STS-121 Press Kit

STS-121 Press Kit

CONTENTS
Section Page

STS-121 MISSION OVERVIEW: CONTINUING ON-ORBIT TESTING AND STATION MAINTENANCE ......................................................................................................... STS-121 TIMELINE OVERVIEW ............................................................................................... MISSION OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................ LAUNCH AND LANDING ...........................................................................................................
L A U N CH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A B OR T- T O- OR B IT ( AT O ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . T RA N SA TLA NT I C A B OR T L A N D I NG ( TAL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R E T UR N -T O -L A U N CH - SI T E ( R TL S ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . L A N D I NG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A B OR T O N C E A RO U N D (A OA ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .

1 5 9 11
11 11 11 11 11 11

MISSION PROFILE................................................................................................................... STS-121 DISCOVERY CREW ................................................................................................... KEY MISSION PERSONNEL ...................................................................................................... RENDEZVOUS AND DOCKING ..................................................................................................
U N D O CK I NG , S E PA RA TI O N A N D D EPA RTU R E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12 13 18 19
22

SPACEWALKS .........................................................................................................................
E V A 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E V A 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E V A 3 ( T ENTA TI V E ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

23
23 29 30

PAYLOAD OVERVIEW .............................................................................................................. EXPERIMENTS .........................................................................................................................

D E TA IL E D S UP PL EM E NTA RY O BJECT IVES (D S O ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D E TA IL E D T ES T O BJ E CT I VE S ( D T O ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . S H UT TL E ( SOR T I E) EX P ER IM E NT S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . EXPERIMENTS DELIVERED T O I S S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .

34 44
44 47 50 51

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F U N G AL PA TH OG E N E S I S, T UM O RI G E N ES I S A ND E F F EC TS O F H O ST IMM U N IT Y I N S PA C E ( F IT ) . . . . . . . . . . A N ALY S IS O F A N O V EL S E NS O R Y M E CHANI S M I N RO OT PH OT OT R OP I SM (T R OP I) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Page
52 53

SPACE SHUTTLE SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS .............................................................................

OVE RVIE W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P R EPA RI N G TH E EX T ER NAL T A NK R E T URN T O FL IG HT E X T E R NAL TAN K , ET -11 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ENHA NCED SH UT TL E-BASED C AM ER A V I E W S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I N - FL I GHT I NS P E C TI O N AND R EP AI R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . I MA G ER Y A ND D AT A COL L E C T I O N FO R S PA C E SH U TT L E L A U N CH A ND L A N D I NG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

54
54 55 59 66 72

TILE REPAIR ABLATOR DISPENSER (T-RAD) .......................................................................... CONTINGENCY SHUTTLE CREW SUPPORT (CSCS) ................................................................ SHUTTLE REFERENCE DATA .................................................................................................... ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ......................................................................................... MEDIA ASSISTANCE ............................................................................................................... PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACTS ..................................................................................................

82 83 85 98 115 116

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FIGURES
Figure
DISCOVER Y C R E W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F U L L V IE W OF I N T ER N AT IO N AL SP ACE S T AT I ON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S T E V E L IN DSEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D I S C O V ER Y U N D ER SI D E V I E W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . A S TR O NA UT M I CHA EL E . FO S S UM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . R A F FA EL L O IN T H E A FT BAY O F D I S CO VE R Y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . O B S S I N SP ECT I O N O F D IS C O V E RY S NO S E C AP H E AT S HI EL D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I N S TALL AT I ON O F L EO N ARD O W ITH C AN A DA RM2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D I S C O V ER Y U N D O CK I NG F R OM I S S W IT H TH E OBSS IN TH E HA ND -OFF PO SITI O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S T S -1 2 1 D I SCO V E RY C R EW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . S T S -1 2 1 PA TCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . COMMA NDER STEVE N L I NDS E Y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . P IL OT M ARK K EL L Y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M IK E F OS S UM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L I SA N OWAK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . STEPHA NIE W IL S O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P I ER S S EL L ER S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T HO MA S R E IT E R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L OP OL D EYHA RT S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S T S -1 2 1 AT ANG L E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R PM ST ART (80 0 MM L E NS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . S H UT TL E BEL L Y- UP ( 40 0 MM L E N S ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . Z V E Z D A S E R VI C E MOD UL E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R E N D E Z VO U S A PPR OA C H P RO F IL E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . A PPR OA C H PR O F IL E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I MA G ER Y O F D I S C O V ER Y U PP E R SUR FA C E U S ING 400 A N D 800 MM D IG IT AL C AM E RA L E NS E S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I MA G ER Y O F D I S C O V ER Y B E L L Y U SI N G 4 0 0 A ND 800 MM D IG IT AL CAM E RA L EN S E S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I U A W IT H T US C A BL E R O UT E D THR O UGH M E CH A NI SM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A S TR O NA UT P I ER S J. S EL L E R S PAR TI CIP AT E S I N A SI M UL AT I O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E N G I N E ER I NG MO D EL O F T H E AP F R A ND L OA D C EL L C O N F I G URA TI O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R O B OT I C ARM CL IM B P OS I T IO N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . F I R ST P OS I TI O N O F TH E RO B O TI C ARM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .

Page
1 2 2 3 3 4 5 7 7 13 14 14 14 15 15 16 16 16 17 19 19 19 20 20 21 21 21 24 24 25 26 26

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S E C O N D P O SI T I ON O F TH E R O B OT I C A RM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . I N T ER ME D IAT E PO S I TI O N O F TH E R OB OT I C A RM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T HI R D P O SI TI O N O F TH E RO B O TI C ARM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . F I N AL P O S IT IO N O F TH E RO B O TI C ARM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . E N G I N E ER I NG IM AG E RY OF T H E S0 TRU S S S E GM E NT B E F OR E L AU N C H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S E L L ER S A N D F O S S UM PRA C TI C E HA ND O V E R O F TUS - RA D UR IN G S IM UL A TED S PA C EW ALK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S E L L ER S A N D F O S S UM PRA C TI C E R EPLA C I NG T US DUR I NG S IM UL A T E D S PA C EW ALK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I N F RA R ED C AM ER A SIM UL A TI O N H AR DW AR E A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C O N F I G URA TI O N O F TH E SAM PL ES IN TH E DT O PAL L E T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . R C C R EPA IR T O OL S T O B E U S E D D UR I NG TH E T ES T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D I S C O V ER Y P AYL OA D D IAG RAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . L E O NAR D O IS L OW E RED T OW AR D T H E CA RG O EL EM ENT W ORK STA N D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C A NA D ARM2 G RA SP S TH E R A F FA EL L O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . T E C HN I C IA NS I N S P E CT TH E M I N U S E IG HT Y L A B FRE E Z E R F OR I SS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E S A A S TR O NA U T R E I NHO L D E WA L D I N SER T S A N EXPER IM E NT C ON T AI N E R I N TO TH E EM C S E N G I N E ER I NG MOD EL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PL A NT C UL T IVA TI O N CHAM B ER I N SI D E EXPERIMENT CO N TA I N ER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T H E P ER C U TA N E O U S E L E CT R I CAL M U SCL E ST IM ULAT O R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E X T E R NAL A CT I V E TH ERMAL C O NT R OL S Y S T EM P UMP M O D UL E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P AL RA MP S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E X T E R NAL TAN K W I TH PA L R AMP S REMO V E D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I C E / F RO S T RAM P S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C U R R EN T I C E/F R O ST RAMP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . B I PO D I N STAL L A T IO N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C AM E RA S O N T H E SPA C E S H UT TL E BOO S T ER S , EXTER N AL TA NK A N D OR B IT ER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S H UT TL E ORB I T ER - BA S ED PH O TO GR AP HY F OR S TS- 1 21 A SC E N T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E X T E R NAL TAN K CAM E RA O V E R V IE W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . S R B -M OU N T ED C AM E RA S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . E T R IN G CAMER A H OU S I NG I N S TALL E D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . F O R WAR D SKI R T A FT -P O INT I N G CAM ER A P RO TO TYP E H O U S ING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CAMERA CONFI G UR AT I O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . R I GHT -H AN D U M BIL I CAL W EL L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . D I G ITA L U MBI L I C AL ST ILL C AM E RA SY ST E M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . E V A FL ASH MEC HA NI CAL DES I G N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .

Page
27 27 28 29 30 30 30 31 31 32 34 35 36 38 40 40 41 41 55 56 57 58 58 59 60 61 62 62 62 63 63 64 65

May 2006

CONTENTS

iv

 Figure
O R B IT ER B OO M S E NSO R S Y S T EM I N ST ALL E D O N ST AR B OAR D SI L L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I N S P E CT I ON S E N S O R S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L C S , I T V C CAM ER A, L D RI, A N D P A N/ TIL T U N IT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . I T V C , L C S, AND L DR I I MAG E S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C AM E RA TYPES A ND L O CAT I O N S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . S H OR T- RA N GE T RA CK I NG C AM E RA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . L O NG -R A NG E T RA CK E R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K I N ET O T RA CK I NG M O U NT T RA CK E R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . ML P D E CK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P AD P ER IM ET E R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S H OR T- RA N GE C AM E RA CO N F I G URA T IO N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . M E D IUM - RA NG E C AM ER A C O N F I G URA TI O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. L O NG -R A NG E C AM E RA C ON F I G UR AT I ON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . W B -5 7 A IR CR A FT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S R B S EPA RAT I O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C - B A ND RA DA R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X - BA N D RA DA R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W I N G L EA DING E D G E I MPA C T DETECT ION SY ST EM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W I N G L EA DING E D G E I MPA C T DETECT ION SY ST EM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W I N G L EA DING E D G E I MPA C T DETECT ION SY ST EM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T IL E R EPA IR A BL A T OR D ISP E N S ER ( T -RA D ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . T - RA D DEL I VER Y SY S T EM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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CONTENTS

STS-121 MISSION OVERVIEW:

CONTINUING ON-ORBIT TESTING
AND STATION MAINTENANCE

(5 April 2006) These seven astronauts take a break from training to pose for the STS121 crew portrait. From the left are astronauts Stephanie D. Wilson, Michael E. Fossum, both mission specialists; Steven W. Lindsey, commander; Piers J. Sellers, mission specialist; Mark E. Kelly, pilot; European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Thomas Reiter of Germany; and Lisa M. Nowak, both mission specialists. The crew members are attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suit.
Discovery Crew

The crew of Space Shuttle Discovery will continue to test new equipment and procedures that increase the safety of space shuttles during the STS121 mission. The flight to the International Space Station (ISS) also will

deliver critical supplies and cargo to the complex for repair and future expansion of the outpost. The focus of the mission is to carry on analysis of safety improvements that debuted on the

May 2006

OVERVIEW

first Return to Flight mission, STS114, and build upon those tests. This mission will continue testing the External Tank designs and processes that minimize potentially damaging debris during launch, ground and flight camera systems to observe the shuttle environment during launch and on orbit, and techniques for inflight inspection and repair of the shuttles Thermal Protection System (TPS), or heat shield. Two spacewalks are planned. They are devoted to maintenance of the space station and additional testing of heat shield inspection and repair materials, tools and techniques. During the flight, mission managers expect to evaluate the high probability of shuttle consumables supporting an extra day for the mission. If an extra day is available, the crew and flight control team are training for a third spacewalk that focuses on reinforced carboncarbon (RCC) inspection and repair.

assembly sequence. The mission was added to the sequence as an additional mission to complete Return to Flight onorbit testing before resuming major assembly of the space station. The missions objectives for the station will be maintenance work and the delivery of equipment, supplies, experiments and spare parts in support of operations and future station assembly missions. Discovery will deliver a third crew member to live aboard the station. It will be the first time a threeperson crew resides on station for a long duration since the Expedition 6 crew returned to Earth May 4, 2003, in Kazakhstan. Without the space shuttle to ferry equipment to the station after the Columbia accident, only two people could be supported onboard until the necessary provisions were in place. To help deliver tons of supplies, Discovery will carry an Italianbuilt pressurized cargo container called Leonardo, in its cargo bay.

Full View of International Space Station

Backdropped by the Earth below,

this full view of the International Space
Station was photographed by an
STS114 crew member onboard the
Space Shuttle Discovery
Discovery will be docked to the International Space Station for the majority of the mission. STS121 is designated Utilization and Logistics Flight1.1 (ULF1.1) in the space station

Steve Lindsey

May 2006

OVERVIEW

Commanding the STS121 mission aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery is Steve Lindsey, an Air Force colonel. Joining him will be Pilot Mark Kelly, a Navy commander, and mission specialists Michael Fossum (Fssm), Stephanie Wilson, Piers (Peers) Sellers and Navy Cmdr. Lisa Nowak (Nwc). European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Thomas (Toe mahs) Reiter (Rtr) will ride to space with the shuttle crew and remain on the station, joining the Expedition 13 mission already in progress. Reiter is the first ESA longduration space station crew member and will remain on board for six to seven months to work with the Expedition 13 and Expedition 14 crews under a contract between ESA and the Russian Federal Space Agency, Roscosmos. Expedition 13 Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Jeffrey Williams have been aboard the station since arriving on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft on April 1. The station crew members will help with the transfer of supplies to and from the cargo carrier Leonardo and lend their expertise in airlock and robotic system operations. The missions top priority is to inspect all of the reinforced carboncarbon heat protection material on Discoverys wing leading edge panels and to downlink the data for evaluation on the ground. Second on the list of priorities is inspecting all of the shuttles siliconbased tiles. The onorbit inspections will be carried out using a variety of methods, including umbilical well and handheld photography and video of the external tank after it is jettisoned. En route to the station the day after launch, the crew will use a 50footlong Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) tipped with two types of lasers and a highresolution television camera to inspect key areas of the wings for any sign of damage that

may have occurred during launch. This boom nearly doubles the length of the robotic capability of the shuttle crane. There are additional inspections using this equipment scheduled the day before and the day of undocking from the space station.

Discovery Underside View

An inspection conducted by the station crew will focus on the underside of Discovery at a distance of 600 feet before docking. The shuttle will be carefully rotated under command of Lindsey through a backflip allowing the station crew to train cameras on the shuttle as it approaches. This maneuver, the rendezvous pitch maneuver (RPM), was first performed during the STS114 mission.

Astronaut Michael E. Fossum

Astronaut Michael E. Fossum, STS121 mission specialist, participates in a spacesuit fit check in the Space Station Airlock Test Article (SSATA) in the Crew Systems Laboratory at the Johnson Space Center.

May 2006

OVERVIEW

Two 6 hour spacewalks are scheduled for Sellers and Fossum on the fifth and seventh days of the mission. If an additional day is available, a third spacewalk will be scheduled on the ninth day. For the first spacewalk, the crew members will use the 50foot robotic arm inspection boom as a potential work platform for hardtoreach repair sites on the bottom of the orbiter. They also will begin maintenance of the stations mobile transporter (MT) by safing or replacing a cable cutter on one side of the unit to allow the robotic system to be translated in support of the second spacewalk. During the second spacewalk, on the other side of the MT, the crew will replace a reel assembly and the detached cable that was inadvertently cut and swap out the cable cutter with a disabled unit. The crew also will install a spare pump for the thermal control system on the outside of the stations Quest airlock for future use. The replacement cable reel and pump module will be delivered on a carrier in Discoverys cargo bay. If an extra day is available, the third spacewalk will include tasks to test techniques for using an infrared camera for inspecting and materials for repairing the RCC segments that protect the orbiters nose cone and wing leading edges. STS121 is scheduled to launch during a planning window extending July 1 to 19. Discovery will launch from Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., and rendezvous with the International Space Station on flight day 3. The Leonardo cargo carrier housed in Discoverys payload bay will be berthed to the

Raffaello in the Aft Bay of Discovery

The MultiPurpose Logistics Module

Raffaello stands out in the aft bay of
Discovery during the STS114 mission
space station Unity modules Earthfacing port on flight day 4. This will be the fourth trip to the station for Leonardo, the first of three such Italianbuilt cargo carriers to be put into service. Leonardo flew to space for the first time aboard Discovery during STS102 in February 2001. Included in Leonardos cargo is the Minus Eighty Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI) that will store extremely cold research samples, the European Modular Cultivation System for biological science experiments and the oxygen generation system (OGS) that will be activated by a station crew later to supplement oxygen supplies onboard and a new cycle ergometer for the station crew. Equipment and supplies no longer needed on the station will be moved to Leonardo before it is unberthed on flight day 10 and put back into Discoverys cargo bay for return to Earth. Undocking is set for flight day 11. Discoverys crew will make final preparations for the return home on flight day 12, with landing at the Kennedy Space Centers Shuttle Landing Facility on flight day 13.

May 2006

OVERVIEW

STS-121 TIMELINE OVERVIEW

(IF ONLY TWO SPACEWALKS ARE CONDUCTED) FLIGHT DAY 1:

Launch PayloadBayDoorOpening KuBandAntennaDeployment ShuttleRobotArmPowerUp
OBSSInspectionofDiscoverysNoseCapHeatShield

ArtistsrenderingoftheOBSSinspectionof Discoverysnosecapheatshield. DockingtotheInternationalSpaceStation HatchOpeningandWelcomingby Expedition13Crew ThomasReiterSoyuzSeatlinerTransferand Installation(becomespartofExpedition13 crew) RechargeOxygenOrificeBypassAssembly (ROOBA)LeakCheckandCheckout StationRobotArmGrappleofOBSSand HandofftoShuttleRobotArm

ExternalTankHandheldVideoandWing LeadingEdgeSensorDataDownlink

FLIGHT DAY 2:
ShuttleRobotArmCheckout ShuttleRobotArmGrappleofOrbiter BoomSensorSystem(OBSS) InspectionofShuttleThermalProtection SystemandWingLeadingEdgereinforced carboncarbon(RCC) SpacesuitCheckout OrbiterDockingSystemOuterRing Extension AirlockPreparations RendezvousToolCheckout

FLIGHT DAY 4:
StationRobotArmGrappleofLeonardo MultiPurposeLogisticsModule(MPLM) andInstallationonUnityModule StationRoboticArmWalkofffromDestiny LaboratorytoMobileBaseSystem OBSSSurveyofShuttleReinforcedCarbon Carbon MPLMIngressandStartofCargoTransfers

FLIGHT DAY 3:
RendezvousOperations TerminalInitiationEngineFiring RendezvousPitchManeuverandISSDigital PhotographyofDiscovery

May 2006

TIMELINE

FLIGHT DAY 9:
CrewOffDutyPeriod

FLIGHT DAY 10:

InstallationofLeonardowithCanadarm2

FinalCargoTransfers MPLMEgressandDeactivation StationRobotArmDetachmentofMPLM fromUnityforBerthinginDiscovery PayloadBay StationRobotArmGrappleofOBSSfrom ShuttleRobotArmforFinalBerthing ShuttleRobotArm/OBSSLateInspectionof DiscoverysPortWing

Artistsrenderingoftheinstallationof LeonardowithCanadarm2.

FLIGHT DAY 5:
EVA1(ZenithIntegratedUmbilical AssemblyReplacementonMobile Transporter;OrbiterBoomSensorSystem LoadsEvaluation) CargoTransfersContinue

FLIGHT DAY 11:

FinalFarewellsandHatchClosing UndockingofDiscoveryfromISS FinalSeparationManeuver ShuttleRobotArm/OBSSLateInspectionof DiscoverysStarboardWingandNoseCap CrewOffDutyPeriod

FLIGHT DAY 6:
CargoTransfersContinue JointCrewNewsConference

FLIGHT DAY 7:
EVA2(PumpModuleTransfertoExternal StowagePlatform2;TrailingUmbilical SystemReplacementonMobile Transporter) StationRobotArmWalkofffromMobile BaseSystemtoDestinyLaboratory CargoTransfersContinue

FLIGHT DAY 8:
CargoTransfersContinue
DiscoveryundockingfromISSwiththeOBSSintheHandoff Position

ArtistsrenderingofDiscoveryundocking fromISSwiththeOBSSinthe handoffposition.

May 2006

TIMELINE

FLIGHT DAY 12:

FlightControlSystemCheckout ReactionControlSystemHotFireTest CabinStowage DeorbitTimelineReview KuBandAntennaStowage

FLIGHT DAY 11:

FinalCargoTransfers MPLMEgressandDeactivation StationRobotArmDetachmentofMPLM fromUnityforBerthinginDiscovery PayloadBay StationRobotArmGrappleofOBSSfrom ShuttleRobotArmforFinalBerthing ShuttleRobotArm/OBSSLateInspectionof DiscoverysPortWing

FLIGHT DAY 13:

DeorbitPreparations PayloadBayDoorClosing DeorbitBurn KSCLanding

FLIGHT DAY 12:

FinalFarewellsandHatchClosing UndockingofDiscoveryfromISS FinalSeparationManeuver ShuttleRobotArm/OBSSLateInspectionof DiscoverysStarboardWingandNoseCap

(IF THREE SPACEWALKS ARE CONDUCTED)

Flightdays17wouldremainthesame,but activitiesonthefollowingdayswouldchange.

FLIGHT DAY 8:
CargoTransfersContinue CrewOffDutyPeriod

FLIGHT DAY 13:

FlightControlSystemCheckout ReactionControlSystemHotFireTest CabinStowage DeorbitTimelineReview KuBandAntennaStowage

FLIGHT DAY 9:
EVA3(RCCCrackRepairTechnique Demonstration)

FLIGHT DAY 10:

CargoTransfersContinue CrewOffDutyPeriod

FLIGHT DAY 14:

DeorbitPreparations PayloadBayDoorClosing DeorbitBurn KSCLanding

May 2006

TIMELINE

MISSION OBJECTIVES
ObjectivesfortheSTS121SpaceShuttle missioninclude(inorderofpriority): Performorbiterreinforcedcarboncarbon (RCC)inspectionusingtheOrbiterBoom andSensorSystem(OBSS)attachedtothe ShuttleRemoteManipulatorSystem(SRMS) anddownlinktheOBSSsensorsdatatothe groundforevaluation. PerformorbitertileinspectionusingISS imageryduringtheRendezvousPitch Maneuver(RPM). PerformorbiterRCCinspectionofthewing leadingedgeofbothwingsandnosecap priortodeorbitandlandingtodetect micrometeoroidorbitaldebris(MMOD) damageanddownlinkthesensordatato thegroundforevaluation. Transfermandatoryquantitiesofwater fromtheshuttletothestation. AugmentExpedition13crew,transfer mandatorycrewaugmentationcargoand performmandatorytasksconsistingof individualequipmentlinerkit,orSoyuz seatliner(IELK),andSokolsuitcheckout. Removeandreplacethefailedtrailing umbilicalsystem(TUS)reelassembly(RA) andinterfaceumbilicalassembly(IUA)on thestationwiththenewTUSRAandIUA. ReturnthefailedTUSRAontheintegrated cargocarrier(ICC)andreturnthefailed IUAonthemiddeck. BerthMultiPurposeLogisticsModule (MPLM)toUnityNode1.Activateand checkoutMPLM. PerformDetailedTestObjective(DTO)849 OBSS/SRMSloadscharacterizationwith extravehicularactivity(EVA)crew membersduringanEVA(seeSpacewalk andDetailedSupplementaryObjectives andDetailedTestObjectivessectionsfor details). PerformDTO850watersprayboiler coolingwithwater/propyleneglycol monomethylether(PGME)mixture. Transfercriticalcargowhichincludesitems toensurecrewandvehiclesafety,itemsthat arerequiredtosupportflightandstage objectives,samplesanddatacollection itemsforreturn,hardwareforreturnand refurbishment,andincrementscience objectivesandlastflightopportunityitems beforeimplementation. Performsevenhoursofcrewhandoverfor augmentedcrewmember. ReturnMPLMtoorbiterpayloadbay. Removethepumpmodule(PM)withfixed grapplebar(FGB)installedfromtheICC andinstallontheexternalstowage platform2(ESP2). Transferandinstalltheoxygengeneration system(OGS). TransferandinstalltheMinusEighty DegreesLaboratoryFreezer(MELFI). Transferandinstallthestarboardcommon cabinairassembly(CCAA)heatexchanger. Performrechargeoxygenorificebypass assembly(ROOBA)checkout.

May 2006

MISSION OBJECTIVES

Disassembleandexchangecycleergometer withvibrationisolationsystem(CEVIS). Transferrequirednitrogenfromtheorbiter tothestationQuestAirlockhighpressure gastank(HGPT). PerformStationDevelopmentTest Objective(SDTO)12004U,shuttlebooster fanbypass. Transferremainingcargo. RemoveandreplacetheMicrogravity ScienceGlovebox(MSG)frontwindow. SwapISSandorbiterprinter. Transferoxygenfromtheorbitertothe stationQuestAirlockHGPT,ifrequired. PerformdailyISSpayloadstatuschecks,as required. ReboostISSwiththeorbitertonomorethan 186.7nauticalmiles,or214.9statutemiles, averageorbitalaltitude,ifpropulsive consumablesareavailable. Performmiddecksortiepayloadactivities. Performramburnobservation(RAMBO) payloadoperations.

PerformMauiAnalysisof UpperAtmosphericInjections(MAUI) payloadoperations. PerformanimagerysurveyoftheISS exteriorduringanorbiterflyaroundafter undocking,ifpropulsiveconsumablesare available. PerformU.S.operatingsegment (USOS)/Russiansegment(RS)payload researchoperationstasks. PerformDTO852,SRMSOnorbitloads, heavypayloads. Performstationdevelopmenttestobjective (SDTO)13005U,ISSstructurallife validationandextensionfororbiterreboost, integratedwirelessinstrumentationsystem (IWIS)onlyifcrewtimeisavailable. Performstationdevelopmenttestobjective (SDTO)13005U,ISSstructurallife validationandextensionfororbiter undocking,integratedwireless instrumentationsystem(IWIS)onlyifcrew timeisavailable. PerformISSapprovedEVAgetaheadtasks.

May 2006

MISSION OBJECTIVES

LAUNCH AND LANDING

LAUNCH
Aswithallpreviousspaceshuttlelaunches, DiscoveryonSTS121willhaveseveralmodes availablethatcouldbeusedtoaborttheascent ifneededduetoenginefailuresorother systemsproblems.Shuttlelaunchabort philosophyaimstowardsaferecoveryofthe flightcrewandintactrecoveryoftheorbiter anditspayload.Abortmodesinclude:

RETURN-TO-LAUNCH-SITE (RTLS)
Earlyshutdownofoneormoreengines,and withoutenoughenergytoreachZaragoza, wouldresultinapitcharoundandthrustback towardKSCuntilwithinglidingdistanceofthe ShuttleLandingFacility.Forlaunchto proceed,weatherconditionsmustbeforecastto beacceptableforapossibleRTLSlandingat KSCabout20minutesafterliftoff.

ABORT-TO-ORBIT (ATO)
Partiallossofmainenginethrustlateenoughto permitreachingaminimal105by85nautical mileorbitwithorbitalmaneuveringsystem engines.

LANDING
TheprimarylandingsiteforDiscoveryon STS121istheShuttleLandingFacilityat KennedySpaceCenter.Alternatelandingsites thatcouldbeusedifneededduetoweather conditionsorsystemsfailuresareatEdwards AirForceBase,Calif.,andWhiteSandsSpace Harbor,N.M.

TRANSATLANTIC ABORT LANDING (TAL)

Lossofoneormoremainenginesmidway throughpoweredflightwouldforcealanding ateitherZaragoza,Spain;Moron,Spain;or Istres,France.Forlaunchtoproceed,weather conditionsmustbeacceptableatoneofthese TALsites.

ABORT ONCE AROUND (AOA)

AnAOAisselectedifthevehiclecannot achieveaviableorbitorwillnothaveenough propellanttoperformadeorbitburn,buthas enoughenergytocircletheEarthonceandland about90minutesafterliftoff.

May 2006

LAUNCH & LANDING

10

MISSION PROFILE

CREW
Commander: Pilot: MissionSpecialist1: MissionSpecialist2: MissionSpecialist3: MissionSpecialist4: MissionSpecialist5: SteveLindsey MarkKelly MikeFossum LisaNowak StephanieWilson PiersSellers ThomasReiter

Space Shuttle Main Engines:

SSME1: SSME2: SSME3: ExternalTank: SRBSet: RSRMSet: 2045 2051 2056 ET119 BI126 93

LAUNCH
Orbiter: LaunchSite: LaunchDate: LaunchTime: Discovery(OV103) KennedySpaceCenter LaunchPad39B NoearlierthanJuly1, 2006 3:49p.m.EDT(Preferred inplanelaunchtimefor 7/1) 5minutes 122nauticalmiles (140StatuteMiles) Orbitalinsertion;185NM (212SM)rendezvous 51.6degrees 11days19hours 12minutes

SHUTTLE ABORTS
Abort Landing Sites
RTLS: TAL: AOA: KennedySpaceCenterShuttle LandingFacility PrimaryZaragoza;alternates MoronandIstres PrimaryKennedySpaceCenter ShuttleLandingFacility;alternate WhiteSandsSpaceHarbor

LaunchWindow: Altitude:

Landing
NoearlierthanJuly13, 2006 LandingTime: 10:46a.m.EDT PrimarylandingSite: KennedySpaceCenter ShuttleLandingFacility LandingDate:

Inclination: Duration:

PAYLOADS
MultiPurposeLogisticsModule(MPLM) IntegratedCargoCarrier(ICC) LightweightMultiPurposeExperiment StructureCarrier(LMC)

VEHICLE DATA
4,523,850 pounds Orbiter/PayloadLiftoffWeight: 266,962 pounds Orbiter/PayloadLandingWeight: 225,741 pounds SoftwareVersion: OI30 ShuttleLiftoffWeight:

May 2006

MISSION PROFILE

11

STS-121 DISCOVERY CREW

TheSTS121crewwasfirstnamedinDecember 2003aftertheflightwasaddedtothespace shuttlescheduletohelpaccommodatethe growinglistofrequirementsoriginally assignedtothefirstReturntoFlightmission, STS114.TheinitialcrewincludedCommander StevenW.Lindsey,anAirForcecolonel,Pilot MarkE.Kelly,aNavycommander,andmission specialistsCarlosI.NoriegaandMichaelE. Fossum. NoriegawasreplacedbyPiersJ.SellersinJuly 2004becauseofatemporarymedicalcondition. MissionspecialistsLisaM.Nowak,aNavy commander,andStephanieD.Wilsonwere addedtotheflightinNovember2004. Themissionwasdeclaredacrewrotationflight whenNASAdeterminedreturningtoathree personcrewaboardtheInternationalSpace Stationwouldbepossiblefollowingthefirst twoshuttlesupplymissions.ThomasReiter wasaddedtotheflightinJuly2005. Shortbiographicalsketchesofthecrewfollow withdetailedbackgroundavailableat: http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/and http://www.esa.int/esaHS/astronauts.html

STS121DiscoveryCrew

May 2006

CREW

12

CommanderStevenLindsey

CommanderStevenLindsey PilotMarkKellyisflyingforthesecondtime andwillberesponsibleforsystemsoperations andassistingintherendezvousanddockingto theInternationalSpaceStation.Hewillalso serveastheintravehicularactivitycrew memberhelpingtosuitupandchoreograph spacewalkersPiersSellersandMichaelFossum duringtheirspacewalks.Inaddition,hewillbe heavilyinvolvedininspectionsofDiscoverys heatshieldandtransferringcargotoandfrom theshuttle.HewillundockDiscoveryfromthe stationattheendofthemission.

