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"920915.DFC" (78293 bytes) was created on 09-15-92
15-Sep-92 Daily File Collection
These files were added or updated between 14-Sep-92 at 21:00:00 {Central}
and 15-Sep-92 at 21:00:41.
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:920915.REL
9/15/92: NASA-DEVELOPED 'TELEPRESENCE' KEY TO ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION
Drucella Andersen
Headquarters, Washington, D.C. September 15, 1992
Michael Mewhinney
Ames Research Center, Mountain View, Calif.
RELEASE: 92-147
NASA scientists will use "telepresence" technology in the Antarctic
this fall to see if life that existed millions of years ago on Earth can
provide clues about organisms that once may have lived on Mars.
A 5-member research team will travel to Antarctica in October to study
sediment on the bottom of ice-covered Lake Hoare on Ross Island. They will
examine the physical and biological nature of the lake, including its
temperature, chemical composition and the gas content of the water. The key
research tool will be a mini-submarine mounting a camera that researchers will
control with a video headset.
"Antarctica is the most Mars-like environment on Earth," said Dr. Carol
Stoker, a scientist and expedition member from NASA's Ames Research Center,
Mountain View, Calif. "We're taking this technology to a hostile environment to
conduct research that has direct applications to NASA's goal of exploring
Mars."
The team also plans to continue studies of ice-covered lakes started
earlier this year during a joint NASA-Russian expedition in the Bunger Hills
Oasis of Eastern Antarctica. That study was part of Ames' research into
microbes living in extreme environments.
The telepresence technology relies on a video headset that lets
researchers use head movements to point the camera on the underwater vehicle.
Team members will steer the vehicle by remote control with joysticks or body
motion.
"There are lots of work going on in the Silicon Valley using
telepresence in various engineering applications," Stoker said. "But we are the
only ones using this technology for field science."
The 2-month expedition is a joint NASA-National Science Foundation
project. Team leader is Dr. Robert Wharton, a scientist from the Desert
Research Institute at the University of Nevada. Other team members are Dr.
Scott Tyler of the Desert Research Institute and Ames researchers Stoker, Dale
Andersen and Don Barch.
The Telepresence-Controlled Remotely Operated Vehicle was built by Deep
Ocean Engineering Inc., San Leandro, Calif.
-end-
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:920915.SHU
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS 9/15/92
KSC SHUTTLE STATUS REPORT - TUESDAY, SEPT. 15, 1992 10 AM
STS-47/SPACELAB J - ENDEAVOUR (105) - ON-ORBIT
At Hangar AF, blasts of high power water are stripping the
exterior cork and thermal protective foam away from the boosters
aft skirts. Both boosters will be disassembled and shipped back
to the respective vendors for refurbishment.
Mobile launcher platform No. 2 will be moved from the pad to
the refurbishment site tomorrow.
Endeavour is scheduled to land on Saturday at Kennedy Space
Center's Shuttle Landing Facility at 6:59 a.m. EDT.
STS-52/LAGEOS - COLUMBIA (OV 102) - OPF BAY 1
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Cleaning of the payload bay.
- Close outs of the vehicle.
- Tests of the hydraulic system.
- Preparations to replace 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 Saturday. Columbia will be bolted to the
external tank and boosters.
STS-53/DoD - DISCOVERY (OV 103) - OPF BAY 3
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Preparations to remove the left orbital maneuvering system pod
for repairs of an oxidizer isolation valve. The pod will be
transferred to the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility where repairs
will be made.
- Leak and functional tests of the ammonia system.
- Servicing of freon coolant loop No. 1.
- Servicing of the potable water.
- Replacement of a regulator for a water spray boiler.
MODIFICATION PERIOD - ATLANTIS (OV 104) - OPF BAY 2
WORK IN PROGRESS:
- Installing the forward reaction control simulator.
- Preparations to deservice the freon cooling system.
- Removal of various components.
WORK SCHEDULED:
- Ship Atlantis to the Rockwell International facility in
Palmdale, Calif. in mid October for 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 aft center booster segment to the right
booster.
- Transfer the right forward center segment to the VAB.
# # # #
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:920915.SKD
DAILY NEWS/TV SKED 9/15/92
Daily News
Tuesday, September 15, 1992 24-hour audio service at 202/755-1788
% Endeavour and Spacelab continue to provide flawless performance;
% STS-47 crew presses on with materials, life science experiments;
% Mission control technicians left in dark as power glitch affects Houston;
% Mae Jemison to speak to Chicago-area students tomorrow at 7:56 pm EDT.
% Columbia set for move to assembly building as STS-52 preparations continue;
% Administrator Goldin names Deidre Lee to deputy procurement position;
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Endeavour and the Spacelab module continue to provide the crew of STS-47 with
flawless performance. The crew has accumulated enough surplus power since the
mission began for flight controllers to add an additional on- orbit day, should
mission managers decide to do so. That management decision will likely be made
in the next day or so.
Experiments underway in the Spacelab include a variety of materials
investigations using both the Continuous Heating Furnace and the Image Furnace
as well as acoustic levitation experiments using the Liquid Drop Facility. The
Life Science investigations continue with half of the fertilized frog eggs
having been placed in the centrifuge and the other half remaining in
microgravity. Some of the frog embryos were fixed with formaldehyde so
investigators can examine the development of the embryos at various stages.
The Spacelab-J crew also continued their investigations into the effects of
microgravity on the human body with mission specialists Jan Davis and Mae
Jemison both wearing electrocardiographs as they took part in the Lower Body
Negative Pressure tests.
Other activity by the Endeavour crew included participation in a CBS Radio
program by Jay Apt during which the crewman answered phoned-in questions. Apt
also reported receiving nearly two thousand amateur radio contacts during
yesterday's Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment.
Flight controllers at the Mission Control Center in Houston yesterday afternoon
were left in the dark for about six minutes during a changeover from
diesel-powered generators to the regularly-supplied power from Houston Lighting
and Power. The fault was determined to lie with a changeover switch. The
control center had previously switched to generator power while thunderstorms
raged through the Clear Lake area. The power loss did not cause any data loss
to the mission operations computers nor to the payload controllers in
Huntsville, who were still in contact with the Endeavour crew. The faulty
electrical switch is being fixed.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Tomorrow, Endeavour astronaut Mae Jemison will speak with students from
Chicago-area schools in a televised interactive program broadcast from the
shuttle. The program, which will begin at 7:56 pm EDT, was developed through a
collaboration between NASA, the Chicago Board of Education and Chicago
television station WGN. The students will be assembled at Chicago's Museum of
Science and Industry; WGN will provide broadcast links between Chicago and the
Johnson Space Center. WGN will also provide other broadcasters a pool feed of
the event.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Preparations for the next shuttle flight are proceeding on schedule at the
Kennedy Space Center as technicians get Columbia ready for its move to the
Vehicle Assembly Building from the Orbiter Processing Facility later this week.
