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STS-95 (92)
- Discovery (25)
- Pad 39-B (42)
- 92nd Shuttle Mission
- 25th Flight OV-103
- 45th KSC Landing
- 1st Flight SSME-BlockII
-
- Curtis L. Brown (5), Commander
- Steven W. Lindsey (2), Pilot
- Scott E. Parazynski (3), Mission Specialist
- Stephen K. Robinson (2), Mission Specialist
- Pedro Duque (1),
(ESA) Mission Specialist
- Chiaki Mukai (2),
(NASDA) Payload Specialist
- John H. Glenn (2), Payload Specialist
Milestones:
- OPF2 -- 06/15/98
- VAB -- 09/14/98
- PAD
-- 09/21/98
Payload:
- SPACEHAB-SM, Spartan-201, HOST, IEH-03, GAS(G-779,G-467),
LifeSciences, CRYOTSU
The primary objectives include conducting a variety of science
experiments in the pressurized SPACEHAB module, the deployment and
retrieval of the Spartan free-flyer payload, and operations with the
HST Orbiting Systems Test (HOST) and the International Extreme
Ultraviolet Hitchhiker (IEH) payloads being carried in the payload
bay.
- The SPACEHAB module being
flown on STS-95 is provided by
SPACEHAB Inc. a private company which provide single or double module Spacehabs
to support NASA's space flight efforts. The
SPACEHAB system provides
additional pressurized workspace for experiments, cargo and crew
activities. SPACEHAB modules have supported various Shuttle science
missions along with several of the joint Shuttle-Mir missions.
- For STS-95 a single-module
SPACEHAB will fly in the forward portion
of Discovery's payload bay with the crew
gaining access to the module
through the airlock tunnel system.
A variety of experiments sponsored
by NASA, the Japanese Space Agency (NASDA) and the European Space
Agency (ESA) will focus on life
sciences, microgravity sciences and
advanced technology during the flight.
- The Earth
which in turn impact
television and phone communications.
This is a reflight of the Spartan
payload flown on Mission STS-87 in November
1997 which developed
problems shortly after being deployed from the Shuttle.
- The Hubble Space Telescope Orbiting Systems Test
(HOST) platform is
carrying experiments to validate components planned for installation
during the third Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission and to
evaluate new technologies in an earth orbiting environment. There are
four experiments on the HOST platform. The NICMOS Cooling System will
allow zero-g verification of a Reverse Turbo Brayton Cycle Cooler
which should allow longer life operation than the current dewar
system. (2) The HST 486 Computer will allow the identification of any
radiation susceptible parts in the DF-224 replacement and demonstrate
hardware and software
responses to Single Event Upsets (SEU's). (3)
Solid State Recorder will compare on-orbit operation of the flight
spare solid state recorder with the current HST unit. (4) Fiber Optic
Line Test will use the same 4 kbps data stream that is sent to the
orbiter's Payload Data Interrogator (PDI) and will be routed to a
laptop computer for post-flight comparison.
- The International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker (IEH) payload
involves a half dozen different experiments mounted on a support
structure being carried in Discovery's
payload bay. The six
experiments that make up the IEH payload are (1) Solar Extreme
Ultraviolet Hitchhiker (SEH) payload that will obtain EUV and FUV
fluxes that are required when studying the Earth's
upper atmosphere;
(2) Ultraviolet
Spectrograph Telescope for Astronomical Research
(UVSTAR)
payload designed to measure EUV fluxes which can be used to
form images of extended plasma sources (ex.
Jupiter, hot stars, etc.);
(3) STAR-LITE payload which will make observations of extended and
diffused astrophysical targets; (4)
CONCAP-IV payload designed to grow
thin films via physical vapor transport; (5) Petite Amateur Navy
Satellite (PANSAT) payload which is managed by the Department of
Defense Space Test Program and involves a small deployable satellite
that will store and transmit digital
communications to PANSAT ground
stations; and (6) a Get-Away Special
(GAS) payload which is still TBD.
- Since the aging process and a space flight experience share a
number of similar physiological responses, a series of experiments
sponsored by NASA and the National Institute on Aging will be
conducted during the STS-95 mission.
The investigations will gather
information which may provide a model system to help scientists
interested in understanding aging. Some of these similarities include
bone and muscle loss, balance disorders and sleep disturbances.