STS121Patch

TheSTS121patchdepictsthespaceshuttle dockedwiththeInternationalSpaceStationin theforeground,overlayingtheastronaut symbolwiththreegoldcolumnsandagold star.TheISSisshownintheconfiguration thatitwillbeinduringtheSTS121mission. ThebackgroundshowsthenighttimeEarth withadawnbreakingoverthehorizon. CommanderStevenLindseyisaveteranof threespaceflightsandasecondtime commanderwhohasoverallresponsibilityfor theonorbitexecutionofthemission,orbiter systemsoperations,andflightoperations includinglandingtheorbiter.Inaddition,he willflytheshuttleinaprocedurecalledthe rendezvouspitchmaneuverwhileDiscoveryis 600feetbelowthestationbeforedockingto enabletheISScrewtophotographtheorbiters heatshield.HewillthendockDiscoverytothe station.Hewillalsobeheavilyinvolvedin inspectionsofDiscoverysheatshieldand transferringcargotoandfromtheshuttle.

PilotMarkKelly

PilotMarkKelly

May 2006

CREW

13

 MissionSpecialist1(MS1)MichaelFossumwill makehisfirstventureintospace.Fossumwill performtwotothreespacewalks,asEV2with hiscolleaguePiersSellers,totestshuttleheat shieldinspectionandrepairtechniques. Testingwillincludeevaluatingtherobotic boomextensionasaworkplatformandtesting repairmaterialsandhardwarefordamaged shuttleheatshieldcomponents.Hewillalso continueInternationalSpaceStationassembly byreplacingfailedhardwareandinstalling sparepartsontheoutsideofthecomplex. Fossumwillalsoassistwithinspectionsof Discoverysheatshield.Fossumwillbeseated ontheflightdeckforlaunchandthemiddeck forlanding. thecommanderandthepilotontheflightdeck duringlaunchandlanding.Asaroboticarm operator,shewillmaneuverhercrewmatesand hardwareduringthetwotothreespacewalks usingtheshuttlearmonthefirstandthestation armforthesecondandthirdspacewalks.She willalsoperformheatshieldinspectionswith theorbiterboomsensorsystemandusethe stationroboticarmtohandofftheboomtothe shuttlearm.Duringtherendezvous,docking andundocking,shewillmanagecomputers, lasers,cameras,andtheorbiterdockingsystem.

LisaNowak

LisaNowak MissionSpecialist3(MS3)isastronaut StephanieWilson.Sheismakingherfirstflight intospace.Shewillserveastheoverallleadfor transferringsuppliesfromtheshuttlescargo moduletothestation.Shealsowillserveasa roboticarmoperator,usingthespacestation roboticarmtoinstalltheLeonardocargo moduleontothestationandtohandoffthe boomtotheshuttlearm,andusetheorbiter boomsensorsystemtoinspectDiscoverysheat shield.Priortothespacewalks,shewillassist withsuitupofthespacewalkers.Duringthe rendezvous,dockingandundocking,shewill managethehandheldlaserandtheorbiter dockingsystem.Wilsonwillbeseatedonthe middeckforlaunchandtheflightdeckfor landing.

MikeFossum

MikeFossum MissionSpecialist2(MS2)isastronautLisa Nowak,makingherfirstflightintospace.She willserveastheflightengineeronSTS121, addingathirdsetofeyesonorbitersystemsfor

May 2006

CREW

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 InternationalSpaceStationFlightEngineer ThomasReiter(FE2),representingthe EuropeanSpaceAgency(ESA),isflyingtothe spacestationaboardDiscovery.Hewilllead thetransferofsuppliesfromtheshuttlescargo moduletothespacestationduringthe spacewalksandhewillassistwithsuitupprior tothespacewalks.Heisconductinghissecond longdurationspaceflightmission.Hespent 179daysinspacein19951996onamissionto theRussianMirspacestationduringwhichhe conductedtwospacewalksandabout40 Europeanscientificexperiments.Reiteristhe firstESAastronauttoliveaboardthe InternationalSpaceStationforalongterm mission.Reiterwillworkonthestationaspart ofanagreementbetweentheRussianFederal SpaceAgencyandESA.Reiterwillbeonthe middeckforlaunchandremainonthespace stationuntiltheSTS116spaceshuttle,ora Soyuz,mission.

StephanieWilson

StephanieWilson MissionSpecialist4(MS4)isastronautPiers Sellers,aveteranofonespaceflight.Hismain objectiveistoleadandperformtwotothree spacewalks,asEV1alongwithhis spacewalkingcolleague,MichaelFossum. Duringthespacewalks,theywilltestshuttle heatshieldinspectionandrepairtechniques. Testingwillincludeevaluationoftherobotic boomextensionasaworkplatformandtesting ofrepairmaterialsandhardwarefordamaged heatshieldcomponents.Hewillalsocontinue InternationalSpaceStationassemblyby replacingfailedhardwareandinstallingspare partsontheoutsideofthecomplex.Sellerswill beseatedonthemiddeckforlaunchand landing.

ThomasReiter

ThomasReiter
PiersSellers

PiersSellers

May 2006

CREW

15

 ESAastronautLopoldEyhartsisservingas Reitersbackupforthelongdurationspace stationmissionandwouldbeconductinghis secondspaceflightifneeded.Hisprevious missionin1998wasaboardtheRussianMir spacestationduringwhichheperformed variousFrenchexperimentsintheareaof medicalresearch,neuroscience,biology,fluid physicsandtechnology.

LopoldEyharts

LopoldEyharts

May 2006

CREW

16

KEY MISSION PERSONNEL

KEY CONSOLE POSITIONS FOR STS-121
Ascent

Flt.Director
SteveStich

CAPCOM
SteveFrick RickSturckow(Wx) RickMastracchio LeeArchambault SteveSwanson

PAO
RobNavias

Orbit1(Lead) Orbit2 Planning

TonyCeccacci NormKnight PaulDye

KylieClem(Lead) KellyHumphries JohnIraPetty NicoleCloutier Lemasters KellyHumphries

Entry

SteveStich

SteveFrick RickSturckow(Wx)

ISSOrbit1 ISSOrbit2(Lead) ISSOrbit3 MissionControl, Korolev,Russia

AnnetteHasbrook RickLaBrode MattAbbott CathyKoerner

MeganMcArthur JuliePayette ThaddBowers n/a

n/a n/a n/a n/a

JSCPAORepresentativeatKSCforLaunchKyleHerring KSCLaunchCommentatorBruceBuckingham KSCLaunchDirectorMikeLeinbach NASALaunchTestDirectorJeffSpaulding

May 2006

KEY PERSONNEL

17

RENDEZVOUS AND DOCKING

DiscoverysapproachtotheInternationalSpace StationduringtheSTS121rendezvousand dockingprocesswillincludeatrickymaneuver firstdemonstratedonSTS114.Theorbiterwill becommandedtoconductabackflip,enabling stationcrewmemberstotakedigitalimagesof theshuttlesheatshield. Thephotoswillthenbedownlinkedthrough thestationsKubandcommunicationssystem foranalysisbysystemsengineersandmission managers. Thephotoswillbetakenoutofwindows6and 7intheZvezdaservicemodulewithKodak DCS760digitalcamerasand400mmand 800mmlenses.Theimageryduringthe rendezvouspitchmaneuver(RPM)isamong severalinspectionproceduresinstitutedafter theColumbiaaccidentdesignedtodetectand determinetheextentofanydamagethe orbitersprotectivetilesandreinforcedcarbon carbonsurfacesmighthavesustained. ThesequenceofeventsthatbringsDiscoveryto itsdockingwiththestationbeginswiththe preciselytimedlaunchoftheshuttle,placing theorbiteronthecorrecttrajectoryandcourse foritstwodaychasetoarriveatthestation. Duringthefirsttwodaysofthemission, periodicenginefiringswillgraduallybring Discoverytoapointabout9milesbehindthe station,thestartingpointforafinalapproach.

STS121atAngle

WithCommanderSteveLindseyatthecontrols, Discoverywillperformthe360degreepitch aroundmaneuverwiththeorbiterabout600 feetbelowthestation.Theflipwilltakeabout nineminutestocomplete,offeringExpedition 13CommanderPavelVinogradovandFlight EngineerJeffreyWilliamstimetophotograph tilesurfaceimageryofDiscovery.

1.

2.

1. 800 mm lens 2. 400 mm lens RPMStart(800mmlens) ShuttleBellyup(400mmlens)

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RENDEZVOUS & DOCKING

18

 About2hoursbeforethescheduleddocking timeonflightday3,Discoverywillreachthat point,about50,000feetbehindtheISS.There, Discoverysjetswillbefiredinaterminal initiation(TI)burntobeginthefinalphaseof therendezvous.Discoverywillclosethefinal milestothestationduringthenextorbit. AsDiscoverymovesclosertothestation,the shuttlesrendezvousradarsystemand trajectorycontrolsensor(TCS)willbegin trackingthecomplex,andprovidingrangeand closingrateinformationtothecrew.During thefinalapproach,Discoverywillexecute severalsmallmidcoursecorrectionsatregular intervalswithitssteeringjets.Thatwillplace Discoveryatapointabout1,000feetdirectly belowthestationwhereLindseywilltakeover themanualflyingoftheshuttleuptheRBar,or radialvectortowardthecomplex,the imaginarylinedrawnbetweenthestationand theEarth. Rendezvous Approach Profile

Space Shuttle Rendezvous Maneuvers

OMS-1 (Orbit insertion)- Rarely used ascent burn. OMS-2 (Orbit insertion)- Typically used to circularize the initial orbit following ascent, completing orbital insertion. For gro und-up rendezvous flights, also considered a rendezvous phasing burn. NC (Rendezvous phasing) Performed to hit a range relative to the target at a future time. NH (Rendezvous height adjust) Performed to hit a delta -height relative to the target at a future time. NPC (Rendezvous plane change) Performed to remove planar errors relative to the target at a future time. NCC (Rendezvous corrective combination) First on-board targeted burn in the rendezvous sequence. Using star tracker data, it is performed to remove phasing and height errors relative to the target at Ti. Ti (Rendezvous terminal intercept) Second on-board targeted burn in the rendezvous sequence. Using primarily rendezvous radar data, it places the orbiter on a trajectory to intercept the target in one orbit. MC-1, MC-2, MC-3, MC-4 (Rendezvous midcourse burns)- These on-board targeted burns use star tracker and rendezvous radar data to correct the postTi trajectory in preparation for the final, manual proximity operations phase.
RendezvousApproachProfile

ZvezdaServiceModule

StationcrewmemberswilluseEarthfacing windowsintheZvezdaServiceModuleto takephotographsduringtheRendezvous PitchManeuver.

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19

 HewillslowDiscoverysapproachandflytoa pointabout600feetdirectlybelowthestation, andifrequired,waitfortheproperlighting conditions.Therendezvousisdesignedto optimizelightingforinspectionimageryaswell ascrewvisibilityforcriticalrendezvousevents.

ImageryofDiscoveryUpperSurfaceUsing400and800mm DigitalCameraLenses

ApproachProfile

OnverbalcuefromPilotMarkKellytoalertthe stationcrew,LindseywillcommandDiscovery tobeginanoseforward,threequarterofa degreepersecondrotationalbackflip.AtRPM start,theISScrewwillbeginofseriesof photographsforinspection.Thesequenceof photographymappingprovidesoptimization ofthelightingconditions. Boththe400and800mmdigitalcameralenses willbeusedtophotographtherequired surfacesoftheorbiter.The400mmlens providesupto3inchresolutionandthe800can provideupto1inchresolutionaswellasdetect gapfillerprotrusionsofgreaterthan.25inch. Theimageryincludestheuppersurfacesofthe shuttleaswellasDiscoverysbelly,nose landinggeardoorseals,themainlandinggear doorsealsandtheelevoncovewith1inch analyticalresolution.SincetheSTS114 mission,additionalzoneswereaddedforthe 800mmlenstofocusonthegapfillerson Discoverysbellywhentheorbiterisat145and 230degreeanglesduringtheflip.Thereshould beenoughtimefortwosetsofpictures.

NOTE indicates critical focus point. 2. Sequence is ~16 shots; repeat sequence, as time allows. 1.

bottomside_800mm.cnv

ImageryofDiscoveryBellyUsing400and800mmDigital CameraLenses

WhenDiscoverycompletesitsrotation,itwill returntoanorientationwithitspayloadbay facingthestation. LindseywillthenmoveDiscoverytoaposition about400feetinfrontofthestationalongthe VBar,orthevelocityvector,thedirectionof travelforbothspacecraft.Kellywillprovide Lindseywithnavigationinformationashe slowlyinchestheshuttletowardthedocking portattheforwardendofthestationsDestiny Laboratory. MissionspecialistsLisaNowakandStephanie Wilsonalsowillplaykeyrolesinthe rendezvous.Theywilloperatelaptop computersprocessingthenavigationaldata,the laserrangesystemsandDiscoverysdocking mechanism.

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 Usingaviewfromacameramountedinthe centerofDiscoverysdockingmechanismasa keyalignmentaid,Lindseywillpreciselyalign thedockingportsofthetwospacecraft.Hewill flytoapointwherethedockingmechanisms are30feetapartandpausetocheckthe alignment. ForDiscoverysdocking,Lindseywillmaintain theshuttlesspeedrelativetothestationat aboutonetenthofafootpersecond(whileboth Discoveryandthestationaretravelingatabout 17,500mph),andkeepthedockingmechanisms alignedtowithinatoleranceofthreeinches. WhenDiscoverymakescontactwiththe station,preliminarylatcheswillautomatically attachthetwospacecraft.Immediatelyafter Discoverydocks,theshuttlessteeringjetswill bedeactivatedtoreducetheforcesactingatthe dockinginterface.Shockabsorberlikesprings inthedockingmechanismwilldampenany relativemotionbetweentheshuttleandthe station. Oncethatmotionbetweenthespacecrafthas beenstopped,Wilsonwillsecurethedocking mechanism,sendingcommandsforDiscoverys dockingringtoretractandtocloseafinalsetof latchesbetweenthetwovehicles. bestowedinDiscoveryspayloadbayafterthe inspectionsarecompleted. OnceDiscoveryisreadytoundock,Wilsonwill sendacommandtoreleasethedocking mechanism.Atinitialseparationofthe spacecraft,springsinthedockingmechanism willpushtheshuttleawayfromthestation. Discoveryssteeringjetswillbeshutoffto avoidanyinadvertentfiringsduringtheinitial separation. OnceDiscoveryisabouttwofeetfromthe station,withthedockingdevicesclearofone another,Kellywillturnthesteeringjetsbackon andfirethemtoveryslowlymoveaway.From theaftflightdeck,Kellywillmanuallycontrol Discoverywithinatightcorridorastheorbiter separatesfromthestation,essentiallythe reverseofthetaskperformedbyLindseyjust beforeDiscoverydocked. Discoverywillcontinueawaytoadistanceof about450feet,whereKellywillinitiatethefirst oftwoseparationburnstoflytheshuttleabove thestation.Afullflyaroundofthestationis notplannedtoconservetimeforfurther inspectionsofDiscoverysheatshield.Once directlyabovethestation,Kellywillfire Discoverysjetstoleavethestationarea. Discoverywillstationkeepatadistanceof40 nauticalmilesfromISSuntilthelateinspection imageryisreviewedandtheMission ManagementTeamclearstheorbiterfor landing.ThispositionallowsDiscoverythe opportunitytoredocktothestationifneeded.

UNDOCKING, SEPARATION AND DEPARTURE

AdditionalinspectionsofDiscoverysheat shieldarescheduledonflightday10,theday beforeundocking,andflightday11 immediatelyfollowingundocking.Therefore, theorbiterwillundockwiththeshuttlerobotic armandOBBSdeployed.TheOBSSwillthen

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SPACEWALKS
TheSTS121andExpedition13crewswillwork togethertoaccomplishtwospacewalks.They willfocusonshuttlethermalprotectionsystem repairtechniquesandspacestationassembly andrepairtasks. Athirdspacewalkalsowillbeconductedif missionmanagersdeterminetheshuttlehas enoughconsumablesforanextradayforthe mission.Thethirdspacewalkwouldinclude testsoftechniquesforinspectingandrepairing theorbitersheatshield,thereinforced carboncarbon(RCC)segmentsthatprotectthe orbitersnoseconeandwingleadingedges. EachofthespacewalksbyPiersSellersand MikeFossumwilllast6hours.Theywillbe conductedfromthestationsQuestairlockon flightdays5and7.Thethirdspacewalkwould beonflightday9.Theywouldbethe20th,21st and22ndQuestbasedEVAsinsupportof spacestationassembly. ThesewillbethefirstspacewalksforFossum. Sellersconductedthreepreviousspacewalkson theSTS112shuttlemissiontostationin October2002,duringwhichhehelpedinstall thestarboardone(S1)trusssegment. SellerswillbedesignatedEV1andwillwear thespacesuitwithredstripes.Fossumwillbe designatedEV2andwillwearnostripesonhis spacesuit.DiscoveryPilotMarkKellywillbe theintravehicularactivity(IVA)crewmember, offeringadviceandcoordinatingspacewalk activitiesfrominsidethecomplex. MissionSpecialistsLisaNowakandStephanie Wilsonwillmaneuvertheircrewmatesand hardwareduringthethreespacewalksusing theshuttlearmonthefirstandthestationarm forthesecondandthirdspacewalks. Expedition13crewmembersJeffreyWilliams andThomasReiterwillhelpwiththe spacewalks.Duringpreparationsforthefirst spacewalk,WilliamswilljoinKellyandWilson intheQuestAirlocktohelpwithspacewalk preparations.Reiterwillassistwith preparationsforthethirdspacewalk. Beforeeachspacewalk,SellersandFossumwill preparebyexercisingonthestationsbicycle ergometer.Designedtopurgenitrogenfrom theblood,theprocedureinvolvesbreathing pureoxygenwhileexercisingvigorously.It preventsthespacewalkersfromgettingpainful decompressionsickness,orthebends,during thespacewalk.

EVA 1
Duringthefirstspacewalk,thecrewmembers willtestthe50footroboticarmboom extension,usuallyusedforremoteshuttle thermalprotectionsystem(TPS)inspections,as apotentialworkplatformforhardtoreach repairsitesonthebottomoftheorbiterfor detailedtestobjective(DTO)849.Theywill alsobeginmaintenanceofthestationsmobile transporter(MT)bysafingorreplacingacable cutterandroutingacableontheMTtoallowit tobemovedbeforethesecondspacewalk.

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 Thecablecutter,calledaninterfaceumbilical assembly(IUA),isonthetop,orzenithsideof theMT.AduplicatedeviceontheEarthfacing, ornadirside,oftheMTinadvertentlycutthe nadircableinDecember2005.

AstronautPiersJ.SellersParticipatesinaSimulation

IUAwithTUSCableRoutedthroughMechanism

EngineeringphotooftheIUAwiththeTUS cableroutedthroughmechanismbefore launchandinstallationonISS. Thecrewwillfirstworkonkeepingthezenith IUAfromactivatinginthefuturebyeither installingadevicetoblockthecutterfromthe cableorremovetheIUAandreplaceitwitha newunitlaunchedonDiscovery.The Expedition12crewhadtriedtosafethezenith IUAduringaspacewalkinMarchbyinstalling asafingbolt,buttheboltcouldnotbeinserted. Topreventthecablefrombeinginadvertently cut,thatcrewremoveditfromtheIUAuntilthe STS121crewcouldworkonit.Sellersand FossumwillreroutetheTrailingUmbilical System(TUS)cablethroughtheIUA,onceitis configuredsafely,toallowtheMTtobemoved fromworksite4(WS4)toworksite5(WS5on thestationstruss)inadvanceofEVA2. Thenextobjectiveofthespacewalk,istotest thenewroboticboomasanorbitertile inspectionorrepairworkplatform.

AstronautPiersJ.Sellers,wearingatraining versionoftheextravehicularmobilityunit spacesuit,participatesinasimulation.Heis anchoredontheendofthetrainingversionof thespaceshuttleremotemanipulatorsystem (RMS)roboticarmintheSpaceVehicle MockupFacilityatJohnsonSpaceCenter. LoraBailey(right),manager,JSCengineering tilerepair,assistedSellers.AstronautMichael E.Fossum(center),missionspecialist,also participatedinthetest. Forthetest,firstSellersandthenbothcrew members,willworkontheendoftheboom. Theywillsimulaterepairrelatedmovementsin atleastthreedifferentOBSSpositions.Sensors installedontheOBSSandimageryfrom variouscameraswillprovidepostflight informationtoengineersthatwillhelpthem evaluatethestabilityoftheboom. Muchofthetestwillbededicatedtosettingup toolsandtheOBSSforthemovementsandthen reconfiguringattheend.Themovementsof thespacewalkersforthetestsinthethreearm positionsarescheduledtotakeabout 30minuteseach.Thespacewalkerswill providecommentsabouteachmovement, whilethesensorsintheloadcellrecord quantitativedataforreviewfollowingthe mission.

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 AfterleavingtheQuestairlock,Sellersand FossumwillfirstsafethezenithIUAas describedabove.Thentheywillmovetothe pressurizedmatingadapter(PMA)1toretrieve anarticulatingportablefootrestraint(APFR) withatoolstanchion(TS).Nexttheywillwork theirwaydowntoDiscoveryspayloadbay, handoverhandtosetupforthetest.Oncein thepayloadbay,Sellerswilltemporarilyplace theAPFR/TSontheintegratedcargocarrier (ICC)andFossumwillconfigureit. Sellerswillthencontinuesetupbydeployinga sensor,calledaloadcellorinstrumented worksiteinterfacefixture(IWIF),whichhewill installlaterontheOBSS.CommanderSteve Lindseywillusealaptopcomputerinside Discovery,withanRFantennainstalled,to activatethesensor. NowakandWilsonwillthenmovetheshuttles roboticarmsothattheendoftheOBSS/SRMS hoversabovethestarboardsillofthepayload bay.There,Sellerswillinstallseveralsafety tethersontotheOBSS.NowakandWilsonwill thenmovethetipoftheOBSStojustabovethe starboardsillofthepayloadbay. Sellerswillinstalltheactivatedloadcellanda portablefootrestraintattachmentdevice (PAD).Sincethiswillbethefirsttimethat crewmembersinteractdirectlywiththeOBSS,

EngineeringModeloftheAPFRandLoadCellConfiguration

EngineeringmodeloftheArticulating PortableFootRestraint(APFR) andloadcellconfiguration. Fossumwillbeonhandtophysicallystabilize theOBSSanytimeSellersisperformingsetup andcleanupactivitieswithit.Next,Sellersand Fossumwillworktogethertomovethe APFR/TSontothetopoftheloadcellnowon thetipoftheOBSS.SellerswillextendtheTS andingresstheAPFR. Withsetupcomplete,NowakandWilsonwill maneuvertheroboticboomintothefirsttest position,withSellersridingattheendofthe OBSS.Fossumwillstayinthepayloadbayand takedigitalphotosduringthefirsttest.

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RoboticArmClimbPosition

GraphicsshowthepositionwhereSellersandlaterFossumcanclimbontotheroboticarm. Forthefirstposition,theendoftheboomis about14feetfromthepayloadbay,directly abovethepositionwhereSellersgotonthe boom.Oncetheboomisinplace,Sellerswill performseveralmovementstosimulatereal inspectionorrepairactions.Thepositionswill simulatemovementofacrewmemberonthe tipoftheboomduringtranslationto,andwhile inspectingapotentialdamagesiteonthe bottomoftheorbiter.TheyincludeSellers simulatingtakingphotographs,layingback slightlytoretrieveatoolbehindhim,reaching forequipmentinfrontofhim,andmaking positionalchangestotheAPFRandTS. DuetotheadditionofthezenithIUAtasksto thisEVA,timefortheOBSStestscouldbe reduced.IftheIUAtaskiscompletedfaster thanestimated,thearmwillbemovedintoa secondboompositionforthetests.Ifthereis notenoughtime,thearmwillbemoved directlytothepayloadbaysillforFossumto attachtotheboomandmovedirectlyintothe thirdevaluationposition.

FirstPositionoftheRoboticArm

Graphicsshowthefirstpositionoftheroboticarmforthetest.

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SecondPositionoftheRoboticArm

Graphicsshowthesecondpositionoftheroboticarmforthetest. Thesecondposition,whereSellerswillperform additionalmovements,hastheendoftheOBSS extendingabout27feettotheportandaftof Discoveryspayloadbay.Thispositionhasthe SRMSjointsinaslightlyweaker configurationwhichshouldresultinlarger OBSSdeflections.Sellerswillgothroughthree setsofmovementssimilartothemovementsat thefirsttestposition.Fossumwillreposition himselfinthepayloadbaytowatchand documentthesecondroundoftests. Oncethetestsinthefirstpositionarecomplete, andiftimeallows,NowakandWilsonwill movetheOBSSbacktoabovethesillofthe payloadbaywhereFossumwillbewaiting. There,SellerswillmoveofftheAPFRso Fossumcangeton.ThenSellerswillhangonto theTSandbothwilltetherthemselvesinplace. NowakandWilsonwillthenmovetheOBSS intoanintermediatepositionandthenthethird testposition.

IntermediatePositionoftheRoboticArm

Graphicsshowtheintermediatepositionoftheroboticarmforthetest.

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ThirdPositionoftheRoboticArm

Graphicsshowthethirdpositionoftheroboticarmforthetest. InthethirdpositiontheendoftheOBSSis 16feetinfrontofthestationsP1trusssegment. TheconfigurationoftheSRMSjointsprovidesa similarweaknesstothoseofposition2.The maindifferenceisthatbothcrewmembersare nowonthetipoftheOBSS.Duringthe position3evaluations,Fossumwillmake gesturessimilartowhatSellersdidatthefirst twopositionswithSellersnowalsoonthe boom.Bothcrewmemberswillmove simultaneouslyforsomeofthetest. Oncethemovementsatthethirdtestposition arecomplete,NowakandWilsonwillmovethe endoftheOBSSwithbothFossumandSellers towardthestationsP1trusssegmentforthe finalsetoftests.AtthistestpositionFossum willsimulaterepairmovementsontheP1truss structure.TheP1trusswasselectedto representaTPSdamagelocationsomewhereon theorbiterthatwouldneedrepair.Thisspecific locationwaschosenbecauseoftheSRMSjoints thatarenecessarytoreachit.Onceagain,the jointsprovideaweakconfigurationthat allowsforlargerOBSStipdeflections.Thedata resultingfromusingaweakerconfiguration isexpectedtoprovidethebestinformationin ordertogaugethecapabilityofperforminga realrepairfromtheOBSS.Themovements performedbyFossumwillsimulateapplying tilerepairmaterialwithanemittancewash applicator(EWA),drillingonanRCCpanel, andusingaspatulawithrepairmaterialonan RCCpanel. OncethetestingisdoneinthefinalOBSS position,NowakandWilsonwillmovethearm sothespacewalkerscanegressontoDiscoverys payloadbaysill.WithFossumsassistance, SellerswillcleanuptheendoftheOBSSby removingtheAPFR/TS,loadcell,PADand safetytethers.Theequipmentwillbetaken backtotheairlockwiththespacewalkers.Once theOBSSisreconfigured,thearmwillbe movedhigherabovethepayloadbayoutofthe way. Withthetestingcomplete,SellersandFossum willworktheirway,handoverhand,backup tothespacestation.Theywillreplacethe APFR/TStheyusedontothePMA1andreenter theQuestairlock.

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FinalPositionoftheRoboticArm

Graphicsshowthefinalpositionoftheroboticarmforthetest.

EVA 2
ThesecondEVAwillconsistofinstallingthe thermalcontrolsystemssparepumpmodule andreplacingthenadirTrailingUmbilical SystemReelAssembly(TUSRA).TheTUS providespower,dataandvideototheMT. DuringEVA1,thecrewreroutedthezenith TUScablethruthezenithIUAtoallowtheTUS tobemovedfrompositionWS4toWS5.Before EVA2,theMTmustbemovedfromWS4to WS5becauseitscurrentpositionmakesit difficultforthecrewtochangeoutthenadir TUSRA. AtthestartofEVA2,bothcrewmemberswill translatedowntothepayloadbayandprepare thepumpmodulefortransfer.Thefirstactivity willbeforFossumandSellerstotakethefixed grapplebar(FGB)fromtheundersideofthe ICCandinstallitontothepumpmodule.The FGBwillallowNowakandWilsontolatchonto thepumpmodulewiththestationsroboticarm andmoveittotheworksiteattheexternal stowageplatform2(ESP2)forinstallation.

OncetheFGBisinstalled,thecrewwillrelease thepumpmodulefromtheICCandliftitupto presentittotheroboticarm. Duringthearmsmaneuver,Sellersand Fossumwillbeginpreparationforremoving andreplacingtheTUSRA.First,theywill preparethepayloadbaybyrelocatingsome APFRsandopeningtheTUSmultilayer insulation(MLI)cover.Then,theywill translatetothestarboardzero(S0)truss segment,locatedabovetheDestinyLab. FossumwillpreparetheoldTUSRAfor removalbyreleasingelectricalconnectorsand bolts,whileSellerschangesoutthenadirIUA inpreparationforroutingthenewTUScable. Oncecomplete,theywillbothtranslatetoESP2 toinstallthepumpmodule.Nowakand Wilsonwillpresentthepumpmodulewiththe roboticarm.OnceSellersandFossumhavea hold,thearmwillreleaseitandmoveawayso thepumpmodulecanbesetonESP2and boltedinplace.

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 FossumwillhandSellersthenewTUSRA Sellerswillhaveaoneineachhandandthen SellerswillhandFossumtheoldTUSRA. Fossumwillputtheoldreelassemblyonthe carrierandretrievethenewonefromSellers. Fossum,whoisstillontheendoftherobotic arm,willtakethenewTUSRAandbeginto maneuveruptoS0toinstallit.Sellerswill completeinstallationoftheoldTUSontoits stowagelocationwiththeflightsupport equipment,andthentranslatebackuptoS0. TogethertheywillinstallthenewTUSRAinto S0androutethenewcabletothenadirIUA. WiththeEVAcomplete,therewillbebotha zenithandnadirTUS,assuringredundancyfor operationoftheMobileTransporter.

EngineeringImageryoftheS0TrussSegmentBeforeLaunch

EngineeringimageryoftheS0truss segmentbeforelaunchshowsthe originalTUSRAinstalledinside. Next,Fossumwillconfiguretheroboticarm withanAPFRand,alongwithSellers,release andremovetheoldTUSfromS0.Fossum,now mountedontheroboticarm,willbe maneuvereddowntothepayloadbay.Because thismaneuverwilltakesometime,Sellerswill translatetothepayloadbayandfinish preparationtasksforremovalofthenew TUSRA.Oncebothareready,Sellerswillget intoanAPFRontheICCandFossumwillhand SellerstheoldTUSRA.Fossumwillthen maneuvertothenewTUSRA,removeitfrom itslaunchlocationandreturntoSellerstoswap the330poundTUSRAs.

SellersandFossumPracticeReplacingTUSduringSimulated Spacewalk

SellersandFossumpracticereplacingthe TUSduringasimulatedspacewalkin theNeutralBuoyancyLab.

