STS-117 Press Kit

STS-117 Press Kit

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CONTENTS

Sectionȱ Pageȱ

STS-120 MISSION OVERVIEW................................................................................................ 1

TIMELINE OVERVIEW .............................................................................................................. 7

MISSION PROFILE................................................................................................................... 11

MISSION PRIORITIES ............................................................................................................. 13

MISSION PERSONNEL ............................................................................................................. 15

STS-120 DISCOVERY CREW ................................................................................................... 17

PAYLOAD OVERVIEW .............................................................................................................. 27

HA RM O NY ( NO D E 2 ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

STATION RELOCATION ACTIVITIES ........................................................................................ 33

P OR T 6 S OL AR AR RAY S R EL O CA TI O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 33
P R E SS U RI Z ED M A TI N G A DA P T ER -2 ( PM A -2 ) R EL O C AT I O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

RENDEZVOUS AND DOCKING .................................................................................................. 47

U N D O CK I NG , S E PA RA TI O N A N D D EP A RTU R E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

SPACEWALKS ......................................................................................................................... 51

EXPERIMENTS ......................................................................................................................... 57
D E T A IL E D T ES T O B J E CT I VE S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . 57
S H OR T- D UR A T I O N R E S EA RC H TO B E C OM P L E T E D D UR I N G S T S -1 2 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
E U R OP EA N EXP E RI M EN T PR O GRA M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 62

EXTERNAL TANK ET-120 (ET-120) .......................................................................................... 67

SHUTTLE REFERENCE DATA .................................................................................................... 71

LAUNCH AND LANDING ........................................................................................................... 85

L A U N CH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
A B OR T- T O- OR B IT ( AT O ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 85
T RA N SA TL A NT I C A B OR T L A N D I NG ( TAL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

OCTOBER 2007
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R E T UR N -T O -L A U N CH - SI T E ( R TL S ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 85
A B OR T O N C E A RO U N D (A OA ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 85
L A N D I NG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ......................................................................................... 87

MEDIA ASSISTANCE ............................................................................................................... 103

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACTS .................................................................................................. 105

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CONTENTS OCTOBER 2007
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STS-120 MISSION OVERVIEW:

HARMONY: A GLOBAL GATEWAY PROVIDING A
CONNECTION TO RESEARCH FOR THE WORLD
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ThisȱgraphicȱdepictsȱtheȱInternationalȱSpaceȱStationȱasȱitȱwillȱappearȱafterȱDiscoveryȱundocks,ȱ
followingȱrelocationȱofȱtheȱPortȱ6ȱtrussȱandȱdeliveryȱofȱtheȱHarmonyȱmodule.ȱ
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Expansionȱ ofȱ theȱ Internationalȱ Spaceȱ Stationȱ bayȱforȱinstallationȱonȱtheȱstation.ȱȱThisȱadditionȱ
willȱ makeȱ greatȱ stridesȱ duringȱ STSȬ120,ȱ alsoȱ setsȱ theȱ stageȱ forȱ theȱ arrivalȱ ofȱ newȱ researchȱ
knownȱ asȱ Assemblyȱ Flightȱ 10A.ȱ ȱ Theȱ Nodeȱ 2ȱ laboratoriesȱ fromȱ theȱ Europeanȱ Spaceȱ Agencyȱ
connectingȱmodule,ȱHarmony,ȱwillȱtravelȱtoȱtheȱ andȱtheȱJapanȱAerospaceȱExplorationȱAgencyȱinȱ
stationȱinsideȱspaceȱshuttleȱDiscovery’sȱpayloadȱȱ upcomingȱshuttleȱmissions.ȱ

OCTOBER 2007
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MISSION OVERVIEW 1
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ȱ
Asȱ partȱ ofȱ assemblingȱ theȱ giantȱ laboratory,ȱ
STSȬ120ȱastronautsȱwillȱ relocateȱtheȱPortȱ 6ȱ (P6)ȱ
trussȱ elementȱ andȱ solarȱ arraysȱ toȱ aȱ permanentȱ
position.ȱȱTheȱelementȱisȱpresentlyȱonȱorbitȱandȱ
attachedȱtoȱtheȱtrussȱsegmentȱZenithȱ1ȱ(Z1).ȱȱP6ȱ
willȱbeȱremovedȱfromȱitsȱcurrentȱlocation,ȱreatȬ
tachedȱtoȱtheȱPortȱ5ȱ(P5)ȱtrussȱandȱthenȱtheȱsolarȱ
arraysȱ willȱ beȱ redeployedȱ andȱ activatedȱ toȱ
gatherȱsunlightȱforȱpowerȱgeneration.ȱ
representingȱ theȱ Europeanȱ Spaceȱ Agencyȱ
(ESA).ȱ
Expeditionȱ 16ȱ Flightȱ Engineerȱ Danielȱ Taniȱ willȱ
serveȱ asȱ aȱ missionȱ specialistȱ aboardȱ Discoveryȱ
beforeȱ rotatingȱ positionsȱ withȱ stationȱ residentȱ
NASAȱastronautȱClaytonȱAndersonȱafterȱdockȬ
ing.ȱȱAndersonȱarrivedȱatȱtheȱstationȱaboardȱtheȱ
spaceȱshuttleȱAtlantisȱduringȱSTSȬ117ȱinȱJune.ȱ

Discovery’sȱ sevenȱ astronautsȱ includeȱ ComȬ Taniȱ willȱ joinȱ Expeditionȱ 16ȱ Commanderȱ
manderȱPamȱMelroy,ȱPilotȱGeorgeȱZamka,ȱmisȬ PeggyȱWhitsonȱ andȱ Flightȱ Engineerȱ Yuriȱ
sionȱ specialistsȱ Scottȱ Parazynski,ȱ Stephanieȱ Malenchenko,ȱwhoȱarrivedȱatȱtheȱstationȱaboardȱ
Wilson,ȱ Dougȱ Wheelock,ȱ andȱ Paoloȱ Nespoli,ȱ aȱRussianȱSoyuzȱspacecraftȱOct.ȱ12.ȱ

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Followingȱtheȱsuccessfulȱsimulatedȱlaunchȱcountdownȱandȱemergencyȱegressȱpractice,ȱtheȱSTSȬ120ȱ
crewȱgathersȱforȱtheȱtraditionalȱphotoȱnearȱtheȱtopȱofȱtheȱlaunchȱpadȱfixedȱserviceȱstructure.ȱȱFromȱ
leftȱareȱMissionȱSpecialistsȱScottȱParazynskiȱandȱStephanieȱWilson,ȱPilotȱGeorgeȱZamka,ȱ
CommanderȱPamȱMelroy,ȱandȱMissionȱSpecialistsȱDanielȱTani,ȱDougȱWheelockȱandȱȱ
PaoloȱNespoli,ȱwhoȱrepresentsȱtheȱEuropeanȱSpaceȱAgency.ȱȱTheȱcountdownȱwasȱtheȱȱ
culminationȱofȱtheȱprelaunchȱterminalȱcountdownȱdemonstrationȱtest,ȱorȱTCDT.ȱ

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MISSION OVERVIEW OCTOBER 2007
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Theȱspaceȱshuttleȱisȱpoisedȱforȱlaunchȱfromȱpadȱ39AȱatȱKennedyȱSpaceȱCenter,ȱȱ
backdroppedȱbyȱtheȱVehicleȱAssemblyȱBuilding.ȱ
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Theȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ missionȱ beginsȱ withȱ theȱ Melroyȱ thenȱ willȱ moveȱ Discoveryȱ inȱ forȱ dockȬ
targetedȱ liftoffȱ ofȱ Discoveryȱ fromȱ NASA’sȱ ingȱ toȱ theȱ pressurizedȱ matingȱ adapterȱ atȱ theȱ
Kennedyȱ Spaceȱ Centerȱ atȱ 11:38ȱ a.m.ȱ EDTȱ onȱ endȱofȱtheȱstation’sȱDestinyȱlaboratory.ȱ
Oct.ȱ 23.ȱ ȱ Theȱ nextȱ dayȱ includesȱ theȱ closeȱ
inspectionȱ ofȱ Discovery’sȱ heatȱ shieldȱ usingȱ theȱ
shuttle’sȱ roboticȱ armȱ andȱ Orbiterȱ Boomȱ Sensorȱ
Systemȱ toȱ checkȱ forȱ anyȱ ascentȬimposedȱ
damageȱtoȱtheȱorbiter.ȱ

DiscoveryȱarrivesȱatȱtheȱInternationalȱSpaceȱStaȬ
tionȱ onȱ theȱ thirdȱ dayȱ ofȱ theȱ mission.ȱ ȱ Melroyȱ
willȱ performȱ theȱ rendezvousȱ pitchȱ maneuverȱ
withȱDiscoveryȱaboutȱ600ȱfeetȱbelowȱtheȱstation.ȱȱ
Thisȱ activityȱ allowsȱ Andersonȱ andȱ
Malenchenkoȱ toȱ takeȱ detailedȱ photographsȱ ofȱ
theȱ undersideȱ ofȱ Discovery’sȱ heatȱ shieldȱ asȱ itȱ ȱ
approachesȱ theȱ station.ȱ ȱ Theȱ imagesȱ willȱ beȱ
Theȱgraphicȱaboveȱshowsȱtheȱconfigurationȱofȱ
addedȱ toȱ theȱ ascentȱ imageryȱ andȱ flightȱ dayȱ 2ȱ
Discovery’sȱpayloadȱbayȱforȱtheȱSTSȬ120ȱ
dataȱ beingȱ analyzedȱ byȱ engineersȱ onȱ theȱ
mission.ȱ
groundȱtoȱverifyȱtheȱheatȱshield’sȱconditionȱfolȬ
lowingȱliftoff.ȱ