Columbia is tentatively set for a launch in mid-October to deploy a variety of
scientific payloads.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin yesterday named Deidre A. Lee as the Deputy
Assistant Administrator for Procurement. Lee has been serving as the Executive
Officer to the Acting Deputy Administrator, Aaron Cohen. Lee joined NASA in
1984 and has served in a variety of procurement positions including chief of
space shuttle procurement at the Johnson Space Center. Administrator Goldin
said "we are very fortunate to have a person with Lee's considerable experience
to fill this position at a time when we are undertaking major procurement
reforms."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
NASA is again providing supplementary television coverage for the duration of
the STS-47 mission. The mission is being covered in its entirety on the
regular NASA Select television transponder. In addition, two-hour daily
summaries of mission activity and project briefings are being transmitted on
the Spacenet 1 satellite from midnight Eastern Daylight Time through 2:00 am,
except for Friday, Sept. 7, when the transmission begins at 3:00 am EDT. The
summaries are transmitted on Spacenet to provide additional satellite coverage
to residents and organizations located in Alaska, Hawaii and portions of the
Pacific NorthwestPall of which lie at the fringe or beyond the footprint of
NASA Select's Satcom F2R satellite. Spacenet 1 is located at 120 degrees West
Longitude. The NASA transmissions will be on transponder 17L (4060 MHz). Users
of 24Pchannel satellite receivers should set their receiver to Channel 18.
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.
Tuesday, September 15, 1992
Live 2:00 pm Today in Space program from MSFC.
Live 3:00 pm Mission Status briefing from JSC and MSFC.
Live 4:53 pm CNN Interview with mission commander Robert Gibson.
8:30 pm Replay of Today in Space.
9:00 pm Flight Day 4 highlights.
Wednesday, September 16, 1992
Live 7:33 am Conversation with Japanese youth.
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.
Live 7:56 pm Chicago-area students conversation with Mae Jemison.
9:00 pm Flight Day 5 highlights.
Thursday, September 17, 1992
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.
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.
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:920915A.REL
9/15/92: NASA RESEARCH PLANE TO ASSESS HURRICANE INIKI DAMAGE
HQ 92-149/HURRICANE INIKI DAMAGE
David Garrett September 15, 1992
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
Donald James
Ames Research Center, Mountain view, Calif.
RELEASE: 92-149
Mountain View, Calif. -- A NASA Ames Research ER-2 aircraft will take
high altitude aerial images of the Hawaiian Islands to help officials determine
the full extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Iniki.
"The State of Hawaii has an urgent need for high quality, high altitude
aerial photography...to assist us in our planning and recovery operations in
the aftermath of Hurricane Iniki," the Director of Hawaii's Office of State
Planning, Harold Masumoto, stated in a letter Monday to Ames' High Altitude
Missions Branch Chief John Arvesen.
The ER-2 will take off from Ames at about 6:30 a.m. PDT Wednesday,
Sept. 16, flying to Hawaii to take the photographs, then land at Barber's Point
Naval Air Station on Oahu. The aircraft will remain in the islands for about a
week, Arvesen said.
The ER-2 will take black and white, color, color infrared and digital
images (using a thematic mapper simulator camera). The black and white film
will be processed and analyzed in Hawaii. The other images immediately will be
flown back to the mainland for processing at Ames.
The ER-2 is the modern successor to the 1950s vintage U-2. It is
considered an exceptionally versatile research aircraft and well- suited for
multiple mission work. Flying at 68,000 feet, the ER-2 operates above 95
percent of the Earth's atmosphere. At altitudes in that range, data gathered
by the aircraft's sensors are similar to that gathered by space-based
satellites.
Hurricane Andrew
NASA provided similar support to the State of Florida after Hurricane
Andrew.
A Learjet from NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, equipped
with a variety of sensors and cameras, gathered data in the South
Miami-Homestead area on urban, suburban, farm and natural resource damage.
This data enabled disaster officials to get a far- more-accurate picture of
damage than they had obtained by on-the- ground inspections.
Achieving this degree of accuracy enabled the Governor's office to make
a realistic cost estimate of the damage to present to the state legislature and
to congressional committees in Washington.
The Stennis center also obtained pre-Andrew aerial photographs of the
area from a commercial aerial photography firm. They will be used in
conjunction with data from the Learjet mission to plan reconstruction and
rehabilitation of natural resources.
- end -
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:920915B.REL
9/15/92: NASA SPACECRAFT BEGINS GRAVITY MAPPING OF VENUS
HQ 92-148/magellan gravity mapping
Michael Braukus
Headquarters, Washington, D.C. September 15, 1992
Jim Doyle
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
RELEASE: 92-148
The Magellan spacecraft's orbit at its closest approach to Venus was
lowered Monday and today it began a full 243- day cycle of gravity mapping,
project officials at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., said.
Magellan has now completed three cycles of mapping with its radar,
covering 99 percent of the surface of Venus. Monday, controllers ordered a
1-hour orbit adjustment burn to lower its periapsis -- closest approach to the
planet -- altitude from 160 miles (258 kilometers) to 113 miles (182
kilometers).
"That will help us obtain the best possible resolution in the equatorial
latitude gravity map," Project Manager Doug Griffith said.
The objective of cycle 4, which extends to May 15, 1993, is to obtain a
global map of the Venus gravity field from the elliptical orbit. The orbit
apoapsis, or furthest point from the planet, remains the same, 5,296 miles
(8,543 kilometers).
During this fourth cycle, variations in the gravitational pull experienced
by the spacecraft are being recorded by carefully tracking the Doppler shift of
a radio signal that Magellan will constantly beam to the Deep Space Network
tracking stations.
When Magellan passes over a dense region of Venus' interior, for example,
the spacecraft accelerates in its orbit and the location of the denser region
is mapped.
Over the course of the 243-day cycle, one rotation of Venus, variations in
the planet's density will be mapped at a resolution much higher than achieved
by previous missions.
Looking at the interior with gravity observations is expected to provide
an improved understanding of the forces of tectonics and volcanism that shape
the planet.
Magellan is managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of
Space Science and Applications, Washington, D.C.
- end -
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_2_2_39_12_15.TXT
SL-J Mission Status Report #05
6:00 p.m. CDT, September 14, 1992
01/08:40 MET
Spacelab Mission Operations Control
Marshall Space Flight Center
Huntsville, Alabama
As the third day of the Spacelab-J mission got under way, Mission
Specialist Mark Lee and Payload Specialist Mamoru Mohri entered the
23-foot-long Spacelab module to begin another day of life and
materials science research.
Mohri began his shift by activating the Image Furnace, which
supports experiments in crystal growth using the float-zone method
of heating. Principal investigator Dr. Souhachi Iwai and
co-investigator Dr. Yasaburo Segawa of the Institute of Physical
and Chemical Research are hoping to produce a high-quality single
crystal which can be widely used in electronic applications
requiring infrared sensitivity. After a sample of
lead-tin-tellurium was placed into the furnace, a melt zone was
established, with Mohri adjusting the power of the lamp inside.
Once the proper melt had been established, the furnace
automatically controlled the experiment procedures, moving two
mirrors and two halogen lamps slowly over the the sample. Toward
the end of the sample processing, an error code, indicating some
resistance in the mechanism that moves the lamps and mirrors over
the sample, appeared on data being downlinked to the science team
on the ground. Scientists and engineers at the Spacelab Mission
Operations Control center in Huntsville, Ala., decided to have
Mohri deactivate the Image Furnace and allow four hours for it to
cool down before removing the processed crystal and inserting
another sample.
Lee activated the small cell of the Organic Crystal Growth
Experiment Facility (OCF) and began the growth process of a single,
large metal crystal. Organic metals are organic compounds that
have metal atoms or ions bound to them, allowing them to conduct
electricity. A 35 mm camera, attached to a viewport in the OCF
cell, automatically took pictures of the growing crystal inside.