EVA 3 (TENTATIVE)
Oncemissionmanagersdeterminetheshuttle consumablescansupportanextradayforthe mission,thethirdspacewalkwillbeperformed. Itwillincludetasksthataimtotesttechniques forrepairingandinspectingtheRCCsegments thatprotecttheorbitersnoseconeandwing leadingedges. AfterleavingQuest,SellersandFossumwill setuptoolsontheendofthestationsrobotic

SellersandFossumPracticeHandOverofTUSRAduring SimulatedSpacewalk

SellersandFossumpracticehandingover theTUSRAduringasimulatedspacewalk intheNeutralBuoyancyLab.

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 arm,Canadarm2.SellerswillinstallanAPFR ontheendofCanadarm2.Fossumwillhand himsuppliesandtoolstoattach,includinga CRMbagandanInfraredcamera. Sellerswillusetheinfrared(IR)cameraaspart ofDTO851totakeabout20secondsofIRvideo ofRCCpanelsonDiscoveryswingleading edgewhilebeingtransportedontheendof Canadarm2toDiscoveryspayloadbay. TheFLIRSystemsThermaCAMS60Infrared Cameraisbeingassessedasawaytoinspect RCCfordamageonorbit.Dependingonhow farawaythecrewmemberis,thecamerasfield ofviewcancover52inches,orabouttwoRCC panels,to83feet,theentirewingleadingedge atatime.Thecameracanrecordtemperature variancesfromminus400degreesCelsiusto 1,200degreesCelsius.Thevideoisrecordedat a0.6Hzframerateandissavedoninternal memoryandthentransferredtoamemory card. cracksand/orgouges,twoareblankslatesor palettestobeusedduringrepairsoftheother samples,andtwoarepredamagedsamplesto beimagedwiththeIRcamera.Therearemore samplesforthecrewmemberstoworkwith thanwhatisrequiredorexpectedtobe completed.Thepalletislocatedintheaft portionofDiscoveryscargobay.

ConfigurationoftheSamplesintheDTOPallet

Artistsrenderingshowstheconfiguration ofthesamplesintheDTOpallet. FossumwillsetupanotherAPFRtoposition himselfnexttothepalletandopenthepallets lid.Onceinthecargobay,Sellerswillgetoff theroboticarmtoattachtheCRMbagtothe insideofthepalletslidandthengetbackon thearmtobegintherepairwork. TheRCCcrackrepairtasksforDTO848involve usingapreceramicpolymersealant impregnatedwithcarbonsiliconcarbide powder,togetherknownasNOAX(shortfor nonoxideadhesiveexperimental).TheNOAX materialistemperaturesensitiveandtheideal conditionfortherepairsiswhenthesamples arebetween100and35degreesFahrenheit, withthetemperaturedecreasing. Thereforethecrewmembersarescheduledto workonthecrackrepairswiththeNOAX materialduringnightportionsoftheirorbit, beginningtherepairjustafterorbitalsunset.

Infraredcamerasimulationhardwarea

Infraredcamerasimulationhardware Meanwhile,Fossumwilltravelhandoverhand tothecargobayandbeginsettingupthe worksite.Thetwowillworksidebysideto testrepairtechniquesonapalletof predamagedRCCsamples.Thepalletincludes twelveRCCsamples.Eighthavevarioussized

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 Thechoreographyofthespacewalkisplanned tooptimizetwotothreeday/nightpassesfor crackrepairtasks.Thereisabout2hours allottedfortherepairtechniquetesting.When thecrewleavestheairlock,MissionControl Houstonwillbeginassessingthelighting conditionsandusetemperaturereadingsofthe RCCsampletakenbythecrewtodetermine howtoproceedwiththetasks. DuetotheintricaciesofeachDTOs requirements,theflightcontrolteamwill closelymonitorthespacewalktoprioritizethe orderofthetasksrealtime.DTO848hasan overallhigherprioritythanDTO851and withineachDTOtasksareprioritized individually. EVA3DTOpriorities: 1. TwooffourRCCcrackrepairimpact damagesamples(DTO848) 2. IRcamerawingleadingedgeimaging (DTO851) 3. IRcameraspecificRCCdamagedsample imaging(DTO851) 4. TheremainingtwoRCCcrackrepairimpact damagesamples(DTO848) 5. AllremainingRCCrepairsamples (DTO848) Oncesetupforthespacewalkiscomplete,ifthe temperaturereadingsareacceptable,thecrew willbeginrepairingacrackedorgougedRCC sample. Forthetests,FossumwillassistSellersashe usesaspacehardenedcaulkguntodispense theNOAXmaterial.Usingoneofthreemanual caulkgunsinthecrackrepairkit,hewill dispensethematerialdirectlyontothesample. Hewillthenuseoneofmanyspatulas,similar
RCCRepairToolstobeUsedduringtheTest

toaputtyknife,toworkthecrackrepair materialintothepredamagedRCCsample mountedintheDTOpallet.Additionallayers willthenbeaddedtotherepairbyfirst extrudingthematerialontothenearbyRCC palettes.Hewillthenusethespatulato manipulatethematerialontothesamplebeing repaired.

EngineeringmodelsshowthevariousRCC repairtoolsthecrewwilluseduringthetest. NASAmaterialsexpertshaveestimatedthat cracksorcoatingdamageassmallas2inches longand.02ofaninchwideinsomelocations ontheshuttleswingleadingedgecouldresult incatastrophicdamagetothatwing.Thecrack fillingmethodisdesignedtofixthetypeof damagemostlikelytobecausedbysmall piecesoffoamcomingofftheredesigned externaltank.NOAXcanbeusedatanyRCC location,anddoesnotrequireanyphysical modificationoftheRCCbeforeaffectinga repair.Itisexpectedtorepaircracksorcoating lossesuptofourincheslong,butcannotbe usedtorepairlargeholes. Thespacewalkcrewmembershavehad extensivetrainingandexperiencewiththeRCC repairmethodsandthebehaviorofNOAXat vacuumaswellasatvariousthermalextremes. SincethebehaviorandworkinglifeofNOAXis

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 temperaturedependent,thecrewwillbeinthe bestposturetodetermineifanRCCrepairis completeorifadditionalworkneedstobe performedtotherepairsample.Completion ofanRCCrepairsamplewillbedeterminedby thespacewalkers,ratherthantheground controlteam. Oncethefirstrepairiscomplete,thecrew memberswillmoveontoworkingwiththe nextcrackedsample,usingthesame techniques. SellersandFossumwillcontinuerepairingthe remainingcrackedsampleswiththeNOAX materialastimepermits.Ifatleastthetwo highestpriorityRCCimpactdamagesamples havebeenrepaired,thereisanadditionaltask forDTO851forthecrewtocomplete.It involvestakingabout60secondsofvideowith theIRcameraoftwodamagedRCCsampleson thepallet.SellerswillusetheIRcamerato recordatemperaturegradientthroughouteach RCCsampleitself.AswiththeactualRCC repairtasks,itispreferredthatthetemperature isdropping.Therefore,thebestimagingwill occurbySellersstartingtheimagingduring directsunlightandthenabout10secondslater hewillshadethesamplestoprovidethe desiredtemperaturegradient. Aboutfivehoursintothespacewalk,thecrew memberstobegincleaninguptheworksiteand preparingtoendthespacewalk.Bothcrew memberswillinspecteachotherssuitsfor repairmaterialresidue.Sellerswillgetoffthe roboticarmsoFossumcanrideitbacktothe QuestAirlock.Beforegettingonthearm Fossumwillgathertherepairmaterialbagand othertoolsforSellerstoattachtotherobotic arm.Bothcrewmemberswillclosethesample palletlid.Thenwhilebeingtransportedbackto Quest,FossumwillusetheIRcameratotake about20secondsofvideoofDiscoveryswing leadingedgesagain.Meanwhile,Sellerswill movehandoverhandbacktoQuest.Onceat theairlock,Fossumwillgetofftheroboticarm andstowtheAPFR.Bothcrewmemberswill thenentertheairlock.

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PAYLOAD OVERVIEW
SpaceShuttleDiscoverywillcarryavarietyof payloads.Theflightwillcarry28,120pounds ofequipmentandsuppliesinitscargobayto theInternationalSpaceStation.Additional itemswillbecarriedonthespaceshuttle middeck,whichincludesupplies,food,water andclothingforthecrew. Thecargobayis60feetlongand15feetin diameter,andcancarrythecargoequivalentto thesizeofaschoolbus.UndertheSpaceFlight OperationsContractwithUnitedSpace Alliance,Boeingperformstheform,fitand functionofanycargothatgoesintothepayload bay.Theadditionofthe50footboomandits suiteofsensorscalledtheorbiterboomsensor systemareconsideredtobepartoftheorbiter andarenotconsideredpartofthepayload weightlistedabove.TheOBSSisusedto conductinspectionsofthespaceshuttles thermalprotectionsystem(TPS).

MULTI-PURPOSE LOGISTICS MODULE (MPLM) LEONARDO

TheLeonardoMPLMactsasamovingvanfor theInternationalSpaceStation,ferrying scientificexperimentsandcrewsuppliestoand fromtheorbitinglaboratory. Onthismission,Leonardowillbemountedin thespaceshuttlespayloadbayforlaunchand remainthereuntilafterdocking.Oncethe shuttleisdockedtothestation,theISSrobotic armwillbeusedtoremoveLeonardofromthe payloadbayandberthittoaBoeingbuilt commonberthingmechanismonthenadirside ofthestationsUnityModule.Duringits berthedperiodtothestation,individual componentsaswellasrackswillbetransferred tothestation.

DiscoveryPayloadDiagram

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 memberwillarriveonthisflight),withthe MPLMferryingmorethan5,000poundsof cargo,amajorityofwhichisfood,clothingand crewconsumables.TheMPLMwillhave153 cargotransferbags(canholdabout1.6cubic feetpereachrectangularshapedsuitcase)to bringsuppliesintothestation.TheCTBsare installedinlockersinRSRsintheMPLMand areremovedindividuallybythecrewandthen storedinthestation. TheMPLMwillcarrytwonewresearch facilities;MELFIandEMCS.MELFIisa dedicatedracksizedfacilitywhileEMCSwill belocatedwithinEXPRESSRackNo.2.These twofacilitieswillbeinstalledinthe BoeingbuiltDestinylaboratory. TheEXPRESSrackisastandardizedpayload racksystemthattransports,storesandsupports experimentsaboardtheISS.EXPRESSstands forEXpeditethePRocessingofExperimentsto thespacestation,reflectingthefactthissystem wasdevelopedspecificallytomaximizethe stationsresearchcapabilities.Withits standardizedhardwareinterfacesand streamlinedapproach,theEXPRESSrack enablesquick,simpleintegrationofmultiple payloadsaboardtheISS. TheMELFI,whichweighs1,617pounds,will providecurrentandfutureISScrewswitha criticallabfreezercapabilityformaintaining scientificsamplesandexperimentsandwill ultimatelyprovidegreatercapabilityfor utilization,lifesciencesandresearch. TheEMCS,aEXPRESSrackthatweighs 655pounds,isalargeincubatorthatprovides controloveratmosphere,lightingandhumidity ofgrowthchambers.Thefirstplanned experimentwillusethechambertostudyplant growth.

LeonardoisLoweredtowardtheCargoElementWorkStand

WorkersstandbyintheSpaceStation ProcessingFacilityatNASAsKennedy SpaceCenter,astheMultiPurpose LogisticsModuleLeonardoislowered towardtheCargoElementWorkStand. Leonardowillcarryfiveresupplystowage platforms(RSPs),threeresupplystowageracks (RSRs),oneEXPRESS(EXpeditethePRocessing ofExperimentstotheSpaceStation) transportationrack(ETR),theEuropean modularcultivationsystem(EMCS),anoxygen generationsystem(OGS)rackandtheMELFI. TheOGS,RSRsandETRareU.S.builtwhile theMELFIisprovidedtoNASAbythe EuropeanSpaceAgency(ESA)aspartofthe Columbusorbitalfacilitylaunchbarter agreement. UtilityLogisticsFlight(ULF)1.1isprimarilyan ISScrewaugmentationmission(athirdcrew

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 TheMPLMwillalsotransportthe1,465pound OGSrackthatuseswatertogeneratebreathable oxygenforcrewmembers.Thelifesupport systemisconsideredatestinitiativeforfuture longdurationmissionstothemoonandMars. Thesystemwhichwasdesignedandtestedby engineersfromMarshallSpaceFlightCenter andfromHamiltonSundstrandSpaceSystems InternationalinWindsorLocks,Conn.will replaceoxygenlostduringexperimentsand airlockdepressurizationandcanprovideupto 20poundsofoxygendailyenoughtosupport sixstationcrewmembersalthoughitis initiallyplannedtoproduceabout12pounds daily. TheMPLMwillalsocarryanewcycle ergometerwithvibrationisolationand stabilization(CEVIS).CEVISwillgive expeditioncrewsonstationbetteraerobicand cardiovascularconditioningthroughcycling activities.Inaddition,theMPLMwillcarrya commoncabinairassemblyheatexchanger (CCAAHX)usedtocoolcabinairandmaintain agoodcabintemperature;itwillreplacethe onecurrentlyonorbit. Usedequipmentandasmallamountoftrash willbetransferredtoLeonardofromtheISSfor returntoEarth.TheLeonardologisticsmodule willthenbedetachedfromthestationand positionedbackintotheshuttlescargobayfor thetriphome.Wheninthecargobay, Leonardoisindependentoftheshuttlecabin, andthereisnopassagewayforshuttlecrew memberstotravelfromtheshuttlecabintothe module.ThetotalweightofLeonardofor STS121withthecargo,platformsandracksis justlessthan21,000poundsforlaunchanda littleover17,900poundsforlanding.

Canadarm2GraspstheRaffaello

TheCanadarm2graspstheItalianbuilt MPLMRaffaellotoplaceitbackin DiscoveryscargobayduringSTS114. TheEarthformsthebackground.

History/Background
Leonardo,builtbytheItalianSpaceAgency,is thefirstofthreesuchpressurizedmodulesthat serveasthestationsmovingvans,carrying laboratoryracksfilledwithequipment, experimentsandsuppliestoandfromtheISS aboardthespaceshuttle. ConstructionoftheLeonardomodulewasthe responsibilityofAltecinTurin,Italy,whichisa subsidiaryofAleniaAerospazio.Leonardo wasdeliveredtoKennedySpaceCenterfrom ItalyinAugust1998byaspecialBelugacargo aircraft.Thecylindricalmoduleisabout 6.4meters(21feet)longand4.6meters(15feet) indiameter.Itweighsabout9,500pounds (almost4.5metrictons).Itcancarryupto 10metrictonsofcargopackedinto16standard spacestationequipmentracks. AlthoughbuiltinItaly,Leonardoandtwo additionalMPLMsareownedbytheU.S.They wereprovidedinexchangeforItalianaccessto U.S.researchtimeonthestation.The unpiloted,reusablelogisticsmodulefunctions asacargocarrierandaspacestationmodule whenitisflown.Tofunctionasanattached

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 stationmoduleaswellascargotransport, Leonardocontainscomponentsthatprovide somelifesupport,firedetectionand suppression,electricaldistributionand computerfunctions.Eventually,themodules mightalsocarryrefrigeratorfreezersfor transportingexperimentsamplesandfoodto andfromthestation. Leonardofirstflewtothespacestationaboard DiscoveryonSTS102/5A.1inMarch2001.It flewagainaboardDiscoveryonSTS105/7A.1 inAugust2001andaboardEndeavouron STS111/UF2inJune2002.AboardDiscovery, STS121willbeitsfourthflight. Deliveringthishardwaretothespacestationis amajorsteptowardachievingthefullpotential ofthecomplex.Oncecomplete,the regenerativelifesupportsystemwillsustain additionalcrewmemberswhocanconduct morescientificresearch.Italsowillprovide experienceinoperatingandsustainingalife supportsystemsimilartothatnecessaryfor futurehumanspaceflightmissionsfartherfrom Earth. Onceactivated,theoxygengenerationsystem willbecapableofprovidingupto20poundsof oxygendaily.Duringnormaloperations,itwill provide12poundsdaily,enoughtosupportsix crewmembers.Thesystemwilltapintothe spacestationswatersupplyandsplittheliquid intohydrogenandoxygenmolecules.The hydrogenwillbeventedtospace,andthe oxygenwillbeventedintothespacestation atmosphere.Thesystemisdesignedtooperate withlittlemonitoring. Thewaterrecoverysystemprovidesclean waterbyrecyclingwastewaterandurine.The recycledwatermustmeetpuritystandards beforeitisusedtosupportcrew,payloadand spacewalkactivities.Theoxygengeneration andwaterrecoverysystemswillbepackaged intothreerefrigeratorsizedracksfor installationinthestationsDestinylabmodule. Theoxygengenerationandwaterrecovery systemsbothrepresentasubstantialleapfrom thetechnologyusedinearliererasofspace travel.Thelifesupportsystemsonthe Mercury,GeminiandApollospacecraftinthe 1960sweredesignedtobeusedonceand discarded.Oxygenforbreathingwasprovided fromhighpressureorcryogenicstoragetanks. Carbondioxidewasremovedfromtheairby lithiumhydroxideinreplaceablecanisters. Contaminantsintheairwereremovedby replaceablefiltersandactivatedcharcoal

OXYGEN GENERATION SYSTEM (OGS)

TheMPLMwilltransportthe1,465poundOGS racktotheInternationalSpaceStation.The systemuseswatertogeneratebreathable oxygenforsixcrewmembers.Thesystem whichwasdesignedandtestedbyengineers fromNASAsMarshallSpaceFlightCenterin Huntsville,Ala.,andfromHamilton SundstrandSpaceSystemsInternationalin WindsorLocks,Conn.alsowillreplacesmall amountsofoxygenlostduringexperimentsand airlockdepressurization. InJanuary2006,theOGSwasshippedfromthe MarshallSpaceFlightCentertotheKennedy SpaceCenter,Fla.,whereitwasinstalledinthe MPLMinpreparationforitslaunchonboard Discovery. Theoxygengenerationsystemisoneoftwo primarycomponentsinthestations regenerativeenvironmentalcontrolandlife supportsystem.Theothercomponent,the waterrecoverysystem,isplannedforshipment toKennedySpaceCenterinearly2007,once testinganddesignmodificationsarecomplete.

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 integratedwiththelithiumhydroxidecanisters. WaterfortheMercuryandGeminimissions wasstoredintanks,whilefuelcellsonthe Apollospacecraftproducedelectricityand providedwaterasabyproduct.Urineand wastewaterwerecollectedandstoredor ventedoverboard.Today,thestationrelieson acombinationofexpendableandregenerative lifesupporttechnologiesinDestinyandthe RussianZvezdaServiceModule. Aswecontinuetoexplorethesolarsystem, advancinglifesupporttechnologywillremain afocus.Onfuturedeepspacemissions, resupplyofoxygenandwaterwillnotbe possible,duetothedistancesinvolved.Itwill notbefeasibletotakealongallthewaterand airneeded,duetothevolumeandmassof consumablesrequiredforavoyageofmonths oryears.Regenerativelifesupporthardware whichcangenerateandrecyclethelife sustainingelementsrequiredbyhuman travelersisessentialforlongdurationtripsinto space.

TechniciansInspecttheMinusEightyLabFreezerforISS

MINUS EIGHTY LABORATORY FREEZER FOR ISS (MELFI)

TheMELFI,whichweighs1,609pounds,will alsobeflyingtothespacestationontheSTS 121mission.Itisaracksizefacilitywhichwill providethespacestationwithrefrigerated volumeforstorageandfastfreezingoflife scienceandbiologicalsamples.Itwillalso ensurethesafetransportationofconditioned specimenstoandfromthestationbyflyingin fullypoweredmodeintheMPLM.MELFIwas designedforanoperationallifetimeof10years, witheachcontinuousmissionlastingupto 24months.MELFIhasalsobeenqualifiedfor 15launches.

TechniciansinspecttheMinusEighty LabFreezerforISS(MELFI)atNASAs KennedySpaceCenter. ESAastronautThomasReiterwillbeinvolved incommissioningactivitieswhenitarrivesat thespacestationandwillalsousethefacility forstorageofsamplesfromthephysiology experimentsCARDandImmuno.Thesamples canbestowedinfourcompartments(dewars), whosetemperaturecanbeindependently controlledatdifferentlevels(112,15,39F). Eachdewarisacylindricalvacuuminsulated container,havinganinternalvolumeofabout 75liters,dividedinternallyinfoursectors. Eachsectorhostsonetray,whichcanbe extractedwithoutdisturbingthesamplesinthe otherthree.MELFIprovidesstandard

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 accommodationhardwarefortheinsertionof samplesofdifferentshapesandsizes. TheMELFIcoolingsystemhasbeenthesubject ofaveryintensetechnologydevelopment program.Inparticular,thesophisticated coolingmachine,whichisabletoprovidethe requiredtemperatureswhileusingverylimited power(lessthan1kWintheworstcase).Itis mountedwithinacomplexenclosure,calledthe coldbox,inordertominimizeanythermalloss andcontaminationofthecoolingfluid.The coldboxcontainsinadditiontwoheat exchangers,consistingofatotalof10kmof piping. Thecoolingmachineisdesignedtobean orbitalreplacementunit.Itcanbedismounted fromthecoldboxwiththehelpofdedicated tools,inlessthaneighthours,allowingthe preservationofspecimenevenincaseof machinefailures.Inordertoimprovethe reliabilityandavailabilityofthefreezer,the presentlaunchconfigurationincludesaspare electronicunitandasparecoolingmachine. Thecoolingfluidishighpuritynitrogen.All thelinesandcomponentsthroughwhichthe nitrogenflowsaredoublewalled,withhigh vacuumandmultilayerinsulationinbetween thetwowalls.Thisallowsmaintainingthe selectedtemperatureforuptoeighthourseven withoutpower. ThepresentlaunchconfigurationofMELFI includestheMELFIOnOrbitCommissioning Experiment(MOOCE),alsodevelopedbyESA. Thiswillbecarriedoutfewweeksafter installationtomonitorthethermalbehaviorof oneofthecompartments.MELFIwillbe immediatelyusedtostoresamplesprocessed in,e.g.,thehumanresearchfacility. Uponarrivaltothespacestation,MELFIwillbe transferredtotheU.S.DestinyLaboratoryand willbereadytostartitsservicelife. MELFIwasdevelopedbytheESAintheframe ofinternationalbarteragreements.Twoflight unitshavebeensuppliedtoNASAandonethe JapanAerospaceExplorationAgency(JAXA). Inaddition,ESAhasdeliveredtoNASA groundunitsfortrainingandexperiments preparationandwillprovidethenecessary sparesandsustainingengineeringtomaintain MELFIforupto10yearsofoperations. EADSASTRIUM(France)ledtheIndustrial TeamincludingLAirLiquide(France),LINDE (Germany),KayserThrede(Germany)and ETEL(Switzerland).

EUROPEAN MODULAR CULTIVATION SYSTEM (EMCS)

TheEMCS,aExpressRackthatweighs 655pounds,isalargeincubatorthatprovides controloveratmosphere,lightingandhumidity ofgrowthchambers.Thefirstplanned experimentwillusethechambertostudyplant growth. ItisanESAexperimentfacilitydedicatedto biologicalexperiments,withseveral experimentsalreadyplanneddealingprimarily withtheeffectsofgravityonplantcells,roots andphysiology.Thesetypesofexperiments willhelptoprovidenewknowledgeabout growthprocessesinplantsandhavethe potentialformakingimprovementsinfood productiontechniquesonEarthandinspace. Thiswillholdbenefitsforastronautson longertermmissionssuchasanexpeditionto MarsaspartofESAsAuroraprogram. Experimentswithinsectsoramphibiaand studieswithcellandtissueculturesare foreseenintheEMCSaswell.TheESA astronautwillbeinvolvedinthe accommodationoftheEMCSinanExpress RackintheDestiny.

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ESAAstronautReinholdEwaldInsertsanExperiment ContainerintotheEMCSEngineeringModel

ESAastronautReinholdEwaldinserts anexperimentcontainerintothe EMCSEngineeringModel. TheEMCSconsistsofagastightincubator wherethehumidityandcompositionoftheair, temperature,light,watersupplyandanumber ofotherparameterswillbecloselymonitored andcontrolled.Itcontainstwocentrifuges, eachonewithspaceforfourexperiment containers.Eachexperimentcontainerhasan internalvolumeof60x60x160mmwitha transparentcover.WhitelightorinfraredLED illuminationisavailableforeachsingle container.Videocamerasareavailablefor experimentobservation.Eachcentrifugecanbe programmedindividuallytoprovidefrom 0.001gupto2ginweightlessness. Video,dataandcommandlineswillallow experimentcontrolbythestationcrewand fromtheground. Duringflight,equivalentgroundcontrol experimentsmaybeperformedinside dedicatedexperimentreferencemodels,one locatedattheNorwegianUserSupportand OperationsCenterinTrondheim,Norway,the otherattheNASAAmesResearchCenterin California.Theflightunitalsoprovidesthe potentialfor1gcontrolexperimentsonboard thespacestation.

PlantCultivationChamberInsideExperimentContainer

PlantCultivationChamberinsideexperiment containeraspartofexperimentreference modelhardware. Thefirstexperimentstotakeplacewithinthe EMCSincludemolecularandphysiological analysesofatypeofcress(Arabidopsis),and theshortandlongtermeffectsof weightlessnessonthedevelopmentofrotifers andnematodes. ThescientificutilizationoftheEMCSwillbe carriedoutincooperationwiththeNASA AmesResearchCenter.EMCSisdeveloped underESAcontractbyanindustrialteamled bythecompanyEADSSpaceTransportation (Friedrichshafen,Germany).Althoughitis providedaspartofabarteragreementwiththe UnitedStates,Europeanaccessisalsopossible.

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PERCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL MUSCLE STIMULATOR (PEMS)

ThePEMSwillbeflyingtothespacestationon theSTS121shuttlemission.Itwillbechecked outbytheESAastronautaspartofhis scheduledactivities. PEMSisaselfcontaineddevice,thepurpose ofwhichistodeliverelectricalstimulationto nonthoracicmusclegroupsofthehumantest subject,therebycreatingcontractileresponses fromthemuscles.Itsmainpurposeisto supporthumanneuromuscularresearch.The devicecanprovideeithersinglepulseorpulse trainswithtwoselectablepulsewidthsand variableamplitudes.

ThePEMSwasdevelopedbytheSwiss companySyderal.Thisisasecondgeneration ofthePEMSdevice,thefirstgenerationPEMS havingflownonthespaceshuttlein1996.

INTEGRATED CARGO CARRIER (ICC)

Aseconditemcarriedinthepayloadbayis calledtheIntegratedCargoCarrier(ICC), whichwillbelocatedimmediatelyforwardof theMPLM.TheICCisacrossbayplatform usedtocarryitemsinthepayloadbay. Thisplatformwillcontainorbitalreplacement units(ORU)forthespacestationandpayload grapplebars.TheORUitemsincludean externalactivethermalcontrolsystempump moduleforthestationscoolingsystemanda trailingumbilicalsystemreelassembly (TUSRA).

ThePercutaneousElectricalMuscleStimulator

ThePercutaneousElectrical MuscleStimulator. PEMSisportable,anddesignedtobeusedin conjunctionwithotherphysiological instruments,inparticulartheMuscleAtrophy ResearchandExerciseSystem(MARES).PEMS willbecheckedoutandcommissionedinthe U.S.laboratory.EventuallyPEMSshouldbe usedtogetherwiththeMARESintheEuropean Columbuslaboratoryafteritarrivesatthe spacestation.

EXTERNAL ACTIVE THERMAL CONTROL SYSTEM (EATCS) PUMP MODULE

TheEATCSisthespacestationcoolingsystem thatradiatestheheatgeneratedonthecomplex intospace.Thepumpmodulescirculateliquid ammoniaataconstantratetoanetworkofcold platesandheatexchangerslocatedonthe externaltrussesandU.S.segmentmodules, respectively.Therearetwopumpmoduleson thestation,onelocatedontheS1trussandthe otherontheP1truss.

ExternalActiveThermalControlSystemPumpModule

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 ThepumpmoduledeliveredonSTS121willbe transferredfromtheICCandstowedonthe ExternalStowagePlatform2(ESP2)duringthe secondspacewalk.Itisrequiredforassembly operationsscheduledonshuttlemission STS116or12A.1instationassemblyterms. theactuatordeployswithabout960poundsof force,itcannotberetractedandtheIUAmust bereplacedsincethecablepathisblocked.The TUSRAhastobereplacedtoowheneverthe cableiscutsinceitistoocomplextorepairon orbit.ThetwoIUAs,whicharemountedonthe mobiletransporter,measure20by18inches andweighabout28poundseach.The replacementIUAwillbecarriedinthemid deckofthespaceshuttlewhiletheTUSRAwill becarriedintheshuttlespayloadbay.The TUSRAislocatedonthestarboardedgeofthe S0trussandmeasures5x5x2.5andweighs 334pounds.TheTUSRAcableisabout .25inchesthickand1.6incheswideandhas about158feetofusablelengthonthereel assembly. Ifthemobiletransporterevergetsstuck betweenstations,procedureshavealways allowedforanastronauttoremoveahung cableusingaspacewalk;cuttingthecablewas alwaysalastoption.Thecablecutterdesign datesbacktotheSpaceStationFreedomdays whenitwasenvisionedthatlargepropulsive elements,withpotentiallyexplosivehydrazine, wereexpectedtobetranslatedonthemobile transporter.Inthosedays,therewasnot enoughtimetocompleteaspacewalkbefore thesituationwouldhavebecomedangerous (hydrazinebecomesexplosiveonceitfreezes), sothecablecutterwasplacedonstation. Today,thestationdesigndoesnothavethose explosivedangerssostationmanagersare evaluatingtheneedforthecablecutters.For now,aspacewalkwouldbeconductedto removethecableinthefutureiftheMTever getshungup.Cuttingthecablerendersthe TUSRAunusableonorbit.Sincethecauseof theTDAfailureisnotknown,NASAand Boeinghaveworkedoutaproceduretoinstalla cablebladeblocker,aclamplikedevicethat preventsthecutterbladefrommoving.