OCTOBER 2007
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MISSION OVERVIEW 3
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Afterȱhatchesȱareȱopened,ȱTaniȱandȱAnderson’sȱ
specializedȱseatȱlinersȱwillȱbeȱexchangedȱinsideȱ
theȱemergencyȬreturnȱSoyuzȱspacecraft;ȱsignifyȬ
ingȱ theȱ crewȱ members’ȱ rotationȱ betweenȱ theȱ
spaceȱstationȱandȱshuttle.ȱ
Parazynskiȱ andȱ Wheelockȱ willȱ enterȱ theȱ staȬ
tion’sȱ Questȱ airlockȱ forȱ theȱ overnightȱ campoutȱ
procedureȱtoȱprepareȱforȱtheȱfirstȱspacewalkȱonȱ
theȱ nextȱ day.ȱ ȱ Thisȱ procedureȱ willȱ beȱ followedȱ
beforeȱeachȱspacewalk.ȱ
Flightȱdayȱ4ȱfeaturesȱtheȱfirstȱofȱfiveȱspacewalksȱ
duringȱSTSȬ120.ȱȱParazynskiȱandȱWheelockȱwillȱ
prepareȱHarmonyȱforȱitsȱremovalȱfromȱDiscovȬ
ery’sȱ payloadȱ bay,ȱ retrieveȱ anȱ SȬbandȱ antennaȱ
forȱ returnȱ toȱ Earthȱ andȱ disconnectȱ umbilicalsȱ
betweenȱtheȱP6ȱandȱZ1ȱtrussȱelements.ȱ
Duringȱ theȱ spacewalkȱ Wilson,ȱ Taniȱ andȱ
Andersonȱwillȱoperateȱtheȱstation’sȱroboticȱarmȱ
forȱ theȱ antennaȱ retrieval,ȱ toȱ unberthȱ Harmonyȱ
fromȱDiscovery’sȱcargoȱbayȱandȱinstallȱitȱonȱtheȱ
portȱsideȱofȱNodeȱ1,ȱknownȱasȱUnity.ȱȱHarmonyȱ
willȱ beȱ securedȱ inȱ placeȱ onȱ Unityȱ throughȱ
internalȱ connections.ȱ ȱ Andersonȱ andȱ Zamkaȱ
willȱ closeȱ outȱ theȱ dayȱ withȱ leakȱ checksȱ ofȱ theȱ
interfaceȱbetweenȱUnityȱandȱHarmony.ȱ
ȱ transporterȱ toȱ aȱ closerȱ positionȱ forȱ theȱ P6ȱ
Theȱstation’sȱroboticȱarmȱplacesȱtheȱHarmonyȱ
moduleȱontoȱtheȱportȱsideȱofȱtheȱUnityȱ
module.ȱ
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MISSION OVERVIEW
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TheȱP6ȱtrussȱisȱhandedȱbetweenȱtheȱstation’sȱ
roboticȱarmȱandȱtheȱshuttle’sȱroboticȱarmȱȱ
duringȱitsȱinstallation.ȱ
Flightȱ dayȱ 5ȱ featuresȱ theȱ firstȱ ingressȱ ofȱ
Harmonyȱinȱspace.ȱȱTheȱhatchesȱbetweenȱUnityȱ
andȱ Harmonyȱ willȱ beȱ openedȱ byȱ Nespoliȱ andȱ
Whitson.ȱ ȱ Outfittingȱ ofȱ theȱ station’sȱ newestȱ
pressurizedȱ moduleȱ willȱ continueȱ throughoutȱ
theȱmission.ȱȱTimeȱalsoȱisȱallottedȱthisȱdayȱforȱaȱ
focusedȱinspectionȱofȱDiscovery’sȱheatȱshield,ȱifȱ
required.ȱ
Theȱ mission’sȱ secondȱ spacewalkȱ occursȱ onȱ
flightȱ dayȱ 6.ȱ ȱ Parazynskiȱ andȱ Taniȱ willȱ assistȱ
withȱ detachingȱ theȱ P6ȱ trussȱ fromȱ itsȱ currentȱ
location,ȱ completeȱ externalȱ outfittingȱ ofȱ
Harmonyȱ andȱ replaceȱ aȱ remoteȱ powerȱ
controller,ȱorȱcircuitȱbreaker.ȱȱWilson,ȱWheelockȱ
andȱAndersonȱwillȱoperateȱtheȱstation’sȱroboticȱ
armȱ forȱ theȱ P6ȱ removalȱ andȱ toȱ placeȱ itȱ inȱ anȱ
overnightȱparkedȱposition.ȱ
Theȱnextȱday,ȱWheelock,ȱWilsonȱandȱAndersonȱ
willȱ handoffȱ theȱ P6ȱ elementȱ toȱ theȱ shuttleȱ
roboticȱ arm,ȱ operatedȱ byȱ Zamkaȱ andȱ Melroy.ȱȱ
Theȱ stationȱ roboticȱ armȱ willȱ thenȱ beȱ movedȱ
downȱ theȱ station’sȱ trussȱ atopȱ theȱ mobileȱ
installationȱ onȱ theȱ outboard,ȱ portȱ sideȱ ofȱ theȱ
truss.ȱ ȱ Theȱ P6ȱ willȱ thenȱ beȱ handedȱ backȱ toȱ theȱ
stationȱ roboticȱ armȱ forȱ installationȱ duringȱ theȱ
OCTOBER 2007
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nextȱ day’sȱ spacewalk.ȱ ȱ Flightȱ dayȱ 7ȱ alsoȱ
includesȱoffȱdutyȱtimeȱforȱtheȱcrewȱmembersȱinȱ
theȱmorning.ȱ
Onȱ flightȱ dayȱ 8,ȱ Taniȱ andȱ Wilsonȱ willȱ useȱ theȱ
station’sȱroboticȱarmȱtoȱmoveȱP6ȱtoȱaȱpreȬinstallȱ
position.ȱȱDuringȱtheȱmission’sȱthirdȱspacewalk,ȱ
Parazynskiȱ andȱ Wheelockȱ willȱ assistȱ withȱ
attachingȱ P6ȱ toȱ theȱ P5ȱ shortȱ spacerȱ truss.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
spacewalkersȱ alsoȱ willȱ transferȱ theȱ spareȱ mainȱ
busȱswitchingȱunitȱhardwareȱfromȱDiscoveryȱtoȱ
theȱspaceȱstation.ȱ
ȱ
Theȱstation’sȱroboticȱarmȱmovesȱtheȱP6ȱ
upwardsȱtoȱitsȱnewȱlocationȱatȱtheȱȱ
outboard,ȱportȱsideȱofȱtheȱtruss.ȱ
Theȱ P6ȱ solarȱ arrayȱ wingsȱ willȱ beȱ redeployedȱ
followingȱ theȱ spacewalk.ȱ ȱ Theȱ groundȱ controlȱ
teamȱ willȱ beginȱ theȱ deploymentȱ toȱ oneȱ ofȱ 31ȱ
mastȱ bays.ȱ ȱ Melroy,ȱ Zamkaȱ andȱ Whitsonȱ willȱ
continueȱtheȱfullȱdeploymentȱofȱtheȱarrays.ȱ
Flightȱ dayȱ 9ȱ includesȱ transferringȱ equipmentȱ
betweenȱ theȱ shuttleȱ andȱ spaceȱ station,ȱ asȱ wellȱ
asȱpreparationsȱforȱtheȱnextȱspacewalk.ȱ
Theȱ fourthȱ spacewalkȱ willȱ beȱ conductedȱ onȱ
flightȱ dayȱ 10ȱ byȱ Parazynskiȱ andȱ Wheelock.ȱȱ
Theyȱ willȱ performȱ Detailedȱ Testȱ Objectiveȱ 848,ȱ
aȱ demonstrationȱ ofȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ thermalȱ
ȱ
OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
MISSION OVERVIEW
protectionȱ systemȱ repairȱ techniques.ȱ Theȱ
primaryȱ purposeȱ ofȱ theȱ testȱ isȱ toȱ evaluateȱ
STAȬ54ȱ materialȱ andȱ aȱ tileȱ repairȱ ablatorȱ
dispenserȱ forȱ potentialȱ useȱ inȱ aȱ microgravityȱ
andȱvacuumȱenvironment.ȱ
ȱ
P6ȱisȱguidedȱtoȱitsȱnewȱlocationȱȱ
byȱtheȱstationȱroboticȱarm.ȱ
Flightȱdayȱ11ȱincludesȱtheȱfifthȱandȱfinalȱspaceȬ
walkȱ ofȱ theȱ jointȱ mission.ȱ ȱ Theȱ spacewalkȱ willȱ
beȱconductedȱbyȱstationȱresidents,ȱWhitsonȱandȱ
Malenchenko,ȱ toȱ completeȱ severalȱ externalȱ staȬ
tionȱconfigurationȱtasks.ȱ
Theȱ crewȱ willȱ completeȱ finalȱ transferȱ work,ȱ
enjoyȱ offȱ dutyȱ timeȱ andȱ thenȱ closeȱ theȱ hatchesȱ
betweenȱ Discoveryȱ andȱ theȱ spaceȱ stationȱ theȱ
eveningȱofȱflightȱdayȱ12.ȱ
Discoveryȱ willȱ undockȱ earlyȱ onȱ flightȱ dayȱ 13ȱ
andȱcompleteȱaȱflyȱaroundȱofȱtheȱnewlyȱremodȬ
eledȱspaceȱstation.ȱȱTheȱcrewȱalsoȱwillȱconductȱaȱ
detailedȱ inspectionȱ ofȱ Discovery’sȱ heatȱ shieldȱ
forȱ anyȱ indicationsȱ ofȱ micrometeoroidȱ debrisȱ
impacts.ȱ
Flightȱdayȱ14ȱincludesȱstandardȱpreparationsȱofȱ
DiscoveryȱforȱentryȱandȱlandingȱonȱtheȱfollowȬ
ingȱday,ȱflightȱdayȱ15.ȱ
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ȱ
TheȱP6ȱsolarȱarraysȱareȱshownȱdeployedȱagainstȱtheȱblacknessȱofȱspaceȱonȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱportȱtruss.ȱ

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MISSION OVERVIEW OCTOBER 2007
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ȱ
TIMELINE OVERVIEW
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FLIGHT DAY 1
x Launchȱ
x PayloadȱBayȱDoorȱOpeningȱȱ
x KuȬBandȱAntennaȱDeploymentȱ
x ShuttleȱRoboticȱArmȱActivationȱandȱ
Checkoutȱ
x UmbilicalȱWellȱandȱHandheldȱExternalȱ
TankȱVideoȱandȱStillsȱDownlinkȱ
FLIGHT DAY 2
x DiscoveryȱThermalȱProtectionȱSystemȱ
SurveyȱwithȱOrbiterȱBoomȱSensorȱSystemȱ
(OBSS)ȱ
x ExtravehicularȱMobilityȱUnitȱCheckoutȱ
x CenterlineȱCameraȱInstallationȱ
x OrbiterȱDockingȱSystemȱRingȱExtensionȱ
x OrbitalȱManeuveringȱSystemȱPodȱSurveyȱ
x RendezvousȱToolsȱCheckoutȱ
FLIGHT DAY 3
x RendezvousȱwithȱtheȱInternationalȱSpaceȱ
Stationȱ
x RendezvousȱPitchȱManeuverȱPhotographyȱ
byȱtheȱExpeditionȱ16ȱCrewȱ
x DockingȱtoȱtheȱStationȇsȱPressurizedȱMatingȱ
AdapterȬ2ȱ
x HatchȱOpeningȱandȱWelcomingȱ
OCTOBER 2007
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TIMELINE OVERVIEW
x SoyuzȱSeatȱLinerȱSwapȱandȱExpeditionȱ
CrewȱExchangeȱbyȱAndersonȱandȱTaniȱ
x StationȬtoȬShuttleȱPowerȱTransferȱSystemȱ
(SSPTS)ȱActivationȱ
x OBSSȱUnberthȱbyȱCanadarm2ȱ
x ExtravehicularȱActivityȱ(EVA)ȱ1ȱProcedureȱ
Reviewȱ
x EVAȱ1ȱCampoutȱbyȱParazynskiȱandȱ
Wheelockȱ
FLIGHT DAY 4
x EVAȬ1ȱbyȱParazynskiȱandȱWheelockȱ
(Nodeȱ2ȱUnberthȱPreparations,ȱSȬBandȱ
AntennaȱRetrieval,ȱP6/Z1ȱUmbilicalȱ
Disconnection)ȱ
x Harmonyȱ(Nodeȱ2)ȱUnberthȱandȱInstallationȱ
onȱPortȱSideȱofȱUnityȱ(Nodeȱ1)ȱ
x Harmony/UnityȱVestibuleȱLeakȱChecksȱ
FLIGHT DAY 5
x DiscoveryȱThermalȱProtectionȱSystemȱ
FocusedȱInspectionȱwithȱOBSSȱ(ifȱrequired)ȱ
x HarmonyȱNodeȱ2ȱVestibuleȱOutfittingȱandȱ
Ingressȱ
x OBSSȱHandoffȱtoȱShuttleȱRoboticȱArmȱandȱ
Berthingȱ
x EVAȬ2ȱProcedureȱReviewȱ
x EVAȬ2ȱCampoutȱbyȱParazynskiȱandȱTaniȱ
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FLIGHT DAY 6
x EVAȬ2ȱbyȱParazynskiȱandȱTaniȱ
(P6ȱDetachmentȱfromȱZ1ȱTruss,ȱHarmonyȱ
(Nodeȱ2)ȱOutfitting,ȱRemoteȱPowerȱ
ControllerȱUnitȱReplacement,ȱHarmonyȱ
Nodeȱ2ȱPowerȱandȱDataȱGrappleȱFixtureȱ
Installation)ȱ
x P6ȱTrussȱGrappleȱbyȱCanadarm2ȱandȱ
DemateȱfromȱZ1ȱTrussȱ
x Harmonyȱ(Nodeȱ2)ȱOutfittingȱ
FLIGHT DAY 7
x P6ȱTrussȱHandoffȱfromȱCanadarm2ȱtoȱ
ShuttleȱRoboticȱArmȱ
x MobileȱTransporterȱMoveȱtoȱFarȱPortȱSideȱofȱ
Trussȱ
x CrewȱOffȱDutyȱPeriodsȱ
x P6ȱTrussȱHandoffȱfromȱShuttleȱRoboticȱArmȱ
toȱCanadarm2ȱ
x HarmonyȱNodeȱ2ȱAvionicsȱRackȱOutfittingȱ
x EVAȱProcedureȱReviewȱ
x EVAȬ3ȱCampoutȱbyȱParazynskiȱandȱ
Wheelockȱ
FLIGHT DAY 8
x EVAȬ3ȱbyȱParazynskiȱandȱWheelockȱ
(P6/P5ȱInstallation,ȱMainȱBusȱSwitchingȱ
UnitȱTransfer)ȱ
x P6ȱTrussȱInstallationȱtoȱP5ȱTrussȱ
x P6ȱ4Bȱandȱ2BȱSolarȱArrayȱRedeploymentȱ
8
ȱ
TIMELINE OVERVIEW
FLIGHT DAY 9
x ShuttleȱandȱStationȱTransfersȱ
x JointȱCrewȱNewsȱConferenceȱ
x EVAȱProcedureȱReviewȱ
x EVAȬ4ȱCampoutȱbyȱParazynskiȱandȱ
Wheelockȱ
FLIGHT DAY 10
x ShuttleȱandȱStationȱTransfersȱ
x EVAȬ4ȱbyȱParazynskiȱandȱWheelockȱ
(TileȱRepairȱDetailedȱTestȱObjectiveȱ
Demonstration)ȱ
x EVAȱProcedureȱReviewȱ
x EVAȬ5ȱCampoutȱbyȱWhitsonȱandȱ
Malenchenkoȱ
FLIGHT DAY 11
x ShuttleȱandȱStationȱTransfersȱ
x EVAȬ5ȱbyȱWhitsonȱandȱMalenchenkoȱ
(SSPTSȱCableȱStow,ȱDestinyȱ
Lab/PressurizedȱMatingȱAdapterȬ2ȱStow,ȱ
RemovalȱofȱHarmonyȱActiveȱCommonȱ
BerthingȱMechanismȱCover,ȱReconfigureȱ
S0ȱTruss/UnityȱNodeȱ1ȱandȱZaryaȱ
Module/PressurizedȱMatingȱAdapterȬ1ȱ
PowerȱandȱJumperȱCables)ȱ
FLIGHT DAY 12
x CrewȱOffȱDutyȱPeriodsȱ
x FarewellsȱandȱHatchȱClosingȱ
OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ
FLIGHT DAY 13 x ReactionȱControlȱSystemȱHotȬFireȱTestȱ