Upon deactivation of the small cell, Lee reported that the sample
did not appear to have reached the anticipated state of
crystallization. The science team, gathered at the Spacelab
Mission Operations Control center will make a decision concerning
the option of processing a second sample of this metal crystal
later in the mission. Principal investigator Dr. Hiroyuki Anzai of
the National Electrotechnical Laboratory is interested in this
experiment because it may discover new phenomena and will
contribute to the development of organic metals and crystal growth
in general.
Lee also conducted life science research today as he monitored the
activities of the carp while they were exposed to light
stimulations. This experiment is a neurophysiological study to
determine the extent of the conflict between the signals being sent
to the brain from the eyes and inner ear. Since many people suffer
from what is called Space Adaptation Syndrome for the first day or
two after launch, scientists such as principal investigator Dr.
Shigeo Mori of Nagoya University will analyze the data collected
during this mission to understand more about the causes of this
space-related condition.
Lee pulled out the General Purpose Workstation for his work with
the Frog Embryology Experiment. His activities today involved
preserving fertilized frog eggs that have been developing for the
past 14 hours. Two samples from eggs located in the centrifuge,
providing a gravity-type evironment, and two samples of eggs
developing in the weightlessness of space were preserved. This
will provide principal investigator Dr. Kenneth Souza of NASA's
Ames Research Center with data showing the developmental stages of
amphibian eggs which have been harvested, fertilized and grown in
space.
To better understand the effects of microgravity on cell structure
and function, Mohri examined two types of cell cultures. One type
of culture was hybridoma cells. These cells are like cancer cells
in that they reproduce rapidly; however, hybridoma have a disease
fighting capability. The second type of culture that Mohri worked
with was surface tissue from monkey kidney cells. Bovine serum was
added to provide nutrients for the cells. Dr. Atsushige Sato of
the Tokyo Medical and Dental University will use electron
microscopes and chemical analysis to observe the skeletal
structures, cell division and productivity of these cultures after
they are returned to Earth.
During the next 12-hour shift, Mission Specialist Jan Davis will
spend approximately five hours with an experiment to separate
animal cells, cellular organella and biogenic materials by a means
of electrophoresis. Science Mission Specialist Mae Jemison will
examine the behavior of liquid drops in an acoustic field. Jemison
also will preserve the stage of growth for some of the fertilized
frog eggs, as well as observe the behavior of tadpoles, hatched
prior to launch, as they swim in space.
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_2_2_39_12_16.TXT
MISSION CONTROL CENTER
STS-47 Status Report #9
Monday, September 14, 1992, 11:30 p.m. CDT
The Space Shuttle Endeavour continues to perform almost flawlessly with no
systems problems being tracked by flight controllers in the Mission Control
Center.
The Blue Team -- Jay Apt, Jan Davis and Mae Jemison -- continues to make
excellent progress on the materials processing, human physiology and cell
development experiments in the Spacelab-J module.
Shortly after Orbit 3 flight controllers took over, a power outage shut down
all displays in the control center. Communications between Mission Control and
Endeavour were temporarily lost, but the Payload Operations Control Center at
the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., remained in contact with
the crew. The outage lasted from 4:50 p.m. CDT to 4:56 p.m. CDT. While
flight controllers were in the dark, the Mission Operations Computer Center did
not lose power and there was no loss of data to the POCC. The cause of the
outage was traced to a faulty switch in the building that supplies power to the
MCC. The MCC had been using diesel generator power as a precaution while
thunderstorms were in the Houston area. When technicians attempted to switch
back to commercial power, the faulty switch malfunctioned, causing the outage.
All MCC systems have been restored to normal and are using commercial power.
The Red Team -- Hoot Gibson, Curt Brown, Mark Lee and Mamoru Mohri -- is in its
sleep shift, and is scheduled to awaken about 5 a.m. CDT. Handover from the
Blue to Red Team will occur about 6:30 a.m.
Earlier in the day, Gibson and Brown installed a prefilter between the humidity
separators and the heat exchangers in the floor underneath the middeck as part
of a Development Test Objective. The prefilter is designed to keep clogs from
entering the humidty separators and causing leaks. The water passing through
the filter appeared to be moving freely through a central tube, but was not
passing through an aluminum mesh material surrounding the tube as designed.
The Red Team closed the access to the prefilter before beginning its sleep
shift, and will reexamine the prefilter on its next work shift.
Flight controllers today accumulated enough surplus power and breathing air to
add one extra day to the STS-47 mission should the science team request more
time. Flight managers will not make a final decision on a possible extension
until Tuesday or Wednesday.
Endeavour remains in a near-circular 165 by 163 nautical mile orbit in an
attitude that minimizes the number of thruster firings so as not to disturb
sensitive experiments in the Spacelab module.
* * *
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_2_2_39_12_17.TXT
SL-J Mission Status Report #06
6:00 a.m. CDT, September 15, 1992
02/20:40 MET
Spacelab Mission Operations Control
Marshall Space Flight Center
Huntsville, Alabama
NASA and Japan's Space Agency NASDA continued their first joint
venture in low-gravity research, Spacelab-J, as Blue Team Mission
Specialist Dr. Jan Davis and Science Mission Specialist Dr. Mae
Jemison conducted science experiments in the pressurized Spacelab
module carried in Space Shuttle Endeavour's cargo bay.
As the Space Shuttle free-falls around Earth, a low-gravity, or
microgravity, environment is created. Science performed in
Spacelab may reveal underlying physics phenomena and allow the
processing of materials free from the effects of gravity, such as
settling and thermal driven convection. Full-time materials and
life sciences research are to be conducted later this decade
aboard Space Station Freedom by the U.S. and Japan, along with
their other international partners: Canada and the European Space
Agency.
Davis got an early start on her day as she talked with students on
the ground in Huntsville, Ala., part of the Shuttle Amateur Radio
Experiment, a project to permit radio contact between the Space
Shuttle crew and ham radio operators. Two of the youngsters are
licensed amateur radio operators. Blue Team crew member Dr. Jay
Apt reported that, so far, he has talked with 1,845 amateur
shortwave radio operators around the world.
Davis took step-by-step instructions from ground controllers at
Marshall Center's Spacelab Mission Operations Control as she
processed biological materials by electrophoresis. Free-flow
electrophoresis is a method of separating mixtures of biological
materials with different charges into individual components, using
an electrical field. Certain proteins and cellular components can
be difficult to separate on Earth due the effects of gravity,
because convection currents and sedimentation can remix
components. Highly-purified products produced by electrophoresis
may contribute to the development of pharmaceuticals and
biomedical research. Samples processed by Davis included
Salmonella bacteria and a variety of mixed proteins that will be
returned to Earth for futher study.
Jemison conducted an experiment to deploy a drop of mineral oil
and levitate it by sound waves in the Liquid Drop Facility, a box
with speakers positioned to focus sound waves strong enough to
position liquid drops. The goal is to learn more about the
behavior of liquids in an acoustic field to aid in the development
of "containerless" processing. When materials are processed on
Earth, gravity can cause ingredients to settle and touch the
surface of containers, which may introduce impurities. Processing
materials while levitated may lead to purer compounds. Although
the experiments were not completely successful, co-investigator
Dr. Heihachiro Kamimura of Japan's National Aerospace Laboratory
thanked Jemison for her hard work and assured her that some
results were obtained that are not possible on Earth.
In the field of life science research, Jemison rotated chicken
eggs that are being flown to further knowledge of embryonic
development in space, especially on the bones and muscles. This
experiment may provide insight into why bones become weaker and
lose calcium during stays in low gravity. The eggs are rotated
during each crew shift to simulate the action of hens on Earth.