TRAILING UMBILICAL SYSTEM REEL ASSEMBLY (TUS-RA) AND INTERFACE UMBILICAL ASSEMBLY (IUA)
Themobiletransporterisacartlikedevicethat movesupanddownrailsalongthe InternationalSpaceStationintegratedtruss servingasamobilebasefortheCanadian roboticarm.Itspower,videoanddatago throughasetofredundantcablesthatarepart TUS.TheTUSreelassembly(TUSRA)is basicallyalargespoolmuchlikeagardenhose reelthatpaysoutcablewhentheMTmoves awayandrollsitbackupastheMTreturnsto thecenterofthetruss.EachTUSisequipped withabladecutterdevicethatcanremotely severthecableintheeventitbecomestangled sotheMTcancontinuetooperateusingthe otherumbilical.Themobiletransporterisused forassemblyoflargeelementsofthestation.It mustbelockeddownatvariousworksites beforetheroboticarmcanmoveanything. Whenitislockeddown,powerisprovidedto theCanadianbuiltarmandseveral componentsontopofthemobilebasestation anditismuchmorestructurallysecure.NASA flightrulesrequirebothTUScablestobeintact beforetranslatinganythingattachedtothe transporter. OnDec.16,theTUScableNo.1wascutbythe electromechanicalTUSdisconnectactuator (TDA),whichislocatedinsideadevicecalled theinterfaceumbilicalassembly(IUA). Engineersbelievetherewasahardwarefailure ofthespringactuatedTDA,butcannotconfirm ituntilitisreturnedforfurtheranalysis.Once

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 OnthefirstspacewalkduringSTS121,thecrew willcarryanewIUAwithouttheTDAanda cablebladeblocker.Whentheyarriveatthe zenithIUA,theastronautswilllookatitandif ithasnotfired,theywillinstallthecableblade blocker.Thefirstspacewalkwillfocusonthe zenithIUAtoplaceitinaconfigurationusing theblockerthatallowsthemobiletransporter totranslate.Iftheyaresuccessful,thenthe astronautswillnothavetoremovetheIUAand caninstalltheIUAonthenadirside,which firedonDec.16. Ifthebladeblockercannotbeinstalled,thenthe astronautwillremovethezenithIUAthathas notbeenfiredyetandwillinstallthebrand newoneinitsplace,thenconnecttheTUS cable.Themobiletransportercantranslate usingonlyonecable.Theastronautswillbring theIUAinsideandsometimebetweenthefirst andsecondspacewalks,theywillfixthezenith IUAbyremovingtheTUSDisconnectActuator. ToremovetheTDA,astronautswillremovesix boltsandpoweranddataconnectors. Betweenthefirstandsecondspacewalks,the mobiletransporterwillhavetobemovedfrom worksite4to5toallowaccesstoremovethe TUSRA.Themobiletransporterisina positionthatmakesitsextremelydifficultto pullouttheTUSRA,sothegoalofthefirst spacewalkistomakethemobiletransporter operationalagainusingonecable. Onthesecondspacewalk,theastronautswill gooutwiththeIUAandreplacetheTUSRA andthentheIUA.ThereplacementTUSRA willbelocatedontheICCtowardsthefrontof theorbiterpayloadbay.TheTUSRAwillbe positionedbytheshuttlesroboticarm. TUSRAisabout30feetfromtheIUA.The EVAwillconsistoffirstinstallingtheTUSRA andthendraggingthecableoutofthereeland connectingittotheIUA.Theovensized TUSRArequiresnoboltsforinstallationand thereisaspringloadedhandlethatsnapsinto place.TheTUSRAhastwopinsthatslideand rotateabout100degreestosecureitinplace andathirdpointthatlatchesitinlikeatripod. TheTUScableisthensnakedalongthetruss, withtheastronautsworkingtheirwaytoward thenadirIUA,whichwillbereplaced. Followingbothspacewalks,therewillbeno functionalTDAsoneitherIUA.ATUSRAand IUAwillbebroughtbackandrefurbishedas spares.

LIGHTWEIGHT MULTIPUPROSE EXPERIMENT SUPPORT STRUCTURE CARRIER (LMC)

Athirditemcarriedinthepayloadbayiscalled theLMC.TheLMCwillcarryalargeboxwith alid,aDTO,thatastronautswillopenup duringatentativelyplannedspacewalkto conductseveraltileandRCCpanelrepair experimentswhileonorbit.Theexperiment willchecktheproofofconceptoftileandRCC panelinspectionandrepairmethods.TheLMC isacrossthebaycarrier.TheLMCwillweigh 2,103pounds.

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EXPERIMENTS
DetailedSupplementaryObjectives(DSOs)are spaceandlifescienceinvestigations.Their purposeisto: Determinetheextentofphysiological deconditioninglossofphysicalfitness resultingfromspaceflight Testcountermeasurestothosechanges Characterizetheenvironmentofthespace shuttleand/orspacestationrelativetocrew health orgreatlyreducedinmicrogravity.Becausethe bodysreactiontodrugsandtheextentandrate themedicationisabsorbedinmicrogravitymay bedifferentthanonEarth,itcouldsignificantly alterdrugeffectivenessaswellasseverityof sideeffectsforagivendosage.Therefore,itis importanttoevaluatehowPMZisabsorbed,its effectsonperformance,anditssideeffectsand effectivenesstodeterminetheoptimaldosage androuteofadministrationinflight.PMZalso affectssleeppatterns.Duringthemission,the crewwillwearadeviceknownasanActiwatch torecordsleepandwakedata.Thecrewwill completeaSleepLogbookeachmorningfor analysispostflight.

DetailedTestObjectives(DTOs)areaimedat testing,evaluatingordocumentingspace shuttlesystemsorhardware,orproposed improvementstothespaceshuttleorspace stationhardware,systemsandoperations. SuchexperimentsassignedtoSTS121arelisted below.

DSO 493 MONITORING LATENT VIRUS REACTIVATION AND SHEDDING IN ASTRONAUTS

Latentvirusesareimportantsourcesofhuman diseaseandinhabitmorethan90%ofthe worldsadultpopulation.Theseviruseswillbe carriedbytheastronautsintospace,andthey poseanimportanthealthriskespeciallyduring longdurationmissions.Herpesvirusesarethe bestknownexamplesoflatentviruses,and thereareeightknownhumanherpesviruses. Firstexperienceswiththesevirusesmayresult inanacuteillness(e.g.,chickenpox),andasthe symptomssubside,thevirusestablishesa lifelongrelationshipwithitshumanhost.You maygoforlongperiodswithnofurther symptoms.However,severalfactors,suchas stress,maydecreasetheimmunesystem resultinginanawakeningofthelatentherpes virus.Thesereactivatedvirusesmayresultin nosymptomsormayproducesignificantillness (e.g.,shingles).Thisstudyinvestigatesthe

DETAILED SUPPLEMENTARY OBJECTIVES (DSO)

DSO 490B BIOAVAILABILITY AND PERFORMANCE EFFECTS OF PROMETHAZINE DURING SPACEFLIGHT (PROTOCOL B)
Promethazine(PMZ)istheantimotionsickness medication(otherwisereferredtoas Phenergen),usedtotreatspacemotion sickness(SMS)duringshuttlemissions.The possiblesideeffectsassociatedwiththis medicationincludedizziness,drowsiness, sedationandimpairedpsychomotor performance,whichcouldaffectcrew performanceofmissionoperations.Early reportsfromcrewmembersindicatethecentral nervoussystemsideeffectsofPMZareabsent

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 effectsofspaceflight(before,duringandafter) onthereactivationandsheddingoflatent virusesinbodyfluidssuchassaliva,urine,and blood.Subjectswillprovidespecimensofthese fluidsforanalysisofvirusesandsubstances thatallowustodetermineifanylatentviruses havebeenreawakened.Theseinclude substancesproducedbytheimmunesystem,or byactivevirus,orbystress.Iffindingsfrom thesestudiesindicateincreasedriskoflatent viralinfectionsduringlongspacemission, countermeasureswillbedevelopedand evaluatedforefficacy.Stressinterventionand managementwouldbealikelycountermeasure candidate;severalpharmaceuticalsarealso availableandeffective. aftertheflight.Theywillassessthesubjects preandpostflightproductionofcytotoxiccells andcytokine. Thisstudywillcomplementpreviousand continuingimmunologystudiesofastronauts adaptationtospace.

DSO 499 EYE MOVEMENTS AND MOTION PERCEPTION INDUCED BY OFF-VERTICAL AXIS ROTATION (OVAR) AT SMALL ANGLES OF TILT AFTER SPACEFLIGHT (PRE/POST FLIGHT ONLY)
Sensorimotoradaptationtoweightlessness duringorbitalflightleadstoperceptualand motorcoordinationproblemsuponreturnto Earth.Researchershypothesizethatthereare adaptivechangesinhowthecentralnervous systemprocessesgravitationaltiltinformation forthevestibular(otolith)system.Eye movementsandperceptualresponsesduring constantvelocityoffverticalaxisrotationwill reflectchangesinotolithfunctionascrew membersreadapttoEarthsgravity.The purposeofthisstudyistoexaminechangesin spatialneuralprocessingofgravitationaltilt informationfollowingadaptationto microgravity.Postflightoculomotorand perceptualresponsesduringoffverticalaxis rotationwillbecomparedwithpreflight baselinestotrackrecoverytime.

DSO 498 SPACEFLIGHT AND IMMUNE FUNCTION (PRE/POST FLIGHT ONLY)

Astronautsfaceanincreasingriskof contractinginfectiousdiseasesastheywork andliveforlongerperiodsinthecrowded conditionsandclosedenvironmentsof spacecraftsuchastheInternationalSpace Station.Theeffectofspaceflightonthehuman immunesystem,whichplaysapivotalrolein wardingoffinfections,isnotfullyunderstood. Understandingthechangesinimmunefunction causedbyexposuretomicrogravitywillallow researcherstodevelopcountermeasuresto minimizetheriskofinfection. TheobjectiveofthisDSOistocharacterizethe effectsofspaceflightoncellswhichplayan importantroleinmaintaininganeffective defenseagainstinfectiousagents.Thestudys premiseisthatthespaceenvironmentaltersthe essentialfunctionsoftheseelementsofhuman immuneresponseandstressorsassociatedwith spaceflight. Researcherswillconductafunctionalanalysis ofneutrophilsandmonocytesfrombloodand urinesamplestakenfromastronautsbeforeand

DSO 500 SPACEFLIGHT INDUCED REACTIVATION OF LATENT EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS (PRE/POST FLIGHT ONLY)
DSO500willstudytheeffectsofspaceflight Tcellmediatedimmunity,especially EpsteinBarrvirus(EBV)andreactivationof latentEBVinfections.Thisstudywilladdress themechanismsofthedecreasedimmune functionfromspaceflightandcharacterizethe replicationoflatentviruses.Specifically,this studywilldeterminethemagnitudeofimmuno

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 suppressionasaresultofspaceflightby analyzingstresshormones.Bloodandurine samplesareusedtoanalyzethelatentviruses. Thesuccessfulcompletionofthisstudywill providenewinformationonthemechanisms involvedinspaceflightinducedEBV reactivation.Correlatingtheviralreactivation datawiththeimmunologicalfindingswill expandtheknowledgeontheroleofthe immunesystemandreactivationoflatent virusesinhumansduringspaceflight. monitorsleepwakeactivityandlightexposure patternsobtainedinflight.Thecrewmembers willalsousesleeplogsinthemorningto documentperceivedqualityofsleep.These datashouldhelpusbetterunderstandthe effectsofspaceflightonsleepaswellasaidin thedevelopmentofeffectivecountermeasures forbothshortandlongdurationspaceflight.

DSO 635 SPATIAL REORIENTATION FOLLOWING SPACEFLIGHT (PRE/POST FLIGHT ONLY)

Spatialorientationisalteredduringandafter spaceflightbyashiftofcentralinner processingfromagravitational frameofreferencetoaninternal,headcentered frameofreferencethatoccursduring adaptationtomicrogravityandisreversed duringthefirstfewdaysafterreturntoEarth. Apreviousobservationsuggestedconflicting sensorystimulicausedbyanunusualmotion environment.Thiscausesadisruptedspatial orientationandbalancecontrolinareturning crewmemberbytriggeringashiftincentral vestibular(innerear)processing.Theshortarm centrifugeandpostureplatformareusedto collecttheneurovestibulardata.Thefindings ofthecurrentinvestigationareexpectedto demonstratethedegreetowhichchallenging motionenvironmentsmayaffecthowacrew memberadaptsaftertheflight.Thesefindings couldleadtoabetterunderstandingofsafe postflightactivitiesandcouldhelpdesigners betterunderstandthecharacteristicsneededfor anartificialgravitycountermeasureonlong durationspacestationorexplorationmissions.

DSO 634 SLEEP-WAKE ACTIGRAPHY AND LIGHT EXPOSURE DURING SPACEFLIGHT

Spaceflightresultsindisruptionofsleepon shortdurationmissions.Thedisruptionis associatedwithinappropriatelytimedlight onedawnandoneduskhappenduringeach 90minuteorbitorexposuretolightthatisnot intenseenough.Thesuccessandeffectiveness ofmannedspaceflightdependsontheabilityof crewmemberstomaintainahighlevelof cognitiveperformanceandvigilancewhile operatingandmonitoringsophisticated instrumentation.Astronauts,however, commonlyexperiencesleepdisruption, togetherwithmisalignmentofcircadianphase duringspaceflight.Bothoftheseconditionsare associatedwithinsomniaandassociated impairmentofalertnessandcognitive performance.Relativelylittleisknownofthe prevalenceorcauseofspaceflightinduced insomniainshortdurationmissions.This experimentwillusestateoftheartambulatory technology,anActiwatchwornonthewrist,to

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DSO 637 CHROMOSOMAL ABERRATIONS IN BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES OF ASTRONAUTS (PRE/POST FLIGHT ONLY)
Duringspaceflight,crewmembersare constantlyexposedtosolarandgalactic radiationsuchaselectrons,protons,heavy particles,singleparticlesofhighenergy(HZE). Theyarealsoexposedtosecondaryradiation createdbyinteractionsofprimaryradiations withnucleiofspacecraftshieldingmaterialor thehumanbody.Theradiationdosageofeach typedependslargelyonthealtitudeand inclinationofthespacecraftsorbit, effectivenessoftheshieldingandsolaractivity duringthemission. Previousstudiesdocumentedseveredamage fromsingleparticlesofhighenergy(HZE particles)passingthroughbiologicalmaterial. Therefore,itcanbeassumedthatdespiteof theirrarity,HZEparticlesrepresenta considerableriskforhumansinspace.The specificeffectsofHZEparticlesinhumansare notwelldocumented.Thisinvestigation studieschromosomaldeviationsinhuman bloodlymphocytestoassessthepotentialof ionizingradiation.Bloodwillbedrawnbefore andimmediatelyafterspaceflight.Thewhole bloodwillbeprocessedtostimulatethe lymphocytestoundergomitosis.After 48hours,thecellswillbestainedandprepared formicroscopicanalysis.Acomparison betweenpreandpostflightwillbemade. Becausesomeofthecrewmemberstakeanti oxidantvitamins,thedatawillbecorrelated withintakeinformationtodetermineifthat affectstheresults.Thedatafromthestudy shouldleadtobetterradiationprotectionfor crewmembers.

DETAILED TEST OBJECTIVES (DTO)

DTO 702 MADS PCMU TO SSR TELEMETRY
TheobjectiveoftheDTOistodemonstrateif themodifiedModularAuxiliaryDataSystem (MADS)PulseCodeModulationUnit(PCMU) hardwareusinganewsolidstaterecorder(SSR) andlowpassfiltercanprovidetelemetryfor orbitervehicledatathatwasrecordedon MADSPCMUduringtheascentphaseand downlinktherecordeddataduringtheonorbit phaseofflight.Thegroundprocessing systems,primarilytheMissionControlCenter frontendprocessor(FEP)weremodifiedto receivethedownlinkedtelemetryandprocess thedatainrealtimeandwillbeoperated duringtheflighttest.

DTO 805 CROSSWIND LANDING PERFORMANCE (IF OPPORTUNITY)

ThepurposeofthisDTOistodemonstratethe capabilitytoperformamanuallycontrolled landinginthepresenceofacrosswind.The testingisdoneintwosteps. 1. Prelaunch:Ensureplanningwillallow selectionofarunwaywithMicrowave ScanningBeamLandingSystemsupport, whichisasetofdualtransmitterslocated besidetherunwayprovidingprecision navigationvertically,horizontallyand longitudinallywithrespecttotherunway. Thisprecisionnavigationsubsystemhelps provideahigherprobabilityofamore preciselandingwithacrosswindof10to 15knotsaslateintheflightaspossible. 2. Entry:Thistestrequiresthatthecrew performamanuallycontrolledlandingin thepresenceofa90degreecrosswind componentof10to15knotssteadystate.

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Duringacrosswindlanding,thedragchutewill bedeployedafternosegeartouchdownwhen thevehicleisstableandtrackingtherunway centerline.

DTO 849 OBSS SRMS LOADS CHARACTERIZATION WITH EVA CREW MEMBERS
ForthisDTO,STS121EVAcrewmembers SellersandFossumwillconductaspacewalk ontheOBSSboomattachedtotheSRMS.The OBSSboom/SRMSsystemasanEVAplatform isacontingencyvehicleinspectioncapability forcurrentshuttleflights(ifOBSSsensorsfail) andwillbeusedasthevehiclerepairplatform startingwithISSflight10A(deliveryof Node2).Thestabilityofthisplatformisunlike anyEVAplatformusedonorbittodate.The purposeofthisDTOistocharacterizethe motionoftheboomunderinspectionand repairlikeactions,toverifytheinspection capabilityandtounderstandtherequirements foroperationalconstraints,boommodifications, and/orsupplementalhardwarethatwillbe requiredtoperformavehiclerepair.TheDTO willalsohelptovalidategroundsimulators thathavebeendevelopedtotraincrewsand provideengineeringdataforcertificationof repairhardwareandoperations. TheDTOisplannedtoincludeseveraldifferent combinationsofcrewmemberconfigurations, simulatedtasks,SRMSpositionsandAPFR positionstogatherinformationonasmany variablesaspossible.TheDTObuildsfroma morestableconfiguration(stifferSRMS positionwithasinglecrewmember)withmore benignoperationstolessstableconfigurations (lessstiffSRMSpositionswithtwocrew members)withmoreaggressiveoperations. TheDTOincorporatesspecialtesthardware (InstrumentedWIForIWIF)specifically designedtogatherloadsandaccelerationdata atthecrewmembersfootrestraintduringthe DTO.TheIWIFusesaloadcellandwireless datarecorderstogathertheDTOdata.

DTO 848 ORBITER THERMAL PROTECTION SYSTEM (TPS) REPAIR TECHNIQUES

Reinforcedcarboncarbon(RCC)sampleswill beflowninathermalprotectionsystemsample boxlocatedontheuppersurfaceoftheLMC (lightweightmissionpeculiarequipment supportstructurecarrier).Ifconsumables allowanextradayandathirdspacewalk,the crewwillperformsetupactivitiesonthe SSRMS(spacestationremotemanipulator system)andthepayloadbaytoallowthemto performRCCsamplerepairs.Thesamples withintheboxprovidethecrewwiththe capabilitytoperformRCCcrackrepairsusinga materialcalledNOAXorNonOxideAdhesive eXperimental.Anapplicatorsimilartoa caulkinggunwillbeusedtoinsertthematerial intothecrack.TheNOAXwillcomeoutofthe applicatorgunlookinglikethick,dark chocolatepudding.Thecrewwillthenusea troweltoapplythematerial,layeringit,over thedamagedarea.Theobjectiveisto thoroughlyfillthecrackscreatingasmooth surfaceandtogatherinformationabouthow thematerialrespondsinzeroG.Thesamples repairedbythecrewwillbereturnedfor groundtesting. NOAXcombinesapreceramicpolymersealant andcarbonsiliconcarbidepowder.Itwas developedtosurviveveryhightemperatures, suchasthoseexperiencedduringreentryof theshuttle.

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Thetypesofcrewactionsthatwillbeexecuted duringtheDTOincludecameraoperations,tool handoffs,APFRreconfiguration,layingback andleaningforwardinthefootrestraint, ingressingandegressingtheAPFRand simulatedvehiclerepairtechniquesrequiredby thecurrentvehiclerepairmethods(scraping, dabbing,drilling,installingoverlays,etc.). ThreedifferentAPFRpositionsandfourSRMS positionsareusedfortheevaluations.One SRMSpositionwillputthecrewmembersnear ISSstructuretosimulateanactualvehicle repairworksite.

DTO 851 EVA INFRARED (IR) CAMERA

Thecriteriaforassessingtheextentandseverity ofwingleadingedge(WLE)reinforced carboncarbon(RCC)damageincludescracks, coatingloss,andsubsurfaceseparation.The orbiterboomsensorsystem(OBSS)andEVA digitalcameraarebothcapableofdetecting certaincracksandcoatingloss.However, neitherofthosesystemsiscapableofdetecting RCCsubsurfaceseparation,ordelamination. Infrared(IR)thermographyrecordingan imageofheatisthemostpromising technologyfordetectingRCCsubsurface delaminationwhileonorbit. Ifconsumablesallowanextradayandthird spacewalk,astimeallows,thecrewisto retrievetheinfraredcameraandrecordvideo clipsoftheRCC.Theobjectiveistovideothe orbiterwingleadingedge(WLE)duringboth dayandnightpasses.Thisistobedonefroma distancethatallowsmultipleWLERCCpanels toberecordedatthesametime.Thesecond priorityisrecordingspecificRCCsamples locatedwithinthethermalprotectionsystem samplebox.Thetwosamplesare6inchby6 inchandwerepurposelydamagedonthe backsidepriortoflight.Thecrewwillbegin recordingthesampleswhileindirectsunlight andthenshadethesamplesafewseconds. Thiswillallowthecameratorecordtheheat fluxofthesamples,providinginformation aboutdamage.

DTO 850 WATER SPRAY BOILER COOLING WITH WATER/PGME ANTIFREEZE

Watersprayboilers,aftersprayingwater, freezeeverytimeauxiliarypowerunitsareshut downandremainfrozenforunpredictable amountsoftime.Asolutionistoreplacewater asthecoolingfluidinthewatersprayboiler tankwithanazeotropicmixtureof53percent waterand47percentpropyleneglycol monomethylether(PGME).Testsdoneat WhiteSandsTestFacilityinNewMexicoshow thatawater/PGMEmixtureisnotlikelyto freezeintheconditionsseenonorbit.A water/PGMEmixtureturnstoslushatabout40 degreesFahrenheitandfreezesat54degreesF. TheplanistofillonlywatersprayboilerNo.3 watertankwithawater/PGMEmixture.The primaryobjectiveistoconfirmgroundtest resultsforwatersprayboilerinthepostascent, highvacuum,zeroGenvironment.A secondaryobjectiveistoconfirmcoolantusage iswithinpredictions. Thepilotwillperformthewatersprayboiler coolingverification.

DTO 852 SRMS ON-ORBIT LOADS, HEAVY PAYLOADS

TheobjectiveoftheDTOistocharacterizethe loadstheweightandforceexertedona structurethatareinducedintotheSRMS duringnontypicalloadedSRMSoperations andtocorrelatetheseSRMSloadstomath models.Nontypicaloperationsare operationsthatfalloutsidethecurrent

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historicaloperationalinformation.This includesoperationssuchasheavypayload maneuveringandinteractionwithavehicles motioncontrolsystem,payloadsthatdont meetcurrentSRMSrequirementsornew operationaltechniqueslikeEVAworksite stabilizationattheendofthegrappledOBSS. ThisloadsdatawillbeusedbytheNASAto validatecurrentanalyticaltoolstoactualflight informationversussimulationtosimulation comparisonsthatarebeingworkedtoday.This isimportantinformationasNASApreparesto provideastableworksiteforcrewmembersto repairtheorbitersthermalprotectionsystem.

SDTO 13005-U ISS STRUCTURAL LIFE VALIDATION AND EXTENSION

TheInternationalSpaceStationstructurehasa 15yearliferequirement.Theoverallobjective istoguaranteesafetyofthestationstructure andcrew.Specificobjectivesaretoaccurately determinestructurallifeusage,toexpand stationoperationsandtoincreasethelifeofthe structure.Structurallifeestimatesarebasedon worstcaseloadingconditionsusingfinite elementmodelsofstructuresandforcing functionestimations.Itisdesirabletoreduce thisconservatismthroughpostflight reconstructionsusingcorrelatedmodels, validatedforcingfunctions,measuredstation responsedataandactualonorbitloading conditions.Thisreconstructionrequiresactual oreducatedestimatesofinput(forcing function)andactualoutput(onorbitsensor measurements)ofthestationresponse. Measurementoftheforceinput(i.e.,thruster firingsequences,videoofcrewactivity)and stationresponsewillaidreconstructionof stationloadsandstructurallifeusageoverthe lifeofthestation,thusallowinglifeextensionof thestructure.

SDTO 12004-4 SHUTTLE BOOSTER FAN BYPASS

ThisStationDevelopmentTestObjective (SDTO)willoptimizecryogenicoxygensavings byoperatingtheboosterfandifferentlywithin thecontextoftheflightrulesandexpenditure ofotherresources(crewtime,LiOH,etc.). Shuttleonorbitcryogenicoxygenmargincan beincreasedonspacestationmissionsifthe shuttleboosterfan(alsoknownastheairlock fan)isbypassedpostdocking.Whiledocked, sufficientspacestation/shuttleaircirculation willbeachievedthroughtheuseoftheU.S. LaboratoryForwardIntermoduleVentilation (USLIMV)fansothatcarbondioxidelevelson boththestationandshuttlecanbecontrolled duringthedaybythestation.Nominally, whiletheshuttleisdockedtothestation,active ventilationhasincludeduseoftheshuttle boosterfanandthestationIMVfan. Duringthe overnightperiod,additionalremediationmay berequiredtocontrolcarbondioxidelevelsin theshuttle.Thecrewmaybeinstructedto installLiOHonthemiddecktosupplementthe carbondioxideremovalprovidedbythe station,orreconfiguretheductandturnonthe boosterfan.

SHUTTLE (SORTIE) EXPERIMENTS

FungalPathogenesis,Tumorigenesis,and EffectsofHostImmunityinSpace(FIT) studiesthesusceptibilitytofungalinfection, progressionofradiationinducedtumorsand changesinimmunefunctioninsensitized Drosophila,orfruitfly,lines. EffectofSpaceflightonMicrobialGene ExpressionandVirulence(Microbe)will investigatetheeffectsofthespaceflight environmentontheinfectiousnessofthree modelmicrobialpathogensidentifiedduring previousspaceflightmissionsaspotential threatstocrewhealth.

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 MauiAnalysisofUpperAtmospheric Injections(MAUI)observestheexhaustplume ofthespaceshuttlefromtheground,leadingto anassessmentofspacecraftplumeinteractions withtheupperatmosphere. RamBurnObservations(RAMBO)isa DepartmentofDefenseexperimentthat observesShuttleOrbitalManeuveringSystem engineburnsbysatelliteforthepurposeof improvingplumemodels.Understandingthe spacecraftengineplumeflowcouldbe significanttothesafearrivalanddepartureof spacecraftoncurrentandfutureexploration missions. effectofstressinthespaceenvironmentonthe generationofgeneticvariationinmodel microbialcells.POEMSwillprovideimportant informationtohelpevaluateriskstohumans flyinginspacetofurtherunderstandbacterial infectionsthatmayoccurduringlongduration spacemissions. AnalysisofaNovelSensoryMechanismin RootPhototropism(Tropi)willobservethe growthandcollectsamplesofplantssprouted fromseeds.Byanalyzingthesamplesata molecularlevel,researchersgaininsighton whatgenesareresponsibleforsuccessfulplant growthinmicrogravity.

EXPERIMENTS DELIVERED TO ISS

PassiveObservatoriesforExperimental MicrobialSystems(POEMS)willevaluatethe

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FUNGAL PATHOGENESIS, TUMORIGENESIS AND EFFECTS OF HOST IMMUNITY IN SPACE (FIT)

PrincipalInvestigator(s):SharmilaBhattacharya,Ph.D.,AmesResearchCenter,MoffettField,Calif., andDeborahKimbrell,Ph.D.,UniversityofCaliforniaDavis,Davis,Calif. PayloadDeveloper(s):AmesResearchCenter Increment(s)Assigned:13 ResearchSummary Thisstudywillinvestigatethesusceptibilityto fungalinfection,progressionofradiation inducedtumors,andchangesinimmune functioninsensitizedDrosophila(fruitfly)lines. Thisexperimentwillstudythegrowthof cancerousandbenigntumorsinsensitized geneticlines(breeds)ofDrosophila melanogaster(fruitflies)thatshowan increaseintheincidenceoftumor formation.Theeffectofradiationexposure willbecoupledtothisstudy. Inaddition,samplesofafungalpathogen thatinfectsflieswillbeexposedtoradiation andthespaceenvironment.Spaceflown sampleswillbeusedpostflighttoinfect Drosophilaonthegroundandassess changesinthepathogen. Thesestudieswillprovidemore informationontheinteractionbetween elementsofthespaceenvironment(space radiation,microgravity)andimmune functionandtumorgrowth.

ResearchOperations Thisexperimentrequiresthecrewtomonitor thecassettefortemperaturestability. Researcherswillanalyzechangesinbloodcell, hematopoieticorgan(lymphgland)andfat body(liver)morphologyfrompostflight samples. FlightHistory/Background TheSTS121missionwillbethefirstflightfor thisexperiment. WebSite FormoreinformationonFIT,visit: http://exploration,nasa.gov/progams/ station/list.html

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ANALYSIS OF A NOVEL SENSORY MECHANISM IN ROOT PHOTOTROPISM (TROPI)

PrincipalInvestigator:JohnKiss,Ph.D.,MiamiUniversity,Oxford,Ohio PayloadDeveloper:AmesResearchCenter,MoffettField,Calif. Increment(s)Assigned:13 ResearchSummary Plantssproutedfromseedswillbevideotaped andsamplescollectedtobeanalyzedata molecularleveltodeterminewhatgenesare responsibleforsuccessfulplantgrowthin microgravity.InsightsgainedfromTropican leadtosustainableagricultureforfuturelong termspacemissions. TheprimaryobjectivesofTropiare: Tounderstandthemechanismsbywhich plantrootsrespondtovaryinglevelsof bothlightandgravity. Todeterminehowplantsorganizemultiple sensoryinputs,likelightandgravity. Togaininsightintohowplantsgrowin spacetohelpcreatesustainablelifesupport systemsforlongtermspacetravel.

Theseedcassetteswillbeflowninsidethe EuropeanModularCultivationSystem(EMCS). Theseedswillremaindryandatambient temperatureuntilhydratedbyanautomated systemoftheEMCS.Atspecifiedtimesduring theexperiment,theplantswillbestimulatedby differentlightspectrumsandbydifferent gravitygradients.Theonlyworkrequiredby thecrewistoreplacevideotapesandharvest theplantswhentheyaregrown.Oncethe plantsareharvested,theywillbestoredinthe MinusEightyDegreeLaboratoryFreezerfor ISS(MELFI)untiltheirreturntoEarth. WebSite FormoreinformationonTropi,visit: http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/ station/list.html

ResearchDescription TropiconsistsofdryArabidopsisthaliana(thale cress)seedsstoredinsmallseedcassettes. Arabidopsisthalianaisarapidlygrowing, floweringplantinthemustardfamily.

