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10-Aug-93 Daily File Collection
These files were added or updated between 09-Aug-93 at 21:00:00 {Central}
and 10-Aug-93 at 21:00:14.
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:930810.REL
8/10/93: COBE BIG BANG DATA MADE AVAILABLE TO SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY
RELEASE: 93-145
Researchers from around the world now have access to data from the NASA
satellite that provided the scientific community with an unprecedented look at
how the universe began.
"There are many theories of the early universe that can be tested with
our data," said Dr. John Mather, Project Scientist for the Cosmic Background
Explorer (COBE) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., which
built and manages the Earth-orbiting observatory.
The first data sets from COBE were delivered the third week in July to
the National Space Science Data Center at Goddard, from which scientists can
access the data over computer networks. More data sets are expected to be
delivered.
In essence, the satellite, launched in November 1989, has peered back in
time to detect the now faint whispers of the Big Bang that is widely believed
to have started the expansion of the universe about 15 billion years ago.
"What we've done is to measure the microwave radiation that comes to us
almost equally from every direction and that is thought to be the primary
remnant of the Big Bang," Mather said.
COBE's first test of the Big Bang theory verified that the spectrum of
the radiation agreed with predictions. The second test discovered the
predicted hot and cold spots in the Big Bang radiation, the telltale sign of
lumpiness in the primordial universe.
As the universe aged, the lumps condensed into the structures -- galaxies
and clusters of galaxies, stars and planets -- that abound today. The space
surrounding the primordial lumps evolved into the giant empty holes or "voids"
found in the present-day arrangement of galaxies.
The same data that can be used to pursue the mission's cosmological
objectives also provide information about the local universe, including the
Earth's own Milky Way galaxy and the solar system.
"The dust, molecules and atoms in the plane of our own galaxy, as well as
stars, are all of great interest to people who are concerned about how stars
and planets are formed and basically, how we got here," Mather said.
"We've measured the pattern of dark and bright spots of the microwave
radiation in the sky, and some theories make specific kinds of predictions
about those spots," he added. "Also, we've measured the spectrum of the
radiation, which is the intensity at every wavelength, and some theories
predict that this might not be exactly the way we see it. So those also can be
tested."
The data, which come from the three instruments aboard COBE, are digital
images of the sky as it appears at infrared and microwave wavelengths. The
data sets available for analysis include full sky maps from the first year of
operation of COBE's Differential Microwave Radiometers (DMR) and data covering
the galactic plane from the Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment (DIRBE) and
the high- frequency channel of the Far Infrared Absolute Spectrophotometer
(FIRAS).
The DIRBE measurements were made in 10 infrared wavelengths ranging from
1.25 to 240 micrometers. The FIRAS high-frequency channel covers the
wavelength range 105 to 500 micrometers.
Data Center One of World's Largest
The facility storing this data - Goddard's National Space Science Data
Center - is one of the largest of its kind in the world. The center is a
clearinghouse for astrophysics and space science data and is linked to similar
facilities around the globe for the sharing and disemination of information.
The center accepts data not only from Goddard, but from other NASA facilities
and outside organizations.
Additional data products are planned for delivery in June 1994, including
full- sky maps for all experiments and all wavelength bands, data from the
second year of the DMR operation and time-ordered data.
In addition, a guest investigator program has been established at the
Cosmology Data Analysis Center near Goddard, where researchers selected by NASA
Headquarters can gain expertise on how to work with the data and perform their
analyses.
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:930810.SHU
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT 8/10/93
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT
Tuesday, August 10, 1993
KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
MISSION: STS-51 -- ACTS-TOS/ORFEUS-SPAS
LAUNCH MINUS 2 DAYS
VEHICLE: Discovery/OV-103 ORBITAL ALTITUDE: 184 miles
LOCATION: Pad 39-B INCLINATION: 28.45 degrees
LAUNCH DATE: August 12, 1993 CREW SIZE: 5
LAUNCH WINDOW: 9:10 - 10:07 a.m. EDT
KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: August 21/22 (7:09 a.m. on the 21st)
MISSION DURATION: 8 days/21 hours/59 minutes (+ 1 day)
The countdown for Discovery's launch continues without problem today. The
pad will be closed for most of today for the loading of the onboard cryogenic
tanks with the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen reactants. These reactants
provide electricity to the orbiter while in space and drinking water for the
crew. The pad was closed to all personnel at about 9:30 a.m. Cryogenic flow
is expected to begin about 11:30 a.m. and last for about 5 hours. Following
this operation the orbiter mid-body umbilical unit will be demated, orbiter
communications activation will start and final vehicle and facility closeouts
will begin.