x UndockingȱfromȱISSȱPressurizedȱMatingȱ x CrewȱDeorbitȱBriefingȱ
AdapterȬ2ȱandȱFlyaroundȱ
x LaunchȱandȱEntryȱSuitȱCheckoutȱ
x FinalȱSeparationȱfromȱtheȱInternationalȱ
x RecumbentȱSeatȱSetȱUpȱforȱAndersonȱ
SpaceȱStationȱ
x KuȬBandȱAntennaȱStowȱ
x OBSSȱUnberthȱandȱLateȱInspectionȱofȱ
Discovery’sȱThermalȱProtectionȱSystemȱ FLIGHT DAY 15
x OBSSȱFinalȱBerthingȱ x DeorbitȱPreparationsȱ

FLIGHT DAY 14 x PayloadȱBayȱDoorȱClosingȱ

x CabinȱStowȱ x DeorbitȱBurnȱ
x FlightȱControlȱSystemȱCheckoutȱ x KennedyȱSpaceȱCenterȱLanding

OCTOBER 2007
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10
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 ȱ
ȱ

MISSION PROFILE
ȱ
CREW Space Shuttle Main Engines:

Commander:ȱ PamȱMelroyȱ SSMEȱ1:ȱ 2050ȱ

Pilot:ȱ GeorgeȱZamkaȱ SSMEȱ2:ȱ 2048ȱ
MissionȱSpecialistȱ1:ȱ ScottȱParazynskiȱ SSMEȱ3:ȱ 2058ȱ
MissionȱSpecialistȱ2:ȱ StephanieȱWilsonȱ ExternalȱTank:ȱ ETȬ120ȱ
MissionȱSpecialistȱ3:ȱ DougȱWheelockȱ SRBȱSet:ȱ BIȬ131ȱ
MissionȱSpecialistȱ4:ȱ PaoloȱNespoliȱ RSRMȱSet:ȱ 98ȱ
MissionȱSpecialistȱ5:ȱ DanielȱTaniȱ(up)ȱ
MissionȱSpecialistȱ5:ȱ ClaytonȱAndersonȱ
SHUTTLE ABORTS
(down)ȱ Abort Landing Sites
LAUNCH RTLS:ȱ KennedyȱSpaceȱCenterȱShuttleȱ
LandingȱFacilityȱ
Orbiter:ȱ Discoveryȱ(OVȬ103)ȱ TAL:ȱ Primaryȱ–ȱZaragoza,ȱSpainȱ
LaunchȱSite:ȱ KennedyȱSpaceȱCenterȱ Alternatesȱ–ȱMoron,ȱSpainȱandȱ
LaunchȱPadȱ39Aȱ Istres,ȱFranceȱ
LaunchȱDate:ȱ Noȱearlierȱthanȱ AOA:ȱ Primaryȱ–ȱKennedyȱSpaceȱCenterȱ
Oct.ȱ23,ȱ2007ȱ ShuttleȱLandingȱFacility;ȱȱ
LaunchȱTime:ȱ 11:38ȱa.m.ȱEDTȱ(Preferredȱ Alternateȱ–ȱWhiteȱSandsȱSpaceȱ
InȬPlaneȱlaunchȱtimeȱforȱ Harborȱ
10/23)ȱ
LaunchȱWindow:ȱ 5ȱMinutesȱ Landing
Altitude:ȱ 122ȱNauticalȱMilesȱ(140ȱ
LandingȱDate:ȱ Noȱearlierȱthanȱ
Miles)ȱOrbitalȱInsertion;ȱ
Nov.ȱ6,ȱ2007ȱ
185ȱNMȱ(213ȱMiles)ȱ
LandingȱTime:ȱ 4:47ȱa.m.ȱESTȱ
Rendezvousȱ
PrimaryȱlandingȱSite:ȱ KennedyȱSpaceȱCenterȱ
Inclination:ȱ 51.6ȱDegreesȱ
ShuttleȱLandingȱFacilityȱ
Duration:ȱ 13ȱDays,ȱ18ȱHours,ȱ
09ȱMinutesȱ PAYLOADS
VEHICLE DATA Node 2 - Harmony

ShuttleȱLiftoffȱWeight:ȱ 4,524,141ȱ
poundsȱ
Orbiter/PayloadȱLiftoffȱWeight:ȱ 286,211ȱ
poundsȱ
Orbiter/PayloadȱLandingȱWeight:ȱ 201,895ȱ
poundsȱ
SoftwareȱVersion:ȱ OIȬ32ȱ

OCTOBER 2007
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12
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 ȱ
ȱ

MISSION PRIORITIES
ȱ
1.ȱ Nodeȱ2ȱInstallationȱ 7.ȱ CargoȱTransferȱfrom/toȱmiddeckȱ

2.ȱ CrewȱRotationȱȱ 8.ȱ PreparationsȱforȱPMAȱ2ȱRelocationȱandȱ

Nodeȱ2ȱFluidȱUmbilicalȱTrayȱRelocationȱandȱ
3.ȱ P6ȱRelocationȱfromȱZ1ȱtoȱP5ȱ AvionicsȱConnectionsȱ

4.ȱ P6ȱActivationȱ 9.ȱ InternalȱThermalȱControlȱSystemȱ

Remediationȱ
(a)ȱ DeployȱP6ȱforwardȱradiatorȱ
10.ȱ Oxygen/NitrogenȱTransferȱ
(b)ȱ DeployȱP6ȱSolarȱArraysȱ(2Bȱandȱ4B)ȱ
11.ȱ Nodeȱ2ȱIngressȱandȱOutfittingȱ
5.ȱ DeployȱS1ȱradiatorȱouterȱpanelsȱ
12.ȱ DetailedȱTestȱObjectives:ȱTileȱRepairȱ
6.ȱ OrbitalȱReplacementȱUnitȱ
AblatorȱDispenser;ȱStationȱWirelessȱ
Installation/Returnȱ
InstrumentationȱSystem;ȱCarbonȱDioxideȱ
monitoring;ȱMultiȬProtocolȱConverterȱforȱ
(a)ȱ Nodeȱ2ȱPowerȱandȱDataȱGrappleȱ
liveȱHDTVȱdownlinkȱȱ
FixtureȱInstall,ȱSȬbandȱAntennaȱ
SupportȱAssemblyȱ(SASA)/Basebandȱ
ȱ
SignalȱProcessorȱ(BSP)ȱReturn,ȱMainȱ
BusȱSwitchingȱUnitȱInstall,ȱRemoteȱ
PowerȱControllerȱModuleȱR&Rȱ

OCTOBER 2007
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14
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ȱ

MISSION PERSONNEL
ȱ
KEY CONSOLE POSITIONS FOR STS-120
ȱ Flt.ȱDirectorȱ CAPCOMȱ PAOȱ
Ascentȱ NormȱKnightȱ TerryȱVirtsȱ KylieȱClemȱ
LeeȱArchambaultȱ
(Weather)ȱ

Orbitȱ1ȱ(Lead)ȱ RickȱLaBrodeȱ ChrisȱFergusonȱ KylieȱClemȱ(Lead)ȱ

Orbitȱ2ȱ MikeȱMosesȱ TonyȱAntonelliȱ NicoleȱLemastersȱ

Planningȱ MikeȱSarafinȱ ShannonȱLucidȱ PatȱRyanȱ

Entryȱ BryanȱLunneyȱ TerryȱVirtsȱ KylieȱClemȱ

LeeȱArchambaultȱ
(Weather)ȱ

ShuttleȱTeamȱ4ȱ PaulȱDyeȱ N/Aȱ N/Aȱ

ISSȱOrbitȱ1ȱ DanaȱWeigelȱ HalȱGetzelmanȱ N/Aȱ

ISSȱOrbitȱ2ȱ(Lead)ȱ DerekȱHassmannȱ KevinȱFordȱ N/Aȱ

ISSȱOrbitȱ3ȱ HeatherȱRarickȱ ZackȱJonesȱ N/Aȱ

StationȱTeamȱ4ȱ GingerȱKerrickȱ N/Aȱ N/Aȱ

ȱ ȱ ȱ
JSCȱPAOȱRepresentativeȱatȱKSCȱforȱLaunchȱ–ȱJohnȱIraȱPettyȱ
KSCȱLaunchȱCommentatorȱ–ȱMikeȱCurieȱ(Fueling)ȱ
KSCȱLaunchȱDirectorȱ–ȱMikeȱLeinbachȱ
NASAȱLaunchȱTestȱDirectorȱ–ȱSteveȱPayne

OCTOBER 2007
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16
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ȱ

STS-120 DISCOVERY CREW

ȱ

ȱ
Theȱ STSȬ120ȱ patchȱ reflectsȱ theȱ roleȱ ofȱ theȱ misȬ
sionȱ inȱ theȱ futureȱ ofȱ theȱ spaceȱ program.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
shuttleȱpayloadȱbayȱcarriesȱtheȱHarmonyȱmodȬ
ule,ȱ theȱ doorwayȱ toȱ theȱ futureȱ internationalȱ
laboratoryȱ elementsȱ onȱ theȱ Internationalȱ Spaceȱ
Station.ȱ
Onȱtheȱleftȱtheȱstarȱrepresentsȱtheȱspaceȱstation;ȱ
theȱ redȱ coloredȱ pointsȱ representȱ theȱ currentȱ
locationȱofȱtheȱP6ȱsolarȱarrays,ȱfurledȱandȱawaitȬ
ingȱ relocationȱ whenȱ theȱ crewȱ arrives.ȱ ȱ Duringȱ
theȱ mission,ȱ theȱ crewȱ willȱ moveȱ P6ȱ toȱ itsȱ finalȱ
ȱ
homeȱ atȱ theȱ endȱ ofȱ theȱ portȱ truss.ȱ ȱ Theȱ goldȱ
pointsȱrepresentȱtheȱP6ȱsolarȱarraysȱinȱtheirȱnewȱ
location,ȱ unfurledȱ andȱ producingȱ powerȱ forȱ
scienceȱandȱlifeȱsupport.ȱ
Onȱ theȱ right,ȱ theȱ moonȱ andȱ Marsȱ canȱ beȱ seenȱ
representingȱtheȱfutureȱofȱNASA.ȱȱTheȱconstelȬ
lationȱOrionȱrisesȱinȱtheȱbackground,ȱsymbolizȬ
ingȱ NASAȇsȱ newȱ crewȱ explorationȱ vehicle.ȱȱ
Throughȱ all,ȱ theȱ shuttleȱ risesȱ upȱ andȱ away,ȱ
leadingȱtheȱwayȱtoȱtheȱfuture.ȱ

OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
CREW 17
 ȱ
ȱ

ȱ
Discovery’sȱsevenȱastronautsȱtakeȱaȱbreakȱfromȱtrainingȱtoȱposeȱforȱtheȱSTSȬ120ȱcrewȱportrait.ȱȱ
PicturedȱfromȱtheȱleftȱareȱmissionȱspecialistsȱScottȱParazynski,ȱDougȱWheelock,ȱStephanieȱWilson,ȱ
PilotȱGeorgeȱZamka,ȱCommanderȱPamȱMelroy,ȱExpeditionȱ16ȱFlightȱEngineerȱDanielȱTaniȱandȱȱ
PaoloȱNespoli,ȱaȱmissionȱspecialistȱfromȱItalyȱrepresentingȱtheȱEuropeanȱSpaceȱAgencyȱ(ESA).ȱȱ
Theȱcrewȱmembersȱareȱattiredȱinȱtrainingȱversionsȱofȱtheirȱshuttleȱlaunchȱandȱentryȱsuits.ȱ
ȱ
Shortȱ biographicalȱ sketchesȱ ofȱ theȱ crewȱ followȱ
withȱdetailedȱbackgroundȱavailableȱat:ȱ

http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/

18
ȱ
CREW OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ
STS-120 CREW BIOGRAPHIES

PamȱMelroyȱ
ȱ
Aȱ retiredȱ Airȱ Forceȱ colonel,ȱ Pamȱ Melroyȱ willȱ
leadȱ theȱ crewȱ ofȱ STSȬ120ȱ onȱ theȱ 23rdȱ shuttleȱ
missionȱ toȱ theȱ Internationalȱ Spaceȱ Station.ȱȱ
MelroyȱservedȱasȱtheȱpilotȱofȱSTSȬ92ȱinȱ2000ȱandȱ
STSȬ112ȱ inȱ 2002.ȱ ȱ Makingȱ herȱ thirdȱ spaceflight,ȱ
sheȱ hasȱ loggedȱ moreȱ thanȱ 562ȱ hoursȱ inȱ space.ȱȱ
Sheȱ hasȱ overallȱ responsibilityȱ forȱ theȱ executionȱ
ȱ
ofȱ theȱ mission,ȱ orbiterȱ systemsȱ operationsȱ andȱ
flightȱ operations,ȱ includingȱ landing.ȱ ȱ Inȱ addiȬ
tion,ȱMelroyȱwillȱflyȱtheȱshuttleȱinȱaȱrendezvousȱ
pitchȱ maneuverȱ whileȱ Discoveryȱ isȱ 600ȱ feetȱ
belowȱ theȱ stationȱ toȱ enableȱ theȱ stationȱ crewȱ toȱ
photographȱ theȱ shuttle’sȱ heatȱ shield.ȱ ȱ Sheȱ willȱ
thenȱdockȱDiscoveryȱtoȱtheȱstation.ȱ

OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
CREW 19
 ȱ
ȱ
GeorgeȱZamkaȱ
ȱ
MarineȱCol.ȱGeorgeȱZamkaȱhasȱmoreȱthanȱ4,000ȱ
flightȱ hoursȱ inȱ moreȱ thanȱ 30ȱ differentȱ aircraft.ȱȱ
Heȱwillȱmakeȱhisȱfirstȱjourneyȱintoȱspaceȱasȱtheȱ
pilotȱofȱspaceȱshuttleȱDiscoveryȱforȱtheȱSTSȬ120ȱ
mission.ȱȱSelectedȱbyȱNASAȱinȱ1998,ȱZamkaȱhasȱ
servedȱinȱvariousȱtechnicalȱandȱleadershipȱrolesȱ
inȱtheȱastronautȱoffice.ȱȱHeȱhasȱbeenȱtheȱleadȱforȱ
theȱ shuttleȱ trainingȱ andȱ proceduresȱ divisionȱ
20
ȱ
CREW
ȱ
andȱ theȱ supervisorȱ forȱ theȱ astronautȱ candidateȱ
classȱofȱ2004.ȱȱHeȱwillȱbeȱresponsibleȱforȱorbiterȱ
systemsȱoperationsȱandȱwillȱhelpȱMelroyȱinȱtheȱ
rendezvousȱ andȱ dockingȱ withȱ theȱ station.ȱȱ
Zamkaȱ willȱ undockȱ Discoveryȱfromȱtheȱstationȱ
atȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱjointȱmission.ȱȱHeȱwillȱalsoȱbeȱ
operatingȱ theȱ shuttleȱ roboticȱ armȱ forȱ variousȱ
activities,ȱincludingȱtheȱhandoffȱofȱtheȱP6ȱtruss.ȱ
OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ
ScottȱParazynskiȱ
ȱ
Aȱmedicalȱdoctor,ȱmountaineerȱandȱformerȱU.Sȱ
Lugeȱ Teamȱ athlete,ȱ veteranȱ astronautȱ Scottȱ
Parazynskiȱ willȱ beȱ makingȱ hisȱ fifthȱ spaceflightȱ
onȱ STSȬ120ȱ asȱ missionȱ specialistȱ 1.ȱ ȱ Heȱ hasȱ
loggedȱmoreȱthanȱ1,019ȱhoursȱinȱspace,ȱincludȬ
ingȱ 20ȱ hoursȱ ofȱ spacewalkingȱ time.ȱ ȱ Followingȱ
theȱ Columbiaȱ tragedy,ȱ Parazynskiȱ wasȱ theȱ
astronautȱ leadȱ forȱ theȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ Thermalȱ
Protectionȱ Systemȱ inspectionȱ andȱ repairȱ techȬ
OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
CREW
ȱ
niquesȱdevelopment.ȱȱHeȱwillȱserveȱasȱtheȱleadȱ
spacewalkerȱ andȱ willȱ conductȱ fourȱ ofȱ theȱ fiveȱ
spacewalksȱ duringȱ theȱ mission.ȱ ȱ Theȱ spaceȬ
walksȱ areȱ focusedȱ onȱ installationȱ ofȱ Nodeȱ 2,ȱ
roboticallyȱ relocatingȱ theȱ P6ȱ trussȱ elementȱ andȱ
evaluatingȱ materialȱ andȱ aȱ dispenserȱ forȱ potenȬ
tialȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ tileȱ repair.ȱ ȱ Parazynskiȱ alsoȱ
willȱbeȱoperatingȱtheȱshuttleȱroboticȱarmȱduringȱ
heatȱshieldȱinspections.ȱ
21
 ȱ
ȱ

StephanieȱWilsonȱ
ȱ
AstronautȱStephanieȱWilsonȱwillȱbeȱmakingȱherȱ
secondȱ spaceflightȱ forȱ STSȬ120ȱ asȱ missionȱ speȬ
cialistȱ 2.ȱ ȱ Selectedȱ asȱ anȱ astronautȱ inȱ 1996,ȱ sheȱ
loggedȱmoreȱthanȱ306ȱhoursȱinȱspaceȱduringȱtheȱ
STSȬ121ȱmissionȱinȱ2006.ȱȱWilsonȱwillȱbeȱonȱtheȱ
flightȱ deckȱ duringȱ launchȱ andȱ landing,ȱ servingȱ
asȱ theȱ flightȱ engineerȱ toȱ assistȱ Melroyȱ andȱ
ȱ
Zamka.ȱȱSheȱwillȱbeȱheavilyȱinvolvedȱinȱoperatȬ
ingȱbothȱtheȱshuttleȱandȱstationȱroboticȱarmsȱforȱ
theȱ shuttleȱ thermalȱ protectionȱ systemȱ inspecȬ
tions,ȱ spacewalkȱ activities,ȱ Nodeȱ 2ȱ installationȱ
andȱtheȱP6ȱtrussȱelementȱandȱsolarȱarrayȱrelocaȬ
tion.ȱ

22
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CREW OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ
DougȱWheelockȱ
ȱ
Armyȱ Col.ȱ Dougȱ Wheelockȱ willȱ beȱ makingȱ hisȱ
firstȱ flightȱ intoȱ spaceȱ aboardȱ Discoveryȱ asȱ
missionȱspecialistȱ3.ȱȱHeȱhasȱaȱbachelor’sȱdegreeȱ
inȱ appliedȱ scienceȱ andȱ engineeringȱ fromȱ theȱ
U.S.ȱMilitaryȱAcademyȱandȱaȱmaster’sȱdegreeȱinȱ
aerospaceȱ engineeringȱ fromȱ Georgiaȱ Tech.ȱȱ
Wheelockȱ hasȱ loggedȱ moreȱ thanȱ 2,500ȱ flightȱ
OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
CREW
ȱ
hoursȱ inȱ 43ȱ differentȱ rotaryȱ andȱ fixedȬwingȱ
aircraft.ȱ ȱ Selectedȱ asȱ anȱ astronautȱ inȱ 1996,ȱ heȱ
servedȱ asȱ theȱ crewȱ supportȱ astronautȱ forȱ
Expeditionȱ2ȱinȱ2001ȱandȱasȱNASA’sȱDirectorȱofȱ
OperationsȱinȱStarȱCity,ȱRussiaȱinȱ2005.ȱȱDuringȱ
STSȬ120,ȱ heȱ willȱ conductȱ threeȱ spacewalksȱ andȱ
operateȱtheȱshuttleȱroboticȱarm.ȱ
23
 ȱ
ȱ
PaoloȱNespoliȱ
ȱ
EuropeanȱSpaceȱ Agencyȱ (ESA)ȱ astronautȱ Paoloȱ
Nespoliȱwillȱbeȱmakingȱhisȱfirstȱspaceflight.ȱȱHeȱ
receivedȱ aȱ Bachelorȱ ofȱ Scienceȱ inȱ aerospaceȱ
engineeringȱ inȱ 1988ȱ andȱ aȱ Masterȱ ofȱ Scienceȱ inȱ
aeronauticsȱ andȱ astronauticsȱ inȱ 1989ȱ fromȱ theȱ
Polytechnicȱ Universityȱ ofȱ Newȱ York.ȱ ȱ Heȱ wasȱ
selectedȱ asȱ anȱ astronautȱ byȱ theȱ Italianȱ spaceȱ
agencyȱ(ASI)ȱinȱJulyȱ1998ȱand,ȱoneȱmonthȱlater,ȱ
joinedȱ ESA’sȱ Europeanȱ astronautȱ corps.ȱ ȱ Inȱ
Augustȱ 1998,ȱ heȱ wasȱ relocatedȱ toȱ NASA’sȱ
JohnsonȱSpaceȱCenterȱandȱassignedȱtoȱ theȱ 27thȱ
NASAȱ Astronautȱ Class.ȱ ȱ Heȱ wasȱ assignedȱ toȱ
STSȬ120ȱ inȱ Juneȱ 2006.ȱ ȱ Asȱ missionȱ specialistȱ 4ȱ
24
ȱ
CREW
ȱ
forȱtheȱSTSȬ120ȱmission,ȱheȱwillȱserveȱasȱoneȱofȱ
theȱ shuttleȱ roboticsȱ officersȱ forȱ theȱ surveyȱ ofȱ
Discoveryȇsȱ wingsȱ andȱ noseȱ capȱ usingȱ theȱ
Orbiterȱ Boomȱ Sensorȱ System.ȱ ȱ Heȱ willȱ handleȱ
rendezvousȱtoolsȱinȱpreparationȱforȱDiscoveryȇsȱ
rendezvousȱandȱdockingȱwithȱtheȱInternationalȱ
SpaceȱStationȱonȱflightȱdayȱ3.ȱȱHeȱwillȱserveȱasȱ
theȱintraȬvehicularȱcrewȱmember,ȱorȱspacewalkȱ
choreographer,ȱ forȱ theȱ firstȱ fourȱ spacewalksȱ toȱ
helpȱ installȱ Nodeȱ 2,ȱ relocateȱ theȱ P6ȱ trussȱ andȱ
testȱ shuttleȱ heatȱ shieldȱ repairȱ techniques.ȱ ȱ Heȱ
willȱ beȱ seatedȱ onȱ theȱ middeckȱ forȱ launchȱ andȱ
onȱtheȱflightȱdeckȱforȱentry.ȱ
OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ

DanielȱTaniȱ
ȱ
Veteranȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ flyerȱ Danielȱ Taniȱ willȱ
serveȱ asȱ aȱ flightȱ engineerȱ aboardȱ theȱ InternaȬ
tionalȱ Spaceȱ Station.ȱ ȱ Heȱ willȱ travelȱ toȱ theȱ staȬ
tionȱ onȱ STSȬ120ȱ andȱ stayȱ withȱ Expeditionȱ 16.ȱȱ
Heȱ isȱ scheduledȱ toȱ returnȱ toȱ Earthȱ onȱ Atlantisȱ
duringȱ STSȬ122.ȱ ȱ Aȱ Massachusettsȱ Instituteȱ ofȱ
Technologyȱ graduate,ȱ Taniȱ joinedȱ NASAȱ inȱ
1996.ȱ ȱ Heȱ servedȱ inȱ numerousȱ roles,ȱ includingȱ
theȱEVAȱBranchȱandȱasȱaȱCrewȱSupportȱAstroȬ
ȱ
nautȱforȱExpeditionȱ4.ȱȱTaniȱflewȱonȱSTSȬ108ȱinȱ
2001ȱ andȱ hasȱ loggedȱ moreȱ thanȱ 11ȱ daysȱ inȱ
space,ȱ includingȱ aȱ spacewalkȱ toȱ wrapȱ thermalȱ
blanketsȱaroundȱISSȱSolarȱArrayȱGimbals.ȱȱDurȬ
ingȱ STSȬ120,ȱ Taniȱ willȱ performȱ theȱ secondȱ
spacewalkȱ andȱ operateȱ theȱ stationȱ roboticȱ armȱ
forȱ theȱ P6ȱ relocation,ȱ Nodeȱ 2ȱ installationȱ andȱ
variousȱspacewalkȱactivities.ȱ

OCTOBER 2007
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26
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 ȱ
ȱ
PAYLOAD OVERVIEW
ȱ
HarmonyȱisȱshownȱattachedȱtoȱtheȱDestinyȱmoduleȱinȱtheȱmiddleȱofȱtheȱimageȱabove.ȱ
HARMONY (NODE 2)
Expansionȱ ofȱ theȱ Internationalȱ Spaceȱ Stationȱ
willȱcontinueȱwithȱtheȱdeliveryȱofȱtheȱHarmonyȱ
connectingȱmodule.ȱȱHarmonyȱwillȱtravelȱtoȱtheȱ
stationȱinsideȱspaceȱshuttleȱDiscovery’sȱpayloadȱ
bayȱ duringȱ STSȬ120,ȱ alsoȱ knownȱ asȱ Assemblyȱ
Flightȱ 10A.ȱ ȱ Harmony’sȱ additionȱ setsȱ theȱ stageȱ
forȱtheȱarrivalȱofȱnewȱresearchȱlaboratories.ȱ
Alsoȱ knownȱ asȱ Nodeȱ 2,ȱ Harmonyȱ willȱ beȱ theȱ
firstȱ pressurizedȱ moduleȱ addedȱ toȱ theȱ stationȱ
sinceȱ theȱ Russianȱ Pirsȱ Dockingȱ Compartmentȱ
wasȱ installedȱ inȱ Septemberȱ 2001.ȱ ȱ Harmonyȱ
joinsȱ threeȱ otherȱ namedȱ U.S.ȱ modulesȱ onȱ theȱ
station:ȱ ȱ theȱ Destinyȱ laboratory,ȱ theȱ Questȱ airȬ
OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
PAYLOAD OVERVIEW
ȱ
lockȱandȱtheȱUnityȱnode.ȱȱTheȱmostȱrecentȱaddiȬ
tionȱwasȱtheȱQuestȱairlockȱinȱJulyȱ2001.ȱ
Harmony,ȱ measuringȱ 23.6ȱ feetȱ long,ȱ 14.5ȱ feetȱ
wideȱ andȱ weighingȱ 31,500ȱ pounds,ȱ isȱ aȱ utilityȱ
hub,ȱ providingȱ air,ȱ electricalȱ power,ȱ waterȱ andȱ
otherȱ systemsȱ essentialȱ toȱ supportȱ lifeȱ onȱ theȱ
station.ȱ ȱ Itȱ willȱ distributeȱ resourcesȱ fromȱ theȱ
station’sȱ trussȱ toȱ theȱ Destinyȱ labȱ andȱ toȱ theȱ
Europeanȱ Spaceȱ Agency’sȱ Columbusȱ Researchȱ
Laboratoryȱ andȱ theȱ Japaneseȱ Experimentȱ ModȬ
uleȱ(Kibo),ȱwhenȱtheyȱareȱaddedȱtoȱtheȱstation.ȱȱ
Theȱ moduleȱ willȱ actȱ asȱ anȱ internalȱ connectingȱ
portȱ andȱ passagewayȱ toȱ additionalȱ internaȬ
tionalȱscienceȱlabsȱandȱcargoȱspacecraft.ȱ
27
 ȱ
ȱ
TheȱpictureȱaboveȱshowsȱHarmony’sȱfutureȱportȱutilizationȱasȱtheȱspaceȱstationȱexpands.ȱ
ȱ
Inȱadditionȱtoȱincreasingȱtheȱlivingȱandȱworkingȱ
spaceȱ insideȱ theȱ stationȱ byȱ moreȱ thanȱ
2,500ȱcubicȱfeet,ȱitsȱexteriorȱwillȱserveȱasȱaȱworkȱ
platformȱ forȱ theȱ stationȇsȱ roboticȱ arm,ȱ CanaȬ
darm2.ȱ ȱ Harmonyȱ isȱ similarȱ inȱ shapeȱ toȱ theȱ
Unityȱ module,ȱ knownȱ alsoȱ asȱ Nodeȱ 1,ȱ whichȱ
wasȱlaunchedȱinȱ1998.ȱȱUnityȱlinksȱ theȱDestinyȱ
labȱandȱtheȱRussianȱZaryaȱModule.ȱ
HarmonyȱwasȱdesignedȱandȱbuiltȱforȱNASAȱbyȱ
Thalesȱ Aleniaȱ Spaceȱ inȱ Torino,ȱ Italy,ȱ asȱ partȱ ofȱ
anȱ agreementȱ betweenȱ NASAȱ andȱ theȱ EuroȬ
peanȱ Spaceȱ Agency.ȱ ȱ Theȱ Boeingȱ Companyȱ
providedȱaȱlargeȱnumberȱofȱHarmony’sȱsubsysȬ
temȱ components,ȱ includingȱ lights,ȱ fans,ȱ powerȱ
switchesȱ andȱ converters,ȱ racks,ȱ airȱ diffusers,ȱ
smokeȱ detectors,ȱ hatchesȱ andȱ Commonȱ BerthȬ
ingȱ Mechanisms.ȱ ȱ Theȱ node’sȱ subsystemsȱ wereȱ
28
ȱ
PAYLOAD OVERVIEW
testedȱbyȱThalesȱAleniaȱtoȱensureȱtheyȱoperatedȱ
withinȱ specificationsȱ commonȱ toȱ allȱ stationȱ
elements.ȱ
Boeingȱ alsoȱ built,ȱ installedȱontoȱHarmony,ȱ andȱ
testedȱ fiveȱ Activeȱ Commonȱ Berthingȱ
Mechanismsȱ(ACBMs).ȱȱTheȱmechanismsȱenableȱ
onȬorbitȱ matingȱ andȱ airtightȱ sealsȱ betweenȱ ISSȱ
pressurizedȱ elements.ȱ ȱ Theȱ ACBMsȱ consistȱ ofȱ
powered,ȱcomputerȬcontrolledȱcomponentsȱthatȱ
alignȱ captureȱ andȱ areȱ securedȱ toȱ theȱ passiveȱ
CBMs.ȱȱTheȱCBMȱsystemȱisȱusedȱthroughoutȱtheȱ
stationȱtoȱmateȱarrivingȱpressurizedȱelementsȱtoȱ
theȱ existingȱ onȬorbitȱ platform.ȱ ȱ Theȱ systemȱ isȱ
comprisedȱofȱtwoȱmatingȱstructures:ȱȱtheȱactiveȱ
halfȱ onȱ theȱ ISSȱ andȱ theȱ passiveȱ halfȱ usedȱ onȱ
arrivingȱstructures.ȱ
OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ
Node 2 Specifications

Dimensions: Length: 23.6 ft.

Diameter: 14.5 ft.

Weight: 31,500 lbs.

Pressurized Volume: 2,666 cubic ft.

Habitable Volume: 1,230 cubic ft.

Exterior Structure: Aluminum cylindrical

sections, 2 endcones
Equipment Racks: 8
Whileȱ theȱ activeȱ CBMȱ containsȱ allȱ ofȱ theȱ powȬ
eredȱ componentsȱ andȱ associatedȱ alignmentȱ
hardwareȱ forȱ berthing,ȱ theȱ passiveȱ CBMȱ conȬ
figurationsȱ includeȱ theȱ reciprocalȱ matingȱ fitȬ
tingsȱ andȱ alignmentȱ components,ȱ inclusiveȱ ofȱ
theȱ atmosphericȱ seal.ȱ ȱ Inȱ aȱ preciselyȱ controlledȱ
sequenceȱ ofȱ events,ȱ theȱ ISSȱ remoteȱ manipulaȬ
tionȱ systemȱ positionsȱ theȱ matingȱ moduleȱ pasȬ
siveȱ CBMȱ nearȱ theȱ ISSȱ activeȱ CBMȱ forȱ theȱ
automatedȱ berthing,ȱ resultingȱ inȱ aȱ structurallyȱ
sealedȱassembly.ȱ
Nodeȱ2ȱwillȱlaunchȱwithȱ4ȱAvionicsȱRacks,ȱȱ
2ȱResupplyȱStowageȱRacksȱ(RSRs)ȱloadedȱ
withȱcargo,ȱandȱ2ȱZeroȬgȱStowageȱRacks.ȱȱ
ShowȱhereȱareȱtheȱRSRs.ȱ
Naming the Module
Onȱ Marchȱ 15,ȱ 2007,ȱ Nodeȱ 2ȱ receivedȱ itsȱ nameȱ
afterȱ aȱ competitionȱ involvingȱ moreȱ thanȱ 2,200ȱ
studentsȱ fromȱ 32ȱ states.ȱ ȱ Sixȱ differentȱ schoolsȱ
submittedȱ“Harmony.”ȱ
Aȱ panelȱ ofȱ NASAȱ educators,ȱ engineers,ȱ scienȬ
tistsȱ andȱ seniorȱ agencyȱ managersȱ selectedȱ theȱ
nameȱ becauseȱ itȱ symbolizesȱ theȱ spiritȱ ofȱ interȬ
nationalȱ cooperationȱ embodiedȱ byȱ theȱ station,ȱ
asȱwellȱasȱtheȱmoduleȇsȱspecificȱroleȱinȱconnectȬ
ingȱtheȱinternationalȱpartnerȱmodules.ȱ