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SPACE SHUTTLE SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS OVERVIEW SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY STS-121/ULF1.1

OVERVIEW

SETTING THE STAGE FOR RESUMPTION OF ASSEMBLY

SpaceShuttleDiscoveryissettoresumeservice totheInternationalSpaceStationwithlaunch targetedforJuly1duringawindowextending throughJuly19.Itisatestflightandthe secondinaseriestovalidateimprovements throughastructuredtestprogramputinplace followingtheColumbiaaccidentin2003. WhiletheReturntoFlightmissionlastJuly completedallmissionobjectivesbyresupplying thestationandrestoringfullcapabilitytoits attitudecontrolsystem,duringlaunchapiece offoamwasshedfromtheexternaltankwhich clearlywasunacceptableforcontinued operations. TheSpaceShuttleProgramdeterminedthe foamareaofconcerncouldsafelyberemoved basedonpreliminaryengineeringanalysisand testingcontinuestoverifythecomputer analysis.Whiletheanalysiscontinues,work proceededonshuttlecomponentsinordertobe readytolaunchassoonastheanalysisof completedtestingprovesitissafetodoso. Removalofthenearly40poundsoffoam requiredextensiveworktoprovetheoverall structuralintegrityoftheshuttlesystem (orbiter,boostersandexternaltank)priorto flight.Thefoamramps,astheyareknown, wereputinplaceearlyintheshuttleprogram

becausetheyalleviatedtheneedforthistypeof analysisandtestingviatechnologythatatthe timedidnotexist. Nowthatsupercomputersandadvancesin technologyareavailable,itispossibletoprove thetankstructureismorerobusttohandleany loadsthatwouldbeexperiencedduringthe earlyminutesoflaunch. SoDiscoveryanditssevenmembercrewis poisedonceagaintoreturntotheInternational SpaceStationforasupplymissionandto restorethestationscrewtothree,whichlast wassupportedinearly2003. Thestagewillthenbesettoresumeassemblyof theISSwithAtlantisinAugust/September leadingtowardcompletingtheconstruction andadditionofinternationalpartner laboratoriesandcomponents. Aswitheveryflightremainingbeforethe shuttleisretiredattheendof2010,Discoverys missionismorethanasingleflight. Thatinturnprovidesanothermajor steppingstonetothelongrangeplanningin theformoftheVisionforSpaceExploration announcedinJanuary2004. NASAhascommitteditselftoexcellenceinall aspectsofitsprogramsbystrengtheningits cultureandimprovingtechnicalcapabilities.

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PREPARING THE EXTERNAL TANK RETURN TO FLIGHT EXTERNAL TANK, ET-119

AboutsixhoursbeforeSpaceShuttle Discoveryslaunch,thebrightorange 15storytallfueltankisloadedwith 535,000gallonsofliquidhydrogenandoxygen. Justbeforeliftoff,thesesupercoldliquidsare mixedandburnedbytheshuttlesthreemain engines,whichgulpitatarateequalto emptyingtheaveragesizebackyardswimming poolin20seconds. Theexternaltanksaluminumskinisa tenthofaninchthickinmostplacesandis coveredwithpolyurethanelikefoamaveraging aninchthick,whichinsulatesthepropellants, preventsiceformationonitsexterior,and protectsitsskinfromaerodynamicheatduring flight.About90percentofthefoamisapplied byautomatedsystems,whiletheremainderis appliedmanually.

PALRamps

PALramps,manuallysprayedwedgeshaped layersoffoamalongthetankspressurization linesandcabletray. hydrogenPALRampwas36.6feetlong.The weightoffoamremovedwas37poundstotal. DuringtheSTS114missioninJuly2005,video analysisindicatedapieceoffoam approximately36incheslongatthelongest pointandapproximately11incheswideatits widestpointwaslostfromtheexternaltank. Thelocationofthefoamlosswas approximately15feetbelowtheflangethat joinstheintertanktotheliquidhydrogentank, orapproximately20feetfromthetopofthe liquidhydrogenPALramp.Theevent occurredat127secondsintotheflight.The imageryreview,aswellasonorbitandpost flightinspections,indicatedthedebrisdidnot impactDiscovery. Theexternaltankprojecthasspentnearlythree yearstestingandanalyzingtheaerodynamics ofthecabletraysandpressurizationlinesto determinetheneedfortheramps.Enhanced structuraldynamicsmathmodelswerecreated

PROTUBERANCE AIR LOAD (PAL) RAMPS

ET119isthefirstexternaltanktoflywithout ProtuberanceAirLoadRampsmanually sprayedwedgeshapedlayersoffoamalongthe pressurizationlinesandcabletrayontheside ofthetank.Theyweredesignedasasafety precautiontoprotectthetankscabletraysand pressurizationlinesfromairflowthatcould potentiallycauseinstabilityintheseattached components.Previously,thereweretwoPAL rampsoneachexternaltank.Onewasnearthe aftendoftheliquidoxygentank,justabovethe intertank,andtheotherwasbelowthe intertank,alongtheupperendoftheliquid hydrogentank.Bothrampsextendedabout 5feetintotheintertankarea.Theliquidoxygen PALRampwas13.7feetlongandtheliquid

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 tobetterdefinethecharacteristicsofthisareaof thetankandscaledmodelsofthetankwere testedinwindtunnelsattheMarshallSpace FlightCenterinHuntsville,Ala.;NASAs LangleyResearchCenterinHampton,Va.; NASAsGlennResearchCenterinCleveland, Ohio;andattheCanadianNationalResearch CouncilwindtunnelinOttawa.Afullscale modelofthissectionofthetankalsowastested inawindtunnelattheArnoldEngineeringand DevelopmentCenteratArnoldAirForceBase, Tenn.Computationalfluiddynamicsworkwas completedonfullstack(tank,boostersand orbiter)modelstobetterdeterminethe aerodynamicflowinthisarea. FollowingSTS114,externaltanksatNASAs KennedySpaceCenter,Florida,werereturned totheMichoudAssemblyFacilityoutsideNew OrleansfordetailedinspectionofthesePAL rampsaspartofinvestigativeworkto understandandidentifythemostlikelyroot causeofthefoamloss. Twoteamswereassignedtoreviewfoam performanceanddeterminethemostlikelyroot causes.Oneteam,composedofNASAstop governmentandcontractorexpertsonthe spaceshuttleexternaltank,investigatedthe foamlosswiththeintentofdeterminingroot cause.Anotherteam,charteredbytheSpace OperationsMissionDirectorateatNASA HeadquartersinWashington,performedan independentengineeringassessmentofwork requiredtoresolvethefoamlossissue. Threeredesignoptionswerestudiedas possibilitiesforfutureimprovementstothe externaltank.Theseincludedremovingthe PALRampfromthetank;modifyingthePAL ramptoasmallerconfiguration(miniramp); andinstallingatrailingedgefenceontheback sideofthecabletray.ThenoPALRamp optionwaschosenbecauserecenttestingof

ExternalTankwithPALRampsRemoved

ExternaltankwithPALrampsremoved fortheSTS121mission. actualflighthardwaredemonstratedthe currentcabletraydesigndidnotposean instabilityconcern. Adetailedverificationandvalidationplan addressedtheentirespectrumofchanges neededtoremovethePALramp,including foameliminationandimpactstotheattached hardware,includingcabletrays,pressurization linesandsupportbrackets.Engineering processesincludeddetailedmodelingofthe tanktovalidateanychanges.Additionaltests areplannedtoensurethatrequireddesign safetyfactorshavebeenmaintainedonall components. Rigorousanalysisandtestingisunderwayto establishthattheexternaltankcanbeflown safelywithoutthePALramps.Testingto verifyaeroelastic,aerodynamicand aerothermalloadswascompleted,indicating thatflyingthetankwithoutthePALrampdid notposeadditionalinstability,pressureor heatingconcerns. Windtunneltestingandcomputationalfluid dynamicstesting,usingcomputerstostudy liquidsandgasesinmotion,willverifythatthe designenvironmentsprovidedtotheExternal TankProjectenvelopetheflightenvironment.

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ICE/FROST RAMPS
Themainpropulsionsystempressurization linesandcabletraysareattachedalongthe lengthofthetankatmultiplelocationsbymetal supportbrackets.Thesemetalbracketsare protectedfromformingiceandfrostduring tankingoperationsbyfoamprotuberances calledice/frostramps.Thereare34ice/frost rampsonthetank,12ontheliquidoxygen tank,sixontheintertankand16ontheliquid hydrogentank.Thesizeoftheice/frostramps isdependentuponlocation.Thesmallerramps ontheliquidoxygentankareroughly1.5feet longby1.5feetwideby5incheshigh.Each weighsabout12ounces.Thelargerrampson theliquidhydrogentankareroughly2feet longby2feetwideby1foothigh.Theyweigh approximately1.7poundseach. Ascent/onorbitimageryfromSTS114 indicatedfoamlossfromthreeliquidhydrogen ice/frostramps.Onepieceoffoamwas approximately7inchesby2inches,ina locationapproximately15feetfromthetopof theliquidhydrogenPALramp. Nondestructiveevaluationtechniquesand dissectionactivityononetankintheinventory (ET120)whichhadundergoneseveral preflightsequencesofcryogenicchilldown andpressurizationtoflightlikelevelsrevealed cracksinice/frostramps.Duringdissectionof onecrack,aportionofthebasefoamwasfound tohaveverticalandhorizontalcrackswhich separatedintolayersnearthesubstrate,orbase aluminumskinofthetank. Optionstoresolvetheice/frostrampcracksare beingstudied,includingthepossibilityof reshapingtherampstoreducethermalstresses inthefoamandtoreducetheamountoffoam usedoneachramp.Windtunneltestsare beingconductedtoverifythepossibilitiesfor

Ice/frostramps

Ice/frostrampsarefoamsegmentsthatprotect againsticeandfrostformation.Thereare 34ice/frostrampsonthetank. anyredesign.TheSpaceShuttleProgram managementmadeadecisioninApril2006to flytheice/frostrampsintheircurrent configuration.Therationalefordoingsowas basedonseveralfactorsincludingthe performanceoftheice/frostrampsonprevious flights.Anydesignchangeswouldneedtobe thoroughlytestedandcertifiedbefore modifyingthetank.Todootherwisecould resultinmoreuncertainlyinsteadofreducing riskofthetank. Smallfoamramps,calledice/frostramp extensions,havebeenaddedtotheice/frost ramplocationswherethePALrampswere removed.Thenewextensionswereaddedto makethegeometryoftheseice/frostramps consistentwithotherlocationsonthetank. Testingandanalysiscontinuesfor modificationstotheicefrostramp.New cameraswillallowbetterinsightintothe currentrampperformance,whichwillhelpin theredesigneffort.Flyingthecurrentice/frost rampslimitsthedesignchangesonthetank, whichhasalreadyundergoneasignificant redesignwiththeremovaloftheProtuberance AirLoad(PAL)ramp.

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 wiringharness.Anotherpotentialcontributor tothecryoingestionscenarioisthevoidsfound inthematerialusedtobondthewireharnesses tothesubstrate.Thesevoidscanactas reservoirsfortheliquidnitrogeningested throughtheharness. Tocorrecttheseproblems,electricalharnesses thatservicethebipodheatersandtemperature sensorswereremovedandreplacedwith improvedversionsthataredesignedtoreduce thepotentialfornitrogenleakagefromthe intertankthroughthecablesintothecryogenic regionnearthebipodfittings.Voidspaces beneaththecableswereeliminatedbyusingan improvedbondingproceduretoensure completeadhesivecoverage. Testingandanalysishasconfirmedthis modificationwillsignificantlyimprovethe performanceofthefoaminthebipodcloseout area.

CurrentIce/FrostRamp

CurrentIce/FrostRamp

BIPOD CLOSEOUT
Ascent/onorbitimageryfromSTS114 documenteda7inchby8inchdivot,orlump ofmissingfoam,nearthetankslefthandbipod attachmentfitting.Thebipodfittingsuse electricheaterstopreventicebuildupa potentialdebrissourceonbipodfittings.The bipoddesignrequirescablingtooperatethe heatingsystemandincludeseightcircuits fourforeachbipodfittingthatrunfromthe externaltankgroundumbilicalcarrierplateto theheaterswhichareunderthefittings themselves.Thesefittingsconnecttheexternal tanktotheorbiterthroughtheshuttlestwo forwardattachmentstruts. Analysisindicatesaprobablecauseofthedivot duringtheSTS114missionwascryoingestion, wheregasesarepulledoringestedthroughleak pathsintoregionsunderthefoamatcryogenic temperatures.Thesegasescondenseintoliquid duringtankingonthelaunchpad,andlater expandbackintogasesduringascentasthe tankstructurewarms.Thisrapidexpansion cancauseincreasesinpressureunderthefoam, potentiallycausingdivotstobeliberated.For thebipod,theleakpathforthisgascouldhave beenthroughtheheaterortemperaturesensor

BipodInstallation

INSTRUMENTATION
ExternalTankET119hasthesame developmentflightinstrumentation(DFI)suite asExternalTankET118,whichisthefueltank designatedfortheSTS115mission. Instrumentation,tomakemeasurementsduring flight,includesaccelerometersinboththe liquidoxygenandliquidhydrogencabletrays.
BipodInstallation

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ENHANCED SHUTTLE-BASED CAMERA VIEWS

Newandmodifiedcamerasonthespaceshuttle solidrockets,externaltankandonDiscoverywill greatlyincreasetheviewsavailabletoverifythat thereisnohazardousdebrisordamageduring ascent. Thecamerasincreasethecapabilitytomonitor theascentenvironment,includingdebris,and verifythehealthoftheshuttlesthermal protectionsystemandtheredesignedportionsof theexternaltank. Enhancementsincludereinstatingpreviously useddigitalcamerasontheshuttlesolidrocket boosters;avideocameraontheexternaltank;a remoteelectronicstillcameraontheundersideof theshuttletoreplaceapreviousfilmcamerain thatlocation;andcrewhandhelddigital photographyofthetankthatcanbeprocessed onboardtheshuttlefortransmissiontothe ground.

CamerasontheSpaceShuttleBoosters,ExternalTankandOrbiter

CamerasontheSpaceShuttleBoosters,ExternalTankandOrbiter

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 Together,thesestepsarepartofaproject knownastheenhancedlaunchvehicleimaging system(ELVIS). Thetankmountedcameraprovides supplementaryimagingtothatgainedthrough inflightinspectionwiththeorbiterboomand sensorsystem.BeginningwithSTS121, additionalcameraswereaddedtothesolid rocketstoprovidebetterviewsofthewings duringascent.

EXTERNAL TANK-MOUNTED CAMERA

Atelevisioncameraontheexteriorofthe externaltanklocatedseveralfeetabovethe rightbipodareaintheliquidoxygenfeedline fairinghousingisthesameasusedonspace shuttlemissionSTS114inJuly2005.

ShuttleOrbiterBasedPhotographyforSTS121Ascent

ShuttleOrbiterBasedPhotographyforSTS121Ascent

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ExternalTankCameraOverview

ExternalTankCameraOverview ThecameraisaSonyXC999securedina modified,spacehardenedhousing.Itisabout thesizeoftwoCbatterieslaidendtoendand isofatypecommonlyreferredtoasalipstick camera.Thecamerasviewswillbetransmitted tothegroundinrealtimeviatheground communicationsstationatMerrittIsland,Fla., duringtheshuttlesclimbtoorbit. Thetransmissionoccursthroughanelectronics packagelocatedwithinthecentralpart (intertank)oftheexternaltank,whichjoinsthe oxygenandhydrogentanks.Theelectronics boxhousesbatteries,a10watttransmitterand otherequipment.Thesignalissenttothe groundviaantennaslocatedontheexterior backsideofthetank,almostdirectlyopposite thecameraslocation. Thenewtankcameraisexpectedtoremainin thesameconfigurationforallremaining missions.

SOLID ROCKET BOOSTER CAMERAS

Previouslyusedcamerasoneontheleftsolid rocketandoneontherightprovideviewsof theintertankforSTS121.Thecamerasare locatedjustbelowthenoseconeofeachbooster anddonotproviderealtimeviewsduring launch.Theirimageryisrecordedforplayback aftertheirretrievalfromtheAtlanticOcean. Twoadditionalcamerasoneachboosterareat thetanksattachring,aboutonequarterofthe wayupeachrocket.Anothercamerahasbeen addedtotheforwardskirtofeachbooster,

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 whereeachrocketsnoseconeandmainbody intersect. Theforwardskirtcameraswilllookaftto provideviewsoftheshuttlewingleading edges.Thetankattachringcameraswilllook forwardtoprovideviewsofthewingand fuselageundersidetiles.Allcameraswill recordimageryontherocketsforviewingafter theyhavebeenrecovered.Theywillnot providerealtimetelevisionviewsduring launch.

ETRingCameraHousingInstalled

ETRingCameraHousingInstalled

ForwardSkirtAftPointingCameraPrototypeHousing

ForwardSkirtAftPointingCamera PrototypeHousing

SRBMountedCameras

SRBMountedCameras

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CameraConfiguration

CameraConfiguration

EXTERNAL TANK UMBILICAL WELL DIGITAL STILL CAMERA

A35mmstillcamerapreviouslylocatedinthe rightumbilicalwellontheundersideofthe orbiterhasbeenreplacedwithaKodakDCS760 digitalstillcamera.Thenewcamerawilltake digitalimagesofthetankafterithasseparated fromtheorbiterandfeedthemtoalaptop computerinthecrewcabin.Thecrewthenwill downlinkthoseimagestoMissionControlfor analysisearlyintheflight. Theleftumbilicalwellwillcontinuetohave twofilmcamerasashasbeenflownonprevious missionstogathermovieimageryforusein analysisafterithasbeenreturnedtoEarth.

RightHandUmbilicalWell

RightHandUmbilicalWell

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CREW HAND-HELD PHOTOGRAPHY

Thecrewsproceduresinphotographingthe externaltankafterithasseparatedfromthe orbiterhavebeenmodifiedtouseadigitalstill cameraKodakDCS760.Thehandhelddigital camerahasbeenflownonmanypastmissions, butneverbeforehasbeenusedforimageryof thetankafterlaunch.Previously,imageryof thetankwastakenbythecrewusinga handheldfilmcameraandsavedforanalysis aftertheshuttlesreturntoEarth. Thehandhelddigitalimagesofthetankwillbe transferredtoalaptopcomputerandthen transmittedtoMissionControlearlyinthe

missionforanalysis.Alongwiththe photographytakenbytheumbilicalwelldigital camera,thehandhelddigitalimageswillassist groundtechniciansincharacterizingthe conditionofthetankasitwasjettisoned.They willassistincharacterizinganyfoamlossand verifyingtheflightoperationoftankdesign changesthathavebeenmade. Tophotographthetank,theorbiterwillbe pitchedovershortlyafterthetankhas separatedtooptimizeitsviewfromthe overheadcabinwindows.Thismaneuverwill bedoneafewminutesearliertoimprovethe resolutionoftheimagery.

DigitalUmbilicalStillCameraSystem

DigitalUmbilicalStillCameraSystem

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DIGITAL SPACEWALK CAMERA

Anewhandhelddigitalcameraforuseby spacewalkersoutsidethevehiclewillbeflown onallflights.Previously,camerasusedby spacewalkersoutsidethevehiclehadbeenfilm cameras.Thenewextravehicularactivity (EVA)cameraisaKodakDCS760camera,the samecamerausedfordigitalimageryinsidethe shuttlecabin,withsomemodificationsmadeto equipitforuseinthevacuumandextreme temperaturesofspace.Themodifications includedachangeoflubricantsforthecamera andathermalprotectivecovering. Aflashunitalsoisavailableforuse.Theflash hasbeenmodifiedtoremaininanairtight housingforuseinthevacuumofspace. Digitalimagestakenduringaspacewalkare storedinthememoryofthecameraandlater broughtbackinsidetheshuttlecabin.Then, theyarefedintoalaptopcomputerinthecabin andtransmittedtoMissionControl.Thedigital EVAcameramaybeusedtoprovideimagesof aninflightrepairperformedduringamission, toassistanEVAinspectionofpotentialdamage orforotherreasons.

EVAFlashMechanicalDesign

EVAFlashMechanicalDesign

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IN-FLIGHT INSPECTION AND REPAIR

Inadditiontoimprovedcamerasontheground andonthespaceshuttle,Discoverysastronauts willconductcloseup,inflightinspectionswith cameras,lasers,andhumaneyes. Theprimarytoolforonorbitinspectionwillbea 50footlongspaceshuttleroboticarmextension andassociatedsensors,knownastheOrbiter BoomSensorSystem(OBSS).Whiletheshuttles remotemanipulatorsystem(SRMS)iscapableof inspectingpartofthethermalprotectionsystem onitsown,theOBSSisusedtoextendthatreach toallcriticalareasoftheshuttleswingleading edgeandunderside. TheOBSSwasassembledbyMDRoboticsof Brampton,Ontario,Canada,which manufacturesremotemanipulatorsystemsfor boththeshuttleandtheInternationalSpace Station.TheOBSScombinestwo20footlong graphiteepoxycylindersoriginally manufacturedasshuttlearmreplacementparts. Atoneendoftheboomisamodifiedelectrical grapplefixture,andontheotherendarethe imagerysystems. Thetwosectionsarejoinedbyarigidfixture, whichhasanattachedmodifiedflightreleasable grapplefixturethatwillbeusedtohandthe boomfromthestationarmtotheshuttlearm duringdockedoperationatthecomplex. Electricalanddatacablesrunthelengthofthe boom,providingpowerforthesensorswhile allowingimagerytobetransferredthroughthe shuttleswiringsystemtolaptopcomputersand downlinksystemsinthecrewcabin.

OrbiterBoomSensorSystemInstalledonStarboardSill

OrbiterBoomSensorSystemInstalledonStarboardSill

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 Theimagerysystemsincludealaserdynamic rangeimager(LDRI),alasercamerasystem (LCS)andanintensifiedtelevisioncamera (ITVC).TheLDRIandITVCareattachedtothe boomusingastandardPanTiltUnit(PTU)for pointing.TheLCSishardmountedtotheside oftheboomjustbehindtheothertwo instruments. ManufacturedbySandiaNationalLaboratories, Albuquerque,N.M.,theLDRIiscomprisedof aninfrared(notvisibletothehumaneye)laser illuminatorandaninfraredcamerareceiver. TheLDRIcanbeusedtoprovideeithertwoor threedimensionalvideoimagerydata;the twodimensionalimagerymaybeseenbythe shuttlecrewonorbit,butthreedimensional datawillneedtobeprocessedontheground afterbeingdownlinkedviatheshuttleshigh bandwidthKuantennasystemthattransmits thevideothroughtheTrackingandDataRelay SatelliteSystem(TDRSS). TheITVCisthesamelowlight, blackandwhitetelevisioncamerausedinthe spaceshuttlespayloadbay.Thetwoimagery systemsmaynotbeusedsimultaneously. TheLCS,manufacturedbyNeptecofOttawa, Ontario,Canada,isascanninglaserrange finderdevelopedforuseaboardtheSpace Shuttle.TheLCScanbeusedasa3Dcameraor togeneratecomputermodelsofthescanned objects,accuratetoafewmillimetersat distancesofupto10meters.UnliketheLDRI, theLCSdataisnotvideo,butinsteadarefiles collectedonadedicatedlaptop. ForSTS121,anotherdigitalcamerahasbeen addedtotheboomssensorpackage.This IntegratedSensorInspectionSystemDigital Camera(IDC)ispackagedwiththeLaser CameraSystemandoffershighenough resolutiontoseeminutedamageonthewing leadingedgepanels.Itisdesignedtohelp distinguishbrownspotsandgapfillersas wereseenduringinspectionsonSTS114last July. Thedataisprocessedonthegroundafterbeing downlinkedthroughtheorbital communicationsadapter(OCA)ahighspeed computermodemthatusestheShuttlesKu antennasystemtotransmitthedatathrough theTDRSS. Discoveryisscheduledtorendezvousanddock withtheInternationalSpaceStationonflight day3.Astheshuttlepursuesthestationon flightday2,thecrewwillconductathorough inspectionofDiscoveryswingleadingedges andnoseconeusingtheOBSS.Threecrew memberswilltaketurns,workinginpairs,to operatetheshuttlesroboticarmfromtheaft flightdeck,unberththeOBSSfromitscradles onthestarboardsideofthepayloadbayand conducttheinspection. SincetheLDRIandLCSmustremainwithin 10feetofitstargettoensureimagequalityand becausethearmandboommustnotcontact anyoftheshuttlessurfacesintheprocess,the astronautsuseacombinationofautomatedand manualarmoperationmodes.Thesurveysare doneusingautomaticmodewiththeastronauts monitoringitsprogress.Theastronautswill usethemanualarmoperationmodetomove theOBSSfromtheendofonesequencetothe startofthenext.

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InspectionSensors

InspectionSensors

LCS,ITVCCamera,LDRI,andPan/TiltUnit

NeptecLaserCameraSystem(LCS)

Triangulates3Dpositionwithasmall diameterscanninglaserbeam SandiaLaserDynamicRangeImager (LDRI)

IlluminatestheFOVwithmodulatedlaser light.ImagesonacameraCCDare processedtoprovidedepthinformation. Designed&flownasanintegratedpackage withanITVCandpan&tiltunit(PTU)

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 Missionplannersexpecttheflightday2survey ofDiscoveryswingleadingedgesandnosecap totakeaboutsevenhourstocomplete, assumingamaximumscanrateoffourmeters perminute(2inchespersecond).Thescans willbebrokeninto60to90minuteblocks,or sequences,correspondingwithspecificareasof theshuttlesthermalprotectionskin. Engineeringexpertsonthegroundwillreview thedatabothinrealtimeandafterprocessing onthegroundtoidentifyanyareasthatneed additionalscrutiny. Discoverysroboticarmisexpectedtobeused withouttheboomonflightday2toconduct videoinspectionsoftheuppertilesurfaces usingthearmsendeffectorcamera.Thenext day,duringtheshuttlesrendezvouswiththe station,asDiscoveryreachesapoint600feet belowthestation,thecrewwillperforma rendezvouspitchmaneuver,a threequarterfootpersecondbackflip,sothat itsundersidefacesthestation.Thestationcrew willusedigitalstillcameraswith400and800 millimeterlensesandadetailedplanto photographicallymaptheshuttlesunderside forabout90secondsbeforeitcontinuesonto docking.TheimageswillbesenttoEarthfor inclusioninthecollectionofdatathatwillbe usedbytheMissionEvaluationRoom(MER) andMissionManagementTeam(MMT)to evaluatetheconditionofthethermalprotection system.Thatdatawillbepartofthe compilationofimagerytoallowmission managerstomakedecisionsonhowthe missionshouldproceed. Afterdockingandwelcomeceremoniesare complete,shuttleandstationcrewmembers willworktogether,liftingtheOBSSoutofthe cargobayusingthespacestationremote manipulatorsystem(SSRMS)andhandingitto theshuttlearmforuseinadditionalsurveysthe followingday.Thestationarm,alsoknownas Canadarm2,willbebroughtintoplaybecause thegeometryofthecombinedshuttlestation configurationresultsinobstructionsthat preventtheshuttlearmfrommaneuveringthe OBSSoutofitscargobaycradles.Theflight planidentifiesflightday4asanadditionalday fordockedsurveys,ifrequired,usingtheOBSS, eithertocompletepartsofthesurveythattime wouldnotallowonflightday2,orto supplementthesurveywithstopandstare scansofsitesofpotentialinterest.Someof Discoveryscrewwillreservetimeforthese detailedinspectionsforthelasthalfofflight day4whileothercrewmembersaremaking preparationsforthefirstspacewalk,whichwill, amongotherthings,testthermalprotection systeminspectionandrepaircapabilities. Additionalinspectionsoftheorbiterwing leadingedgesandnosecappriortodeorbitand landingtodetectMicrometeoroidOrbital Debris(MMOD)damagehasbeenmadeahigh prioritybytheSpaceShuttleProgram.These socalledlateinspectionsusingtheOBSSwill beconductedduringSTS121.Thesurveyof theportwingwillbeconductedthedaybefore Discoveryundocksfromthespacestation.The starboardwingandnosecapwillbeinspected immediatelyafterundocking.Thesensordata willbedownlinkedtothegroundfor evaluation. Aftertheinflightdata,imagesandpersonal reportsfromthecrewarerelayedtothe ground,engineersandimageryexpertswill processandintegratetheinformationwiththat recordedduringlaunchandtheclimbtoorbit. TheSpaceShuttleProgramsSystems EngineeringandIntegrationOffice(SE&I)will workcloselywiththeMERtoreviewand evaluatetheinformationandprovideseparate damageassessmentsfortilesandthereinforced carboncarbonpanelsofthewingleadingedges andnosecap.

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THERMAL PROTECTION SYSTEM ON-ORBIT REPAIR TECHNIQUES

PreventionisNASAsfirstlineofdefense againstdamagetothespaceshuttlesthermal protectionsystem(TPS).Minimizingcannot eliminateallthethreatstotheshuttlestilesand reinforcedcarboncarbonwingleadingedge panels.Orbitaldebris(orspacejunk)and micrometeoroidsalsoarecapableofcausing damage. ExpertsfromtheTPSengineering,mission operationsandextravehicularactivity organizationsatJSC,workingincollaboration withtheircounterpartsatotherNASAcenters andwithcontractors,identifiedtheissuesthat neededtobeaddressed,anddevisedmeansof addressingthem.Preliminarycriteriafor damagethatmustberepairedonorbitwas defined,identifyingallcriticalareasthatmust bereachedforinspection,identifyingcandidate onorbitrepairmaterialscapableof withstandingthestressofentry,anddesign initialtoolsandtechniquesthatwouldallow spacewalkerstorepaircriticaldamagetoboth tilesandreinforcedcarboncarbonsegments. TheTPSrepairsystemsdevelopedtodatefall intotwobasiccategories,mechanicalor chemical.Eachtypehasadvantagesand disadvantages.Mechanicalsystemsrelyon prefabricatedmaterialsandfastenersthat connectthemtotheshuttlesexistingprotection systems.Chemicalsystemsrelyonmaterials thatareappliedinarawformanddevelopa chemicaladhesivebondwhenappliedtothe existingprotectionsystems;thesemustcurein placebeforebeingsubjectedtoreentry conditions.Mechanicalinstallationmethods canbetestedandvalidatedonEarth,while chemicalmethodsrequiretestinginspaceto validateapplicationtechniquesandmaterial hardening.

ITVC,LCS,andLDRIImages

ITVC

Goodflexibilityasageneralsurveytool Lowresolution,inherentimagedefects Abletodetectsmalldefectsunderspecific conditions LCS Providesverydetailed3dimensional information Showntooperatewhiletranslating LDRI Valuableperformanceasbotha2D&3D imager Pictureshowsanintensityimagelaidon topofrangeimage,althoughitappears fuzzytotheuntrainedeye,itgivesawealth ofdata

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 Thecrackrepairoptionusesapreceramic polymersealantimpregnatedwith carbonsiliconcarbidepowder,togetherknown asNOAX(shortforNonOxideAdhesive eXperimental).Itisdesignedtofixthemost likelytypeofdamagecausedbysmallpiecesof foamcomingofftheexternaltank.NOAXcan beusedatanyRCClocation,anddoesnot requireanyphysicalmodificationoftheRCC beforeaffectingarepair.Aselectionofhand toolssimilartoputtykniveswouldbeusedto workthematerialintothecrackandtosmooth thesurfaceoftherepair. stationbasedspacewalkrepair.Spacewalkers wouldbepositionedattheworksitebythe stationsroboticarmusingaportable articulatingfootrestraint(PAFR). Fornonstationmissions,accessmaybegained throughtheuseoftheshuttlesroboticarmor thearmandits50footboomextension,which isbeingtestedonEVA1duringSTS121,or throughuseoftheshuttleaidforextravehicular rescue(SAFER).Avarietyofcandidatework platformsareinpreliminarystagesof developmentandcontinuetobeevaluated.