Continuing her work with the Frog Embryology Experiment (FEE),
Jemison applied a formaldehyde mixture to stop the growth of
certain egg specimens fertilized earlier in the mission,
preserving them for post-flight study. This process, called
fixation, will be performed at certain cell development stages
throughout the mission. Additionally, Jemison gave the FEE
research team, stationed in the Science Operations Area of
Spacelab Mission Operations Control, a close look at tadpoles
hatched from eggs fertilized in the laboratory shortly before
launch. These tadpoles are developing the otolith, an inner ear
balance system. Scientists hope to learn more about the role that
gravity plays in the development of amphibian life and the
otolith's role in spatial orientation.
Davis and Jemison concluded data collection in an experiment
designed by Dr. Patricia Cowings of NASA's Ames Research Center
which examines the effectiveness of using biofeedback to
counteract the symptoms of Space Motion Sickness. During space
flight, some crew members experience disorientation and
discomfort. Dr. Cowings and her team are developing feedback
training procedures to teach astronauts to gain control over body
responses such as heart rate and respiration to enable them to
control such sickness without drugs. After completing this third
day of diagnostic measurements, the monitoring equipment was
stowed.
Red Team members Mission Specialist Mark Lee and Payload
Specialist Mamoru Mohri will be monitoring the growth of crystals
in the Image Furnace and in the Organic Crystal Facility, as well
as checking on carp being flown to learn more about the inner
ear's relation to orientation.
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_2_2_39_12_18.TXT
MISSION CONTROL CENTER
STS-47 Status Report #10
Tuesday, September 15, 1992, 6:30 a.m. CDT
Endeavour's crew sailed into its fourth day in space with no problems aboard
the Shuttle or the Spacelab module cradled in the payload bay.
Working 24 hours on two shifts called the Blue and Red Teams, the crew devoted
its full attention to experiment data gathering from instruments located on the
orbiter's middeck and in the Spacelab.
Mission Specialist Jay Apt took time out of his schedule to take part in a CBS
Radio interview answering questions ranging from international cooperation in
space to differences between Earth observations on his previous Shuttle mission
in April 1991 and this one.
Apt also showed some videotape of Earth views he shot as Endeavour flew high
above the African continent and reported receiving more than 1,800 contacts --
both voice and computer -- using the onboard ham radio equipment.
The Red Team lead by Commander Hoot Gibson woke up about 5 a.m. and was
scheduled to take over for the Blue Team about 6:30 a.m..
Endeavour remains in a near-circular 165 by 163 nautical mile orbit circling
the Earth every 90 minutes in an attitude that minimizes the number of thruster
firings so as not to disturb sensitive experiments in the Spacelab module.
###
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_2_2_39_12_19.TXT
MISSION CONTROL CENTER
STS-47 Status Report #11
Tuesday, September 15, 1992, 4:30 p.m. CDT
The Space Shuttle Endeavour today passed the mid-way point in its mission
carrying the Spacelab-J on-orbit laboratory.
The Red Team--Hoot Gibson, Curt Brown, Mark Lee and Mamoru Mohri--will complete
their fourth working day in space with a hand over to the Blue Team--Jay Apt,
Jan Davis and Mae Jemison--about 6 p.m. CDT. Blue Team members wake up about 5
p.m. CDT.
Gibson and Brown have made scheduled observations and photography of the
mid-deck experiment called ISAIAH, the Israeli Space Agency Investigation About
Hornets. The ISAIAH experiment studies the effects of weightlessness on combs
built by oriental hornets. From information gathered so far, investigators
report the hornets are in good health and moving around in the nest-building
material, but are not conducting their typical organized nest-building
activity.
Experimenters have noted some condensation building up in the lower hornet
compartment. In an attempt to remove the excess moisture, at about 5 p.m.
CDT, Gibson and Brown will hook up a fan from one of the crew launch/entry
partial pressure suits to the air inlet at the front of the ISAIAH enclosure.
Engineers believe this procedure will increase the air volume going through the
hornet enclosure. The oriental hornets are accustomed to a warm, dry
environment and excessive humidity can be harmful to their health. If this
plan works as expected, Gibson and Brown may need to repeat the procedure at
two-day intervals for the remainder of the mission.
Endeavour remains in good health, with no significant problems being tracked by
the flight control team. Inside Endeavour's crew cabin and laboratory, the
STS-47 crew circles Earth every 90 minutes in an orbit of 163 x 166 nautical
miles.
- end -
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
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=--=--=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. The
second 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_4.TXT
STS-47 element set GSFC-012 (orbit 49)
STS-47
1 22120U 92 61 A 92259.61569380 0.00076435 00000-0 25599-3 0 124
2 22120 56.9971 93.6720 0008801 289.1809 70.8314 15.89530661 497
Satellite: STS-47
Catalog number: 22120
Epoch time: 92259.61569380 (15 SEP 92 14:46:35.95 UTC)
Element set: GSFC-012
Inclination: 56.9971 deg
RA of node: 93.6720 deg Space Shuttle Flight STS-47
Eccentricity: 0.0008801 Keplerian Elements
Arg of perigee: 289.1809 deg
Mean anomaly: 70.8314 deg
Mean motion: 15.89530661 rev/day Semi-major Axis: 6681.7300 Km
Decay rate: 0.76E-03 rev/day*2 Apogee Alt: 309.22 Km
Epoch rev: 49 Perigee Alt: 297.46 Km
NOTE - This element set is based on NORAD element set # 012.
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.
G.L.CARMAN
STS-47 FLIGHT DAY 1 STATE VECTOR
STS-47
FLIGHT DAY 1 STATE VECTOR
ON ORBIT OPERATIONS
(Posted 09/12/92 by Roger Simpson)
***NOTICE***THIS VECTOR WILL BE UPDATED MONDAY, 9/14/92***NOTICE***
The following vector for the flight of STS-47 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
one. The vector represents the trajectory of Endeavour during on
orbit operations, after the OMS-2 maneuver. Questions regarding
these postings may be addressed to Roger Simpson, Mail Code DM4, L.
B. J. Space Center, Houston, Texas 77058, Telephone (713) 483-1928.
Lift off Time : 1992/256/14:22:59.974
Lift off Date : 09/12/92
Vector Time (GMT) : 257/00:52:59.970
Vector Time (MET) : 000/10:30:00.000
Orbit Count : 7
Weight : 232265.0 LBS
Drag Coefficient : 2.00
Drag Area : 2751.0 SQ FT
M50 Elements Keplerian Elements
----------------------- --------------------------
X = -5477293.5 FT A = 3611.8347 NM
Y = 21227827.5 FT E = 0.0009500
Z = -302864.1 FT I (M50) = 57.24985 DEG
Xdot = -13353.201626 FT/S Wp (M50) = 4.46876 DEG
Ydot = -3143.647472 FT/S RAAN (M50) = 104.97727 DEG
Zdot = 21317.573316 FT/S / N (True) = 354.59015 DEG
Anomalies \ M (Mean) = 354.60040 DEG
Ha = 165.76600 NM
Hp = 164.40900 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
STS-47
FLIGHT DAY 3 STATE VECTOR
ON ORBIT OPERATIONS
(Posted 09/14/92 by Roger Simpson)
The following vector for the flight of STS-47 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
three. The vector represents the trajectory of Endeavour during on
orbit operations. Questions regarding these postings may be
addressed to Roger Simpson, Mail Code DM4, L. B. J. Space Center,
Houston, Texas 77058, Telephone (713) 483-1928.