Theȱ Nodeȱ 2ȱ Challengeȱ requiredȱ studentsȱ toȱ

learnȱ aboutȱ theȱ spaceȱ station,ȱ buildȱ aȱ scaleȱ
modelȱandȱwriteȱanȱessayȱexplainingȱtheirȱproȬ
posedȱnameȱforȱtheȱmoduleȱthatȱwillȱserveȱasȱaȱ
centralȱhubȱforȱscienceȱlabs.ȱ

Harmonyȱ isȱ theȱ firstȱ U.S.ȱ pieceȱ ofȱ theȱ spaceȱ

ȱ stationȱnamedȱbyȱpeopleȱoutsideȱofȱNASA.ȱ
Boeingȱemployeesȱareȱshownȱȱ
workingȱonȱHarmony.ȱ

OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
PAYLOAD OVERVIEW 29
 ȱ
ȱ
Installation AfterȱDiscoveryȱleaves,ȱtheȱExpeditionȱ 16ȱcrewȱ
willȱ useȱ Canadarm2ȱ toȱ moveȱ PMAȬ2ȱ toȱ theȱ
Harmony’sȱ installationȱ isȱ aȱ twoȬstepȱ process.ȱȱ forwardȱport,ȱontoȱoneȱofȱtheȱfiveȱactiveȱCMBsȱ
First,ȱ Discoveryȱ willȱ dockȱ toȱ pressurizedȱ matȬ onȱ Harmony.ȱ ȱ Then,ȱ theȱ crewȱ willȱ useȱ theȱ armȱ
ingȱ adapterȬ2ȱ (PMAȬ2),ȱ locatedȱ onȱ theȱ endȱ ofȱ toȱ moveȱ andȱ installȱ Harmonyȱ toȱ itsȱ permanentȱ
Destiny.ȱ ȱ Then,ȱ theȱ crewȱ willȱ attachȱ theȱ newȱ locationȱatȱtheȱendȱofȱDestiny.ȱ
moduleȱtoȱaȱtemporaryȱpositionȱonȱtheȱoutsideȱ
ofȱ Unity.ȱ ȱ Onȱ orbit,ȱ PMA2ȱ isȱ outfittedȱ withȱ aȱ
PressurizedȱCommonȱBerthingȱMechanism.ȱ

ȱ
ShownȱhereȱareȱtheȱstepsȱtoȱinstallȱUnityȱNodeȱ2ȱontoȱNodeȱ1ȱȱ
usingȱtheȱshuttleȱandȱstationȱroboticȱarms.ȱ

30
ȱ
PAYLOAD OVERVIEW OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ

ȱ
AftȱViewȱofȱHarmonyȱ

OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
PAYLOAD OVERVIEW 31
 ȱ
ȱ

Thisȱpageȱintentionallyȱleftȱblank.ȱ

32
ȱ
MISSION PROFILE OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ
STATION RELOCATION ACTIVITIES
ȱ
PORT 6 SOLAR ARRAYS RELOCATION
Theȱ Internationalȱ Spaceȱ Stationȱ derivesȱ itsȱ
powerȱfromȱtheȱconversionȱofȱsolarȱenergyȱintoȱ
electricalȱ power.ȱ ȱ Theȱ P6ȱ Photovoltaicȱ Powerȱ
Moduleȱ (PVM)ȱ —ȱ orȱ Portȱ 6ȱ —ȱ performsȱ thisȱ
energyȱ conversionȱ andȱ isȱ oneȱ ofȱ fourȱ suchȱ
modulesȱ onȱ theȱ station.ȱ (Oneȱ more,ȱ S6,ȱ willȱ beȱ
launchedȱonȱSTSȬ119.)ȱTheȱP6ȱhasȱfourȱprimaryȱ
functions:ȱ theȱ conversionȱ orȱ generation,ȱ
storage,ȱregulationȱandȱdistributionȱofȱelectricalȱ
powerȱ forȱ theȱ station.ȱ ȱ P6ȱ hasȱ twoȱ identicalȱ
PVMsȱthatȱconsistȱofȱtwoȱmajorȱelementsȱcalledȱ
theȱ Solarȱ Arrayȱ Assemblyȱ (SAA)ȱ containingȱ
twoȱ Solarȱ Arrayȱ Wingsȱ (SAW)ȱ connectedȱ toȱ aȱ
mast.ȱ ȱ Theȱ wingsȱ areȱ presentlyȱ foldedȱ intoȱ aȱ
P6ȱisȱshownȱinstalledȱonȱtheȱfarȱright,ȱwhileȱHarmonyȱisȱshownȱattachedȱtoȱDestiny.ȱ
OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
STATION RELOCATION ACTIVITIES
mastȱ canisterȱ forȱ relocationȱ andȱ eventualȱ
deployment.ȱ ȱ Mostȱ ofȱ theȱ electronicsȱ areȱ
containedȱ inȱ theȱ Integratedȱ Equipmentȱ
Assemblyȱ(IEA),ȱwhichȱisȱdesignedȱtoȱconditionȱ
andȱ storeȱ theȱ electricalȱ powerȱ collectedȱ byȱ theȱ
photovoltaicȱarraysȱforȱuseȱaboardȱtheȱstation.ȱ
Theȱ integratedȱ trussȱ segmentsȱ startedȱ withȱ
Starboardȱ 0ȱ (S0)ȱ asȱ theȱ centerȱ assignmentȱ andȱ
wereȱnumberedȱinȱascendingȱorderȱoutwardȱtoȱ
theȱportȱandȱstarboardȱsides.ȱȱAtȱoneȱtime,ȱanȱS2ȱ
andȱP2ȱwereȱplanned,ȱbutȱthoseȱsegmentsȱwereȱ
eliminatedȱ whenȱ theȱ stationȱ designȱ wasȱ scaledȱ
back.ȱ ȱ Fromȱ S0,ȱ theȱ trussȱ segmentsȱ areȱ P1,ȱ P3,ȱ
P4,ȱP5ȱandȱP6,ȱandȱS1,ȱS3,ȱS4,ȱS5,ȱandȱS6.ȱ
ȱ
33
 ȱ
ȱ
P6 Specifications
Dimensions: Width: 35 ft.
Length: 240 ft.
Retracted Dimensions:
Width: 16 ft
Length: 35 ft
Weight: 34,994 lbs.
Launched: STS-97
11/30/2000
Cost: $275,968,083
ȱ ȱ
P6ȱisȱpresentlyȱinȱorbitȱandȱattachedȱtoȱtheȱtrussȱ
segmentȱZenithȱ1ȱ(Z1).ȱȱOnȱflightȱdayȱ6ȱduringȱ
theȱsecondȱspacewalk,ȱP6ȱwillȱbeȱdematedȱfromȱ
theȱZ1ȱtrussȱi.e.ȱseparatedȱfromȱtheȱRocketdyneȱ
Trussȱ Attachmentȱ Systemȱ (RTAS).ȱ ȱ Duringȱ
flightȱ dayȱ 7,ȱ P6ȱ willȱ beȱ handedȱ offȱ fromȱ theȱ
station’sȱ roboticȱ armȱ toȱ theȱ shuttle’sȱ arm.ȱȱ
Duringȱ thisȱ time,ȱ theȱ mobileȱ transporterȱ withȱ
theȱ station’sȱ roboticȱ armȱ attachedȱ willȱ travelȱ
alongȱ theȱstation’sȱtrussȱ structureȱrailsȱtoȱworkȱ
siteȱnumberȱ8.ȱȱP6ȱwillȱthenȱbeȱhandedȱoffȱtoȱtheȱ
station’sȱ roboticȱ arm.ȱ ȱ Duringȱ flightȱ dayȱ 8,ȱ theȱ
station’sȱ roboticȱ armȱ willȱ moveȱ P6ȱ toȱ theȱ preȬ
installȱ position.ȱ ȱ Duringȱ theȱ mission’sȱ thirdȱ
spacewalkȱ onȱ flightȱ dayȱ 8,ȱ astronautsȱ willȱ
attachȱ P6ȱ toȱ theȱ P5ȱ shortȱ spacer.ȱ ȱ Followingȱ
docking,ȱ theȱ P6ȱ solarȱ arrayȱ wingsȱ (2B/4B)ȱ willȱ
beȱ deployedȱ asȱ wellȱ asȱ theȱ radiator.ȱ ȱ Theȱ solarȱ
arraysȱ wingsȱ willȱ beȱ deployedȱ onȱ flightȱ dayȱ 8.ȱȱ
Dueȱ toȱ theȱ issuesȱ withȱ theȱ retractionȱ ofȱ theseȱ
arrays,ȱ testingȱ wasȱ doneȱ toȱ ensureȱ theȱ guideȱ
wiresȱ wouldȱ notȱ impactȱ theȱ deployȱ process.ȱȱ
Theȱ keyȱ differenceȱ duringȱ deploymentȱ isȱ thatȱ
thereȱ isȱ significantlyȱ moreȱ forceȱ availableȱ
duringȱ deployȱ toȱ pullȱ theȱ guideȱ wireȱ throughȱ
theȱ grommetsȱ soȱ aȱ snagȱ isȱ highlyȱ unlikely.ȱ ȱ Inȱ
theȱeventȱofȱaȱsnagȱorȱanyȱotherȱissue,ȱtheȱcrewȱ
34
ȱ
STATION RELOCATION ACTIVITIES
isȱ trainedȱ toȱ identifyȱ theȱ warningȱ signsȱ andȱ
immediatelyȱ stopȱ theȱ deployment.ȱ Theȱ
indicatorȱ isȱ theȱ risingȱ ofȱ theȱ arrayȱ tensionȱ bar.ȱȱ
Thisȱ willȱ ensureȱ noȱ structuralȱ damageȱ toȱ theȱ
arrayȱ occurs.ȱ ȱ Ifȱ needed,ȱ astronautsȱ willȱ
performȱ aȱ contingencyȱ spacewalkȱ onȱ flightȱ
dayȱ10,ȱifȱthereȱareȱproblemsȱinȱgettingȱtheȱsolarȱ
arraysȱproperlyȱdeployed.ȱ
Followingȱ successfulȱ deployment,ȱ theȱ P6ȱ arrayȱ
willȱ beȱ broughtȱ backȱ onȱ lineȱ againȱ alongȱ withȱ
P6ȱandȱP4.ȱȱThereȱareȱtwoȱSolarȱArrayȱWingsȱonȱ
theȱ P6ȱ moduleȱ yieldingȱ aȱ totalȱ powerȱ generaȬ
tionȱ capabilityȱ approachingȱ 66ȱ kilowattsȱ ofȱ
unregulatedȱpowerȱpriorȱtoȱdistribution.ȱ
Major Elements
Photovoltaic Module (PVMs)
Theȱprimaryȱfunctionsȱofȱtheȱpowerȱmoduleȱareȱ
toȱ collect,ȱ convert,ȱ store,ȱ andȱ distributeȱ electriȬ
calȱ powerȱ toȱ loadsȱ withinȱ theȱ segmentȱ andȱ toȱ
otherȱ stationȱ segments.ȱ ȱ Electricalȱ powerȱ isȱ theȱ
mostȱ criticalȱ resourceȱ forȱ theȱ stationȱ becauseȱ itȱ
allowsȱ astronautsȱ toȱ liveȱ comfortably,ȱ safelyȱ
operateȱtheȱstationȱandȱperformȱcomplexȱscienȬ
tificȱ experiments.ȱ ȱ Sinceȱ theȱ onlyȱ readilyȱ availȬ
ableȱsourceȱofȱenergyȱforȱspacecraftȱisȱsunlight,ȱ
technologiesȱwereȱdevelopedȱtoȱefficientlyȱconȬ
vertȱsolarȱenergyȱtoȱelectricalȱpower.ȱ
Theȱ PVMsȱ useȱ largeȱ numbersȱ ofȱ solarȱ cellsȱ
assembledȱ ontoȱ solarȱ arraysȱ toȱ produceȱ highȱ
powerȱ levels.ȱ ȱ NASAȱ andȱ Lockheedȱ Martinȱ
developedȱ aȱ methodȱ ofȱ mountingȱ theȱ solarȱ
arraysȱonȱaȱ“blanket”ȱthatȱcanȱbeȱfoldedȱlikeȱanȱ
accordionȱ forȱ deliveryȱ toȱ spaceȱ andȱ thenȱ
deployedȱ toȱ theirȱ fullȱ sizeȱ onceȱ inȱ orbit.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
cellsȱ areȱ madeȱ fromȱ purifiedȱ crystalȱ ingotsȱ ofȱ
siliconȱ thatȱ directlyȱ convertȱ lightȱ toȱ electricityȱ
forȱ immediateȱ useȱ throughȱ aȱ processȱ calledȱ
photovoltaics.
OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ
PhotovoltaicȱModuleȱ
ȱ
Gimbalsȱ areȱ usedȱ toȱ rotateȱ theȱ arraysȱ soȱ thatȱ
theyȱ faceȱ theȱ sunȱ toȱ provideȱ maximumȱ powerȱ
toȱ theȱ spaceȱ station.ȱ ȱ Afterȱ theȱ conversionȱ
process,ȱ theȱ PVMsȱ alsoȱ useȱ theȱ electricityȱ toȱ
rechargeȱ onboardȱ batteriesȱ forȱ continuousȱ
sourcesȱ ofȱ electricityȱ whileȱ theȱ stationȱ isȱ inȱ theȱ
Earth’sȱ shadow.ȱ ȱ Theȱ completeȱ powerȱ system,ȱ
consistingȱ ofȱ U.S.ȱ andȱ Russianȱ hardware,ȱ willȱ
generateȱ approximatelyȱ 80ȱ kilowattsȱ ofȱ totalȱ
power.ȱ
PVMȱ componentsȱ wereȱ assembledȱ byȱ Theȱ
BoeingȱCompanyȱinȱTulsa,ȱOkla.,ȱandȱLockheedȱ
Martinȱ inȱ Sunnyvale,ȱ Calif.,ȱ beforeȱ finalȱ
OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
STATION RELOCATION ACTIVITIES
ȱ
assemblyȱandȱtestingȱbyȱBoeingȱatȱtheȱKennedyȱ
SpaceȱCenter,ȱFla.ȱ
Solar Array Wings (SAW)
ThereȱareȱtwoȱSAWsȱdesigned,ȱbuiltȱandȱtestedȱ
byȱLockheedȱMartinȱinȱSunnyvale,ȱCalif.,ȱonȱtheȱ
P6ȱ module,ȱ andȱ deployedȱ inȱ theȱ oppositeȱ
directionȱ fromȱ eachȱ other.ȱ ȱ Eachȱ SAWȱ isȱ madeȱ
upȱofȱtwoȱsolarȱblanketsȱmountedȱtoȱaȱcommonȱ
mast.ȱȱBeforeȱdeployment,ȱeachȱpanelȱisȱfoldedȱ
accordionȱ styleȱ intoȱ aȱ Solarȱ Arrayȱ Blanketȱ Boxȱ
measuringȱ20ȱinchesȱhighȱandȱ15ȱfeetȱinȱlength.ȱȱ
Eachȱblanketȱisȱonlyȱaboutȱ20ȱinchesȱthickȱwhileȱ
inȱ thisȱ storedȱ position.ȱ ȱ Theȱ mastȱ consistsȱ ofȱ
interlockingȱ battensȱ thatȱ areȱ stowedȱ forȱ launchȱ
35
 ȱ
ȱ
insideȱ aȱ Mastȱ Canisterȱ Assemblyȱ (MCA)ȱ
designed,ȱ builtȱ andȱ testedȱ byȱ ATKȬAble.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
blanketȱ boxesȱ areȱ deployedȱ priorȱ toȱ SAWȱ
deploy.ȱ ȱ Whileȱ theȱ P6ȱ SAWsȱ areȱ retractedȱ forȱ
relocation,ȱtheȱblanketȱboxesȱwillȱremainȱinȱtheȱ
deployedȱposition.ȱ
Whenȱfullyȱdeployed,ȱtheȱSAWȱextendsȱ115ȱfeetȱ
andȱ spansȱ 38ȱ feetȱ andȱ extendsȱ toȱ eachȱ sideȱ ofȱ
theȱIntegratedȱEquipmentȱAssembly.ȱȱSinceȱtheȱ
secondȱSAWȱisȱdeployedȱinȱtheȱoppositeȱdirecȬ
tion,ȱtheȱtotalȱwingȱspanȱisȱmoreȱthanȱ240ȱfeet.ȱ
EachȱSAWȱweighsȱmoreȱthanȱ2,400ȱpoundsȱandȱ
usesȱ 32,800ȱ solarȱ arrayȱ cellsȱ perȱ wing,ȱ eachȱ
measuringȱ8Ȭcmȱsquareȱwithȱ4,100ȱdiodes.ȱȱTheȱ
individualȱ cellsȱ wereȱ madeȱ byȱ Boeing’sȱ
SpectrolabȱandȱASEC.ȱȱThereȱareȱ400ȱsolarȱarrayȱ
cellsȱ toȱ aȱ stringȱ andȱ thereȱ areȱ 82ȱ stringsȱ perȱ
wing.ȱ ȱ Eachȱ SAWȱ isȱ capableȱ ofȱ generatingȱ
nearlyȱ 32.8ȱ kilowattsȱ ofȱ directȱ currentȱ power.ȱȱ
ThereȱareȱtwoȱSAWsȱonȱtheȱP6ȱmoduleȱyieldingȱ
aȱ totalȱ powerȱ generationȱ capabilityȱ
approachingȱ66ȱkilowattsȱofȱunregulatedȱpowerȱ
priorȱtoȱdistribution.ȱ