Tomorrow, preparations will be made to retract the rotating service
structure to launch position at about 11 a.m. Tanking is scheduled to begin at
about 12:30 a.m. Thursday.
The payload bay doors were closed yesterday at 5:30 p.m. following the
completion of all payload bay operations.
Two mid-deck experiments will be installed into the orbiter tomorrow. The
Commercial Protein Crystal Growth (CPCG) experiment will be installed at 9 a.m.
and the Chromosome and Plant Cell Division in Space (CHROMEX) experiment will
be installed begin- ning at about 6 p.m.
Forecasters indicate a 30 percent probability of weather prohibiting
launch with the primary concerns being possible off- shore thunderstorms and a
low cloud ceiling. The winds at the pad are expected to be from the southeast
at 8 to 12 knots; tempera- ture 83 degrees F.; visibility 7 miles; and clouds
scattered to broken at 2,500 and 25,000 feet. The 24-hour and 48-hour delay
forecast reveal similar conditions with 30 percent and 20 percent chance of
violation respectively.
The five-member astronaut crew for this mission arrived at KSC's Shuttle
Landing Facility yesterday at about 2:30 p.m. Today they will be involved with
checking out their mission plans and fit checks of their equipment. They are
scheduled for some free time this afternoon and will be ready for sleep at
about 6:30 p.m. They will be awakened tomorrow at about 2:30 a.m.
SUMMARY OF REMAINING HOLDS AND HOLD TIMES FOR STS-51
T-TIME ------- LENGTH OF HOLD ---- HOLD BEGINS ---- HOLD ENDS
T-19 hours --- 4 hours ----------- 5:30 pm Tues.--- 9:30 pm Tues.
T-11 hours --- 13 hrs.,20 mins. -- 5:30 am Wed.----- 6:50 pm Wed.
T-6 hours ---- 1 hour ---------- 11:50 pm Wed.--- 12:50 am Thurs.
T-3 hours ---- 2 hours --------- 3:50 am Thurs.--- 5:50 am Thurs.
T-20 minutes - 10 minutes ------ 8:30 am Thurs.--- 8:40 am Thurs.
T-9 minutes -- 10 minutes ------ 8:51 am Thurs.--- 9:01 am Thurs.
CREW FOR MISSION STS-51
Commander (CDR): Frank Culbertson
Pilot (PLT): Bill Readdy
Mission Specialist (MS1): Jim Newman
Mission Specialist (MS2): Dan Bursch
Mission Specialist (MS3): Carl Walz
SUMMARY OF STS-51 LAUNCH DAY CREW ACTIVITIES
Thursday, August 12, 1993
4:00 a.m. Wake up
4:30 a.m. Breakfast
5:00 a.m. Weather briefing (CDR, PLT, MS2)
5:00 a.m. Don flight equipment (MS1, MS3)
5:10 a.m. Don flight equipment (CDR, PLT, MS2)
5:40 a.m. Depart for launch pad 39-B
6:10 a.m. Arrive at white room and begin ingress
7:25 a.m. Close crew hatch
9:10 a.m. Launch
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:930810.SKD
DAILY NEWS/TV SKED 8-10-93
Daily News
Tuesday, August 10, 1993
NASA Headquarters Washington, D.C.
Audio Service: 202/358-3014
% STS-51 countdown begins as scheduled;
% New ceramic material developed at LeRC;
% Stennis Space Center to hold dedication ceremony.
The countdown for Discovery's upcoming launch began on schedule yesterday at 9
a.m. at the T-43 hour mark. Technicians have verified the Shuttle power-on
systems, data processing and flight control systems. Workers plan to load the
cryogenic reactants for electric power production and storage today. Tomorrow,
they will retract the rotating service structure and complete external tank
loading operations on Thursday. Completed work includes charging the battery of
the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite, installation of the solid
rocket booster thermal curtains and launch countdown preparations.