Lift off Time : 1992/256/14:22:59.974
Lift off Date : 09/12/92
Vector Time (GMT) : 258/14:22:59.970
Vector Time (MET) : 002/00:00:00.000
Orbit Count : 32
Weight : 231638.0 LBS
Drag Coefficient : 2.00
Drag Area : 2751.0 SQ FT
M50 Elements Keplerian Elements
----------------------- --------------------------
X = 8371563.3 FT A = 3606.2414 NM
Y = 12929247.8 FT E = 0.0004490
Z = -15598398.4 FT I (M50) = 57.22649 DEG
Xdot = -10136.475255 FT/S Wp (M50) = 131.49146 DEG
Ydot = 20256.523015 FT/S RAAN (M50) = 97.76796 DEG
Zdot = 11347.521518 FT/S / N (True) = 170.70102 DEG
Anomalies \ M (Mean) = 170.69271 DEG
Ha = 164.27100 NM
Hp = 163.72100 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
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_2_2_39_6.TXT
STS-47 TV SKED, REV D
***********************************************************************
NASA SELECT TV SCHEDULE
STS-47/SPACELAB-J
REV D
9/15/92
***********************************************************************
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.
Two hour edited programs of each flight day will be replayed for Hawaii and
Alaska on SpaceNet 1, transponder 17L, channel 18. The orbital position is
120 degrees West Longitude, with a frequency of 4060 MHz. Audio is on 6.8
MHz. The programs will begin launch day and will continue through landing,
airing at 11 PM Central time, with the exception of Friday, September 18,
when programming will begin two hours later.
* DENOTES CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS SCHEDULE
ORBIT SUBJECT SITE MET CDT
----- ------- ---- --- ---
--------------------------- Tuesday, September 15 ---------------------
FD 4
51 TODAY IN SPACE MSFC 03/03:37 01:00 PM
HOSTS - DR. BOB SOKOLOWSKI
DR. BYRON LICHTENBERG
51 * P/TV07 VISUAL STABILITY TDRW/E 03/04:33 01:56 PM
T=25:00
51 MISSION STATUS BRIEFING JSC 03/04:37 02:00 PM
MSFC
52 * CNN INTERVIEW WITH TDRW 03/05:25 02:48 PM
HOOT GIBSON AND CURT BROWN
A/V CHECK-OUT
T=10:00
52 P/TV10 ENZYME CRYSTAL TDRE 03/05:41 03:04 PM
T=10:31
52 P/TV10 ENZYME CRYSTAL TDRW 03/06:02 03:25 PM
T=19:35
53 P/TV11 CELL CULTURE TDRW 03/06:25 03:48 PM
T=5:00
54 * CNN INTERVIEW WITH TDRW 03/06:30 03:53 PM
HOOT GIBSON AND CURT BROWN
T=20:00
54 P/TV03 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRE 03/08:11 05:34 PM
T=30:00
54 RED/BLUE HANDOVER 03/08:30 05:53 PM
55 P/TV34 LBNP TDRW 03/09:35 06:58 PM
T=41:13
56 REPLAY - TODAY IN SPACE MSFC 03/10:07 07:30 PM
T=30:00
56 FLIGHT DAY FOUR HIGHLIGHTS JSC 03/10:37 08:00 PM
T=30:00
56 P/TV34 LBNP TDRW 03/10:57 08:20 PM
T=17:15
58 P/TV03 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRW 03/14:16 11:39 PM
T=16:00
58 P/TV34 LBNP TDRW 03/14:32 11:55 PM
T=17:01
------------------------- Wednesday, September 16 ---------------------
FD 5
58 P/TV34 LBNP TDRE 03/14:54 12:17 AM
T=18:53
62 P/TV27 CONVERSATION TDRE 03/19:45 05:08 AM
WITH JAPANESE YOUTH
A/V CHECK-OUT
T=30:00
62 BLUE/RED HANDOVER 03/20:00 05:23 AM
62 P/TV03 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRW 03/20:43 06:06 AM
T=12:00
62 P/TV27 CONVERSATION TDRE 03/21:10 06:33 AM
WITH JAPANESE YOUTH
T=30:00
64 P/TV22 IMAGE MIRROR FURNACE TDRW 03/23:58 09:21 AM
T=23:00
64 P/TV22 IMAGE MIRROR FURNACE TDRE/W 04/00:23 09:46 AM
T=59:12
65 P/TV22 IMAGE MIRROR FURNACE TDRW 04/01:30 10:53 AM
T=27:00
66 P/TV22 IMAGE MIRROR FURNACE TDRE 04/02:05 11:28 AM
T=55:18
67 TODAY IN SPACE MSFC 04/03:37 01:00 PM
HOSTS - DR. BOB SOKOLOWSKI
DR. BYRON LICHTENBERG
68 P/TV03 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRW 04/05:03 02:26 PM
T=26:00
68 P/TV11 CELL CULTURE TDRE 04/05:30 02:53 PM
T=5:00
68 * MISSION STATUS BRIEFING JSC 04/06:07 03:30 PM
MSFC
68 P/TV10 ENZYME CRYSTAL TDRW 04/06:11 03:34 PM
T=35:40
69 P/TV03 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRE 04/06:46 04:09 PM
T=34:00
69 RED/BLUE HANDOVER 04/07:30 04:53 PM
71 * WGN/CHICAGO MUSEUM TDRW 04/09:35 06:58 PM
SCIENCE/INDUSTRY INTERVIEW
WITH MAE JEMISON
A/V CHECK-OUT
T=15:00
71 * WGN/CHICAGO MUSEUM TDRW 04/09:50 07:13 PM
SCIENCE/INDUSTRY INTERVIEW
WITH MAE JEMISON
T=15:00
71 REPLAY - TODAY IN SPACE MSFC 04/10:07 07:30 PM
T=30:00
71 FLIGHT DAY FIVE HIGHLIGHTS JSC 04/10:37 08:00 PM
T=30:00
73 P/TV03 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRE 04/13:13 10:36 PM
T=30:00
74 P/TV34 LBNP TDRW 04/14:24 11:47 PM
T=31:00
------------------------- Thursday, September 17 ----------------------
FD 6
75 P/TV32 EARTH VIEWS - JAPAN TDRW 04/16:05 01:28 AM
T=2:54
77 BLUE/RED HANDOVER 04/19:40 05:03 AM
77 CREW CONFERENCE TDRE 04/19:55 05:18 AM
T=30:00
78 P/TV19 BUBBLE BEHAVIOR UNIT TDRW 04/20:57 06:20 AM
T=11:55
78 P/TV19 BUBBLE BEHAVIOR UNIT TDRE 04/21:22 06:45 AM
T=20:00
79 P/TV19 BUBBLE BEHAVIOR UNIT TDRE 04/21:59 07:22 AM
T=8:00
80 P/TV15 IMAGE MIRROR FURNACE TDRE 04/23:02 08:25 AM
T=5:00
80 P/TV03 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRE 04/23:35 08:58 AM
T=14:00
80 P/TV15 IMAGE MIRROR FURNACE TDRW 05/00:07 09:30 AM
T=21:54
81 P/TV15 IMAGE MIRROR FURNACE TDRE 05/00:34 09:57 AM
T=20:50
81 P/TV15 IMAGE MIRROR FURNACE TDRE 05/00:55 10:18 AM
T=37:20
81 P/TV15 IMAGE MIRROR FURNACE TDRW 05/02:00 11:23 AM
T=10:08
82 P/TV15 IMAGE MIRROR FURNACE TDRE 05/02:15 11:38 AM
T=54:02
83 TODAY IN SPACE MSFC 05/03:37 01:00 PM
HOSTS - DR. BOB SOKOLOWSKI
DR. BYRON LICHTENBERG
83 P/TV15 IMAGE MIRROR FURNACE TDRE 05/04:05 01:28 PM
T=10:00
83 P/TV03 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRE 05/04:18 01:41 PM
T=23:00
84 * MISSION STATUS BRIEFING JSC 05/05:37 03:00 PM
MSFC
85 RED/BLUE HANDOVER 05/07:00 04:23 PM
87 P/TV34 LBNP TDRW 05/09:47 07:10 PM
T=31:00
87 REPLAY - TODAY IN SPACE MSFC 05/10:07 07:30 PM
T=30:00
87 FLIGHT DAY SIX HIGHLIGHTS JSC 05/10:37 08:00 PM
T=30:00
88 P/TV34 LBNP TDRW 05/11:19 08:42 PM