ACCESS
Accesstodamagedsiteswillbeaccomplished throughavarietyofmeans,dependingon whethertheshuttleisattheInternationalSpace Station. Onstationmissions,techniquesarebeing developedthatwillallowroboticarmoperators toundockandrepositiontheshuttlefora

FUTURE WORK
Severalotherrepairconceptshavebeen proposedforbothtileandRCCrepair.These includeflexibleadhesivepatchesandsmall arearepairplugsforRCC,andhardeningofthe existingtilesystemcoating.Researchersata varietyofNASAcentersandcontractor laboratoriesarecontinuingtodevelopthese approachesforpossiblefutureuse.

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IMAGERY AND DATA COLLECTION FOR SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH AND LANDING
Documentingthespaceshuttlelaunches includesaminimumofthreedifferentviews fromgroundsitesaswellasaircraftbased video.Theseadditionalviewsandcameras providemuchhigherfidelityfootagefor assessingwhetheranydebriscameoffthe externaltankduringthefirsttwominutesof flightwhenthevehicleencountersthehighest aerodynamicloads.Atotalof107groundand aircraftbasedcameraswilldocument Discoveryslaunchandclimbtoorbit. Thegroundcameraascentimagerysystemwas upgradedfollowingtheColumbiaaccidentand alsowillincludeshipandgroundbasedradar tocomplimentthestrategicallyplacedcameras. Inplaceforlaunchwillbeupgradedcameras andhighdefinitiontelevision(HDTV)forquick lookanalysis,andmirroredservercapabilityto moreeasilyandquicklyallowthesharingof imagerybetweenKSC,JSC,andMarshall.
TYPE Infrared (IR) High Speed Digital Video (HSDV) 70 mm High Definition (HDTV) National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) 35 mm 16 mm TOTAL LOCATION Launch Pad 39B (Launch platform & launch tower) Launch Pad Perimeter Short Range Tracking Sites (3) Medium Range Tracking Sites (6) 16 mm 35 mm HDTV 35 mm 70 mm NTSC HSDV 35 mm 2 5 3 6 1 1 2 7 6 2 4 5 11 2 2 3 9 6 107 TYPE 16 mm NO. 2 2 3 19 20 29 32 107 NO. 30

GROUND-BASED IMAGING OF LAUNCH

Thethreecamerasitesaredesignatedone,two andsix.Siteone,northeastofthelaunchpad, ensuresaviewoftheundersideoftheright wingaswellastheareabetweentheexternal tankandtheorbitertotrackanydebrisduring itsrollmaneuverjustafterlaunch.Allsites havetwofilmandoneHDTVvideocameras. Theshortrangetrackingcamerashave200mm focallengthlensesandareloadedwith400feet offilm,running100framespersecond.In additiontothefilmcamerasaroundthelaunch pads,thereare42fixedcameraswith16mm motionpicturefilm.
Long Range Tracking Sites (11)

HDTV 70 mm NTSC HDTV 35 mm WB-57 Aircraft (2) Operational Television (OTV) Public Affairs TOTAL Infrared HDTV HDTV NTSC NTSC

CameraTypesandLocations

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 Twoofthecamerasarepartofthedistantobject attitudemeasurementsystem(DOAMS), locatedatPlayalindaBeachandtheCocoa Beacharea.Arefurbishedfivemeterfocal lengthtelescopehasbeeninstalledintheCocoa Beachlocation.Eachofthesesitesalsowill haveHDTVvideocameras. Auniquefeatureofthetrackingtelescopesisa roboticcameramannedbyatechniciansitting ontopandmanipulatingajoysticktomapthe shuttlestrackthroughthesky.

ShortrangeTrackingCamera

Mediumrangetrackersareatsixsites,three alongthecoastandthreeneartheLaunch Complex39area.Theyprovidethreeviewsfor triangulation,tobettercharacterizeanysuspect area.Thesecamerashave800mmandgreater lenses,andcancapture100framespersecond. Threeofthecamerashave400feetoffilmand twohave1,000feet.Theadditionaltracking camerashave150inchlenses,with1,000feetof film.FiveofsixsitesalsohaveHDTVvideo cameras. Fivelongrangetrackershaveexistednorthand southofthepads,fromShilohandPlayalinda toCocoaBeach,rangingfrom14milesnorthto 20milessouth.Theseadditionswillreachas farnorthasPoncedeLeonInlet,38milesfrom thelaunchpads,andsouthtoPigor,11miles fromthepads.Oneofthecameraspreviously locatedatPatrickAirForceBasehasbeen convertedtobetransportableandmovednorth ofthepad. Allthecamerashave400inchfocallengthand 100feetpersecondcapabilitytoprovidemore datapointstobettertrackanydebris.

LongrangeTracker

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CAMERAS
Avarietyofcamerasandlensesareusedto supportascentimaging,includingfilmand digitalcameras. 35mmfilmcamerasareusedatthepadand onshort,mediumandlongrangecamera sitesandprovidethehighestresolution dictatingtheyaretheprimaryimageryto meettheminimumsizerequirementsfor debrisidentificationduringascent. HDTVdigitalvideocamerasarecolocated withmanyofthe35mmcamerasand providequicklookcapability.Thedigital videodataprovidestheabilitytoconduct expeditedpostlaunchimageryprocessing andreview(quicklook)beforethefilmis processedanddistributed. NationalTelevisionStandardsCommittee (NTSC)backupsiteswithoutHDTV. 70mmmotionpicturefilmcamerasprovide bigskyviews. 16mmmotionpicturefilmcamerasareused ontheMobileLaunchPlatformandFixed ServiceStructureofthelaunchpad. Othercamerasthroughoutthelaunchpad perimeterandotherlocationsprovide additionalquicklookviews.

Camerasareeitherfixedormountedona tracker.Avarietyoftrackersareused,the predominantbeingaKinetoTrackingMount (KTM)tracker.Allofthetrackersnearthe launchpadsareremotelycontrolled.The remainingtrackersareremotelyormanually controlledonsite.

KinetoTrackingMountTracker

KinetoTrackingMounttracker

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CAMERA LOCATIONS
Theascentgroundcamerasprovideimagery fromthelaunchplatformandonthelaunch toweritself,aswellasfromshort,mediumand longrangesitesasmentionedabove. Twentytwo16mmcamerasareontheMobile LaunchPlatform

PadPerimeter

Thethreeshortrangecamerasitesarewithin thepadperimeterapproximately422to 432yardsfromthelaunchpadsandinclude two35mmcamerasandanHDTVcamera. Thesesitesprovidecoverageduringtheearly phasesofalaunchtoimageindividualportions oftheshuttlestack.Oncethevehicleclearsthe launchtower,thesecamerascancapturelarger portionsoftheshuttle,butlosetheabilityto imageandtracksmalldebris.

MLPDeck

andeight16mmcamerasareonthelaunch tower(FixedServiceStructure).

ShortrangeCameraConfiguration

Elevenmediumrangesitesareonetosixmiles fromthelaunchpadssevenusedforPad39A andsixforPad39B.Themediumrangesites eachhavea35mmcamerawhile10ofthe11 incorporateHDTVcameras.Mediumrange

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CAMERA RESOLUTION
Liftoffto30seconds:Objectsof1inchin diameterorlarger,0.5footlinearaccuracy ofdebrissourceandimpactlocation 30secondsto60seconds:Objectsof 3inchesindiameterorlarger,1foot linearaccuracyofdebrissourceand impactlocation 60secondsto90seconds:Objectsof 8inchesindiameterorlarger,3foot linearaccuracyofdebrissourceand impactlocation 90secondstoboosterseparation:Objectsof 15inchesindiameterorlarger,5footlinear accuracyofdebrissourceandimpact location

MediumrangeCameraConfiguration

camerasareusedfromtheearlyphaseofascent untilthedistancetotheshuttlebecomestoofar toidentifyandtrackdebris. Elevenlongrangesitesarelocated4toalmost 40milesfromthelaunchpads,andsupport bothpads.Allthesesiteshave35mmcameras, andtwohave70mmcameras.Fiveofthe 10siteshaveHDTVcameras.Longrange camerasareusedduringearlyphasesofascent toidentifyandtrackdebrisandcontinuetobe usedaslongasthevehicleisvisible.

CAMERA OPERATIONS PLAN

Allofthecamerasarecheckedprelaunch,and thenactivatedonlaunchdaytocapturethe ascentimagery.Afterlaunch,the70mm,35mm and16mmfilmsarecollectedandtakentoa centrallocationattheKennedySpaceCenter. Thentheyareflowntoaprocessingfacilityto bedevelopedandcopiedfordeliverytothe JohnsonSpaceCenterinHoustonandthe MarshallSpaceFlightCenterinHuntsville,Ala. Thedeliveryoccursintwosteps,onetheday afterlaunchandthesecondtwodaysafter launch. ThequicklookvideoimageryHDTVand otherformatsiscollectedanddistributed withinthefirstfewhoursafterlaunchand providedtotheimageanalysisfacilitiesat Kennedy,JohnsonandMarshallviaamirrored serveravailableforreviewbetweenoneand eighthoursafterlaunch.

LongrangeCameraConfiguration

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 Aboutonehourafterlaunch,thequicklook imageryconsistsprimarilyofviewsfromthe shortrangecamerasandisreviewedbyallof theimageryanalysisteams.Quicklook imageryconsistingofHDTVimageryfromthe mediumandlongrangesiteswillberetrieved andmadeavailabletotheimageryanalysis teamsandthermalprotectionsystemexperts approximatelyeighthoursafterlaunch. joysticks.Allfootagewillberecordedonboard andreturnedforprocessingandevaluation shortlyaftertheshuttlelaunch. ThetwoimagingcamerasareaHDTVcolor camera(PanasonicAKHC900)andanear infraredcamera(SensorsUnlimitedSU640SDV 1.7RT/RS170).BothshareaCelestronfixed fieldofviewtelescopiclens.Inaddition,a NationalTelevisionStandardsCommittee (NTSC)coloracquisitioncamerawillbeused duringascent. TwodaysbeforelaunchthetwoWB57swillfly fromEllingtonFieldinHoustontoPatrickAir ForceBaseinFlorida. Twoandahalfhoursbeforelaunch,theaircraft willtakeofffromPatrickandenteraholding pattern.Onewillbepositionednorthandone southoftheshuttlesflightpath.Theywillbe incommunicationwithaWAVEOperations OfficerintheRangeOperationsControlCenter whointurnwillbeincommunicationwiththe chairpersonoftheimageryteamintheLaunch ControlCenter.

ASCENT IMAGING FROM ABOVE

NASAhasimplementedanaircraftbased imagingsystemusingagencyWB57aircraft basedneartheJohnsonSpaceCenterin Houston.TheWB57ascentvideoexperiment (WAVE)willbeusedagaintoprovideascent andentryimagerytoenablebetterobservation oftheshuttleondaysofheaviercloudcover andareasobscuredfromgroundcamerasby thelaunchexhaustplume.WAVEwasinitiated asareturntoflightcapabilitytodevelopthe technicalandoperationalcapabilitiesof obtainingvideooftheshuttleduringlaunch fromanaircraft,whichwillsupplementground camerastoobtainthreeusefulviews.

WB57Aircraft
WB57Aircraft

WAVEincludesa32inchballturretsystem mountedonthenoseofeachWB57.Theturret housesanopticalbenchprovidinginstallation forbothhighdefinitiontelevisionandinfrared cameras.Opticsconsistsofan11inch diameter,4.2meterfixedfocallengthlens.The systemcanbeoperatedinbothautotrackand manualmodesfromacommandandcontrol systeminthecockpit,whichincludesmonitors forallthreecameras,switchpanelsand

SRBSeparation
SRBSeparation

Twentyminutesbeforelaunchtheaircraftwill entertheirfinalcircuit,andaboutfiveminutes beforelaunchwillbeginrecordingvideo.The WAVErequirementisforimageryacquisition from60secondsafterliftoffto15secondsafter

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 boosterseparation.However,plansareforthe aircrafttotrackthevehiclefromliftoffthrough mainenginecutoff(MECO),8minuteslater. Thetwoaircraftshouldbeabout23miles (37kilometers)fromtheshuttleatbooster separation. Afterlaunch,theaircraftwillreturntoPatrick, andthevideowillbetakentoKennedy.There itwillbeloadedonthemirroredserversabout eighthourslater. TheWB57aircraftoperateunderdirectionof JSC.TheyaretheonlytwoWB57sstillflying. IdentifiedasNASA926andNASA928,the highaltitudeweatheraircraftcanflydayand nightwitharangeof2,500miles.Twocrew membersinpressurizedsuitspilottheplaneto altitudesinexcessof60,000feet.Theycan carryapayloadofabout6,000pounds.

CbandRadar

The50foot,Cbandradarlocated attheNDR1sitenorthofthe KennedySpaceCenter Shuttlevehiclestack.Thisradarcalledthe NavyMidcourseRadarformerlywaslocated atRooseveltRoadsNavalStationinPuerto Rico. ThetwoWeibelContinuousPulseDoppler XbandRadarsprovidevelocityanddifferential shuttle/debrismotioninformation.Correlation ofthesetwodatasetsoverthethreegeometries providedforthedebrisradarsystemoptimizes theinsightandprobabilityofdetectionforvery faintdebristargets.Theseradarsystemswill belocatedonshipsoneonaboosterrecovery shipdownrangeofthelaunchsiteandtheother onashipsouthofthegroundtrack. Theradarsarecapableofresolvingdebrisator greaterthanobservedsignalstrengthofminus 50decibelspersquaremeter(dBsm).Shuttle debrissourceshavebeencharacterizedas typicallyfallingwithinintheminus30dBsmto minus45dBsmrange.TheXbandandthe Cbandradarswereflighttestedduringthe launchofDiscoveryinJuly2005andforthree expendablerocketlaunchessitefromtheNASA DebrisRadar(NDR1)intendedtopermanently housethesystems.

RADAR TRACKING
AnewwidebandandDopplerradartracking systemhasbeenimplementedforadequate detectionofdebrisduringlaunchandascent. Threeradarsnowwilldigitallyrecordtracking dataoftheshuttlefromlaunchuntilsignalis lostwiththeprimarytimeframeofinterest beinglaunchplus60secondstolaunchplus twominutes. Datafromeachradarsitewillbestoredona harddiskandbackeduponCDs/DVDs,aswill betheboresightvideousedbytheradar operatorstohelptrackthevehicle. Thethreeradarsystemsthatlaunchwillbein placeforoneCbandandtwoDopplerXband radarsystems. TheWidebandCoherentCbandRadar provideshighspatialresolutionofdebris events,andcandetectdebriseventswithinthe

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 Batterypoweredsensorunitsinsidethewing willmeasure,recordandtransmitacceleration andtemperaturedata,alongwithbattery voltagetothelaptopcomputerviaa combinationofradiorelaysandcables. Beforelaunch,thesensorunitsareloadedwith commandfilesthatcontaintheGreenwich MeanTime(GMT)oflaunch.Shortlybefore liftoff,theunitsstarttakingaccelerometerdata at20,000samplespersecondperchanneland thelaunchvibrationscausetheunitstobegin storingthedataininternalmemory.Newfor STS121,thesensorswillbeactivatedpreflight tomeasurevibrationfromcountdown milestonessuchasauxiliarypowerunit startupandthegimbalchecksofthethree spaceshuttlemainengines.Thisdatacanbe usedtoverifythemarginonthelaunchtriggers (settingsusedtoinitiatedatacollectionwhen WLEIDSsensesliftoff)toavoidprematurestart ofdatastorage.Temperatureandbattery voltagedataisstoredevery15seconds. Tenminutesafterlaunchaftertheexternal tankseparatescontinuousdatacollectionwill stop.Eachsensorunitwillprocessthedatato determinethepeakaccelerationforcesthat particularsensorexperiencedduringascent. Thesesummarydatafiles,whicharemore quicklydownlinkedtothegroundthanthe hugevolumeofrawdata,willbescreenedto determinewhetheranypotentialimpactevents occurred.SinceSTS114,theanalysisteamhas refineditsproceduresonhowtostandardize andautomatetheanalysisinordertoproduce anascentreportassoonas1824hoursafter launch. Anymeasuredascentimpactswillberankedin orderofimportanceforthefocusedinspection (ifrequired)basedonthebestmeasureof impactenergy.Sincethisisonlythesecond flightoftheWLEIDS,thedatawillnot

XbandRadar

NASAXbandradaronthefantailof FreedomStaroneoftwosolid rocketboosterrecoveryships TheradardatawillbeanalyzedattheNDR1 sitewiththeCbanddatabeingavailablein nearrealtime,whiletheXbanddata(screen captures)willbesentfromtheshipsvia satellitelinktothesite.Thesouthernshipis expectedbackinport6hoursafterlaunch,and thedatawillbetransportedimmediately.

WING LEADING EDGE INSTRUMENTATION

NASAchosetoincorporatesensorsalongthe orbiterwingleadingedgestocompliment thermalprotectionsysteminspectionby measuring,recording,andtransmitting accelerationdatatoalaptopcomputeronthe flightdeckforearlytransmissiontotheMission ControlCenter. TheWingLeadingEdgeImpactDetection System(WLEIDS)iscomprisedof88sensors embeddedbehindtheprotectivereinforced carboncarbonpanels.Sixtysixacquire accelerationdataand22gathertemperature measurementsduringtheshuttleslaunch phase.Thetemperaturesensordataisusedto calibratetheimpactsensors.

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 necessarilyrelatetoriskofdamage,butwill continuetobuildthedatabaserequiredto validatemodelsinthefuture. Afterprocessingthedata,thesystemwillenter onorbitmode,meaningonlysixsensorunits (2oneachwing)willcollectacceleration, temperatureandbatteryvoltage.Theother unitswillbecomeidle.Thespecificunitsin eachmodewillrotatethroughouttheflightin ordertomaximizethebatterylifeofthe sensors. About1hoursafterlaunch,thecrewwill connectthewingleadingedgesystemlaptopto theonboardcomputernetworkandthe softwarewillbegintodownloaddatafromeach sensorunit.Commandsaresentthroughthe laptoptothe44sensorunitsandwilldownload acceleration,temperatureandvoltagedatafor eachsensortodesignatedfoldersonthelaptop and,newforSTS121,thedesignatedbackup laptopontheLAN. Asmallamountofrawdatafromliftoffalso willbedownloadedtobeusedasabaselinefor calculationsontheground.Throughoutthe remainderoftheflight,thesensorunitswillbe commandedeverysixhourstodownload Gforcepeaks,timeofoccurrence,voltageand temperaturefiles. AsanSTS121detailedtestobjective,thewing leadingedgeimpactdetectionsystemwill investigateitsonorbitmonitoringcapabilityfor micrometeroiddebris(MMOD)detectionas longasbatterylifepermits.Futurepotential softwareenhancementscouldincreasethe onorbitbatterylifeandtheabilitytodetect smallMMODimpactsbasedondatacollected duringthis,andfutureflights. Asthedatafilesarewrittentothelaptop,they willbeextractedfromthelaptopviaground controlbyoperatorsinMissionControland placedonaserverforaccessandevaluationby experts.Thebackuplaptopwillallow WLEIDSoperationstocontinueincasethe crewisnotavailabletoresettheprimarylaptop intheeventofafault. Basedonthedataevaluationofsummarydata, additionalrawdatawillberequestedforeach potentialimpactordataeventofinterest.Raw datacanalsoberequestedbasedonfindings fromtelemetryorotherimagerysources.A commandwilldownloadthespecifictime periodneededforfurtherevaluation.Data fromeachsensorunitisdownloadedatarate equivalenttotwominutesforsecondofraw datatothelaptop,soacompletesetofrawdata willnotbedownloadedtothelaptop. Afterlanding,groundoperationspersonnelat KennedySpaceCenterwilldownloadthe remainingrawdataforarchivalandanalysis.

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WingLeadingEdgeImpactDetectionSystem

WingLeadingEdgeImpactDetectionSystem

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WingLeadingEdgeImpactDetectionSystem

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TILE REPAIR ABLATOR DISPENSER (T-RAD)

NASAengineershavedesignedtheTileRepair AblatorDispenserorTRADaspartofthe ongoingdevelopmentofaninorbitrepair capabilityfortheSpaceShuttle.Similartoa caulkgun,theTRADwasdesignedtofacilitate therepairoftilesneartheorbitersnoselanding geardoor,itstwomainlandinggeardoorsand theexternaltankattachmentdoors. Shouldtilesinthoseareasbedamaged,an ExtraVehicularActivity(EVA)crewmember willuseTRADtomixandextrudeatwopart siliconebasedablatormaterialintothevoidin thetileandthenworkitinsmoothly. Thesiliconebasedmaterial,knownasShuttle TileAblator54(STA54),consistsofabase materialandacatalyst.Oncemixed,it resemblestheconsistencyofcakefrosting. However,thematerialcurestothetextureofa pencileraserwithin24to48hours.During reentry,theSTA54dissipatesheatby charring,thusprotectingtheshuttletiles. andanapplicatorgunthatcontrolstheflowof theextrudingmaterial.Theassemblyweighs 55poundsandisaboutthesamesizeasahand heldvacuum.

TRADDeliverySystem TRADreplacestheCureInPlaceAblative Applicator(CIPAA)thatflewonSTS114.The morecumbersomeCIPAAsystemconsistedof anEVAbackpackwithtanksthatheldthebase andcatalystcomponentsunderpressure,and pairedhosestotransportthecomponentstothe damagedarea.TheapplicatorgunthatCIPAA usedhasbeenincorporateddirectlyintotheT RADdesign.

TileRepairAblatorDispenser(TRAD) TheTRADiscomprisedofasingle,carbon dioxidepressurizedvesselseparatedintotwo mainsections.Itsmixing,deliverysystem consistsofastaticmixer,a3footlengthofhose

TheTRADwillnotbetestedontheSTS121 mission,itisbeingcarriedforcontingencyuse if,forsomereason,theISSsafehavenoption wereunavailable.Italsowillbemanifestedon spaceshuttleflightsSTS115andSTS116for contingencyuse.

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CONTINGENCY SHUTTLE CREW SUPPORT (CSCS)

NASAinitiatedastudytodeterminethe feasibilityofrescuingastrandedspaceshuttle crewattheInternationalSpaceStation(ISS)in theunlikelyeventdamagewouldpreventthe safereentryofthevehicle.TheISSProgram conductedanextensiveevaluationofthe stationscapabilitytoprovideprovisionsand lifesupporttoashuttlecrewaspartofan agencyselfimposedcontingencycasethat wouldensureasecondshuttlewasfarenough alonginprocessingtobelaunchedtorescuethe strandedcrew. Thiscontingencyshuttlecrewsupport (CSCS)alsoknownassafehavenwouldbe usedonlyasalastresorttoreturnthecrewofa criticallydamagedshuttle.Intheunlikely eventallnewsafetymeasureswere unsuccessful,andashuttledockedtotheISSis deemedunsafeforreturntoEarth,NASA wouldconsiderusingCSCStorescuethecrew. TheISSandSpaceShuttleProgramshavemade thenecessarypreparationsforthisoptiontobe availableforthenexttwoshuttleflights (STS121&STS115).TheProgramswill continuetoevaluatethecapabilitytoenact CSCSforfutureflights. Thosepreparationsincludeinvestigatingways toappropriatelybuildupcriticalsystemsand consumablesonboardthestation. TheCSCSscenarioallowsthevisitingcrewofa criticallydamagedshuttletoliveonboardthe spacestationuntilarescueshuttlecanbe launched.Thecrewswouldtransferallofthe consumablesfromthedamagedshuttletothe station.Oncetheshuttleconsumablesare depleted,theunmannedshuttlewillbe remotelycommandedtoundockbyMission ControlinHoustonandburnupintheEarths atmosphere. Inthemeantime,thenextspaceshuttleinthe launchprocessingflowattheKennedySpace CenterinFloridawillbecometherescuevehicle andworkwillfocusonitlaunchingand arrivingatthestationbeforeconsumablesrun out.Thenumberofdaysthestationcan supportastrandedshuttlecrewwouldbe determined,inpart,bytheconsumables alreadyonboard,pluswhatisbroughtupwith theshuttle.Thelevelofconsumablesonboard thestation,includingfood,water,oxygenand spareparts,willbereviewedandprovidedup untilthedayofthefirstshuttlelaunchtodefine theCSCScapabilityforthatparticularmission. NASAsplanofcrewsupportinacontingency callsforasubsetoftheSTS115crewtosupport STS121andasubsetoftheSTS116crewto supportSTS115.Thecontingencyflightsare designatedSTS300andSTS301,respectively. ThecrewmembersthatwouldsupportaCSCS caseare:

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 STS300 BrentJett,commander ChrisFerguson,pilotandbackupRemote ManipulatorSystemoperator JoeTanner,missionspecialist1, Extravehicular1andprimeRemote ManipulatorSystemoperator DanBurbank,missionspecialist2and Extravehicular2 TheSoyuzspacecraftatthespacestationwill remaintheemergencyrescuevehiclefortheISS Expeditioncrew. STS301 MarkPolansky,commanderandprimeRemote ManipulatorSystemoperator BillOefelein,pilotandbackupRemote ManipulatorSystemoperator BobCurbeam,missionspecialist1, Extravehicular1 ChristerFuglesang,missionspecialist2, Extravehicular2 Detailedbiographiesontheastronautsare availableat:http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/

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SHUTTLE REFERENCE DATA

SHUTTLE ABORT MODES

RSLS Aborts
Theseoccurwhentheonboardshuttle computersdetectaproblemandcommanda haltinthelaunchsequenceaftertakingover fromthegroundlaunchsequencerandbefore solidrocketboosterignition.

launchsite,KennedySpaceCenter, approximately25minutesafterliftoff. TheRTLSprofileisdesignedtoaccommodate thelossofthrustfromonespaceshuttlemain enginebetweenliftoffandapproximatelyfour minutes20seconds,atwhichtimenotenough mainpropulsionsystempropellantremainsto returntothelaunchsite.AnRTLScanbe consideredtoconsistofthreestagesa poweredstage,duringwhichthespaceshuttle mainenginesarestillthrusting;anexternal tankseparationphase;andtheglidephase, duringwhichtheorbiterglidestoalandingat theKennedySpaceCenter.ThepoweredRTLS phasebeginswiththecrewselectionofthe RTLSabort,whichisdoneaftersolidrocket boosterseparation.Thecrewselectstheabort modebypositioningtheabortrotaryswitchto RTLSanddepressingtheabortpushbutton. ThetimeatwhichtheRTLSisselecteddepends onthereasonfortheabort.Forexample,a threeengineRTLSisselectedatthelast moment,about3minutes,34secondsintothe mission;whereasanRTLSchosenduetoan engineoutatliftoffisselectedattheearliest time,about2minutes,20secondsintothe mission(aftersolidrocketboosterseparation). AfterRTLSisselected,thevehiclecontinues downrangetodissipateexcessmainpropulsion systempropellant.Thegoalistoleaveonly enoughmainpropulsionsystempropellantto beabletoturnthevehiclearound,flyback towardtheKennedySpaceCenterandachieve thepropermainenginecutoffconditionssothe vehiclecanglidetotheKennedySpaceCenter afterexternaltankseparation.Duringthe downrangephase,apitcharoundmaneuveris

Ascent Aborts
Selectionofanascentabortmodemaybecome necessaryifthereisafailurethataffectsvehicle performance,suchasthefailureofaspace shuttlemainengineoranorbitalmaneuvering system.Otherfailuresrequiringearly terminationofaflight,suchasacabinleak, mightalsorequiretheselectionofanabort mode.Therearetwobasictypesofascentabort modesforspaceshuttlemissions:intactaborts andcontingencyaborts.Intactabortsare designedtoprovideasafereturnoftheorbiter toaplannedlandingsite.Contingencyaborts aredesignedtopermitflightcrewsurvival followingmoreseverefailureswhenanintact abortisnotpossible.Acontingencyabort wouldgenerallyresultinaditchoperation.

Intact Aborts
Therearefourtypesofintactaborts:abortto orbit(ATO),abortoncearound(AOA), transoceanicabortlanding(TAL)andreturnto launchsite(RTLS).

Return to Launch Site

TheRTLSabortmodeisdesignedtoallowthe returnoftheorbiter,crewandpayloadtothe

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 initiated(thetimedependsinpartonthetime ofaspaceshuttlemainenginefailure)toorient theorbiter/externaltankconfigurationtoa headsupattitude,pointingtowardthelaunch site.Atthistime,thevehicleisstillmoving awayfromthelaunchsite,butthespaceshuttle mainenginesarenowthrustingtonullthe downrangevelocity.Inaddition,excessorbital maneuveringsystemandreactioncontrol systempropellantsaredumpedbycontinuous orbitalmaneuveringsystemandreaction controlsystemenginethrustingstoimprovethe orbiterweightandcenterofgravityforthe glidephaseandlanding. Thevehiclewillreachthedesiredmainengine cutoffpointwithlessthan2percentexcess propellantremainingintheexternaltank.At mainenginecutoffminus20seconds,apitch downmaneuver(calledpoweredpitchdown) takesthematedvehicletotherequiredexternal tankseparationattitudeandpitchrate.After mainenginecutoffhasbeencommanded,the externaltankseparationsequencebegins, includingareactioncontrolsystemtranslation thatensuresthattheorbiterdoesnotrecontact theexternaltankandthattheorbiterhas achievedthenecessarypitchattitudetobegin theglidephaseoftheRTLS. Afterthereactioncontrolsystemtranslation maneuverhasbeencompleted,theglidephase oftheRTLSbegins.Fromthenon,theRTLSis handledsimilarlytoanormalentry. afterthelastRTLSopportunity,makingit imperativetolandasquicklyaspossible. InaTALabort,thevehiclecontinuesona ballistictrajectoryacrosstheAtlanticOceanto landatapredeterminedrunway.Landing occursabout45minutesafterlaunch.The landingsiteisselectednearthenominalascent groundtrackoftheorbitertomakethemost efficientuseofspaceshuttlemainengine propellant.Thelandingsitealsomusthavethe necessaryrunwaylength,weatherconditions andU.S.StateDepartmentapproval.Thethree landingsitesthathavebeenidentifiedforadue eastlaunchareZaragoza,Spain;Moron,Spain; andIstres,France. ToselecttheTALabortmode,thecrewmust placetheabortrotaryswitchintheTAL/AOA positionanddepresstheabortpushbutton beforemainenginecutoff.(Depressingitafter mainenginecutoffselectstheAOAabort mode.)TheTALabortmodebeginssending commandstosteerthevehicletowardtheplane ofthelandingsite.Italsorollsthevehicle headsupbeforemainenginecutoffandsends commandstobeginanorbitalmaneuvering systempropellantdump(byburningthe propellantsthroughtheorbitalmaneuvering systemenginesandthereactioncontrolsystem engines).Thisdumpisnecessarytoincrease vehicleperformance(bydecreasingweight),to placethecenterofgravityintheproperplace forvehiclecontrolandtodecreasethevehicles landingweight.TALishandledlikeanominal entry.