This mission's primary objective is deployment of the Advanced Communications
Technology Satellite and the Transfer Orbit Stage. Also, crew members will
deploy and retrieve the Orbiting Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet
Spectrometer-Shuttle Pallet Satellite payload and perform a 6 hour spacewalk to
increase experience and refine training methods. Astronauts Newman and Walz
will work with tools that may be used during the servicing of the Hubble Space
Telescope mission schedule for later this year.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Researchers at the Lewis Research Center have developed a new group of ceramic
processing chemicals that could revolutionize the ceramic industry.
Derived from the base organic compound guanidine, the new processing chemicals
may lead to high purity ceramic products which could withstand temperatures
over 2192 degrees F. (1200 degrees Celsius).
According to Dr. Warren H. Phillip, inventor and Senior Research Chemist in the
Lewis Materials Division, the chemicals will have direct use in the aerospace
industry. Dr. Phillips further stated that the chemicals can be used to form
lightweight, corrosion-resistant ceramic parts leading to more efficient
aircraft engines and rockets. Tthere is a real need for pure ceramics in such
items as electric capacitors, superconductors, semiconductors and thermal
barrier coatings.
The use of the newly developed guanidine compound in commercial ceramics is an
example of technology developed for aerospace applications that can be applied
to non-aerospace uses.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Tomorrow at 3 p.m. EDT, dedication ceremonies for the new High Heat Flux
Facility in support of the National Aero-Space Plane (NASP) program will be
held at the Stennis Space Center.
The High Heat Flux facility will perform high- temperature tests on materials
in support of the National Aero-Space Plane program. These tests will evaluate
the applications of different materials under simulated flight conditions.
This method will reduce project risks and help avoid the high costs involved in
flight testing.
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.
Tuesday, August 10, 1993
Live 9:00 am STS-51 Countdown Briefing.
Live 1:00 pm Magellan Update (JPL).
Wednesday, August 11, 1993
Live 9:00 am STS-51 Countdown Status Briefing.
noon NASA Today.
12:15 pm The Night Sky .
12:30 pm Aero Oddities.
Live 1:00 pm STS-51 Pre-Launch Press Conference.
1:30 pm Earth the Planet.
2:00 pm Launch Box #4.
2:30 pm Life on the Moon.
3:00 pm TQM # 20.
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:930810A.REL
8/10/93: MAGELLAN AEROBRAKING AT VENUS A SUCCESS
Paula Cleggett-Haleim
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
August 10, 1993
Jim Doyle
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
RELEASE: 93-144
Magellan Project officials at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena,
Calif., today announced the successful first-of-a-kind experiment to
"aerobrake" a spacecraft by dipping it into the atmosphere of a planet.
The Magellan spacecraft's orbit was changed from highly elliptical to
nearly circular by dragging it through the top of the thick Venusian atmosphere
repeatedly over a period of 70 days, ending on Aug. 3, 1993.
Magellan was the first orbiting planetary spacecraft to use atmospheric
drag, or aerobraking, to change its orbit. Launched in May 1989, Magellan was
placed in an orbit with a closest approach, or periapsis, of 186 miles (300
kilometers), on Aug. 10, 1990. Its furthest distance from the planet, or
apoapsis, was 5,270 miles (8,500 kilometers).
Starting on May 25, 1993, with carefully controlled rocket firings,
project engineers were able to lower the periapsis to about 87 miles (140
kilometers) which is just skimming the thin upper atmosphere.
The purpose was to reduce the orbital high point, apoapsis, using the
atmospheric drag to slow the spacecraft rather than the limited fuel available
for the small rocket thrusters, which was not enough for the desired change.
Magellan's orbit was successfully modified from a 3-hour, 15-minute
elliptical orbit to a nearly circular 94-minute orbit, about the same as
orbital periods of Space Shuttle flights around Earth.
Additionally, the project was able to gather significant new information
about the planet's atmosphere.
In its new orbit, Magellan is positioned to profile the planet's gravity
at the mid and higher latitudes and the poles to give scientists a better
picture of Venus' interior.
"A historic first for planetary spacecraft has been achieved by
demonstrating the innovative aerobraking technique to change orbits," said
Project Manager Doug Griffith. "The Magellan flight team has done this on a
shoestring budget in the best spirit of cheaper-better-faster."
Project Scientist Steve Saunders said that with the circular orbit, "We
will begin collecting valuable gravity data around the poles for the first
time."
By mapping key areas at the higher latitudes, he said, scientists will be
able to compare gravity anomalies of surface features to understand how those
features are caused by interior processes.
"We will see global patterns that will help us understand the origin of
major surface features such as mountains and plateaus," he said.