ȱ
SolarȱArrayȱWingsȱ

36
ȱ
STATION RELOCATION ACTIVITIES OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ
Beta Gimbal Assembly (BGA)
Theȱ solarȱ arrayȱ wingsȱ alsoȱ areȱ orientedȱ byȱ theȱ
Betaȱ Gimbalȱ Assembly,ȱ whichȱ canȱ changeȱ theȱ
pitchȱ ofȱ theȱ wingsȱ byȱ spinningȱ theȱ solarȱ array.ȱȱ
Theȱassemblyȱmeasuresȱ3Ȭȱbyȱ3Ȭȱbyȱ3ȱfeet.ȱȱTheȱ
assemblyȇsȱ mostȱ visualȱ functionsȱ areȱ toȱ deployȱ
andȱretractȱtheȱSAWȱandȱrotateȱitȱaboutȱitsȱlonȬ
gitudinalȱ axis.ȱ ȱ Theȱ assemblyȱ consistsȱ ofȱ threeȱ
majorȱcomponents:ȱȱtheȱBearing,ȱMotorȱandȱRollȱ
Ringȱ Moduleȱ(BMRRM),ȱ theȱElectronicȱControlȱ
Unitȱ (ECU)ȱ andȱ theȱ Betaȱ Gimbalȱ Transitionȱ
Structure.ȱ ȱ Theȱ BGAȱ wasȱ designedȱ byȱ Boeingȱ
Rocketdyneȱ inȱ Canogaȱ Park,ȱ Calif.,ȱ whichȱ hasȱ
sinceȱbeenȱacquiredȱbyȱPrattȱandȱWhitney.ȱȱTheȱ
Sequentialȱ Shuntȱ Unitȱ (SSU)ȱ thatȱ servesȱ toȱ
manageȱ andȱ distributeȱ theȱ powerȱ generatedȱ
fromȱtheȱarraysȱalsoȱisȱmountedȱonȱeachȱassemȬ
blyȱ platform.ȱ ȱ Theȱ Sequentialȱ Shuntȱ Unitȱ wasȱ
designedȱbyȱtheȱcompanyȱSpaceȱSystems/Loral.ȱ
Bothȱ theȱ Solarȱ Alphaȱ Rotaryȱ Jointsȱ (SARJ)ȱ
(locatedȱbetweenȱtheȱP3ȱandȱP4ȱandȱtheȱS3ȱandȱ
S4ȱ elements)ȱ andȱ Betaȱ Gimbalȱ Assembliesȱ areȱ
pointingȱ mechanismsȱ andȱ mechanicalȱ devicesȱ
usedȱtoȱpointȱtheȱarraysȱtowardȱtheȱsun.ȱȱTheyȱ
canȱ followȱ anȱ angleȱ targetȱ andȱ rotateȱ toȱ thatȱ
targetȱinȱtheȱdirectionȱtowardȱtheȱsun.ȱȱInȬorbitȱ
controllersȱcontinuouslyȱupdateȱthoseȱtargetsȱsoȱ
itȱ keepsȱ movingȱ continuouslyȱ asȱ theȱ stationȱ
orbitsȱ theȱ Earthȱ approximatelyȱ everyȱ
90ȱminutes,ȱmaintainingȱcontactȱwithȱtheȱsunȱatȱ
theȱ sameȱ orbitalȱ rate.ȱ ȱ Theȱ SARJȱ mechanism,ȱ
whichȱrotatesȱtheȱP4ȱandȱP6ȱ(andȱitsȱcompanionȱ
S4ȱ andȱ eventuallyȱ S6)ȱ arraysȱ likeȱ aȱ largeȱ
waterwheel,ȱ willȱ moveȱ muchȱ moreȱ thanȱ theȱ
Betaȱ Gimbalȱ Assembly,ȱ whichȱ movesȱ aboutȱ
fourȱorȱfiveȱdegreesȱperȱday,ȱwhereasȱtheȱSARJȱ
willȱ rotateȱ 360ȱ degreesȱ everyȱ orbitȱ orȱ aboutȱ
4ȱdegreesȱperȱminute.ȱ
OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
STATION RELOCATION ACTIVITIES
Direct Current Switching Unit (DCSU)
Powerȱ receivedȱ fromȱ eachȱ photovoltaicȱ arrayȱ
assemblyȱ (PVAA)ȱ isȱ fedȱ directlyȱ intoȱ theȱ
appropriateȱ DCSU,ȱ aȱ highȬpower,ȱ multiȬpathȱ
remotelyȱ controlledȱ unitȱ usedȱ forȱ primaryȱ andȱ
secondaryȱ powerȱ distribution,ȱ protectionȱ andȱ
faultȱisolationȱwithinȱtheȱIntegratedȱEquipmentȱ
Assembly.ȱȱ TheȱDCSUȱalsoȱdistributesȱprimaryȱ
powerȱ toȱ theȱ station.ȱ ȱ Duringȱ periodsȱ ofȱ
sunlight,ȱ theȱ DCSUȱ routesȱ primaryȱ powerȱ
directlyȱ toȱ theȱ stationȱ fromȱ itsȱ PVAAȱ andȱ alsoȱ
routesȱ powerȱ toȱ theȱ powerȱ storageȱ systemȱ forȱ
batteryȱcharging.ȱȱDuringȱperiodsȱofȱeclipse,ȱtheȱ
DCSUȱ routesȱ powerȱ fromȱ theȱ powerȱ storageȱ
systemȱ toȱ theȱ station.ȱ ȱ Theȱ DCSUȱ measuresȱ
28Ȭȱbyȱ40Ȭȱbyȱ12ȱinchesȱandȱweighsȱ238ȱpounds.ȱ
Direct Current to Direct Current
Converter Unit (DDCU)
PrimaryȱpowerȱfromȱtheȱDCSUȱisȱdistributedȱtoȱ
theȱ DDCU,ȱ aȱ powerȱ processingȱ systemȱ thatȱ
conditionsȱ theȱ coarselyȱ regulatedȱ powerȱ fromȱ
theȱPVAAȱtoȱ123ȱ+/Ȭȱ2ȱvoltȱdirectȱcurrent.ȱȱItȱhasȱ
aȱ maximumȱ powerȱ outputȱ ofȱ 6.25ȱ kilowatts.ȱȱ
Thisȱ powerȱ isȱ usedȱ forȱ allȱ stationȱ operationsȱ
employingȱ secondaryȱ power.ȱ ȱ Byȱ transmittingȱ
powerȱatȱhigherȱvoltagesȱandȱsteppingȱitȱdownȱ
toȱ lowerȱ voltagesȱ whereȱ theȱ powerȱ isȱ toȱ beȱ
used,ȱ muchȱ likeȱ municipalȱ powerȱ systems,ȱ theȱ
stationȱ canȱ useȱ smallerȱ wiresȱ toȱ transmitȱ thisȱ
electricalȱ powerȱ andȱ thusȱ reduceȱ launchȱ loads.ȱȱ
Theȱ convertersȱ alsoȱ isolateȱ theȱ secondaryȱ
systemȱ fromȱ theȱ primaryȱ systemȱ andȱ maintainȱ
uniformȱ powerȱ qualityȱ throughoutȱ theȱ station.ȱȱ
TheȱDDCUȱmeasuresȱ27.25Ȭȱbyȱ23Ȭȱbyȱ12ȱinchesȱ
andȱweighsȱ129ȱpounds.ȱ
37
 ȱ
ȱ
Battery Charge/Discharge Unit (BCDU)
Primaryȱ powerȱ fromȱ theȱ DCSUȱ alsoȱ isȱ distribȬ
utedȱtoȱtheȱthreeȱpowerȱstorageȱsystemsȱwithinȱ
eachȱ channelȱ ofȱ theȱ IEA.ȱ ȱ Theȱ powerȱ storageȱ
systemȱ consistsȱ ofȱ aȱ Batteryȱ Charge/Dischargeȱ
Unitȱ (BCDU)ȱ andȱ twoȱ batteryȱ subassemblyȱ
OrbitalȱReplacementȱUnits.ȱȱTheȱBCDUȱservesȱaȱ
dualȱ functionȱ ofȱ chargingȱ theȱ batteriesȱ duringȱ
solarȱ collectionȱ periodsȱ andȱ providingȱ condiȬ
tionedȱ batteryȱ powerȱ toȱ theȱ primaryȱ powerȱ
bussesȱ (viaȱ theȱ DCSU)ȱ duringȱ eclipseȱ periods.ȱȱ
TheȱBCDUȱ hasȱaȱbatteryȱchargingȱcapabilityȱ ofȱ
8.4ȱ kilowattsȱ andȱ aȱ dischargeȱ capabilityȱ ofȱ
6.6ȱkilowatts.ȱ ȱ Theȱ BCDUȱ alsoȱ includesȱ proviȬ
sionsȱ forȱ batteryȱ statusȱ monitoringȱ andȱ protecȬ
tionȱfromȱpowerȱcircuitȱfaults.ȱȱCommandingȱofȱ
theȱ BCDUȱ isȱ fromȱ theȱ Photovoltaicȱ Controllerȱ
Unitȱ (PVCU).ȱ ȱ Theȱ BCDUȱ measuresȱ 28Ȭȱ byȱ 40Ȭȱ
byȱ12ȱinchesȱandȱweighsȱ235ȱpounds.ȱ
Battery Subassembly Orbital
Replacement Units
Eachȱ batteryȱ subassemblyȱ ORUȱ consistsȱ ofȱ
