orbiter refrigerator freezer units which support the
mission were also removed from the mid-deck for servicing and
will be reinstalled on Friday. The life sciences samples such as
the frog embryos were also removed from the mid-deck and will be
reinstalled one day before launch with fresh samples.
The work in the Spacelab module is being done by a special
team of McDonnell Douglas technicians who are specially trained
in accessing a Spacelab laboratory while the orbiter is in the
vertical position at the pad. The last time such an activity was
necessary was on Spacelab-J to meet late stowage requirements.
The team is now training for similar activity for the second
Spacelab Life Sciences mission (SLS-2) currently scheduled for
late August. A special simulator in the Operations and Checkout
Building at KSC helps the team develop the skills they need.
The MVAK activity is being directed from the payload
consoles in Firing Room 1 by a NASA Payload Test Director and a
McDonnell Douglas Payload Test Conductor. The German experiment
team is able to monitor and support the activities via remote
television cameras at the pad and in the Spacelab module.
Once fresh experiments are aboard Spacelab D-2, another MVAK
Spacelab servicing would not be required before the end of May.
Launch of Columbia is scheduled for 10:52 a.m. EDT on April 24.
# # #
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_14_6_3.TXT
HRMS QUARTERLY REPORT - 3/93
NASA HIGH RESOLUTION MICROWAVE SURVEY
TARGETED SEARCH AND SKY SURVEY STATUS
QUARTERLY REPORT - MARCH 1993
BACKGROUND
The High Resolution Microwave Survey (HRMS) is part of the Toward Other
Planetary Systems (TOPS) program in NASA's Solar System Exploration Division.
The HRMS looks for evidence of planets orbiting other stars through radio
emissions that may be produced by technological civilizations on any such
planets. The HRMS has two search modes, a Sky Survey and a Targeted Search.
The Sky Survey, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, uses 34-meter
antennas in NASA's Deep Space Network to sweep the entire sky over a wide range
of frequencies for the presence of strong signals. The Targeted Search uses
the largest available radio telescopes to observe nearby Sun-like stars over a
narrower range of frequencies for weak signals. The Targeted Search is managed
by NASA's Ames Research Center, which is also the lead center for the HRMS. The
combination of the two search modes is millions of times more comprehensive
than the sum of all previous search programs. The observational phase of the
HRMS was inaugurated at 1900 hours Universal Time on 12 October 1992 at the
NASA Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex in California and the Arecibo
Observatory in Puerto Rico. The Arecibo Observatory is part of the National
Astronomy and Ionosphere Center, operated by Cornell University for the
National Science Foundation. In a coordinated program, the Arecibo antenna
pointed at the star Gliese 615.1A and the Goldstone antenna began to scan a
small area of sky that included the position of the target star. The beginning
of the search generated worldwide interest in the media. This report presents
an overview of the observations and results to date.
THE OBSERVATIONS
Sky Survey
Initial observations began with the new 34-meter antenna at the Venus
Development Station at Goldstone. The project is using the available X-Band
receiver which can be tuned from 8200 to 8600 MHz, and the Sky Survey Prototype
System (SSPS). The SSPS divides a single polarization 40 MHz band into two
million 20JHz channels and automatically looks for continuous wave signals as
the search progresses. Each observation involves driving the antenna rapidly
in a precise "sliding racetrack" pattern programmed to cover a "sky frame," a
rectangular area of sky approximately 1.8 degrees high and 30 degrees wide.
While observing, the SSPS temporarily stores data from channels with power
exceeding a specified threshold level and excises data from channels affected
by terrestrial signals. The scan pattern is designed so that each point in the
frame will be scanned by the antenna at least twice (with slightly different
position offsets) at times separated by about eight minutes. At the completion
of the sky frame, the stored data are analyzed and candidate signals are
selected for immediate verification tests.
Twenty-five sky frames, including four repeat frames, have been observed at
X-Band. To date, no candidates have passed the verification tests and the
results are entirely consistent with the expected thermal noise statistics.
The SSPS is now observing about 32 hours per week on the 34-meter antenna with
an increase in allocated time scheduled for later in the year. At other times,
the SSPS is completing a series of special observations on the adjacent
26-meter antenna using an available L-Band receiver. These observations are
designed to optimize radio astronomy data and improve interference excision
algorithms. Three 5 degree by 30 degree sections of the galactic plane are
being observed repeatedly in frequency bands that include the natural emission
lines produced by hydrogen atoms and hydroxyl radicals (OH). Results of these
observations, including maps of the detected emission, will be published later
this year.
Work also continues at JPL on developing the Sky Survey Operational System
(with sixteen times the bandwidth of the SSPS) and the RF Systems to be used by
both search modes.
Targeted Search
The Targeted Search System (TSS) used the Arecibo 305-meter antenna, the
world's largest, for its initial observations. The TSS processed a dual
polarization 10JMHz bandwidth into more than 14Jmillion, 1JHz wide,
simultaneous channels. In parallel, it also produced channel resolutions of
7JHz and 28JHz. Data were analyzed in real-time for the presence of continuous
wave and pulsed signals that may drift in frequency by as much as 1JHz per
second. Twenty-five stars within 100 light years were observed. Receivers
provided by the observatory allowed observations in four frequency bands
covering a total of about 300 MHz within the range from 1300 MHz to 2400 MHz.
Each "observation" of a star in a particular frequency band consisted of three
steps with the antenna first pointed at the star, then away from the star, and
then back at the star. Each step lasted either 92 seconds or 299 seconds.
Signals that were present only when the telescope was pointed at the star (and
not previously seen in other observations) were considered to be of possible
extraterrestrial origin and were subjected to further tests. Signals that were
present both "on" and "off" the star were deemed to be terrestrial interference
signals. A total of 436 observations were conducted during the 200 hours of
assigned telescope time. A large number of interference signals were detected
and cataloged. Fifteen signals required further verification tests, but all
proved to be intermittent terrestrial signals. Analysis of the data collected
at Arecibo continues with the goal of developing better techniques for quickly
identifying, classifying, and perhaps even avoiding interference signals.
Since returning from Arecibo, the TSS has been reassembled in the development
lab at NASA Ames. As expected, operational experience has indicated the need
for modifications to several circuit boards and improvements to the software.
While those modifications are under way, the capability of the system is being
doubled to process 20JMHz of bandwidth. The increased capability is needed for
observations of nearby Sun-like stars in the Southern Hemisphere, scheduled to
begin in 1994 at the 64-meter antenna of the Parkes Observatory in Australia.
Parkes is part of the Australian Telescope National Facility operated by the
Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organization. A Memorandum of
Agreement has been negotiated between NASA and CSIRO through the Australian
Space Office for the use of this facility.
RESULTS
No signals from beyond our Solar System have been detected yet. Although many
signals have been detected, none appears to originate from a fixed point on the
celestial sphere. Most of the signals were recognized immediately as
terrestrial interference by the software. A few signals required verification
tests but no signal passed this level of testing. In summary, the HRMS has
successfully inaugurated its observational phase. Both the Targeted Search and
the Sky Survey are using the lessons learned in the initial observations to
improve their hardware, software, and observation techniques as they build
additional systems to implement the ten year search.
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_2_18_5.TXT
NOTE: This file is too large {28919 bytes} for inclusion in this collection.
The first line of the file:
- Current Two-Line Element Sets #174 -
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_2_2_44_12_33.TXT
ATLAS 2 Public Affairs Status Report #14
6:00 p.m. CDT, April 14, 1993
6/17:31 MET
Spacelab Mission Operations Control
Marshall Space Flight Center
Huntsville, Alabama
The ATLAS 2 Spacelab is in the ninteenth orbit of its fourth atmospheric
observation period, the longest of the mission. This afternoon, Mission
Scientist Dr. Tim Miller announced that each of the three atmospheric
instruments -- the Millimeter Wave Atmospheric Sounder (MAS), the Atmospheric
Trace Molecule Spectroscospy (ATMOS) experiment, and the Shuttle Solar
Ultraviolet Backscatter (SSBUV) instrument -- have already accumulated more
data than they did during the entire ATLAS 1 flight last year. He told the
crew, "The mission has more than lived up to our expectations."