Aerobraking in the atmosphere of Venus also provided a better
understanding of planetary atmospheric response to the 11-year sun spot cycle,
said Dr. Gerald Keating, Senior Research Scientist from NASA's Langley Research
Center, Hampton, Va.
"We are learning from Venus about greenhouse heating near the surface and
exceptionally strong cooling of the upper atmosphere, processes which may
affect Earth in the future," Keating said.
During the aerobraking, he said, it was found that aerodynamic heating of
the spacecraft was much less than expected. The Venus atmosphere also was less
disturbed than expected.
"These findings indicate that future spacecraft may be able to safely fly
lower in carbon dioxide atmospheres than previously believed, making
aerobraking a more effective technique and thus, improving the designs of
future Mars and Venus missions," Keating said.
Magellan finished its radar mapping of the surface of Venus on Sept. 14,
1992, returning images of 98 percent of the planet. It subsequently mapped the
gravity of Venus with high resolution in the equatorial band for a full cycle,
which is 1 Venus day or 243 Earth days.
The aerobraking experiment began on May 25. High resolution gravity
mapping of the mid and high latitude regions and the poles will begin Aug. 16
from the near- circular orbit.
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_2_2_46_6.TXT
STS-51 TV SCHEDULE, REV A
***********************************************************************
NASA SELECT TV SCHEDULE
STS-51
7/21/93
REV A
***********************************************************************
NASA Select programming can be accessed through GE Satcom F2R, transponder 13.
The frequency is 3960 MHz with an orbital position of 72 degrees West
Longitude. This is a full transponder service and will be operational 24 hours
a day.
This NASA Select television schedule of mission coverage is available on
Comstore, the mission TV schedule computer bulletin board service. Call
713-483-5817, and follow the prompts to access this service.
Two hour edited programs of each flight day will be replayed for Hawaii and
Alaska on Telstar 301, transponder 9, channel 18. The orbital position is 96
degrees West Longitude, with a frequency of 4060 MHz. Audio is on 6.2 & 6.8
MHz. The programs will begin on launch day and
continue through landing airing 11:01 pm Central Time.
***********************************************************************
--------------------------- THURSDAY, JULY 22 -------------------------
L-2 DAYS
COUNTDOWN STATUS BRIEFING KSC 9:00 AM
----------------------------- FRIDAY, JULY 23 -------------------------
L-1 DAY
COUNTDOWN STATUS BRIEFING KSC 8:00 AM
--------------------------- SATURDAY, JULY 24 -------------------------
FD1
ORBIT SUBJECT SITE MET CDT
----- ------- ---- --- ---
NASA SELECT COVERAGE BEGINS KSC 03:30 AM
LAUNCH KSC 00/00:00 08:27 AM
NASA SELECT ORIGINATION JSC 00/00:04 08:31 AM
SWITCHED TO JSC
MECO 00/00:08 08:35 AM
1 NASA SELECT ORIGINATION KSC 00/00:13 08:40 AM
SWITCHED TO KSC
1 LAUNCH REPLAYS KSC 00/00:13 08:40 AM
(APPROX. 5 MIN. AFTER MECO)
T=30:00
1 NASA SELECT ORIGINATION JSC 00/00:43 09:10 AM
SWITCHED TO JSC
1 NASA SELECT ORIGINATION KSC 00/01:03 09:30 AM
SWITCHED TO KSC
1 POST LAUNCH PRESS CONFERENCE KSC 00/01:03 09:30 AM
2 NASA SELECT ORIGINATION JSC 00/02:03 10:30 AM
SWITCHED TO JSC
3 Ku BAND ANTENNA 00/02:30 10:57 AM
DEPLOY AND ACTIVATION
(not televised)
3 MISSION UPDATE JSC 00/02:33 11:00 AM