Launch:
- October 29, 1998 2:20:19 p.m. EST Launch Window 2 hours 30 minutes
- On Thursday, 10/29/98, the countdown continues on schedule. The
crew was woken up at 8:30am EST and served breakfast. After
breakfast, the crew received a 15 minute weather briefing, suited up
and departed the Operations and Checkout Building for Launch Pad
LC-39B at 10:45am EST. After arriving at the pad, the crew proceeded
to the 195ft level where one by one, they ingressed into the
orbiter.
The hatch was closed at 12:30pm EST, just as President Clinton's Air
Force One plane touched down at the landing strip on Cape Canaveral Air
Station (CCAS). The countdown proceded to the
T-9 minute mark but was
kept an additional 8.5 min at thee T-9 minute hold while the
launch team
discussed the status of a master alarm heard during cabin leak checks
after hatch closure. At 2:00pm EST, the
launch team was polled and
Discovery was given a "go" to proceed past the
T-minus 9 minute mark.
At 2:03pm the Orbiter Access
Arm was retracted but the Range Safety Officer
(SR0) requested a hold at the T-minus 5
minute mark due to an aircraft in
the no fly zone. At 2:14pm EST, SRO gave the all clear signal and the
countdown proceeded. At 2:14pm EST, a go was given for auto sequence
start and launch occured at 14:20:19 pm EST.
- On Wednesday, 10/28/98, Preparations for Thursday's 2 p.m. launch of
Shuttle Discovery continue on
schedule and launch managers are not
working any major technical issues at this time. This morning workers
completed efforts to install the SPACEHAB experiments in the
orbiter
payload bay and the airlock
has been closed for flight.
Discovery's
communication systems will be activated today and flight crew
equipment late stow activities begin at about 3:30 p.m. The Rotating
Service Structure will retract away from the Shuttle at 8 p.m. today
and the
launch countdown will resume counting at T-11 hours at 11:40
p.m. External tank loading operations begin at about 5:40
a.m. tomorrow. Air Force weather forecasters continue to indicate a
zero percent chance that weather could prohibit launch on
Thursday. The forecast calls for few clouds at 4,000 feet; visibility
at 7 miles; winds at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots from the northeast;
temperature at 79 degrees F; relative humidity at 64
percent. Hurricane Mitch is still drifting westward away from
Florida's coast and will not impact Thursday's launch
attempt.
- On Tuesday, 10/27/98, The launch countdown for
STS-95 proceeds on
schedule for Thursday's 2 p.m. liftoff of Shuttle
Discovery. Mission
managers are not working any significant technical concerns at this
time and launch preparations continue at Launch Pad 39B. At 4 a.m.
workers began loading the orbiter's power reactant storage and
distribution system with cryogenic reactants and that operation
concluded at about noon.
- On Monday, 10/26/98, the launch countdown
for mission STS-95 began on
time today at 8 a.m. Launch managers are not working any significant
technical issues at this time and preparations for Thursday's 2
p.m. launch continue on schedule. Final vehicle close-outs are in work
and Discovery's backup flight
systems will be loaded into the
orbiter's general purpose computer today. Tonight the orbiter's
navigational systems will be activated. Loading of the power reactant
storage and distribution system
(PRSD) with cryogenic reactants begins
tomorrow morning. Air Force weather forecasters are indicating a 40
percent chance that weather could prohibit launch on Thursday. The
forecast calls for scattered to broken clouds at 4000 feet and
scattered clouds at 20000 feet; visibility at 7 miles; winds at 16
knots gusting to 23 knots from the northeast; temperature at 79
degrees F; relative humidity at 62 percent. The primary concerns are
low level winds, a slight chance of showers and a low cloud ceiling.
- Currently, the 24-hour and 48-hour scrub turnaround forecast
indicates a 40 percent chance of weather violation. Managers continue
to monitor the progress of Hurricane Mitch in the Caribbean, currently
moving in a west-northwesterly direction away from Florida's
east coast. Mitch is not expected to affect Thursday
The STS-95 flight crew arrived at the
Shuttle Landing Facility at
3:30pm.
- On Sunday, 10/25/98, preparations to begin the
STS-95 launch
countdown continued on schedule. Yesterday, workers began stowing the
flight crew's equipment onboard Discovery.
Forecasters are monitoring
the progress of Hurricane Mitch in the Caribbean, but preliminary
weather forecasts indicate generally favorable conditions for
Thursday's launch of Shuttle
Discovery.
- On Saturday, 10/24/98, Final preparations to begin the
STS-95 launch
countdown are on schedule. At the launch pad yesterday, workers
successfully completed torque verifications in the external
airlock.
Payload bay closeouts are complete and the
payload bay doors are
closed for flight. Flight crew
equipment stowage is in work
today.
- On Tuesday, 10/13/98, HOST end-to-end testing was in work and on
Monday workers completed the HOST payload Interface Verification Test
(IVT). Discovery's midbody umbilical
connections were made 10/12/98
and leak checks are complete. Technicians have also removed a faulty
mass memory unit (MMU) and replacement of MMU No. 2 is slated for astronaut
contingency space suits into the
orbiter. Payload closeout activities
are scheduled through the remainder of the week. Shuttle managers
have
gathered at KSC today for the STS-95
Flight Readiness Review and
announced Oct. 29 as the official launch date for Shuttle
Discovery.
- On Friday, 10/9/98, the KSC test team and the
STS-95 flight crew
successfully completed the
Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test at
about 11 a.m. The
launch day
dress rehearsal culminated with a
simulated Shuttle main engine cutoff at T-3 seconds on the countdown
clock. TCDT allows the launch team
and crew to practice launch day
activities and to validate emergency egress procedures. Afterwards,
the crew returned to their homes in Houston, TX and will complete
their mission training at Johnson Space Center. Preparations to
replace Discovery's
mass memory unit No. 2
were under way. At pad 39B,
the Rotating
Service Structure will be retracted for Saturday's KSC
Open House and extended in place around the Shuttle immediately
following the event.
-
- On Monday, 10/5/98, loading of hypergolic propellants into the
orbiter's onboard storage tanks began with oxidizer loading. Fuel
loading occurs 10/6/98. Preparations for Friday's Terminal Countdown
Demonstration Test are in work. The STS-95
flight crew arrives Tuesday
to begin familiarization activities at KSC prior to the actual dress
rehearsal on Friday.
- On Friday, 10/2/98, Discovery's helium
signature leak test was
successfully completed and the Spartan payload interface verification
test (IVT) was also performed. Over the weekend, the SPACEHAB IVT was
completed and the orbiter's
payload bay doors
were closed.
- Over the weekend, workers performed weight and center of gravity
tests on Space Shuttle
Discovery before lowering it onto the
orbiter
transfer vehicle. At about 10 a.m. Monday, September 14, 1998
Discovery rolled out of KSC's Orbiter Processing Facility
(OPF) bay
2. The orbiter
arrived in the Vehicle Assembly Building
(VAB) a short
while later and was lifted from the
orbiter transfer vehicle at about
4:30 p.m.
Discovery will be soft mated to the external fuel tank
(ET)
at about 6 a.m. tomorrow. Hard mate connections will follow Tuesday
and interface verification tests (IVT) will be conducted prior to next
Monday's rollout to Launch Pad 39B.
- On Thursday, September 10, 1998, technicians completed checks of
Discovery's Ku-band antenna system and final stowage. Pressurization
of the landing gear tires for flight is also complete. Checkout of
the robot arm concluded earlier this week and
orbiter midbody
close-outs continue on schedule. Preparations were under way for
Friday night's payload bay door closure. Workers conducted
aft
compartment structural leak checks and completed forward compartment
close-outs. Saturday, Discovery's
weight and center of gravity
determination tests are scheduled and Sunday the vehicle will
be
placed on the orbiter transfer
vehicle for Monday's rollover to the
Vehicle Assembly Building.
- On Monday, August 31, 1998, Installation of the integrated vehicle
health monitoring (IVHM) system brackets are complete and IVHM sensor
installation is nearing completion. Today, technicians are conducting
orbiter integrated hydraulic testing and preparing for tunnel adapter
installation slated to occur later today. Closeouts of the orbiter's
midbody compartment continue in preparation for Wednesday's Crew
Equipment Interface Test. Testing of the Ku-band antenna continues. In
high bay 1 of the
Vehicle Assembly Building,
external tank and solid
rocket booster mating closeouts are ongoing.
- During the week of 8/17/98 - 8/21/98,
Discovery's main engines were
installed. On Saturday, KSC technicians began precautionary efforts to
secure Discovery,
Endeavour and
Columbia in their respective
OPF bays
due to the threat of Hurricane Bonnie.
Discovery's
payload bay doors
were closed and the orbiter
was powered down. Managers will continue
to monitor the hurricane's status and hope to resume processing later
today. Once the decision to proceed is made, workers will power up the
orbiter and launch processing system,
open the payload doors and
deploy the Ku band antenna. Also, main engine securing and pump torque
checks are scheduled. Payload premate testing will follow payload bay
door opening. Work delays due to hurricane preparedness efforts are
not expected to impact any major Shuttle processing milestones.