The Shuttle Discovery is oriented with its tail into the path of flight for
most of this Earth-viewing period, rather than nose-first as it had been flying
previously. This reorientation allows the Millimeter-Wave Atmospheric Sounder
to look toward both hemispheres during the course of the mission, and make
observations over around 94 percent of the globe, rather than the 84 percent
covered by Discovery's high-inclination orbit alone. The maneuver is enabling
the MAS to make important readings of chlorine monoxide relevant to the study
of ozone loss in the stratosphere. A major goal of ATLAS 2 is to make detailed
measurements of the northern stratosphere, so scientists can better understand
the processes and more reliably predict phenomena such as ozone depletion.
This winter, scientists announced record low ozone observations over Canada and
Northern Europe. While these values are not nearly as low as those for the
Antarctic ozone hole in the Southern Hemisphere spring, ATLAS 2 scientists
believe there is reason for concern. In addition, the Upper Atmosphere
Research Satellite observed high levels of chlorine monoxide and cold
temperatures for a large part of the past Northern Hemisphere winter. MAS is
using an improved pointing mode to take chlorine monoxide measurements during
daylight portions of orbits, then a scan mode for water vapor and ozone
measurements during night passes. Because chlorine monoxide is broken down
from chlorine compounds by ultraviolet light, there is much less of it present
in the dark.
The ATMOS experiment is viewing sunrises and sunsets through the narrow band of
Earth's atmosphere, measuring the trace gases which are a result of the
chemistry of the stratosphere and mesosphere. The ATMOS onboard recorder is
nearing capacity, but observations will be downlinked from the Spacelab High
Data Rate Recorder through the remainder of the mission.
The Shuttle Solar Ultraviolet Backscattter (SSBUV) experiment is continuing its
measurements of global concentrations of ozone in its Earth-viewing
configuration. For two orbits today, the SSBUV team concentrated on the
wavelengths in which the next generation of NASA's Total Ozone Mapping
Spectrometers (TOMS) will operate. This was the first time a space-based
instrument has checked out the new TOMS frequencies, planned to provide
improved long-term readings of ozone distribution. Throughout the mission, the
SSBUV team has reported "superb quality" in both real-time and recorded data,
as well as excellent performance by their instrument.
All the careful measurements from the ATLAS series of missions, as well as
those made by free-flying satellites, contribute to the atmospheric portion of
NASA's Mission to Planet Earth. "The most important application of this mission
is to understand the effects of human activity on the atmosphere and separate
them from the effects of natural consequences such as variations in the sun's
energy," Mission Specialist Ellen Ochoa told students this morning in a
televised interview from the Shuttle. "The more we know about that, the more we
as people on Earth will be able to respond to changes in the atmosphere and
change the way we do things on Earth."
During the day, the crew took various photographs and made videos of the Earth
for the three atmospheric instruments to use in post-flight data analysis.
ATMOS and SSBUV are on standby during an orbiter water dump. They will rejoin
MAS just after 6:30 p.m. CDT for about 11 more hours of atmospheric
observations. The mission management team at Marshall continues to evaluate
options for an extension of science activities, should the STS-56 landing
tomorrow be waved off because of poor weather at Kennedy Space Center.
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_2_2_44_12_34.TXT
MISSION CONTROL CENTER
STS-56 Status Report #19
Thursday, April 15, 1993, 5 a.m. CDT
Discovery's crew continues to work thourgh a variety of experiments onboard,
while stowing a few away in anticipation of tomorrow's return home.
Discovery remains scheduled for a 6:33 a.m. CDT touchdown Friday at the
Kennedy Space Center. The weather forecast at present is favorable for landing,
although flight controllers are keeping a close watch on the speed with which a
frontal system is approaching Florida.
Early this morning, Discovery's crew wrapped up their work with the Hercules
camera, a camera that records the location of its subject on the film at the
time a photo is taken. The camera's location information was accurate as seen
in a host of very clear photos that were transmitted to the ground by special
equipment aboard Discovery for this flight.
Also, Mission Specialist Ellen Ochoa powered down Discovery's mechanical arm
and latched it in place along the left edge of the cargo bay for the trip home.
Today, the atmospheric instruments in Discovery's payload bay will be pointed
to catch the first and last rays of orbital sunrises and sunsets so they may
continue gathering information on the ozone and chemistry of the upper
atmosphere. Secondary experiments inside the cabin will be concluded and put
away throughout the day as well.
Discovery is in excellent mechanical shape in a 161 by 157 nautical mile orbit.
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_2_2_44_12_35.TXT
ATLAS 2 Public Affairs Status Report #15
6:00 a.m. CDT, April 15, 1993
7/05:31 MET
Spacelab Mission Operations Control
Marshall Space Flight Center
Huntsville, Alabama
Science teams at the Spacelab Mission Operations Control center in Huntsville,
Ala., monitored the activities of four instruments for the second Atmospheric
Laboratory for Applications and Science (ATLAS 2) mission last night. While
solar-viewing instruments "rested" in the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle
Discovery, atmospheric observations were conducted for the fourth time during
this mission.
The Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy (ATMOS) scientists monitored
feedback from their instrument's dedicated tape recorder during the night and
received indications that there is still some storage space on the 44-gigabyte,
high-density tape. ATMOS data concerning different trace gases in the middle
atmosphere is being captured on both the dedicated tape recorder and the
Spacelab's High Data Rate Recorder.
The Millimeter-wave Atmospheric Sounder (MAS) instrument, which has been
compared to a specialized radio receiver, continued to measure the strength of
millimeter waves radiating from water vapor, chlorine monoxide and ozone in the
middle atmosphere over northern latitudes. The scientists unlocked the
device's hot target calibration mirror for this shift's last orbit in order to
obtain one more calibration in the standard mode of operation.
Mission Manager for the Shuttle Solar Ultraviolet Backscatter (SSBUV)
experiment, Mr. Don Williams, described ATLAS 2 as being, "an extremely wealthy
mission in relationship to the amount of ozone data that SSBUV has been able to
receive." SSBUV measures the amount of ozone in a "column" of the atmosphere,
as well as the way ozone is distributed by altitude. The total ozone values
measured by the SSBUV instrument so far are agreeing with expected values for
the amount of ozone in the atmosphere.
The Solar Spectrum Measurement (SOLSPEC) experiment took advantage of the cargo
bay-to-Earth position of the orbiter to observe global ozone levels on the
sunlit side of the orbit. SOLSPEC data will help scientists understand more
about how the changes in the sun's energy affect our atmosphere.
During the next 12 hours, the ATLAS 2 solar-viewing instruments will be
operational. The Solar Constant (SOLCON) experiment and the Active Cavity
Radiometer Irradiance Monitor (ACRIM) will measure the total amount of energy
emitted by the sun. SOLSPEC and the Solar Ultraviolet Spectral Irradiance
Monitor (SUSIM) will measure absolute values of solar radiation.
Mission Specialist Michael Foale performed a second in-flight maintenance
procedure to repair a cable that connects the Global Positioning System's
on-board electronic receiver to a laptop computer. After the procedure proved
unsuccessful, the equipment was stowed for post-flight examination. This
device provides only complementary non-critical information, so the science
objectives of the ATLAS-2 experiments will not be affected.
Managers at Kennedy Space Flight Center, Johnson Space Center and Marshall
Space Flight Center are currently discussing options for additional science
collection in the event of a weather-related landing delay.
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
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STS-56 MCC Status Report #20
MISSION CONTROL CENTER
STS-56 Status Report #20
Thursday, April 15, 1993, 2 p.m. CDT
As Discovery's sixteenth mission draws to a close, flight controllers in
Houston and Huntsville looked at options for gaining additional science, if
possible, on an extension should tomorrow's landing be postponed.
Many discussions are on going relative to prioritizing activities and reviewing
the electricity available from the orbiter to support such experiment work.
Decisions will be made late tonight and early tomorrow morning based on the
updated weather conditions as the landing opportunities approach. The current
forecast calls for a chance of thunderstorms in the KSC area at the time of
landing. In the meantime, landing remains scheduled for a 6:33 a.m. CDT
Friday at the Kennedy Space Center with a backup opportunity one orbit later at
8:06 a.m.