T=19:50
-------------------------- Friday, September 18 -----------------------
FD 7
90 P/TV35 FLUID THERAPY SYSTEM TDRW 05/14:43 12:06 AM
T=21:38
92 P/TV35 FLUID THERAPY SYSTEM TDRW 05/17:48 03:11 AM
T=14:50
92 BLUE/RED HANDOVER 05/18:30 03:53 AM
93 P/TV20 ACOUSTIC LEVITATION FURNACE TDRE 05/19:50 05:13 AM
T=12:25
93 P/TV25 VIP CONVERSATION WITH TDRE 05/20:10 05:33 AM
JAPANESE PS A/V CHECK-OUT
T=30:00
94 P/TV25 VIP CONVERSATION WITH TDRE 05/21:30 06:53 AM
JAPANESE PAYLOAD SPECIALIST
T=15:00
95 P/TV25 EARTH VIEWS - JAPAN TDRE 05/21:45 07:08 AM
T=15:00
95 P/TV03 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRE 05/22:01 07:24 AM
T=18:00
96 P/TV03 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRE 05/23:31 08:54 AM
T=30:00
96 P/TV07 VISUAL STABILITY TDRW 06/00:30 09:53 AM
T=8:00
97 P/TV07 VISUAL STABILITY TDRE 06/00:45 10:08 AM
T=32:48
97 P/TV07 VISUAL STABILITY TDRE 06/01:20 10:43 AM
T=22:01
98 P/TV03 TV OPPORTUNITY TDRE 06/02:37 12:00 PM
T=37:59
98 TODAY IN SPACE MSFC 06/03:37 01:00 PM
HOSTS - DR. BOB SOKOLOWSKI
DR. BYRON LICHTENBERG
99 MISSION STATUS BRIEFING JSC 06/04:37 02:00 PM
MSFC
99 P/TV39 PCG DEACTIVATION TDRW 06/04:54 02:17 PM
T=55:59
101 RED/BLUE HANDOVER 06/07:00 04:23 PM
103 REPLAY - TODAY IN SPACE MSFC 06/10:07 07:30 PM
T=30:00
103 FLIGHT DAY SEVEN HIGHLIGHTS JSC 06/10:37 08:00 PM
T=30:00
105 NASA SELECT ORIGINATION SWITCHED JSC 06/13:42 11:05 PM
TO JSC
------------------------- Saturday, September 19 ----------------------
FD 8
109 DE-ORBIT BURN (NOT TELEVISED) 06/19:36 04:59 AM
109 NASA SELECT ORIGINATION SWITCHED KSC 06/19:52 05:15 AM
TO KSC
110 KSC LANDING KSC 06/20:36 05:59 AM
LANDING REPLAYS KSC TBD
POST-LANDING PRESS CONFERENCE KSC TBD
MSFC
ASTRONAUT DEPARTURE KSC TBD
***********************************************************************
DEFINITION OF TERMS
***********************************************************************
AFTE: Autogenic Feedback Training Experiment
A/V: Audio/Visual
CDT: Central Daylight Time
DFRF: Dryden Flight Research Facility
EDW: Edwards Air Force Base
FD: Flight Day
JSC: Johnson Space Center
KSC: Kennedy Space Center
LBNP: Lower Body Negative Pressure Experiment
MET: Mission Elapsed Time. The time which begins at
the moment of launch and is read: DD/HH:MM.
MSFC: Marshall Space Flight Center
PCG: Protein Crystal Growth
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_6_10_4_6.TXT
TOPEX/Poseidon status 9/14/92
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
JET PROPULSION LABORATORY
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
PASADENA, CALIF. 91109.
TOPEX/POSEIDON STATUS REPORT
September 14, 1992
The TOPEX/Poseidon satellite is performing nominally and is healthy.
Attitude control, solar array, batteries, telecommunications, and the on-board
computer are all functioning normally.
In-Plane Maneuver #3 was performed successfully today. This was the
first burn performed using the four, small 1 Newton thrusters. The next TRIM
Maneuver is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 21.
The NASA altimeter remain in idle mode while the SSALT is in track
mode. The SSALT will be turned off today and the NASA altimeter will be
commanded to track. Over the weekend, the SSALT had near overflights of both
the NASA and CNES verification sites. The SSALT, also, overflew hurricane
Iniki on several obit passes over the Pacific Ocean. Before it was put into
idle mode, the NASA altimeter recorded 24-foot waves in the Pacific, presumably
due to the hurricane.
Project engineers are analyzing why the Global Positioning System
Data Recorder failed to come out of idle mode today when it was commanded to
track. Over the weekend the GPSDR memory was reloaded, readout, and a checksum
was verified.
The satellite is now sharing TDRSS resources with the shuttle. TDRSS
support continues to be excellent with no significant impact to our mission.
######
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=
=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_8_2_5_27.TXT
GALILEO STATUS 9/4-10/92
GALILEO
MISSION DIRECTOR STATUS REPORT
POST-LAUNCH
September 4 - 10, 1992
SPACECRAFT
1. On September 8, realtime commands were sent to change the System Fault
Protection (SFP) AACS-INIT (Attitude and Articulation Control Subsystem)
pointing slot from the Earth to the Sun prior to the Dual Drive Actuator
(DDA) No. 3 pulse activities. This change will allow the spacecraft to
return to a sun-pointed attitude if an AACS Power on Reset (POR) occurs
during the DDA No. 3 pulse activities (see Special Topic No. 2).
2. On September 8, the DDA pulse mini-sequence memory load went active.
The warming turn to a 45-degree off-sun attitude commenced at approximately
1536 UTC and completed at 1608 UTC. The first of two motor turn on pulses
occurred at 1826 UTC for approximately two seconds, as planned. The DDA
motor temperature was approximately minus 12 degrees C at turn on. The DDA
motor current data analysis is in progress.
3. On September 9, after approximately 28 hours at the warming attitude, the
second motor turn on pulse occurred at 1916 UTC for approximately two seconds,
as planned. The DDA motor temperature was approximately plus 9 degrees C at
turn on. DDA motor current data playback completed at approximately 1921 UTC
on September 10 and data analysis is in progress. Additionally, the
spacecraft, under stored sequence control, was commanded back to a six degree
off-sun attitude at approximately 1923 UTC. After the sun acquisition, sun
gate data was collected to determine if an antenna rib is still obscuring the
sun gate signal. Preliminary data analysis indicates that the sun gate is
still obscured, indicating no ribs released; analysis is continuing.