Transoceanic Abort Landing

TheTALabortmodewasdevelopedto improvetheoptionsavailablewhenaspace shuttlemainenginefailsafterthelastRTLS opportunitybutbeforethefirsttimethatan AOAcanbeaccomplishedwithonlytwospace shuttlemainenginesorwhenamajororbiter systemfailure,forexample,alargecabin pressureleakorcoolingsystemfailure,occurs

Abort to Orbit
AnATOisanabortmodeusedtoboostthe orbitertoasafeorbitalaltitudewhen performancehasbeenlostanditisimpossible toreachtheplannedorbitalaltitude.Ifaspace shuttlemainenginefailsinaregionthatresults inamainenginecutoffunderspeed,the

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 MissionControlCenterwilldeterminethatan abortmodeisnecessaryandwillinformthe crew.Theorbitalmaneuveringsystemengines wouldbeusedtoplacetheorbiterinacircular orbit. Contingencyabortsduetosystemfailuresother thanthoseinvolvingthemainengineswould normallyresultinanintactrecoveryofvehicle andcrew.Lossofmorethanonemainengine may,dependingonenginefailuretimes,result inasaferunwaylanding.However,inmost threeengineoutcasesduringascent,the orbiterwouldhavetobeditched.Theinflight crewescapesystemwouldbeusedbefore ditchingtheorbiter.

Abort Once Around

TheAOAabortmodeisusedincasesinwhich vehicleperformancehasbeenlosttosuchan extentthateitheritisimpossibletoachievea viableorbitornotenoughorbitalmaneuvering systempropellantisavailabletoaccomplishthe orbitalmaneuveringsystemthrusting maneuvertoplacetheorbiteronorbitandthe deorbitthrustingmaneuver.Inaddition,an AOAisusedincasesinwhichamajorsystems problem(cabinleak,lossofcooling)makesit necessarytolandquickly.IntheAOAabort mode,oneorbitalmaneuveringsystem thrustingsequenceismadetoadjustthepost mainenginecutofforbitsoasecondorbital maneuveringsystemthrustingsequencewill resultinthevehicledeorbitingandlandingat theAOAlandingsite(WhiteSands,N.M.; EdwardsAirForceBase;ortheKennedySpace Center).Thus,anAOAresultsintheorbiter circlingtheEarthonceandlandingabout 90minutesafterliftoff. Afterthedeorbitthrustingsequencehasbeen executed,theflightcrewfliestoalandingatthe plannedsitemuchasitwouldforanominal entry.

Abort Decisions
Thereisadefiniteorderofpreferenceforthe variousabortmodes.Thetypeoffailureand thetimeofthefailuredeterminewhichtypeof abortisselected.Incaseswhereperformance lossistheonlyfactor,thepreferredmodes wouldbeATO,AOA,TALandRTLS,inthat order.Themodechosenisthehighestonethat canbecompletedwiththeremainingvehicle performance. Inthecaseofsomesupportsystemfailures, suchascabinleaksorvehiclecoolingproblems, thepreferredmodemightbetheonethatwill endthemissionmostquickly.Inthesecases, TALorRTLSmightbepreferabletoAOAor ATO.Acontingencyabortisneverchosenif anotherabortoptionexists. MissionControlHoustonisprimeforcalling theseabortsbecauseithasamoreprecise knowledgeoftheorbiterspositionthanthe crewcanobtainfromonboardsystems.Before mainenginecutoff,MissionControlmakes periodiccallstothecrewtotellthemwhich abortmodeis(orisnot)available.Ifground communicationsarelost,theflightcrewhason boardmethods,suchascuecards,dedicated displaysanddisplayinformation,todetermine theabortregion. Whichabortmodeisselecteddependsonthe causeandtimingofthefailurecausingthe

Contingency Aborts
Contingencyabortsarecausedbylossofmore thanonemainengineorfailuresinother systems.Lossofonemainenginewhile anotherisstuckatalowthrustsettingmayalso necessitateacontingencyabort.Suchanabort wouldmaintainorbiterintegrityforinflight crewescapeifalandingcannotbeachievedata suitablelandingfield.

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 abortandwhichmodeissafestorimproves missionsuccess.Iftheproblemisaspace shuttlemainenginefailure,theflightcrewand MissionControlCenterselectthebestoption availableatthetimeamainenginefails. Iftheproblemisasystemfailurethat jeopardizesthevehicle,thefastestabortmode thatresultsintheearliestvehiclelandingis chosen.RTLSandTALarethequickestoptions (35minutes),whereasanAOArequiresabout 90minutes.Whichoftheseisselecteddepends onthetimeofthefailurewiththreegoodspace shuttlemainengines. Theflightcrewselectstheabortmodeby positioninganabortmodeswitchand depressinganabortpushbutton. engineNo.2Columbiasthreemainengines werereplacedonthelaunchpad,andtheflight wasrescheduledbehindDiscoveryslaunchon STS56.Columbiafinallylaunchedon April26,1993.

(STS-51) Aug. 12, 1993

ThecountdownforDiscoverysthirdlaunch attemptendedattheT3secondmarkwhen onboardcomputersdetectedthefailureofone offoursensorsinmainengineNo.2which monitortheflowofhydrogenfueltothe engine.AllofDiscoverysmainengineswere orderedreplacedonthelaunchpad,delaying theshuttlesfourthlaunchattemptuntil Sept.12,1993.

(STS-68) Aug. 18, 1994

ThecountdownforEndeavoursfirstlaunch attemptended1.9secondsbeforeliftoffwhen onboardcomputersdetectedhigherthan acceptablereadingsinonechannelofasensor monitoringthedischargetemperatureofthe highpressureoxidizerturbopumpinmain engineNo.3.Atestfiringoftheengineatthe StennisSpaceCenterinMississippion September2ndconfirmedthataslightdriftina fuelflowmeterintheenginecausedaslight increaseintheturbopumpstemperature.The testfiringalsoconfirmedaslightlyslowerstart formainengineNo.3duringthepadabort, whichcouldhavecontributedtothehigher temperatures.AfterEndeavourwasbrought backtotheVehicleAssemblyBuildingtobe outfittedwiththreereplacementengines, NASAmanagerssetOct.2asthedatefor Endeavourssecondlaunchattempt.

SHUTTLE ABORT HISTORY

RSLS Abort History: (STS-41 D) June 26, 1984
Thecountdownforthesecondlaunchattempt forDiscoverysmaidenflightendedatT4 secondswhentheorbiterscomputersdetected asluggishvalveinmainengineNo.3.Themain enginewasreplacedandDiscoverywasfinally launchedonAug.30,1984.

(STS-51 F) July 12, 1985

ThecountdownforChallengerslaunchwas haltedatT3secondswhenonboard computersdetectedaproblemwithacoolant valveonmainengineNo.2.Thevalvewas replacedandChallengerwaslaunchedon July29,1985.

(STS-55) March 22, 1993

ThecountdownforColumbiaslaunchwas haltedbyonboardcomputersatT3seconds followingaproblemwithpurgepressure readingsintheoxidizerpreburneronmain

Abort to Orbit History: (STS-51 F) July 29, 1985

AfteranRSLSabortonJuly12,1985, ChallengerwaslaunchedonJuly29,1985.Five

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 minutesand45secondsafterlaunch,asensor problemresultedintheshutdownofcenter engineNo.1,resultinginasafeaborttoorbit andsuccessfulcompletionofthemission. Fahrenheit(3,316degreesCelsius),hotterthan theboilingpointofiron. Themainenginesuseastagedcombustion cyclesothatallpropellantsenteringtheengines areusedtoproducethrustorpowermore efficientlythananypreviousrocketengine.In astagedcombustioncycle,propellantsarefirst burnedpartiallyathighpressureandrelatively lowtemperaturethenburnedcompletelyat hightemperatureandpressureinthemain combustionchamber.Therapidmixingofthe propellantsundertheseconditionsisso completethat99percentofthefuelisburned. Atnormaloperatinglevel,theenginesgenerate 490,847poundsofthrust(measuredina vacuum).Fullpoweris512,900poundsof thrust;minimumpoweris316,100poundsof thrust. Theenginecanbethrottledbyvaryingthe outputofthepreburners,thusvaryingthe speedofthehighpressureturbopumpsand, therefore,theflowofthepropellant. Atabout26secondsintolaunch,themain enginesarethrottleddownto316,000pounds ofthrusttokeepthedynamicpressureonthe vehiclebelowaspecifiedlevelabout 580poundspersquarefootormaxq.Then,the enginesarethrottledbackuptonormal operatinglevelatabout60seconds.This reducesstressonthevehicle. Themainenginesarethrottleddownagainat aboutsevenminutes,40secondsintothe missiontomaintainthreegsthreetimesthe Earthsgravitationalpullagainreducing stressonthecrewandthevehicle.This accelerationlevelisaboutonethirdthe accelerationexperiencedonpreviouscrewed spacevehicles.

SPACE SHUTTLE MAIN ENGINES

Developedinthe1970sbyNASAsMarshall SpaceFlightCenterinHuntsville,Ala.,the spaceshuttlemainengineisthemostadvanced liquidfueledrocketengineeverbuilt.Itsmain featuresincludevariablethrust,high performance,reusability,highredundancyand afullyintegratedenginecontroller. Theshuttlesthreemainenginesaremounted ontheorbiteraftfuselageinatriangular pattern.Spacedsothattheyaremovable duringlaunch,theenginesareusedin conjunctionwiththesolidrocketboostersto steertheshuttlevehicle. Eachofthesepowerfulmainenginesis14feet (4.2meters)long,weighsabout7,000pounds (3,150kilograms)andis7.5feet(2.25meters)in diameterattheendofitsnozzle. Theenginesoperateforabout8minutes duringliftoffandascentburningmorethan 500,000gallons(1.9millionliters)ofsupercold liquidhydrogenandliquidoxygenpropellants storedinthehugeexternaltankattachedtothe undersideoftheshuttle.Theenginesshut downjustbeforetheshuttle,travelingatabout 17,000mph(28,000kilometersperhour), reachesorbit. Themainengineoperatesatgreater temperatureextremesthananymechanical systemincommonusetoday.Thefuel, liquefiedhydrogenat423degreesFahrenheit (253degreesCelsius),isthesecondcoldest liquidonEarth.Whenitandtheliquidoxygen arecombusted,thetemperatureinthemain combustionchamberis6,000degrees

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 About10secondsbeforemainenginecutoffor MECO,thecutoffsequencebegins;aboutthree secondslaterthemainenginesarecommanded tobeginthrottlingat10percentthrustper secondto65percentthrust.Thisisheldfor about6.7seconds,andtheenginesareshut down. Theengineperformancehasthehighestthrust foritsweightofanyengineyetdeveloped.In fact,onespaceshuttlemainenginegenerates sufficientthrusttomaintaintheflightof2 747airplanes. Thespaceshuttlemainengineisalsothefirst rocketenginetouseabuiltinelectronicdigital controller,orcomputer.Thecontrollerwill acceptcommandsfromtheorbiterforengine start,changeinthrottle,shutdown,and monitorengineoperation.Intheeventofa failure,thecontrollerautomaticallycorrectsthe problemorsafelyshutsdowntheengine. NASAcontinuestoincreasethereliabilityand safetyofshuttleflightsthroughaseriesof enhancementstothespaceshuttlemain engines.Theenginesweremodifiedin1988, 1995,1998and2001.Modificationsincludenew highpressurefuelandoxidizerturbopumps thatreducemaintenanceandoperatingcostsof theengine,atwoductpowerheadthatreduces pressureandturbulenceintheengine,anda singlecoilheatexchangerthatlowersthe numberofpostflightinspectionsrequired. Anothermodificationincorporatesalarge throatmaincombustionchamberthatimproves theenginesreliabilitybyreducingpressure andtemperatureinthechamber. Aftertheorbiterlands,theenginesareremoved andreturnedtoaprocessingfacilityat KennedySpaceCenter,Fla.,wheretheyare recheckedandreadiedforthenextflight.Some componentsarereturnedtothemainengines primecontractor,RocketdynePropulsion& PowerunitoftheBoeingCompany,Canoga Park,Calif.,forregularmaintenance.Themain enginesaredesignedtooperatefor 7.5accumulatedhours.

SPACE SHUTTLE SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS

ThetwoSRBsprovidethemainthrusttoliftthe spaceshuttleoffthepadanduptoanaltitude ofabout150,000feet,or24nauticalmiles (28statutemiles).Inaddition,thetwoSRBs carrytheentireweightoftheexternaltankand orbiterandtransmittheweightloadthrough theirstructuretothemobilelauncherplatform. Eachboosterhasathrust(sealevel)ofabout 3,300,000poundsatlaunch.Theyareignited afterthethreespaceshuttlemainengines thrustlevelisverified.ThetwoSRBsprovide 71.4percentofthethrustatliftoffandduring firststageascent.Seventyfivesecondsafter SRBseparation,SRBapogeeoccursatan altitudeofabout220,000feet,or35nautical miles(40statutemiles).SRBimpactoccursin theoceanabout122nauticalmiles(140statute miles)downrange. TheSRBsarethelargestsolidpropellant motorseverflownandthefirstdesignedfor reuse.Eachis149.16feetlongand12.17feetin diameter. EachSRBweighsabout1,300,000poundsat launch.Thepropellantforeachsolidrocket motorweighsabout1,100,000pounds.The inertweightofeachSRBisabout 192,000pounds. Primaryelementsofeachboosterarethemotor (includingcase,propellant,igniterandnozzle), structure,separationsystems,operationalflight instrumentation,recoveryavionics, pyrotechnics,decelerationsystem,thrustvector

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 controlsystemandrangesafetydestruct system. Eachboosterisattachedtotheexternaltankat theSRBsaftframebytwolateralswaybraces andadiagonalattachment.Theforwardendof eachSRBisattachedtotheexternaltankatthe forwardendoftheSRBsforwardskirt.Onthe launchpad,eachboosteralsoisattachedtothe mobilelauncherplatformattheaftskirtbyfour boltsandnutsthatareseveredbysmall explosivesatliftoff. DuringthedowntimefollowingtheChallenger accident,detailedstructuralanalyseswere performedoncriticalstructuralelementsofthe SRB.Analyseswereprimarilyfocusedinareas whereanomalieshadbeennotedduring postflightinspectionofrecoveredhardware. Oneoftheareaswastheattachringwherethe SRBsareconnectedtotheexternaltank.Areas ofdistresswerenotedinsomeofthefasteners wheretheringattachestotheSRBmotorcase. Thissituationwasattributedtothehighloads encounteredduringwaterimpact.Tocorrect thesituationandensurehigherstrength marginsduringascent,theattachringwas redesignedtoencirclethemotorcase completely(360degrees). Previously,theattachringformedaCand encircledthemotorcase270degrees. Additionally,specialstructuraltestsweredone ontheaftskirt.Duringthistestprogram,an anomalyoccurredinacriticalweldbetweenthe holddownpostandskinoftheskirt.A redesignwasimplementedtoadd reinforcementbracketsandfittingsintheaft ringoftheskirt. Thesetwomodificationsaddedabout 450poundstotheweightofeachSRB. ThepropellantmixtureineachSRBmotor consistsofanammoniumperchlorate(oxidizer, 69.6percentbyweight),aluminum(fuel, 16percent),ironoxide(acatalyst,0.4percent),a polymer(abinderthatholdsthemixture together,12.04percent),andanepoxycuring agent(1.96percent).Thepropellantisan 11pointstarshapedperforationintheforward motorsegmentandadoubletruncatedcone perforationineachoftheaftsegmentsandaft closure.Thisconfigurationprovideshigh thrustatignitionandthenreducesthethrustby aboutathird50secondsafterliftofftoprevent overstressingthevehicleduringmaximum dynamicpressure. TheSRBsareusedasmatchedpairsandeachis madeupoffoursolidrocketmotorsegments. Thepairsarematchedbyloadingeachofthe fourmotorsegmentsinpairsfromthesame batchesofpropellantingredientstominimize anythrustimbalance.Thesegmentedcasing designassuresmaximumflexibilityin fabricationandeaseoftransportationand handling.Eachsegmentisshippedtothe launchsiteonaheavydutyrailcarwitha speciallybuiltcover. Thenozzleexpansionratioofeachbooster beginningwiththeSTS8missionis7to79. Thenozzleisgimbaledforthrustvector (direction)control.EachSRBhasitsown redundantauxiliarypowerunitsandhydraulic pumps.Theallaxisgimbalingcapabilityis 8degrees.Eachnozzlehasacarbonclothliner thaterodesandcharsduringfiring.Thenozzle isaconvergentdivergent,movabledesignin whichanaftpivotpointflexiblebearingisthe gimbalmechanism. Theconeshapedaftskirtreactstheaftloads betweentheSRBandthemobilelauncher platform.Thefouraftseparationmotorsare mountedontheskirt.Theaftsectioncontains

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 avionics,athrustvectorcontrolsystemthat consistsoftwoauxiliarypowerunitsand hydraulicpumps,hydraulicsystemsanda nozzleextensionjettisonsystem. Theforwardsectionofeachboostercontains avionics,asequencer,forwardseparation motors,anoseconeseparationsystem,drogue andmainparachutes,arecoverybeacon,a recoverylight,aparachutecameraonselected flightsandarangesafetysystem. EachSRBhastwointegratedelectronic assemblies,oneforwardandoneaft.After burnout,theforwardassemblyinitiatesthe releaseofthenosecapandfrustum,atransition piecebetweenthenoseconeandsolidrocket motor,andturnsontherecoveryaids.Theaft assembly,mountedintheexternaltank/SRB attachring,connectswiththeforwardassembly andtheorbiteravionicssystemsforSRB ignitioncommandsandnozzlethrustvector control.Eachintegratedelectronicassembly hasamultiplexer/demultiplexer,whichsends orreceivesmorethanonemessage,signalor unitofinformationonasinglecommunication channel. Eightboosterseparationmotors(fourinthe nosefrustumandfourintheaftskirt)ofeach SRBthrustfor1.02secondsatSRBseparation fromtheexternaltank.Eachsolidrocket separationmotoris31.1incheslongand 12.8inchesindiameter. LocationaidsareprovidedforeachSRB, frustum/droguechutesandmainparachutes. Theseincludeatransmitter,antenna, strobe/converter,batteryandsaltwaterswitch electronics.Thelocationaidsaredesignedfora minimumoperatinglifeof72hoursandwhen refurbishedareconsideredusableupto 20times.Theflashinglightisanexception.It hasanoperatinglifeof280hours.Thebattery isusedonlyonce. TheSRBnosecapsandnozzleextensionsare notrecovered. TherecoverycrewretrievestheSRBs, frustum/droguechutes,andmainparachutes. Thenozzlesareplugged,thesolidrocket motorsaredewatered,andtheSRBsaretowed backtothelaunchsite.Eachboosteris removedfromthewater,anditscomponents aredisassembledandwashedwithfreshand deionizedwatertolimitsaltwatercorrosion. Themotorsegments,igniterandnozzleare shippedbacktoATKThiokolfor refurbishment. EachSRBincorporatesarangesafetysystem thatincludesabatterypowersource, receiver/decoder,antennasandordnance.

Hold-Down Posts
Eachsolidrocketboosterhasfourholddown poststhatfitintocorrespondingsupportposts onthemobilelauncherplatform.Holddown boltsholdtheSRBandlauncherplatformposts together.Eachbolthasanutateachend,but onlythetopnutisfrangible.Thetopnut containstwoNASAstandarddetonators (NSDs),whichareignitedatsolidrocketmotor ignitioncommands. WhenthetwoNSDsareignitedateachhold down,theholddownbolttravelsdownward becauseofthereleaseoftensioninthebolt (pretensionedbeforelaunch),NSDgaspressure andgravity.Theboltisstoppedbythestud decelerationstand,whichcontainssand.The SRBboltis28incheslongand3.5inchesin diameter.Thefrangiblenutiscapturedina blastcontainer. Thesolidrocketmotorignitioncommandsare issuedbytheorbiterscomputersthroughthe mastereventscontrollerstotheholddown pyrotechnicinitiatorcontrollersonthemobile

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 launcherplatform.Theyprovidetheignitionto theholddownNSDs.Thelaunchprocessing systemmonitorstheSRBholddownPICsfor lowvoltageduringthelast16secondsbefore launch.PIClowvoltagewillinitiatealaunch hold. initiator,whichfiresdownthelengthofthe solidrocketmotorignitingthesolidrocket motorpropellant. TheGPClaunchsequencealsocontrolscertain criticalmainpropulsionsystemvalvesand monitorstheenginereadyindicationsfromthe SSMEs.TheMPSstartcommandsareissuedby theonboardcomputersatTminus6.6seconds (staggeredstartenginethree,enginetwo, engineoneallaboutwithin0.25ofasecond), andthesequencemonitorsthethrustbuildup ofeachengine.AllthreeSSMEsmustreachthe required90percentthrustwithinthreeseconds; otherwise,anorderlyshutdowniscommanded andsafingfunctionsareinitiated. Normalthrustbuilduptotherequired90 percentthrustlevelwillresultintheSSMEs beingcommandedtotheliftoffpositionat Tminusthreesecondsaswellasthefire1 commandbeingissuedtoarmtheSRBs.At Tminusthreeseconds,thevehiclebase bendingloadmodesareallowedtoinitialize (movementof25.5inchesmeasuredatthetipof theexternaltank,withmovementtowardsthe externaltank). AtTminuszero,thetwoSRBsareignited undercommandofthefouronboard computers;separationofthefourexplosive boltsoneachSRBisinitiated(eachboltis28 incheslongand3.5inchesindiameter);thetwo T0umbilicals(oneoneachsideofthe spacecraft)areretracted;theonboardmaster timingunit,eventtimerandmissionevent timersarestarted;thethreeSSMEsareat 100percent;andthegroundlaunchsequenceis terminated. Thesolidrocketmotorthrustprofileistailored toreducethrustduringthemaximumdynamic pressureregion.

SRB Ignition
SRBignitioncanoccuronlywhenamanual lockpinfromeachSRBsafeandarmdevicehas beenremoved.Thegroundcrewremovesthe pinduringprelaunchactivities.AtTminus fiveminutes,theSRBsafeandarmdeviceis rotatedtothearmposition.Thesolidrocket motorignitioncommandsareissuedwhenthe threeSSMEsareatorabove90percentrated thrust,noSSMEfailand/orSRBignitionPIC lowvoltageisindicatedandtherearenoholds fromtheLPS. Thesolidrocketmotorignitioncommandsare sentbytheorbitercomputersthroughthe MECstothesafeandarmdeviceNSDsineach SRB.APICsinglechannelcapacitordischarge devicecontrolsthefiringofeachpyrotechnic device.Threesignalsmustbepresent simultaneouslyforthePICtogeneratethepyro firingoutput.Thesesignalsarm,fire1and fire2originateintheorbitergeneralpurpose computersandaretransmittedtotheMECs. TheMECsreformatthemto28voltdcsignals forthePICs.ThearmsignalchargesthePIC capacitorto40voltsdc(minimumof20volts dc). Thefire2commandscausetheredundant NSDstofirethroughathinbarriersealdowna flametunnel.Thisignitesapyrobooster charge,whichisretainedinthesafeandarm devicebehindaperforatedplate.Thebooster chargeignitesthepropellantintheigniter initiator;andcombustionproductsofthis propellantignitethesolidrocketmotor

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Electrical Power Distribution

ElectricalpowerdistributionineachSRB consistsoforbitersuppliedmaindcbuspower toeachSRBviaSRBbusesA,BandC.Orbiter maindcbusesA,BandCsupplymaindcbus powertocorrespondingSRBbusesA,BandC. Inaddition,orbitermaindcbusCsupplies backuppowertoSRBbusesAandB,and orbiterbusBsuppliesbackuppowertoSRBbus C.Thiselectricalpowerdistribution arrangementallowsallSRBbusestoremain poweredintheeventoneorbitermainbusfails. Thenominaldcvoltageis28voltsdc,withan upperlimitof32voltsdcandalowerlimitof 24voltsdc.

(tank)contains22poundsofhydrazine.The fueltankispressurizedwithgaseousnitrogen at400psi,whichprovidestheforcetoexpel (positiveexpulsion)thefuelfromthetankto thefueldistributionline,maintainingapositive fuelsupplytotheAPUthroughoutits operation. ThefuelisolationvalveisopenedatAPU startuptoallowfueltoflowtotheAPUfuel pumpandcontrolvalvesandthentothegas generator.Thegasgeneratorscatalyticaction decomposesthefuelandcreatesahotgas.It feedsthehotgasexhaustproducttotheAPU twostagegasturbine.Fuelflowsprimarily throughthestartupbypasslineuntiltheAPU speedissuchthatthefuelpumpoutletpressure isgreaterthanthebypasslines.Thenallthe fuelissuppliedtothefuelpump. TheAPUturbineassemblyprovides mechanicalpowertotheAPUgearbox.The gearboxdrivestheAPUfuelpump,hydraulic pumpandlubeoilpump.TheAPUlubeoil pumplubricatesthegearbox.Theturbine exhaustofeachAPUflowsovertheexteriorof thegasgenerator,coolingit,andisthen directedoverboardthroughanexhaustduct. WhentheAPUspeedreaches100percent,the APUprimarycontrolvalvecloses,andtheAPU speediscontrolledbytheAPUcontroller electronics.Iftheprimarycontrolvalvelogic failstotheopenstate,thesecondarycontrol valveassumescontroloftheAPUat112 percentspeed. EachHPUonanSRBisconnectedtoboth servoactuatorsonthatSRB.OneHPUservesas theprimaryhydraulicsourceforthe servoactuator,andtheotherHPUservesasthe secondaryhydraulicsfortheservoactuator. Eachservoactuatorhasaswitchingvalvethat allowsthesecondaryhydraulicstopowerthe actuatoriftheprimaryhydraulicpressure

Hydraulic Power Units

Therearetwoselfcontained,independent HPUsoneachSRB.EachHPUconsistsofan auxiliarypowerunit,fuelsupplymodule, hydraulicpump,hydraulicreservoirand hydraulicfluidmanifoldassembly.TheAPUs arefueledbyhydrazineandgenerate mechanicalshaftpowertoahydraulicpump thatproduceshydraulicpressurefortheSRB hydraulicsystem.ThetwoseparateHPUsand twohydraulicsystemsarelocatedontheaft endofeachSRBbetweentheSRBnozzleand aftskirt.TheHPUcomponentsaremountedon theaftskirtbetweentherockandtiltactuators. ThetwosystemsoperatefromTminus 28secondsuntilSRBseparationfromthe orbiterandexternaltank.Thetwoindependent hydraulicsystemsareconnectedtotherock andtiltservoactuators. TheAPUcontrollerelectronicsarelocatedin theSRBaftintegratedelectronicassemblieson theaftexternaltankattachrings. TheAPUsandtheirfuelsystemsareisolated fromeachother.Eachfuelsupplymodule

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 dropsbelow2,050psi.Aswitchcontactonthe switchingvalvewillclosewhenthevalveisin thesecondaryposition.Whenthevalveis closed,asignalissenttotheAPUcontroller thatinhibitsthe100percentAPUspeedcontrol logicandenablesthe112percentAPUspeed controllogic.The100percentAPUspeed enablesoneAPU/HPUtosupplysufficient operatinghydraulicpressuretoboth servoactuatorsofthatSRB. TheAPU100percentspeedcorrespondsto 72,000rpm,110percentto79,200rpm,and 112percentto80,640rpm. Thehydraulicpumpspeedis3,600rpmand supplieshydraulicpressureof3,050,plusor minus50,psi.Ahighpressurereliefvalve providesoverpressureprotectiontothe hydraulicsystemandrelievesat3,750psi. TheAPUs/HPUsandhydraulicsystemsare reusablefor20missions. eachdrivercontrollingonehydraulicporton eachmainandSRBservoactuator. EachSRBservoactuatorconsistsoffour independent,twostageservovalvesthat receivesignalsfromthedrivers.Each servovalvecontrolsonepowerspoolineach actuator,whichpositionsanactuatorramand thenozzletocontrolthedirectionofthrust. Thefourservovalvesineachactuatorprovidea forcesummedmajorityvotingarrangementto positionthepowerspool.Withfouridentical commandstothefourservovalves,theactuator forcesumactionpreventsasingleerroneous commandfromaffectingpowerrammotion.If theerroneouscommandpersistsformorethan apredeterminedtime,differentialpressure sensingactivatesaselectorvalvetoisolateand removethedefectiveservovalvehydraulic pressure,permittingtheremainingchannels andservovalvestocontroltheactuatorram spool. Failuremonitorsareprovidedforeachchannel toindicatewhichchannelhasbeenbypassed. Anisolationvalveoneachchannelprovidesthe capabilityofresettingafailedorbypassed channel. Eachactuatorramisequippedwithtransducers forpositionfeedbacktothethrustvector controlsystem.Withineachservoactuatorram isasplashdownloadreliefassemblytocushion thenozzleatwatersplashdownandprevent damagetothenozzleflexiblebearing.

Thrust Vector Control

EachSRBhastwohydraulicgimbal servoactuators:oneforrockandonefortilt. Theservoactuatorsprovidetheforceand controltogimbalthenozzleforthrustvector control. Thespaceshuttleascentthrustvectorcontrol portionoftheflightcontrolsystemdirectsthe thrustofthethreeshuttlemainenginesandthe twoSRBnozzlestocontrolshuttleattitudeand trajectoryduringliftoffandascent.Commands fromtheguidancesystemaretransmittedtothe ATVCdrivers,whichtransmitsignals proportionaltothecommandstoeach servoactuatorofthemainenginesandSRBs. Fourindependentflightcontrolsystem channelsandfourATVCchannelscontrolsix mainengineandfourSRBATVCdrivers,with

SRB Rate Gyro Assemblies

EachSRBcontainstwoRGAs,witheachRGA containingonepitchandoneyawgyro.These provideanoutputproportionaltoangularrates aboutthepitchandyawaxestotheorbiter computersandguidance,navigationand controlsystemduringfirststageascentflightin

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 conjunctionwiththeorbiterrollrategyrosuntil SRBseparation.AtSRBseparation,a switchoverismadefromtheSRBRGAstothe orbiterRGAs. TheSRBRGAratespassthroughtheorbiter flightaftmultiplexers/demultiplexerstothe orbiterGPCs.TheRGAratesarethenmid valueselectedinredundancymanagementto provideSRBpitchandyawratestotheuser software.TheRGAsaredesignedfor 20missions. Theaftattachmentpointsconsistofthree separatestruts:upper,diagonalandlower. EachstrutcontainsoneboltwithanNSD pressurecartridgeateachend.Theupperstrut alsocarriestheumbilicalinterfacebetweenits SRBandtheexternaltankandontotheorbiter. Therearefourboosterseparationmotorson eachendofeachSRB.TheBSMsseparatethe SRBsfromtheexternaltank.Thesolidrocket motorsineachclusteroffourareignitedby firingredundantNSDpressurecartridgesinto redundantconfineddetonatingfusemanifolds. Theseparationcommandsissuedfromthe orbiterbytheSRBseparationsequenceinitiate theredundantNSDpressurecartridgeineach boltandignitetheBSMstoeffectaclean separation.