The rest of the day will involve deactivating the STS-56 ATLAS experiments and
disconnecting the electricity stream from the orbiter to the payloads. The
crew will stow equipment taken out during the flight and prepare the cabin for
the return home.
After the Entry Team takes over in Mission Control late tonight, Commander Ken
Cameron, Pilot Steve Oswald and Mission Specialist Ken Cockrell will test all
of the small thruster jets in the nose and tail of the orbiter that are
required for the entry phase of the mission. The moveable surfaces on the
wings and tail were tested yesterday and are ready to support the atmospheric
portion of the flight.
The fifty-fourth Space Shuttle mission continues to go smoothly as Discovery
circles the Earth every ninety minutes at an altitude of 160 nautical miles.
* * *
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
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STS-56 Keplerian Elements/State Vector
STS-56 element set GSFC-023 (orbit 110)
STS-56
1 22621U 93 23 A 93105.06758714 0.00044513 00000-0 12649-3 0 236
2 22621 57.0022 147.2582 0004244 288.7212 71.3404 15.92992150 1108
Satellite: STS-56
Catalog number: 22621
Epoch time: 93105.06758714 (15 APR 93 01:37:19.53 UTC)
Element set: GSFC-023
Inclination: 57.0022 deg
RA of node: 147.2582 deg Space Shuttle Flight STS-56
Eccentricity: 0.0004244 Keplerian Elements
Arg of perigee: 288.7212 deg
Mean anomaly: 71.3404 deg
Mean motion: 15.92992150 rev/day Semi-major Axis: 6672.0472 Km
Decay rate: 0.45E-03 rev/day*2 Apogee Alt: 296.49 Km
Epoch rev: 110 Perigee Alt: 290.83 Km
NOTE - This element set is based on NORAD element set # 023.
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.
R.A. Parise, Goddard Space Flight Center
G.L.CARMAN
STS-56
FLIGHT DAY 7 STATE VECTOR (ACTUAL)
ON ORBIT OPERATIONS
(Posted 04/14/93 by Bruce Williamson)
The following vector for the flight of STS-56 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 seven. The vector
represents the trajectory of Discovery during the coasting phase of the
flight, and should be reasonably valid for the remainder of the flight.
Additional vectors will be posted, if necessary.
Lift off Time : 1993/098/05:28:59.950
Lift off Date : 04/08/93
Vector Time (GMT) : 104/21:28:59.950
Vector Time (MET) : 006/16:00:00.000
Orbit Count : 107
Weight : 220522.0 LBS
Drag Coefficient : 2.00
Drag Area : 2000.0 SQ FT
M50 Elements Keplerian Elements
----------------------- --------------------------
X = -6074447.0 FT A = 3598.6745 NM
Y = -10211393.3 FT E = 0.0004418
Z = 18366861.8 FT I (M50) = 57.11517 DEG
Xdot = 21487.398065 FT/S Wp (M50) = 292.64218 DEG
Ydot = -13467.827958 FT/S RAAN (M50) = 147.37176 DEG
Zdot = -376.268945 FT/S / N (True) = 158.37943 DEG
Anomalies \ M (Mean) = 158.36077 DEG
Ha = 160.27061 NM
Hp = 156.22608 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
POSTED BY JBWMSON AT VMSPFHOU ON VMSPFHOU.VMBOARDS:PAONEWS
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GALILEO STATUS REPORT April 6, 1993
The Galileo Spacecraft is operating normally in the dual-spin mode and is
transmitting coded telemetry at 40 bps (bits/second).
Yesterday, no spacecraft was scheduled. Tracking was schedule over DSS-14
(Goldstone 70 meter antenna) and DSS-63 (Madrid 70 meter antenna).
Today, April 6, 1993, no spacecraft activity is scheduled. Tracking is
scheduled over DSS-14 and DSS-63.
Tomorrow, real-time commands are scheduled to update a system fault
protection parameter. Also, the LGA (Low Gain Antenna) deploy/retract
mini-sequence is scheduled to be uplinked. Tracking is scheduled over DSS-14
and DSS-63.
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Magellan Significant Events for Week Ending 4-9-93
1. The Magellan mission at Venus continues normally, gathering gravity
data which will be correlated to surface topography. Spacecraft performance is
nominal.