4. The AC/DC bus imbalance measurements exhibited some change. The AC
measurement remained unchanged and reads 3.3 volts. The DC measurement has
ranged from 120 DN (14.0 volts) to 140 DN (16.4 volts) and now reads 129 DN
(15.1 volts). These measurement variations are consistent with the model
developed by the AC/DC special anomaly team.
5. The Spacecraft status as of September 10, 1992, is as follows:
a) System Power Margin - 68 watts
b) Spin Configuration - Dual-Spin
c) Spin Rate/Sensor - 3.14rpm/Acquisition Sensor
d) Spacecraft Attitude is approximately 5 degrees
off-sun (leading)
e) Downlink telemetry rate/antenna-40 bps (coded)/LGA-1
f) General Thermal Control - all temperatures within
acceptable range
g) RPM Tank Pressures - all within acceptable range
h) Orbiter Science- UVS, EUV, DDS, MAG, EPD, and HIC are
powered on
i) Probe/RRH - powered off, temperatures within
acceptable range
j) CMD Loss Timer Setting - 264 hours
Time To Initiation - 206 hours
TRAJECTORY
As of noon Thursday, September 10, 1992, the Galileo Spacecraft
trajectory status was as follows:
Distance from Earth 64,280,500 miles (.69 AU)
Distance from Sun 141,694,300 miles (1.53 AU)
Heliocentric Speed 55,100 miles per hour
Distance from Jupiter 642,944,800 miles
Round Trip Light Time 11 minutes, 38 seconds
SPECIAL TOPIC
1. As of September 10, 1992, a total of 8114 real-time commands have been
transmitted to Galileo since Launch. Of these, 3236 were pre-planned in
the sequence design and 4878 were not. In the past week, 1 real time command
was transmitted and pre-planned in the sequence design. In addition, 5677
mini-sequence commands have been transmitted since March 1991; 3519 were
pre-planned and 2158 were not. In the past week, no mini-sequence commands
were transmitted. Major command activities this week included commands to
change a System Fault Protection parameter.
2. The Dual Drive Actuator (DDA) pulse mini-sequence No. 3 covers spacecraft
activities from September 8 to 11, 1992. The warming turn to a 45-degree
off-sun attitude along with the first DDA two second motor turn on pulse
occurred on September 8. The spacecraft remained at the warming attitude for
approximately 28 hours. The second DDA two second motor turn on pulse
occurred just prior to turning back to approximately a 6 degree off-sun
attitude. Sun gate data was collected on September 10. The star scanner
checkout along with the collection of wobble data is scheduled for
September 11.
GALILEO STATUS REPORT
September 9, 1992
The Galileo Spacecraft is operating normally in the dual-spin mode and
is transmitting coded telemetry at 40 bps.
Yesterday, the turn to a 45 degree warming attitude along with
a first of two DDA (Dual Drive Actuator) motor turn on pulses was performed
over DSS-43 (Canberra 70 meter antenna), as planned.
Today, September 9, 1992, the second DDA motor turn on pulse along
with a turn back to a Sun pointed attitude is scheduled over DSS-43.
Tomorrow, the data playback of the second DDA motor turn on pulse is
scheduled over DSS-43.
GALILEO STATUS REPORT
September 10, 1992
The Galileo Spacecraft is operating normally in the dual-spin mode and
is transmitting coded telemetry at 40 bps.
Yesterday, the second DDA (Dual Drive Actuator) motor turn on pulse along
with a turn back to a Sun pointed attitude was performed over DSS-43
(Canberra 70 meter antenna), as planned.
Today, September 10, 1992, the data playback of the second DDA motor
turn on pulse is scheduled over DSS-43, along with collection of sungate data.
Tomorrow, real-time commands are scheduled to check out the scan scanner,
reacquire celestial reference, and collect precise wobble estimates.
Tracking is scheduled over DSS-43.
GALILEO STATUS REPORT
September 11, 1992
The Galileo Spacecraft is operating normally in the dual-spin mode and
is transmitting coded telemetry at 40 bps.
Yesterday, the data playback of the second DDA (Dual Drive Actuator)
motor turn on pulse was conducted over DSS-43 (Canberra 70 meter antenna),
along with collection of sungate data.
Today, September 11, 1992 real-time commands are scheduled to check out
the scan scanner, reacquire celestial reference, and collect precise wobble
estimates. Tracking is scheduled over DSS-43.
Over the weekend, no spacecraft activity is scheduled. Tracking is
scheduled over DSS-43, DSS-63 (Madrid 70 meter antenna), and DSS-14
(Goldstone 70 meter antenna).
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
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9/15/92: NASA SPACECRAFT BEGINS GRAVITY MAPPING OF VENUS
HQ 92-148/magellan gravity mapping
Michael Braukus
Headquarters, Washington, D.C. September 15, 1992
Jim Doyle
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
RELEASE: 92-148
The Magellan spacecraft's orbit at its closest approach to Venus was
lowered Monday and today it began a full 243- day cycle of gravity mapping,
project officials at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., said.
Magellan has now completed three cycles of mapping with its radar,
covering 99 percent of the surface of Venus. Monday, controllers ordered a
1-hour orbit adjustment burn to lower its periapsis -- closest approach to the
planet -- altitude from 160 miles (258 kilometers) to 113 miles (182
kilometers).
"That will help us obtain the best possible resolution in the equatorial
latitude gravity map," Project Manager Doug Griffith said.
The objective of cycle 4, which extends to May 15, 1993, is to obtain a
global map of the Venus gravity field from the elliptical orbit. The orbit
apoapsis, or furthest point from the planet, remains the same, 5,296 miles
(8,543 kilometers).
During this fourth cycle, variations in the gravitational pull experienced
by the spacecraft are being recorded by carefully tracking the Doppler shift of
a radio signal that Magellan will constantly beam to the Deep Space Network
tracking stations.
When Magellan passes over a dense region of Venus' interior, for example,
the spacecraft accelerates in its orbit and the location of the denser region
is mapped.
Over the course of the 243-day cycle, one rotation of Venus, variations in
the planet's density will be mapped at a resolution much higher than achieved
by previous missions.
Looking at the interior with gravity observations is expected to provide
an improved understanding of the forces of tectonics and volcanism that shape
the planet.
Magellan is managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of
Space Science and Applications, Washington, D.C.
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MGN REPORT 9/14
Magellan Status
Status report of Magellan for Monday, September 14, 1992:
1. Magellan completed the latest radar mapping operations
over the weekend bringing total Venus mapped area to 99
percent of the planet. The radar has been put in standby
mode to prepare for gravity operations.
2. Early Monday morning, 14 September, final spacecraft
configuration changes were made for the orbit trim
maneuver (OTM) to be performed between 12:54 and 01:48 pm
PDT. The OTM is targeted to lower the orbit periapsis
altitude from 258 to 182 kilometers. This will enhance
gravity data collection for the beginning of Cycle-4 on
15 September 1992.
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
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MGN REPORT 9/15
Magellan Status
Status report of Magellan for Tuesday, September 15, 1992:
1. Magellan successfully performed a major Orbit Trim Maneuver (OTM)
yesterday. A 54 minute thruster burn lowered Magellan's periapsis from
258 kilometers to 184.7 kilometers. The telemetered data indicates the
burn was accurate to about one percent, but the final altitude
corresponds to a 3% underburn. Results are well within expected error
limits.
2. Gravity science data collection is currently underway, marking the
beginning of the predominant activity of Cycle 4.
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
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ULYSSES STATUS REPORTS #106 & #107
SUBJECT: ULYSSES MISSION OPERATIONS REPORT No. 106
PERIOD: 25th to 31st August 1992
1. MISSION OPERATIONS
Experiment reconfigurations have been carried out as
required.