3 ACTS/TOS PRE-DEPLOY CHECKOUT TDRE 00/03:00 11:27 AM
T=15:00
3 RMS POWERUP/CHECKOUT TDRE 00/03:35 12:02 PM
T=20:00
4 RMS PAYLOAD BAY SURVEY TDRE 00/04:40 01:07 PM
T=15:00
4 NASA SELECT ORIGINATION KSC 00/05:17 01:44 PM
SWITCHED TO KSC
4 ENGINEERING LAUNCH REPLAYS KSC 00/05:13 01:40 PM
T=30:00
5 NASA SELECT ORIGINATION JSC 00/05:43 02:10 PM
SWITCHED TO JSC
5 ACTS/TOS RAISED TO TDRE 00/05:50 02:17 PM
DEPLOY POSITION
T=35:00
6 Ku BAND CONFIGURE TO RADAR MODE 00/07:15 03:42 PM
(not televised)
6 ACTS/TOS DEPLOY 00/07:58 04:25 PM
(not televised live)
7 Ku BAND CONFIGURE TO COMM MODE 00/08:50 05:17 PM
(not televised)
8 CREW SLEEP 00/11:00 07:27 PM
8 REPLAY OF FD1 ACTIVITIES 00/11:33 08:00 PM
---------------------------- SUNDAY, JULY 25 --------------------------
FD2
13 CREW WAKE UP 00/19:00 03:27 AM
15 SPAS GRAPPLE 00/22:00 06:27 AM
(not televised)
16 SPAS DEPLOY OPERATIONS TDRW/E 00/22:20 06:47 AM
T=25:00
16 SPAS DEPLOY OPERATIONS TDRW/E 00/23:20 07:47 AM
T=85:00
17 SPAS DOOR TEST TDRW 01/01:15 09:42 AM
T=15:00
18 SPAS RELEASE TDRE 01/01:45 10:12 AM
T=15:00
18 MISSION UPDATE JSC 01/02:33 11:00 AM
19 RICS MANUEVERS TDRE 01/03:35 12:02 PM
20 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRW/E 01/04:15 12:42 PM
T=50:00
20 MISSION STATUS/PAYLOAD JSC/KSC 01/04:33 01:00 PM
OPERATIONS BRIEFINGS
21 VTR DUMP OF SPAS TDRW 01/06:23 02:50 PM
DEPLOY OPERATIONS
T=19:00
21 MISSION UPDATE PM JSC 01/06:33 03:00 PM
(Includes Daily Video Highlights)
23 CREW SLEEP 01/10:00 06:27 PM
----------------------------- MONDAY, JULY 26 -------------------------
FD3
29 CREW WAKE UP 01/18:00 02:27 AM
32 P/TV05 MIDDECK ACTIVITIES TDRE/W 01/22:30 06:57 AM
T=17:00
32 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRW 01/23:05 07:32 AM
T=18:00
33 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRE 02/00:05 08:32 AM
T=15:00
34 MISSION UPDATE JSC 02/02:33 11:00 AM
36 MISSION STATUS BRIEFING JSC 02/04:33 01:00 PM
37 MISSION UPDATE PM JSC 02/06:33 03:00 PM
(Includes Daily Video Highlights)
39 CREW SLEEP 02/09:00 05:27 PM
--------------------------- TUESDAY, JULY 27 --------------------------
FD4
44 CREW WAKE UP 02/17:00 01:27 AM
47 EMU CHECKOUT TDRW/E 02/21:00 05:27 AM
T=20:00
47 EMU CHECKOUT TDRW/E 02/22:00 06:27 AM
T=25:00
49 MIDDECK EVA PREP TDRW 03/01:10 09:37 AM
T=10:00
50 MIDDECK EVA PREP TDRW 03/01:45 10:12 AM
T=20:00
50 P/TV05 MIDDECK ACTIVITIES TDRE 03/02:20 10:47 AM
T=20:00
50 MISSION UPDATE JSC 03/02:33 11:00 AM
51 MIDDECK EVA PREP TDRW 03/03:20 11:47 AM
T=20:00
52 MISSION STATUS BRIEFING JSC 03/04:33 01:00 PM
53 MISSION UPDATE PM JSC 03/06:33 03:00 PM
(Includes Daily Video Highlights)
54 CREW SLEEP 03/08:00 04:27 PM
--------------------------- WEDNESDAY, JULY 28 ------------------------
FD5
59 CREW WAKE UP 03/16:00 12:27 AM
62 EVA PREP TDRW 03/19:15 03:42 AM
T=65:00
62 EVA PREP TDRE 03/20:35 05:02 AM
T=20:00
62 AIRLOCK DEPRESS TDRW 03/20:55 05:22 AM
T=15:00
63 AIRLOCK EGRESS TDRE 03/21:10 05:37 AM
T=45:00
64 EVA - HIGH TORQUE, MASS HANDLING TDRW/E 03/22:10 06:37 AM
AND PFR EVALUATIONS
T=85:00
64 EVA TDRW/E 03/22:45 07:12 AM
T=80:00
66 EVA TDRW/E 04/01:20 09:47 AM
T=50:00
66 EVA - PAYLOAD BAY CLEANUP TDRE 04/00:53 09:20 AM
T=10:00
67 AIRLOCK INGRESS 04/03:15 11:42 AM
(MAY NOT BE TELEVISED)
68 MISSION STATUS BRIEFING JSC 04/04:33 01:00 PM
69 MISSION UPDATE JSC 04/06:33 03:00 PM
(Includes Daily Video Highlights)
69 CREW SLEEP 04/07:00 03:27 PM
74 CREW WAKE UP 04/15:00 11:27 PM