- By Monday, 8/17/98,
Discovery's ammonia servicing work was complete.
Preparations are under way for Shuttle main engine installation this
week. Installation and testing of the integrated vehicle health
monitoring system continue and
water spray boiler servicing is in
progress. Standard torque checks of the wind to fuselage attach bolts
are slated for today.
- On Friday 7/31/98, workers completed
Discovery's fuel cell voltage
tests, and the orbiter's forward
reaction control system (FRCS) was
installed. FRCS interface verification testing was under way on Monday
8/3/98. The recently replaced fuel cell water relief valve is being
brazed to the panel today. Installation of the integrated vehicle
health monitoring (IVHM) system continues, and
main landing gear wheel
and tire installation is in work.
Auxiliary power unit and main
propulsion system leak and functional tests are scheduled for this
week.
- On Monday 7/27/98, Thruster replacement work on
Discovery's
right-hand orbital maneuvering system
(OMS) pod and subsequent leak
checks and X-rays were completed. Functional checks of
Discovery's
newly installed crew seats were also completed. Over the weekend,
technicians removed the leaky fuel cell No. 3 water relief valve and
today, installation of a replacement valve is scheduled.
Discovery's
forward reaction control system
was delivered to the OPF for
installation into the orbiter later this week.
- On Monday, 7/6/98, Functional testing of
Discovery's
main propulsion system
were in work. Last week, the power converter units that supported the
STS-91
payloads were removed from
Discovery's cargo bay.
Preparations are under way to
remove the Shuttle main engines later this week. Today,
main engine heat shield
removal is continuing. Postflight waste management system
servicing is in
progress. Installation of the integrated vehicle health monitoring system
(IVHM) begins this week. The IVHM upgrade, already installed on
Columbia,
provides real-time Shuttle system monitoring capability to ground and flight
controllers.
- On Monday, 6/22/98, validation of
Discovery's
electrical power systems
and payload removal efforts in
OPF Bay 2 were complete. Preparations
to drain the
orbiter maneuvering system
(OMS) reactant storage tanks
are in work and
OMS thruster replacement efforts are scheduled to
begin this week. Leak checks of the
flash evaporator system and post
flight inspections of the Shuttle main engines are ongoing.
Orbit:
- Altitude: 310nm
- Inclination: 28.45
- Orbits: 134
- Duration: 8 days, 21 hours, 44 minutes
- Distance: 3.6 Million miles
Hardware:
- SRB: BIO-97
- SRM: RSRM-69
- ET : SN-98
- MLP :
- SSME-1: SN-2048**A (HPOTP 8026, HPFTP 4114)
- SSME-2: SN-2043*
- SSME-3: SN-2045*
Landing:
- November 7, 1998 KSC, 12:04pm EST.
Shuttle Landing Facility
(SLF)
Runway 33. No Drag Chute deployed Just after landing, Astronaut John
Glenn said "1 G and I feel fine". Main Gear Touchdown 8 days 21 hours
43 minutes 57 seconds, Nose Gear Touchdown 8 days 21 hours 44 minutes
7 seconds. Wheel Stop at 8 days 21 hours 44 minutes 56 seconds.
- The payload bay doors
were closed at 8:17 a.m. EST and the 4 minute
40 second deorbit burn occured
at 10:53 am. At 11:30a.m. EST,
Discovery began its Entry
interface while at 400,000ft and at a speed
of Mach 25. At 11:34am EST, Discovery
was at an altitude of
approximately 65 miles and was 4,500 miles from the landing strip. At
11:42, Discovery was just under 1800
miles from KSC and dropping at 73
mph. At 11:53pm, Discovery was over
the Gulf of Mexico traveling at
Mach 7, 26 miles in altitude decending at 190 mph. At noon, the
distinctive dual sonic booms were heard just as
Discovery decended
past the speed of sound 650mph, 8 miles altitude. Touchdown at
12:04am EST.
- While Discovery took the 1st KSC
landing opportunity, there were 2
landing opportunities at KSC and two to Edwards Air Force Base,
California . Discovery has a second chance
to land at KSC at 1:45
p.m. EST or could have landed at Edwards at either 1:35 p.m EST. or
3:17 p.m. EST. The astronauts will spend the night at KSC before
returning to leaving KSC for Houston around 10am EST on Sunday to a
welcome at Ellington Field.
Mission Highlights:
Mission Index
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Next Mission STS-88
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