2. Magellan has completed 7173 orbits of Venus and is now 46 days from
the end of Cycle 4 and the start of the Transition Experiment.
3. The Project has completed the current phase of office consolidation
to assist in the collocation of the MESUR Project on the 230-2nd floor.
4. Preparations for aerobraking continue to go well. As presently
planned, the Transition Experiment will begin with a 785-second Orbit Trim
Maneuver (OTM) on May 26, 1993 during orbit #7626 at about 10:40 AM PDT. This
will lower the periapsis from 170 km to 147 km above the surface of Venus.
Magellan Significant Events for Next Week
1. No significant activities are expected next week, as preparation
s
for aerobraking continue on schedule.
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STS-56 Hercules images
4/15/93
Several images taken by the crew of Discovery during STS-56 have been
downlinked and released for downloading.
HER01008.GIF
An in cabin crew shot of Mike Foale on the left, and Ken Cockrell on the
right. The sun is coming in the overhead window. The cable on the bottom
right is part of the HERCULES system, connecting the Attitude Processor
to the Inertial Measurement Unit.
HER01037.GIF
Darwin, Australia. 180mm lens, no filter, 1/500th Sec Shutter Speed.
Latitude = 12.4 degrees South, Longitude = 130.9 degrees East.
Orbit 30.
HER01038.GIF
Aral Sea. Taken on 4-10-93 at 3:06:43 GMT, Latitude = 46.05 N,
Longitude = 59.560 E.
HER01039.GIF
River in Himalayan Mountains, 180mm lens, no filter, 1/500th Second Shutter
Speed.
Latitude = 27.8 degrees North, Longitude = 84.2 degrees East.
Orbit 31.
HER03030.GIF
St. Louis, Missouri at night.
Latitude = 38.6 degrees North, Longitude = 90.2 degrees West.
The image was acquired with the image intensifier at 1/60 second
shutter speed and -2/3 exposure compensation.
Orbit 33.
HER03031.GIF
Chicago, Illinois at night.
Latitude = 41.8 degrees North, Longitude = 87.7 degrees West.
The image was acquired with the Image Intensifier at 1/60 second
shutter speed and -2/3 exposure compensation.
Orbit 33.
HER03032.GIF
Chicago, Illinois at night.
Latitude = 41.8 degrees North, Longitude = 87.6 degrees West.
The image was acquired with the Image Intensifier at 1/60 second
shutter speed and -2/3 exposure compensation.
Orbit 33.
HER03033.GIF
Lansing, Michigan at night.
Latitude = 42.7 degrees North, Longitude = 84.5 degrees West.
The image was acquired with the Image Intensifier
at 1/60 second shutter speed and -2/3 exposure compensation.
Orbit 33.
HER03035.GIF
Bonn - East of Langewehe, North of Dure
Latitude = 50.8 degrees North, Longitude = 6.4 degrees East.
A smoke plume. The image was acquired with a 300mm lens without a filter. A
shutter speed of 1/500 second and -2/3 exposure compensation was used. The
ESC was in shutter priority mode.
Orbit 33.
HER03036.GIF
Yugoslavia Coast, point on island off Peljeski Canal
Latitude = 42.9 degrees North, Longitude = 17.2 degrees East.
A target of opportunity. The camera was in shutter priority mode with a
1/500 second shutter speed and -2/3 exposure compensation. A 300mm lens
was used without a filter.
Orbit 33.
HER03037.GIF
Limnos Island, Greece
Latitude = 39.9 degrees North, Longitude = 25.3 degrees East.
Airport can be seen on this island. The camera was in shutter
priority mode with a 1/500 second shutter speed and -2/3 exposure
compensation. A 300mm lens without a filter was used.
Orbit 33.
HER03039.GIF
Southern Turkish coastline along the Mediterranean Sea.
Latitude = 36.2 degrees North, Longitude = 30.4 degrees East.
A 300mm lens without filter was utilized. The camera was
in shutter priorty mode with a 1/500 second shutter speed and -2/3
exposure compensation.
Orbit 33.
HER07020.GIF
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Latitude = 37.86 degrees South, Longitude = 144.87 degrees East
300mm, no filter, f/8
Orbit 46.
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
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