---------------------------- THURSDAY, JULY 29 ------------------------
FD6
78 P/TV06 FLIGHT DECK ACTIVITIES TDRW 04/20:45 05:12 AM
T=50:00
82 MISSION UPDATE JSC 05/02:33 11:00 AM
83 MISSION STATUS/PAYLOAD JSC/KSC 05/04:33 01:00 PM
OPERATIONS BRIEFING
85 MISSION UPDATE PM JSC 05/06:33 03:00 PM
(Includes Daily Video Highlights)
85 CREW SLEEP 05/06:40 03:07 PM
90 CREW WAKE UP 05/14:40 11:07 PM
----------------------------- FRIDAY, JULY 30 -------------------------
FD7
93 P/TV05 MIDDECK ACTIVITIES TDRW 05/19:05 03:32 AM
T=15:00
94 P/TV08 APE ACTIVITIES TDRE 05/19:40 04:07 AM
T=20:00
95 P/TV05 MIDDECK ACTIVITIES TDRW 05/21:55 06:22 AM
T=15:00
96 P/TV08 APE ACTIVITIES TDRW 05/23:50 08:17 AM
T=25:00
97 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRE 06/00:30 08:57 AM
T=17:00
97 P/TV06 FLIGHT DECK ACTIVITIES TDRE 06/01:15 09:42 AM
T=5:00
98 P/TV05 MIDDECK ACTIVITIES TDRW 06/01:30 09:57 AM
T=5:00
98 MISSION UPDATE JSC 06/02:33 11:00 AM
100 MISSION STATUS BRIEFING JSC/KSC 06/04:33 01:00 PM
101 MISSION UPDATE PM JSC 06/06:33 03:00 PM
(Includes Daily Video Highlights)
101 CREW SLEEP 06/06:20 02:47 PM
106 CREW WAKE UP 06/14:20 10:47 PM
--------------------------- SATURDAY, JULY 31 -------------------------
FD8
109 RMS POWERUP TDRW 06/19:10 03:37 AM
T=20:00
110 PAYLOAD BAY SURVEY TDRE 06/19:45 04:12 AM
T=15:00
112 SPAS GRAPPLE 06/23:55 08:22 AM
(not televised live)
113 RICS PHOTO SEQUENCE TDRE 07/00:35 09:02 AM
T=50:00
114 SPAS BERTH TDRE 07/02:10 10:37 AM
T=25:00
114 MISSION UPDATE JSC 07/02:33 11:00 AM
115 VTR DUMP OF SPAS RETRIEVAL TDRW 07/03:12 11:39 AM
T=20:00
115 MISSION STATUS/PAYLOAD JSC/KSC 07/04:33 01:00 PM
OPERATIONS BRIEFINGS
116 CREW SLEEP 07/06:00 02:27 PM
117 MISSION UPDATE PM JSC 07/06:33 03:00 PM
(Includes Daily Video Highlights)
112 CREW WAKE UP 07/14:00 10:27 PM
---------------------------- SUNDAY, AUGUST 1 -------------------------
FD9
124 PAYLOAD BAY SURVEY TDRE 07/16:40 01:07 AM
T=35:00
124 RMS POWERDOWN TDRW 07/17:40 02:07 AM
T=20:00
126 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRE 07/20:05 04:32 AM
127 P/TV08 APE ACTIVITIES TDRE 07/21:30 05:57 AM
127 P/TV09 CREW CONFERENCE TDRW 07/22:35 07:02 AM
T=20:00
130 MISSION UPDATE JSC 08/02:33 11:00 AM
130 Ku BAND STOW 08/02:55 11:22 AM
(not televised)
131 MISSION STATUS BRIEFING JSC 08/04:33 01:00 PM
132 CREW SLEEP 08/06:00 02:27 PM
133 MISSION UPDATE PM JSC 08/06:33 03:00 PM
(Includes Daily Video Highlights)
138 CREW WAKE UP 08/14:00 10:27 PM
----------------------------- MONDAY, AUGUST 2 ------------------------
FD10
142 DEORBIT BURN 08/20:59 05:26 AM
(not televised)
143 KSC LANDING KSC 08/21:59 06:26 AM
LANDING REPLAYS KSC TBD TBD
POST LANDING PRESS CONFERENCE KSC TBD TBD
***********************************************************************
DEFINITION OF TERMS
***********************************************************************
ACTS/TOS: ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY SATELLITE/TRANSFER ORBIT STAGE
APE: AURORAL PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIMENT
CDT: CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME
FD: FLIGHT DAY
JSC: JOHNSON SPACE CENTER
KSC: KENNEDY SPACE CENTER
MECO: MAIN ENGINE CUT-OFF
MET: MISSION ELAPSED TIME. THE TIME WHICH BEGINS AT MOMENT OF
LAUNCH AND IS READ: DAYS/HOURS:MINUTES. LAUNCH=00/00:00
ORFEUS/SPAS: ORBITING RETRIEVABLE FAR AND EXTREME ULTRAVIOLET
SPECTROMETER/SHUTTLE PALLET SATELLITE
PFR: PORTABLE FOOT RESTRAINT
P/TV: PHOTOGRAPHIC/TELEVISION ACTIVITY