SRB Separation
SRBseparationisinitiatedwhenthethreesolid rocketmotorchamberpressuretransducersare processedintheredundancymanagement middlevalueselectandtheheadendchamber pressureofbothSRBsislessthanorequalto 50psi.Abackupcueisthetimeelapsedfrom boosterignition. Theseparationsequenceisinitiated, commandingthethrustvectorcontrolactuators tothenullpositionandputtingthemain propulsionsystemintoasecondstage configuration(0.8secondfromsequence initialization),whichensuresthethrustofeach SRBislessthan100,000pounds.Orbiteryaw attitudeisheldforfourseconds,andSRBthrust dropstolessthan60,000pounds. TheSRBsseparatefromtheexternaltank within30millisecondsoftheordnancefiring command. Theforwardattachmentpointconsistsofaball (SRB)andsocket(ET)heldtogetherbyonebolt. TheboltcontainsoneNSDpressurecartridgeat eachend.Theforwardattachmentpointalso carriestherangesafetysystemcrossstrap wiringconnectingeachSRBRSSandtheET RSSwitheachother.

SPACE SHUTTLE SUPER LIGHT WEIGHT TANK (SLWT)

Thesuperlightweightexternaltank(SLWT) madeitsfirstshuttleflightJune2,1998,on missionSTS91.TheSLWTis7,500pounds lighterthanthestandardexternaltank.The lighterweighttankallowstheshuttletodeliver InternationalSpaceStationelements(suchas theservicemodule)intotheproperorbit. TheSLWTisthesamesizeastheprevious design.Buttheliquidhydrogentankandthe liquidoxygentankaremadeofaluminum lithium,alighter,strongermaterialthanthe metalalloyusedfortheshuttlescurrenttank. Thetanksstructuraldesignhasalsobeen improved,makingit30percentstrongerand 5percentlessdense. TheSLWT,likethestandardtank,is manufacturedatMichoudAssembly,near NewOrleans,byLockheedMartin.

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 The154footlongexternaltankisthelargest singlecomponentofthespaceshuttle.Itstands tallerthana15storybuildingandhasa diameterofabout27feet.Theexternaltank holdsover530,000gallonsofliquidhydrogen andliquidoxygenintwoseparatetanks.The hydrogen(fuel)andliquidoxygen(oxidizer) areusedaspropellantsfortheshuttlesthree mainengines.

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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

AA AAA AAC ABC ABOLT AC ACBM ACC ACO ACS ACSM ACU AD ADF AEA AESD AFD AGB AIO AO AOA AOH AOP APAS APCU APDS APFR APM APPCM APS AR ARCU ARIS ARS ASCR ASDA AntennaAssembly AvionicsAirAssembly AftAccessClosure AudioBusCoupler AcquireBolt AssemblyComplete ActiveCBM AftCargoCarrier AssemblyandCheckoutOfficer AtmosphereControlSystem AttitudeControlSystem ACSModing ArmComputerUnit ActiveDevice AttachmentDevice AirDiffuser AntennaElectronicsAssembly AirlockExternalStowageDevices AftFlightDeck AdjustableGrappleBar AnalogInput/Output AtomicOxygen AbortOnceAround AssemblyOperationsHandbook AssemblyOps AndrogynousPeripheralAttachmentSystem AssemblyPowerConverterUnit AndrogynousPeripheralDockingSystem ArticulatingPortableFootRestraint AttachedPressurizedModule ArmPitchPlaneChangeMode AutomatedPayloadSwitch AuxiliaryPowerSupply AtmosphereRevitalization AmericantoRussianConverterUnits ActiveRackIsolationSystem AirRevitalizationSystem AssuredSafeCrewReturn AreaSmokeDetectorAssembly

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 ASL ATA ATCS ATU AUAI AVU AVV B/U BBC BC BCDU BCU BDU BG BGA BGDTS BGHS BIT BITE BMRRM BPSMU BRS BSP C&C C&DH C&M C&T C&W C/L CA CAS CB CBCD2 CBCND CBM CCAA CCD CCMS CCS CCTV CDDT AtmosphereSamplingLine AmmoniaTankAssembly ActiveThermalControlSystem AudioTerminalUnit AssembleContingencySystem/UHFAudioInterface ArtificialVisionUnit AccumulatorVentValve Backup BackupControlUnit BusController BatteryCharge/DischargeUnit BackupControlUnitBusControllerUnit BackupDriveUnit BetaGimbal BetaGimbalAssembly BetaGimbalDeploymentTransitionStructure BetaGimbalHousingSubassembly BuiltInTest BuiltInTestEquipment BearingMotorandRollRingModule BatteryPoweredSpeakerMikeUnit BottomRightSide BasebandSignalProcessor CommandandControl CommandandDataHandling ControlandMonitor CommandandTelemetry CommunicationsandTracking CautionandWarning CrewLock ControlAttitude CommonAttachSystem ControlBus CrossBayCarrierDeployable,SecondFlight CrossBayCarrierNondeployable CommonBerthingMechanism CommonCabinAirAssembly CursorControlDevice ConcentricCableManagementSystem CommandandCommunicationsCenter ClosedCircuitTelevision CommonDisplayDevelopmentTeam

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Acronyms/Abbreviations

99

 CDR CDRA CDRS CDS CE CETA CEU CFA CHeCS CHX CIPA CLA CMG CMGTA COAS COR COTS CP CR CRPCM CRT CSA CSC CSCI CTB CTBE CTVC CVIU CVT CVV CWC DA DAIU DAK DAP DC DC1 DCAM DCP DCSU DDCU DDCUE Commander CarbonDioxideRemovalAssembly CarbonDioxideRemovalSystem CommandandDataSoftware CargoElement CrewandEquipmentTransportationAid ControlElectronicsUnit CirculationFanAssembly CrewHealthCareSystem CondensingHeatExchanger CureInPlaceAblator CameraandLightAssembly ControlMomentGyroscope ControlMomentGyroscopeThrusterAssist CrewOpticalAlignmentSight CommunicationOutageRecorder CommercialOffTheShelf ColdPlate ChangeRequest CanadianRPCM CathodeRayTube CanadianSpaceAgency ComputerSystemsArchitecture ComputerSoftwareComponent ComputerSoftwareConfigurationItem CargoTransferBag CargoTransferBagEquivalents ColorTelevisionCamera CommonVideoInterfaceUnit CurrentValueTable CarbonDioxideVentValve ContingencyWaterCollection DepressurizationAssembly DockedAudioInterfaceUnit DoubleAluminizedKapton DigitalAutopilot DirectCurrent DockingCompartment1 DiffusionControlledApparatusforMicrogravity DisplayandControlPanel DirectCurrentSwitchingUnit DCtoDCConverterUnit DigitalCurrenttoDirectCurrent/ConverterUnitExternal

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Acronyms/Abbreviations

100

 DDCUI DDCUHP DIO DMCS DMCU DMSR DOF DPA DPS DSAT DSO DTO E/L EA EACP EAIU EATCS ECLSS ECS ECU ED EDDA EEATCS EELS EETCS EFGF EIA ELH ELMES ELPS ELS EMCS EMU EOM1 EPCE EPS ER ESA ESP ESPAD ESSMDM InternalDDCU DigitalCurrenttoDirectCurrent/ConverterUnitHeatPipe DiscreetInput/Output DockingMechanismControlSystem DockingMechanismControlUnit DataManagementSystemRussian DegreesOfFreedom DigitalPreassembly DataProcessingSystem Desaturation DetailedSupplementaryObjectives DevelopmentTestObjective EquipmentLock ElectricalAssembly ExtravehicularAudioControlPanel EMUAudioInterfaceUnit ExternalActiveThermalControlSystem EnvironmentalControlandLifeSupportSystem EnvironmentalControlSystem ElectronicsControlUnit ExtendedheightDeployable ExternalManeuveringUnitDon/DoffAssembly EarlyExternalActiveThermalControlSystem EmergencyEgressLightingSystem EarlyExternalThermalControlSystem ElectricalFlightreleasableGrappleFixture ElectricalInterfaceAssembly ElectricalHarness ExperimentLogisticsModuleExposedSection EmergencyLightingPowerSupply EmergencyLightingStrip EuropeanModularCultivationSystem ExtravehicularMobilityUnit EXPRESSmemoryUnit EndofMissionMinus1 ElectricalPowerConsumingEquipment ElectricalPowerSystem ExpressRack EuropeanSpaceAgency ExternalSamplingAdapter ExternalStowagePlatform ESp2AttachmentDevice EnhancedSpaceStationMultiplexer/Demultiplexer

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101

 ESU ETI ETR ETSD EU EV EVA EVCPDS EVR EVSU EXPRESS EXT FAWG FC FCB FCC FCT FCV FD FDA FDI FDIR FDS FEPS FET FGB FHRC FOR FPMU FPP FPU FQDC FR FRAM FRD FRGF FSE FWCI FWD GAS EndStopUnit ElapsedTimeIndicator ExpressTransportationRack ExtravehicularToolStorageDevice ElectronicsUnit Extravehicular ExtravehicularActivity ExtravehicularChargedParticleDirectionalSpectrometer ExtravehicularRobotics ExternalVideoSwitchingUnit EXpeditethePRocessofExperimentstotheSpaceStation ExperimentalTerminal External FlightAssignmentsWorkingGroup FirmwareController FunctionalCargoBlock FlatControllerCircuit FlightControlTeam FlowControlValve FlightDay FaultDetectionandAnnunciation FailureDetectionandisolation Failure,Detection,IsolationandRecovery FireDetectionandSuppression FrontEndProcessorSystem FieldEffectTransistor FixedGrappleBar FunctionalCargoBlock FlexHoseRotaryCoupler FlightOperationsReview FloatingPotentialMeasurementUnit FloatingPointPotential FluidPumpingUnit FluidQuickDisconnectCoupling FlightRule FlightReleasableAttachmentMechanism FlightRequirementsDocument FlightReleasableGrappleFixture FlightSupportEquipment FirmwareConfigurationItem Forward GetAwaySpecial

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102

 GFE GFI GJOP GLA GLONASS GMT GNC GPC GPS GSE GUI HAB HC HCA HCI HCOR HCU HDPCG HDR HEPA HGA HHL HLA HPGT HRF HRFM HRM HX I/F I/O IAC IAS IATCS IBA ICC ID IDA IDRD IDS GovernmentFurnishedEquipment GroundFaultInterrupter GenericJointOperationsPanel GeneralLightingAssembly GeneralLuminareAssembly GlobalNavigationSatelliteSystem GreenwichMeanTime GuidanceandNavigationComputer Guidance,Navigation,andControl GeneralPurposeComputer GlobalPositioningSystem GroundSupportEquipment GraphicalUserInterface HabitatModule HandController HollowCathodeAssembly HumanComputerInterface HighRateCommunicationsOutageRecorder HeaterControlUnit HighDensityProteinCrystalGrowth HighDataRate HighEfficiencyParticulateUnit HighGainAntenna HollowCathodeAssembly HandheldLidar HighLevelAnalog HighPressureGasTank HumanResearchFacility HighRateFrameMultiplexer HighRateModem HeatExchanger Interface Input/Output InternalAudioController InternalAudioSystem InternalActiveThermalControlSystem IntegratedBoomAssembly IntegratedCargoCarrier Identification IntegratedDiodeAssembly IncrementDefinitionRequirementsDocument IntegratedDocumentationSystem

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Acronyms/Abbreviations

103

 IEA IELK IFHX IFM IGA IMCA IMCS IMS IMU IMV INCO INT IOC IOCU IP IRU ISA ISIS ISO ISOV ISPR ISS ISSSH ISSIS ISSPO ITCS ITS ITVC IUA IVA IVSU JEU JEUS JSC KBAR km KSC KYA LA Lab LAN IntegratedEquipmentAssembly IndividualEquipmentLinerKit InterfaceHeatExchanger InflightMaintenance InnerGimbalAssembly IntegratedMotorControlAssembly IntegratedMissionControlSystem InventoryManagementSystem ImpedanceMatchingUnit IntermoduleVentilation InstrumentationCommunicationsOfficer Internal Input/OutputController Input/OutputControllerUnit InternationalPartner InFlightRefillUnit InternalSamplingAdapter InternationalSubrackInterfaceStandard InventoryandStowageOfficer IntermoduleVentilationShutOffValve InternationalStandardPayloadRack InternationalSpaceStation InternationalSpaceStationSystemsHandbook InternationalSpaceStationInterfaceStandard InternationalSpaceStationProgramOffice InternalThermalControlSystem IntegratedTrussSegment IntensifiedTelevisionCamera InterfaceUmbilicalAssembly IntravehicularActivity InternalVideoSwitchUnit JointElectronicUnit JointExpeditedUndockingandSeparation JohnsonSpaceCenter KneeBraceAssemblyReplacement kilometer KennedySpaceCenter KeelYokeAssembly LaunchAft LaboratoryModule LocalAreaNetwork

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Acronyms/Abbreviations

104

 LaRC LAT LB LBRWS LCA LCC LCD LCH LCP LCS LDI LDR LDRI LDU LED LEE LEU LFDP LGA LIS LLA LMC LRU LT LTA LTL LTU LVLH MA MAM MBE MBS MBSU MC MCA MCAS MCC MCCH MCCM MCDS MCOR MCS LangleyResearchCenter Latch LocalBus RWSLocalBus LabCradleAssembly LoopCrossoverAssembly LaserCameraController LiquidCrystalDisplay LaserCameraHead LowerConnectorPanel LaserCameraSystem LocalDataInterface LowDataRate LaserDynamicRangeImager LinearDriveUnit LightEmittingDiode LatchingEndEffector LEEElectronicUnit LoadFaultDetectionProtection LowGainAntenna LaserInterfaceSoftware LowLevelAnalog LightweightMultipurposeCarrier LineReplaceableUnit LowTemperature LaunchToActivation LowTemperatureLoop LoadTransferUnit LocalVerticalLocalHorizontal MechanicalAssembly ManualAugmentedRole MetalBellowsExpander ManualBerthingSystem MainBusSwitchingUnit MidcourseCorrection MajorConstituentAnalyzer MBSCommonAttachSystem MissionControlCenter MissionControlCenterHouston MissionControlCenterMoscow MultifunctionCRTDisplaySystem MediumRateCommunicationsRecorder MotionControlSystem

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Acronyms/Abbreviations

105

 MCU MDA MDL MDM MDPS MEEP MELFI MER MET METOX MFCV MHS MILA MIM MIP MISSE MLI mm MM/OD MOD MPES MPEV MPLM MPM MRL MSD MSFC MSG MSS MT MTCL MTL MTS MTSAS MTWsN N/A N/R NASA NC NCC MCUControlSoftware MBSComputerUnit MotorDriveAssembly MiddeckLocker MissionDataLead Multiplexer/Demultiplexer MeteoroidandDebrisProtectionSystem MirEnvironmentalEffectsPayload MinusEightydegreeLaboratoryFreezerforISS MissionEvaluationRoom MissionElapsedTime MetalOxide ManualFlowControlValve MCUHostSoftware ModeIndicatingLightAssembly MultiIncrementManifest MissionIntegrationPlan MaterialsISSExperiment MultiLayerInsulation millimeter Micrometeoroid/OrbitalDebris MissionOperationsDirectorate MultipurposeExperimentStructure ManualPressureEqualizationValve MultipurposeLogisticsModule ManipulatorPositioningMechanism ManipulatorRetentionLatch MassStorageDevice MarshallSpaceFlightCenter MicrogravityScienceGlovebox MobileServicingSystem MobileTransporter ModerateTemperature MTCaptureLatch ModerateTemperatureLoop ModuletoTrussSegment ModuletoTrussSegmentAttachmentSystem MovetoWorksiteNumber NotApplicable NotRequired NationalAeronauticsandSpaceAdministration NominalCorrective NominalCorrectiveCombination

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Acronyms/Abbreviations

106

 NCG NCS NET NIA NIV NLP NPRA NPRV NTA NTSC O.D. OBSS OCA OCAD OCJM OCPM OCS ODA ODM ODS OIU OIV OMI OMS OPP Ops OPSLAN ORBT ORCA ORU OTD OSE OSO OSVS OSVU OV P&S P/L PAD PAS PBA PC NonCondensableGas NodeControlSoftware NoEarlierThan NitrogenInterfaceAssembly NitrogenIntroductionValve NarrowsweepLangmuirProbe NegativePressureReliefAssembly NegativePressureReliefValve NitrogenTankAssembly NationalTelevisionStandardsCommittee OuterDiameter OrbiterBoomSensorSystem OrbitalCommunicationsAdapter OperationalControlAgreementDocument OperatorCommanderJointPositionMode OperatorCommandedPORMode OperationsandControlSoftware OrbiterDisconnectAssembly OrbiterArmDriveMechanism OrbiterDockingSystem OrbiterInterfaceUnit OxygenIsolationValve OnOrbitMaintainableItem OrbitalManeuveringSystem OSVSPatchPanel Operations OperationsLocalAreaNetwork OptimizedRBarTargetingTechnique OxygenRechargeCompressorAssembly OrbitalReplacementUnit ORUTransferDevice OrbiterSupportEquipment OperationsSupportOfficer OrbiterSpaceVisionSystem OrbiterSpaceVisionUnit OrbiterVehicle PointingandSupport Payload PFRAttachmentDevice PayloadAttachSystem PortableBreathingApparatus PersonalComputer

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Acronyms/Abbreviations

107

 PCA PCAM PCBM PCC PCGSTES PCM PCMCIA PCMMU Pcode PCP PCVP PCR PCS PCT PCU PCVP PD PDA PDB PDGF PDI PDIP PDRS PDU PEC PEHB PEHG PEV PFCS PFE PFM PFME PFR PG PGBA PGSC PGT PHALCON PIP PJAM PLB PLBD PressureControlAssembly ProteinCrystallizationApparatusforMicrogravity PassiveCargoBerthingMechanism PowerConverterController ProteinCrystalGrowthSingleThermalEnclosureSystem PhaseChangeMaterial PersonalComputerMemoryCardInternationalAdapter PulseCodeMasterModulationUnit Precisioncode PressureControlPanel PumpandControlValvePackage PortableComputerReceptacle PortableComputerSystem PostContactThrusting PlasmaConnectorUnit PumpandControlValvePackage PhysicalDevice PayloadDisconnectAssembly PowerDistributionBox PowerandDataGrappleFixture PayloadDataInterface PayloadDataInterfacePanel PayloadDeploymentandRetrievalSystem PowerDriveUnit PassiveExperimentContainer PayloadExperimentCarrier PayloadEthernetHubBridge PayloadEthernetHubGateway PressureEqualizationValve PumpFlowControlSubassembly PortableFireExtinguisher PulseFrequencyModulation PoreFormationandMobilityExperiment PortableFootRestraint ProductGroup PlantGenericBioprocessingApparatus PortableGeneralSupportComputer PistolGripTool Power,Heating,Articulation,Lighting,andControlOfficer PlasmaImpedanceProbe PrestoredJointPositionAutosequenceMode PayloadBay PayloadBayDoors

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Acronyms/Abbreviations

108

 PM PMA PMCU PMP PNOM POA POC POEMS POR POST PPA PPAM PPL PPRA PPRV PRD PRI PRLA ProxOps PSP PTCS PTU PUI PV PVCA PVCE PVCU PVM PVR PVTCS PWM PWP PWR PYR QD R/F R/P R&MA RAB RACU RAIU PumpModule PressurizedMatingAdapter PowerManagementControlUnit PayloadMountingPanel ProceduralNomenclature Payload/ORUAccommodation PointofContact PassiveObservatoriesforExperimentalMicrobialSystems PointofReference PowerOnSelfTest PumpPackageAssembly PrestoredPORAutosequenceMode PrePositionedLoad PositivePressureReliefAssembly PositivePressureReliefValve PayloadRetentionDevice Primary PayloadRetentionLatchAssembly ProximityOperations PayloadSignalProcessor PassiveThermalControlSystem PositiveThermalControlSystem Pan/TiltUnit ProgramUniqueIdentifier Photovoltaic PhotovoltaicControllerApplication PhotovoltaicControllerElement PhotovoltaicControllerUnit PhotovoltaicModule PhotovoltaicRadiator PhotovoltaicThermalControlSystem PulseWidthModulator PortableWorkPlatform PortableWaterReservoir PitchYawRoll QuickDisconnect Refrigerator/Freezer Receiver/Processor RestraintandMobilityAid RackAttachmentBlock RussiantoAmericanConverterUnit RussianAudioInterfaceUnit

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Acronyms/Abbreviations

109

 RAM RAMV RBB RBI RBVM RCA RCC RCS RF RFCA RFG RGA RHC RHX RIC RJMC RMS ROBO ROEU ROFU ROOBA RPC RPCM RPDA RPM RPOP RS RSP RSR RSTS RSU RT RTL RTD RWS S/W SA SAPA SARJ SASA SAW SCA RandomAccessMemory RheostatAirMixValve RightBlanketBox RemoteBusIsolator RadiatorBeamValve RemoteControlAmplifier ReinforcedCarbonCarbon ReactionControlSystem RadioFrequency RackFlowControlAssembly RadioFrequencyGroup RateGyroAssemblies RotationalHandController RegenerativeHeatExchanger RackInterfaceController RotaryJointMotorController RemoteManipulatorSystem Robotics RemotelyOperatedElectricalUmbilical RemoteOperatedFluidUmbilical RechargeOxygenOrificeBypassAssembly RemotePowerController RemotePowerControlMechanism RemotePowerControllerModule RemotePowerDistributionAssembly RbarPitchoverManeuver RendezvousandProxOpsProgram RussianSegment ResupplyStowagePlatform ResupplyStowageRack RackStandaloneTemperatureSensor RollerSuspensionUnit RemoteTerminal ReadytoLatch ResistiveThermalDevice RoboticWorkstation Software SolarArray SmallAdapterPlateAssembly SolarAlphaRotaryJoint SbandAntennaSupportAssembly SolarArrayWing SwitchgearControllerAssembly

May 2006

Acronyms/Abbreviations

110

 SCI SCMI SCU SD SDO SDS SELS SEM SFA SFCA SGANT SIGI SJRM SLDP SLP SM SMCC SOC SOV SPCE SPD SPDA SPDM SPG SPM SRAM SRMS SSAS SSBA SSC SSMDM SSOR SSOV SSP SSPCM SSRMS SSSR SSU STCR SignalConditioningInterface SerialCommandandMonitoringInterface ServiceandCoolingUmbilical SyncandControlUnit SmokeDetector SolenoidDriverOutput SampleDeliverySystem SFOCElectronicLibrarySystem ShuntElectronicsModule SmallFineArm SystemFlowControlAssembly SpacetoGroundAntenna SpaceIntegratedGlobalPositioningSystem/InertialNavigationSystem SingleJointRateMode SpaceLabDoublePallet SpaceLabPallet ServiceModule ShuttleMissionControlCenter StateofCharge ShutoffValve ServicingPerformanceandCheckoutEquipment SerialParallelDigital SpoolPositioningDevice SecondaryPowerDistributionAssembly SpecialPurposeDexterousManipulator SinglePointGround SolarPowerModule StaticRandomAccessMemory ShuttleRemoteManipulatorSystem SegmenttoSegmentAttachSystem SpaceStationBufferAmplifier StationSupportComputer SubsystemComputer SpaceStationMultiplexer/Demultiplexer SpacetoSpaceOrbiterRatio SampleLineShutoffValve SpaceShuttleProgram StandardSwitchPanel SolidStatePowerControlModule SpaceStationRemoteManipulatorSystem SpacetoSpaceStationRadio SequentialShuntUnit StarboardThermalControlRadiator

May 2006

Acronyms/Abbreviations

111

 STES STS SVS SX TA TBD TC TCCS TCCV TCS TD TDRS TDRSS TEA TFL TFR THA THC THOR TI TIG TM TORF TORU TORVA TP TPL TPS TRC TRRJ TSA TTCR TUS TUSRA TVCIC TVIS TWMV UB SingleThermalEnclosureSystem SpaceTransportationSystem SpaceVisionSystem ShortExtension ThrusterAssist TrunnionAngle ToBeDetermined TerminalComputer TraceContaminantControlSubassembly TemperatureControlandCheckValve ThermalControlSystem TrajectoryControlSystem TranslationDrive TrackingandDataRelaySatellite TrackingandDataRelaySatelliteSystem TorqueEquilibriumAttitude TelemetryFormatLoad TranslationFootRestraint ThermalHousingAssembly TemperatureandHumidityControl TranslationalHandController ThermalOperationsandResourcesOfficer TerminalPhaseInitiation TimeofIgnition TorqueMotor TwiceOrbitalRateFlyaround TeleoperatorControlMode TwiceOrbitalRate+Rbarto+VbarApproach TotalPressure TransferPriorityList ThermalProtectionSystem TransmitterReceiverController ThermalRadiatorRotaryJoint ToolboxStowageAssembly TrailingThermalControlRadiator TrailingUmbilicalSystem TrailingUmbilicalSystemReelAssembly TelevisionCameraInterfaceControl TelevisionCameraInterfaceConverter TreadmillVibrationIsolationSystem ThreeWayMixingValve UserBus

May 2006

Acronyms/Abbreviations

112

 UCP UDG UHF UIA UIL UIP ULCAS ULCND ULF1.1 UMA UOP USA USL USOS UTA UTAS VAJ VBSP VCSA VDA2 VDS VDU VES VGS VMDS VPMP VRCV VRIV VRS VRV VSC VSSA WETA WHS WIF WLE WLP WMV WORF WOV UnpressurizedCargoPallet UserDataGeneration UltrahighFrequency UmbilicalInterfaceAssembly User/UtilityInterfaceLanguage UtilityInterfacePanel UnpressurizedLogisticsCarrierAttachSystem UnpressurizedLogisticsCarrierNonDeployable UtilizationLogisticsFlight1.1 UmbilicalMechanismAssembly UtilityOutletPanel UnitedSpaceAlliance U.S.Laboratory UnitedStatesOnOrbitSegment UniversalTrunnionAttachment UtilityTransferAssembly UniversalTrunnionAttachmentSystem VacuumAccessJumper VideoBasebandSignalProcessor VideoCameraSupportAssembly VaporDiffusionApparatusSecondGeneration VideoDistributionSystem VideoDistributionUnit VacuumExhaustSystem VideoGraphicsSoftware ValveMotorDriveSwitch VentedPayloadMountingPanel Vent/ReliefControlValve Vent/ReliefIsolationValve VESResourceSystem Vent/ReliefValve VideoSignalConverter VideoSupportStanchionAssembly VideoSystemSupportAssembly WVSExternalTransceiverAssembly WorkstationHostSoftware WorksiteInterface WingLeadingEdge WideLangmuirProbe WaterModulatingValve WindowObservationalResearchFacility WaterON/OFFValve

May 2006

Acronyms/Abbreviations

113

 WPP WRM WS WV WVA WVS ZSR WaterPumpPackage WaterRecoveryManagement WaterSeparator WorkVolume WaterVentAssembly WirelessVideoSystem ZerogStowageRack

May 2006

Acronyms/Abbreviations

114

MEDIA ASSISTANCE

NASA TELEVISION TRANSMISSION

NASATelevisioniscarriedonanMPEG2 digitalsignalaccessedviasatelliteAMC6,at 72degreeswestlongitude,transponder17C, 4040MHz,verticalpolarization.Forthosein AlaskaorHawaii,NASATelevisionwillbe seenonAMC7,at137degreeswestlongitude, transponder18C,at4060MHz,horizontal polarization.Inbothinstances,aDigitalVideo Broadcast(DVB)compliantIntegratedReceiver Decoder(IRD)(withmodulationofQPSK/DBV, datarateof36.86andFEC)willbeneededfor reception.TheNASATelevisionscheduleand linkstostreamingvideoareavailableat: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv NASATVsdigitalconversionwillrequire membersofthebroadcastmediatoupgrade withanaddressableIntegratedReceiver Decoder,orIRD,toparticipateinlivenews eventsandinterviews,pressbriefingsand receiveNASAsVideoFilenewsfeedsona dedicatedMediaServiceschannel.NASA missioncoveragewillaironadigitalNASA PublicServices(FreetoAir)channel,for whichonlyabasicIRDwillbeneeded. Theschedulefortelevisiontransmissionsfrom theorbiterandformissionbriefingswillbe availableduringthemissionatKennedySpace Center,Fla.;MarshallSpaceFlightCenter, Huntsville,Ala.;DrydenFlightResearch Center,Edwards,Calif.;JohnsonSpaceCenter,

Houston;andNASAHeadquarters, Washington.Thetelevisionschedulewillbe updatedtoreflectchangesdictatedbymission operations.

Status Reports
Statusreportsoncountdownandmission progress,onorbitactivitiesandlanding operationswillbepostedat: http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle Thissitealsocontainsinformationonthecrew andwillbeupdatedregularlywithphotosand videoclipsthroughouttheflight.

Briefings
Amissionpressbriefingschedulewillbeissued beforelaunch.Duringthemission,status briefingsbyaflightdirectorormission operationsrepresentativeandMission ManagementTeammemberswilloccurevery day.TheupdatedNASAtelevisionschedule willindicatewhenmissionbriefingsare planned.

Internet Information
InformationonothercurrentNASAactivitiesis availableat: http://www.nasa.gov/home Resourcesforeducatorscanbefoundatthe followingaddress: http://education.nasa.gov

May 2006

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PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACTS

HEADQUARTERS WASHINGTON, DC
AllardBeutel PublicAffairsSpecialist SpaceOperations 2023584769 KatherineTrinidad PublicAffairsSpecialist SpaceOperations 2023583749 JoePally PublicAffairsSpecialist SpaceOperations 2023587239 MelissaMathews PublicAffairsSpecialist InternationalPartners 2023581272

LynnetteMadison PublicAffairsSpecialist Engineering 2814835111 RobNavias ProgramandMissionOperationsLead 2814835111

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER FLORIDA

BruceBuckingham NewsChief 3218612468 JessicaRye PublicAffairsSpecialist SpaceShuttle 3218672468 TracyYoung PublicAffairsSpecialist InternationalSpaceStation 3218672468

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER HOUSTON, TEXAS

JamesHartsfield NewsChief 2814835111 KyleHerring PublicAffairsSpecialist SpaceShuttleProgramOffice 2814835111 KylieClem PublicAffairsSpecialist InternationalSpaceStation &MissionOperations 2814835111

MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA

DomAmatore PublicAffairsManager 2565440034 JuneMalone PublicAffairsSpecialist SpaceShuttlePropulsion 2565440034

May 2006

MEDIA CONTACTS

116

STENNIS SPACE CENTER MISSISSIPPI

LindaTheobald PublicAffairsSpecialist 2286883249 PaulFoerman NewsChief 2286881880 RebeccaStrecker PublicAffairsSpecialist 2286883346

GLENN RESEARCH CENTER CLEVELAND, OHIO

LoriRachul NewsChief 2164338806 KatherineMartin PublicAffairsSpecialist 2164332406

LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER HAMPTON, VIRGINIA

H.KeithHenry Deputy,OfficeofPublicAffairs 7578646120

AMES RESEARCH CENTER MOFFETT FIELD, CALIFORNIA

MikeMewhinney NewsChief 6506043937 JonasDino PublicAffairsSpecialist 6506045612

UNITED SPACE ALLIANCE

MikeCurie SpaceFlightOperationsContract 2814839251 3218613805 KariFluegel HoustonOperations 2812806959 TracyYates FloridaOperations 3218613956

DRYDEN FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER CALIFORNIA

AlanBrown NewsChief 6612762665 LeslieWilliams PublicAffairsSpecialist 6612763893

BOEING
EdMemi MediaRelations BoeingNASASystems 2812264029

May 2006

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117