On 26th August a HED (Magnetic Field instrument) calibration
was carried out.
Further BAM-I (Solar Wind Plasma) counter overflows have been
observed during the reporting period. The cause is still under
investigation by the instrument team. Anomaly Report No.
26 has been raised to cover this anomaly.
Also in the STO (Radio and Plasma Waves) experiment, parameter
error flags have been giving non-zero values on a regular basis.
The instrument team are analysing the significance of these
events. Anomaly Report No. 27 has been raised to cover
this anomaly.
The spacecraft achieved maximum range from the Earth on
26th August. The range on this date was 938,488,610 Km.
Routine Earth pointing manoeuvres were performed on 26th
and 29th August.
On 30th August Antenna problems at Canberra caused 45
minutes of real time data and 90 minutes of playback data
to be lost.
On 31st August bad weather at the Madrid complex caused
16 minutes of real time data and 32 minutes of playback
data to be lost.
An average of 96.97 % data recovery was achieved during
the reporting period.
The percentage of data acquired as a function of bit rate
is as follows:
1024 bps 54.32 %
512 bps 42.39 %
A reduction in the number of ranging passes continued
during the reporting period in order to improve the poor
signal to noise ratio encountered at the present large
spacecraft-Earth distances.
2. SPACECRAFT STATUS
POWER
Nominal.
Estimated S/C power consumption 259 watts.
AOCS
Nominal.
TTC
The spacecraft is currently configured with receiver 2 as
the prime unit fed via the high gain antenna and with
receiver 1 as backup fed through the low gain antenna
(LGA-F). The downlink is provided through EPC2/TWTA2.
The 34 meter ground stations are in use to support TTC
operations, with at least one 70m station pass per week
to support ranging.
Received downlink level -148 dBm.(34 meter) X-band.
(Variations of up to 10 db. can be expected as a result
of station antenna in use, local weather conditions, and
spacecraft antenna off-pointing).
Received uplink level -127 dBm.
DATA HANDLING
The anomaly on CTU2 (Central Terminal Unit) reported in
previous Operations Reports is still under investigation.
However, some conclusions have now been reached which point
to an electrical connection between two adjacent data lines
as a result of component failure. The operational impact of
this anomaly is being studied by both the Spacecraft
Control Team and the instrument teams in the event that
this CTU would have to be configured for operational use.
THERMAL
Nominal.
3. FLIGHT DYNAMICS
Solar Aspect The angle decreased from 1.97 on
Angle (deg.) 25th August to 1.52 on 31st August.
Sun-Probe-Earth The angle decreased from 1.88 on
Angle (deg.) 25th August to 1.50 on 31st August.
Spin Rate 4.982 rpm.
4. ORBITAL DATA
Data taken at 13:00 PDT on 31st August.
Distance from Earth 937,998,473 km.
Velocity relative to the Earth 115,521 km/hr.
Velocity relative to the Sun 31,028 km/hr.
Ecliptic latitude 9.1 deg/south
5. PLANNED OPERATIONS
Routine data gathering operations will continue together
with experiment reconfigurations as required.
On 1st September the Sun-Earth-Probe angle (SEP) will be
at a minimum. Since Ulysses is now 9.1 degrees south of
the Ecliptic Plane this geometry will not give rise to a
Conjunction and no special operations will be necessary
for Sun avoidance as they were in August 1991.
Earth pointing manoeuvres will be performed on 1st, 3rd
and 7th September.
Periods of 2048 bps at low antenna elevations will be
avoided to improve the signal to noise ratio in the
coming months. This will slightly reduce the percentage
of 1024 bps real-time data received. During this period,
70m passes will also be scheduled to perform ranging at
large spacecraft-Earth distances while maintaining the
desired bit rates.
6. GROUND SEGMENT
The ground segment performed nominally during the
reporting period with the exception of the two incidents
reported above.
SUBJECT: ULYSSES MISSION OPERATIONS REPORT No. 107
PERIOD: 1st to 7th September 1992
1. MISSION OPERATIONS
Experiment reconfigurations have been carried out as required.
On 2nd September a KEP (Energetic Particles and Interstellar
Neutral Gas instrument) EPAC RAM dump was carried out.
Routine Earth pointing manoeuvres were performed on 1st, 4th
and 7th September.
Minimum Sun-Earth-Probe angle (SEP) occurred on 1st September.
Since the spacecraft is now in excess of 9 degrees south of the
Ecliptic Plane sun avoidance manoeuvres were not necessary.
However, data recovery problems occurred during the period
immediately following minimum SEP angle and it is suspected that
the proximity of the propagation path to the solar corona was a
contributing factor to the data recovery problems.
An average of 96.69 % data recovery was achieved during the
reporting period.
The percentage of data acquired as a function of bit rate is
as follows:
1024 bps 59.31 %
512 bps 37.36 %
A reduction in the number of ranging passes continued during the
reporting period in order to improve the poor signal to noise
ratio encountered at the present large spacecraft-Earth distances.
2. SPACECRAFT STATUS
POWER
Nominal.
Estimated S/C power consumption 259 watts.
AOCS
Nominal.
TTC
The spacecraft is currently configured with receiver 2 as the prime
unit fed via the high gain antenna and with receiver 1 as backup fed
through the low gain antenna LGA-F. The downlink is provided through
EPC2/TWTA2.
The 34 meter ground stations are in use to support TTC operations, with
at least one 70m station pass per week to support ranging.
Received downlink level -148 dBm.(34 meter) X-band.
(Variations of up to 10 db. can be expected as a result of station
antenna in use, local weather conditions, and spacecraft antenna
off-pointing).
Received uplink level -127 dBm.
DATA HANDLING
The anomaly on CTU2 (Central Terminal Unit #2) reported in previous
Operations Reports is still under investigation. However, some
conclusions have now been reached which point to an electrical
connection between two adjacent data lines as a result of component
failure. The operational impact of this anomaly is being studied by
both the Spacecraft Control Team and the instrument teams in the event
that this CTU would have to be configured for operational use.
THERMAL
Nominal.
3. FLIGHT DYNAMICS
Solar Aspect The angle increased from 1.40 on
Angle (deg.) 1st September to 1.66 on 7th September.
Sun-Probe-Earth The angle increased from 1.48 on
Angle (deg.) 1st September to 1.69 on 7th September.
Spin Rate 4.982 rpm.
4. ORBITAL DATA
Data taken at 13:00 PDT on 7th September.
Distance from Earth 935,780,184 km.
Velocity relative to the Earth 117,113 km/hr.
Velocity relative to the Sun 31,148 km/hr.
Ecliptic latitude 9.5 deg/south
5. PLANNED OPERATIONS
Routine data gathering operations will continue together with
experiment reconfigurations as required.
Earth pointing manoeuvres will be performed on 10th, 13th and
16th September.
A HUS (Solar X-Rays and Cosmic Ray Bursts instrument) end-to-end
timing test will take place via the Canberra station on 15th September.
Periods of 2048 bps at low antenna elevations will be avoided
to improve the signal to noise ratio in the coming months. This
will slightly reduce the percentage of 1024 bps real-time data
received. During this period, 70m passes will also be scheduled
to perform ranging at large spacecraft-Earth distances while
maintaining the desired bit rates.
6. GROUND SEGMENT
The ground segment performed nominally during the reporting period.
Source:NASA Spacelink Modem:205-895-0028 Internet:192.149.89.61
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