38ȱlightweightȱ nickelȱ hydrogenȱ cellsȱ andȱ assoȬ
ciatedȱ electricalȱ andȱ mechanicalȱ equipment.ȱȱ
Twoȱ batteryȱ subassemblyȱ ORUsȱ connectedȱ inȱ
seriesȱareȱcapableȱofȱstoringȱ8ȱkilowattsȱofȱelecȬ
tricalȱ power.ȱ ȱ Thisȱ powerȱ isȱ fedȱ toȱ theȱ stationȱ
viaȱ theȱ BCDUȱ andȱ DCSUȱ respectively.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
batteriesȱhaveȱaȱdesignȱlifeȱofȱ6.5ȱyearsȱandȱcanȱ
exceedȱ 38,000ȱ charge/dischargeȱ cyclesȱ atȱ
35ȱpercentȱ depthȱ ofȱ discharge.ȱ ȱ Eachȱ batteryȱ
measuresȱ 41Ȭȱ byȱ 37Ȭȱ byȱ 19ȱ inchesȱ andȱ weighsȱ
372ȱpounds.ȱ
Sequential Shunt Unit (SSU)
Theȱ SSUȱ isȱ designedȱ toȱ coarselyȱ regulateȱ theȱ
solarȱ powerȱ collectedȱ duringȱ periodsȱ ofȱ
isolationȱ —ȱ whenȱ theȱ arraysȱ collectȱ powerȱ
duringȱ sunȬpointingȱ periods.ȱ ȱ Aȱ sequenceȱ ofȱ
82ȱseparateȱ strings,ȱ orȱ powerȱ lines,ȱ leadsȱ fromȱ
38
ȱ
STATION RELOCATION ACTIVITIES
theȱ solarȱ arrayȱ toȱ theȱ SSU.ȱ ȱ Shunting,ȱ orȱ
controlling,ȱ theȱ outputȱ ofȱ eachȱ stringȱ regulatesȱ
theȱ amountȱ ofȱ powerȱ transferred.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
regulatedȱ voltageȱ setpointȱ isȱ controlledȱ byȱ aȱ
computerȱ locatedȱ onȱ theȱ IEAȱ andȱ isȱ normallyȱ
setȱ toȱ aroundȱ 160ȱ volts.ȱ ȱ Theȱ SSUȱ hasȱ anȱ
overvoltageȱ protectionȱ featureȱ toȱ maintainȱ theȱ
outputȱ voltageȱ belowȱ 200ȱ Vȱ DCȱ maximumȱ forȱ
allȱ operatingȱ conditions.ȱ ȱ Thisȱ powerȱ isȱ thenȱ
passedȱ throughȱ theȱ Bearingȱ Motorȱ andȱ Rollȱ
RingȱModuleȱ(BMRRM)ȱtoȱtheȱDCSUȱlocatedȱinȱ
theȱ IEA.ȱ ȱ Theȱ SSUȱ measuresȱ 32Ȭȱ byȱ 20Ȭȱ byȱ 12ȱ
inchesȱandȱweighsȱ185ȱpounds.ȱ
Photovoltaic Thermal Control System
(PVTCS)
Toȱ maintainȱ theȱ electronicsȱ atȱ safeȱ operatingȱ
temperaturesȱ inȱ theȱ harshȱ spaceȱ environments,ȱ
theyȱ areȱ conditionedȱ byȱ theȱ PVTCS.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
PVTCSȱ consistȱ ofȱ ammoniaȱ coolant,ȱ 11ȱ coldȬ
plates,ȱ twoȱ Pumpȱ Flowȱ Controlȱ Subassembliesȱ
(PFCS)ȱandȱoneȱPhotovoltaicȱRadiatorȱ(PVR).ȱ
Theȱ coldplateȱ subassembliesȱ areȱ anȱ integralȱ
partȱ ofȱ theȱ IEAȱ structuralȱ framework.ȱ ȱ Heatȱ isȱ
transferredȱ fromȱ theȱ IEAȱ orbitalȱ replacementȱ
unitȱ electronicȱ boxesȱ toȱ theȱ coldplatesȱ viaȱ fineȱ
interweavingȱfinsȱlocatedȱonȱbothȱtheȱcoldplateȱ
andȱ theȱ electronicȱ boxes.ȱ ȱ Theȱ finsȱ addȱ lateralȱ
structuralȱstiffnessȱtoȱtheȱcoldplatesȱinȱadditionȱ
toȱincreasingȱtheȱavailableȱheatȱtransferȱarea.ȱ
Pump Flow Control Subassemblies
(PFCS)
Theȱ PFCSȱ isȱ theȱ heartȱ ofȱ theȱ thermalȱ system,ȱ
consistingȱ ofȱ allȱ theȱ pumpingȱ capacity,ȱ valvesȱ
andȱcontrolsȱrequiredȱtoȱpumpȱtheȱheatȱtransferȱ
fluidȱ toȱ theȱ coldplatesȱ andȱ radiator,ȱ andȱ
regulateȱtheȱtemperatureȱofȱtheȱthermalȱcontrolȱ
systemȱ ammoniaȱ coolant.ȱ ȱ Theȱ PVTCSȱ isȱ
designedȱ toȱ dissipateȱ 6,000ȱ wattsȱ ofȱ heatȱ perȱ
orbitȱonȱaverageȱandȱisȱcommandedȱbyȱtheȱIEAȱ
OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ
computer.ȱ ȱ Eachȱ PFCSȱ consumesȱ 275ȱ wattsȱ
duringȱ normalȱ operationsȱ andȱ measuresȱ
approximatelyȱ 40Ȭȱ byȱ 29Ȭȱ byȱ 19ȱinches,ȱ
weighingȱ235ȱpounds.ȱ
PFCSsȱ onȱ theȱ IEA.ȱ ȱ Inȱ total,ȱ theȱ PVRȱ canȱ rejectȱ
upȱtoȱ14ȱkilowattsȱofȱheatȱintoȱdeepȱspace.ȱȱTheȱ
PVRȱ weighsȱ 1,633ȱ poundsȱ andȱ whenȱ deployedȱ
measuresȱ44Ȭȱbyȱ12Ȭȱbyȱ7ȱfeet.ȱ

Photovoltaic Radiator (PVR) P5 Long Spacer

Theȱ PVRȱ —ȱ theȱ radiatorȱ —ȱ isȱ deployableȱ onȱ Theȱ P5ȱ Longȱ Spacerȱ physicallyȱ separatesȱ theȱ
orbitȱandȱcomprisedȱofȱtwoȱseparateȱflowȱpathsȱ P6ȱsolarȱarraysȱfromȱtheȱP4ȱsolarȱarrays.ȱ
throughȱ sevenȱ panels.ȱ ȱ Eachȱ flowȱ pathȱ isȱ indeȬ
pendentȱ andȱ isȱ connectedȱ toȱ oneȱ ofȱ theȱ twoȱ ȱ

ȱ
P6ȱuninstallȱusingȱSpaceȱStation’sȱRemoteȱManipulatorȱSystemȱ(roboticȱarm)ȱ

OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
STATION RELOCATION ACTIVITIES 39
 ȱ
ȱ

ȱ
P6ȱhandoffȱfromȱtheȱSpaceȱStationȱRemoteȱManipulatorȱSystemȱ(SSRMS)ȱȱ
toȱShuttleȱRemoteȱManipulatorȱSystemȱ(SRMS)ȱandȱSSRMSȱungrappleȱ

ȱ
ShuttleȱRemoteȱManipulatorȱSystemȱ(SRMS)ȱhandoffȱofȱP6ȱȱ
toȱtheȱSSRMSȱatȱWorksiteȱ8ȱ

40
ȱ
STATION RELOCATION ACTIVITIES OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ

ȱ
TheȱstationȱcrewȱmaneuversȱP6ȱtoȱtheȱpreȬinstallȱposition.ȱ

ȱ
TheȱcrewȱdrivesȱtheȱmanualȱcaptureȱlatchȱandȱboltȱmechanismsȱtoȱinstallȱP6ȱontoȱP5.ȱ

OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
STATION RELOCATION ACTIVITIES 41
 ȱ
ȱ
PRESSURIZED MATING ADAPTER-2
(PMA-2) RELOCATION
Theȱ BoeingȬbuiltȱ Pressurizedȱ Matingȱ Adaptersȱ
(PMA)ȱ permitȱ pressurizedȱ spacecraftȱ toȱ dockȱ
withȱ oneȬanotherȱ despiteȱ differencesȱ inȱ theȱ
diametersȱofȱtheȱspacecraftȱadapters.ȱȱTheyȱalsoȱ
provideȱ passagewaysȱ forȱ crew,ȱ equipmentȱ andȱ
supplies.ȱ
TheȱInternationalȱSpaceȱStationȱusesȱthreeȱPresȬ
surizedȱ Matingȱ Adaptersȱ (PMAs).ȱ ȱ PMAsȱ oneȱ
andȱtwoȱwereȱlaunchedȱwithȱtheȱUnityȱmoduleȱ
aboardȱ STSȬ88ȱ onȱ Dec.ȱ 4,ȱ 1998.ȱ ȱ Theȱ thirdