Space & Astronomy/Space and Astronomy (October 1993).iso/pc/text/daily_2/930810.dfc

Text File | 1993-08-13 | 40KB | 1,023 lines

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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=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_2_2_46_8.TXT

 NOTE: This file is too large {21144 bytes} for inclusion in this collection.
    The first line of the file:

STS-51 WEATHER PREDICTIONS / PREVIOUS DELAY AND LAUNCH INFORMATION

     Source:NASA Spacelink    Modem:205-895-0028  Internet:192.149.89.61
=--=--=-END-=--=--=

=--=--=START=--=--= NASA Spacelink File Name:6_7_11_13.TXT

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:6_8_3_14.TXT

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-=--=--=

=--=END OF COLLECTION---COLLECTED 8 FILES---COMPLETED 21:06:04=--=