RICS: REMOTE IMAX CAMERA SYSTEM
RMS: REMOTE MANIPULATION SYSTEM
TBD: TO BE DETERMINED
TDRE,W: TRACKING AND DATA RELAY SATELLITE, EAST AND WEST LONGITUDE
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
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STS-51 WEATHER PREDICTIONS / PREVIOUS DELAY AND LAUNCH INFORMATION
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
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8/10/93: COBE BIG BANG DATA MADE AVAILABLE TO SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY
RELEASE: 93-145
Researchers from around the world now have access to data from the NASA
satellite that provided the scientific community with an unprecedented look at
how the universe began.
"There are many theories of the early universe that can be tested with
our data," said Dr. John Mather, Project Scientist for the Cosmic Background
Explorer (COBE) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., which
built and manages the Earth-orbiting observatory.
The first data sets from COBE were delivered the third week in July to
the National Space Science Data Center at Goddard, from which scientists can
access the data over computer networks. More data sets are expected to be
delivered.
In essence, the satellite, launched in November 1989, has peered back in
time to detect the now faint whispers of the Big Bang that is widely believed
to have started the expansion of the universe about 15 billion years ago.
"What we've done is to measure the microwave radiation that comes to us
almost equally from every direction and that is thought to be the primary
remnant of the Big Bang," Mather said.
COBE's first test of the Big Bang theory verified that the spectrum of
the radiation agreed with predictions. The second test discovered the
predicted hot and cold spots in the Big Bang radiation, the telltale sign of
lumpiness in the primordial universe.
As the universe aged, the lumps condensed into the structures -- galaxies
and clusters of galaxies, stars and planets -- that abound today. The space
surrounding the primordial lumps evolved into the giant empty holes or "voids"
found in the present-day arrangement of galaxies.
The same data that can be used to pursue the mission's cosmological
objectives also provide information about the local universe, including the
Earth's own Milky Way galaxy and the solar system.
"The dust, molecules and atoms in the plane of our own galaxy, as well as
stars, are all of great interest to people who are concerned about how stars
and planets are formed and basically, how we got here," Mather said.
"We've measured the pattern of dark and bright spots of the microwave
radiation in the sky, and some theories make specific kinds of predictions
about those spots," he added. "Also, we've measured the spectrum of the
radiation, which is the intensity at every wavelength, and some theories
predict that this might not be exactly the way we see it. So those also can be
tested."
The data, which come from the three instruments aboard COBE, are digital
images of the sky as it appears at infrared and microwave wavelengths. The
data sets available for analysis include full sky maps from the first year of
operation of COBE's Differential Microwave Radiometers (DMR) and data covering
the galactic plane from the Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment (DIRBE) and
the high- frequency channel of the Far Infrared Absolute Spectrophotometer
(FIRAS).
The DIRBE measurements were made in 10 infrared wavelengths ranging from
1.25 to 240 micrometers. The FIRAS high-frequency channel covers the
wavelength range 105 to 500 micrometers.
Data Center One of World's Largest
The facility storing this data - Goddard's National Space Science Data
Center - is one of the largest of its kind in the world. The center is a
clearinghouse for astrophysics and space science data and is linked to similar
facilities around the globe for the sharing and disemination of information.
The center accepts data not only from Goddard, but from other NASA facilities
and outside organizations.
Additional data products are planned for delivery in June 1994, including
full- sky maps for all experiments and all wavelength bands, data from the
second year of the DMR operation and time-ordered data.
In addition, a guest investigator program has been established at the
Cosmology Data Analysis Center near Goddard, where researchers selected by NASA
Headquarters can gain expertise on how to work with the data and perform their
analyses.
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
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MAGELLAN AEROBRAKING AT VENUS A SUCCESS
Paula Cleggett-Haleim
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
August 10, 1993
Jim Doyle
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
RELEASE: 93-144
Magellan Project officials at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena,
Calif., today announced the successful first-of-a-kind experiment to
"aerobrake" a spacecraft by dipping it into the atmosphere of a planet.
The Magellan spacecraft's orbit was changed from highly elliptical to
nearly circular by dragging it through the top of the thick Venusian atmosphere
repeatedly over a period of 70 days, ending on Aug. 3, 1993.
Magellan was the first orbiting planetary spacecraft to use atmospheric
drag, or aerobraking, to change its orbit. Launched in May 1989, Magellan was
placed in an orbit with a closest approach, or periapsis, of 186 miles (300
kilometers), on Aug. 10, 1990. Its furthest distance from the planet, or
apoapsis, was 5,270 miles (8,500 kilometers).
Starting on May 25, 1993, with carefully controlled rocket firings,
project engineers were able to lower the periapsis to about 87 miles (140
kilometers) which is just skimming the thin upper atmosphere.
The purpose was to reduce the orbital high point, apoapsis, using the
atmospheric drag to slow the spacecraft rather than the limited fuel available
for the small rocket thrusters, which was not enough for the desired change.
Magellan's orbit was successfully modified from a 3-hour, 15-minute
elliptical orbit to a nearly circular 94-minute orbit, about the same as
orbital periods of Space Shuttle flights around Earth.
Additionally, the project was able to gather significant new information
about the planet's atmosphere.
In its new orbit, Magellan is positioned to profile the planet's gravity
at the mid and higher latitudes and the poles to give scientists a better
picture of Venus' interior.
"A historic first for planetary spacecraft has been achieved by
demonstrating the innovative aerobraking technique to change orbits," said
Project Manager Doug Griffith. "The Magellan flight team has done this on a
shoestring budget in the best spirit of cheaper-better-faster."
Project Scientist Steve Saunders said that with the circular orbit, "We
will begin collecting valuable gravity data around the poles for the first
time."
By mapping key areas at the higher latitudes, he said, scientists will be
able to compare gravity anomalies of surface features to understand how those
features are caused by interior processes.
"We will see global patterns that will help us understand the origin of
major surface features such as mountains and plateaus," he said.
Aerobraking in the atmosphere of Venus also provided a better
understanding of planetary atmospheric response to the 11-year sun spot cycle,
said Dr. Gerald Keating, Senior Research Scientist from NASA's Langley Research
Center, Hampton, Va.
"We are learning from Venus about greenhouse heating near the surface and
exceptionally strong cooling of the upper atmosphere, processes which may
affect Earth in the future," Keating said.
During the aerobraking, he said, it was found that aerodynamic heating of
the spacecraft was much less than expected. The Venus atmosphere also was less
disturbed than expected.
"These findings indicate that future spacecraft may be able to safely fly
lower in carbon dioxide atmospheres than previously believed, making
aerobraking a more effective technique and thus, improving the designs of
future Mars and Venus missions," Keating said.
Magellan finished its radar mapping of the surface of Venus on Sept. 14,
1992, returning images of 98 percent of the planet. It subsequently mapped the
gravity of Venus with high resolution in the equatorial band for a full cycle,
which is 1 Venus day or 243 Earth days.
The aerobraking experiment began on May 25. High resolution gravity
mapping of the mid and high latitude regions and the poles will begin Aug. 16
from the near- circular orbit.
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
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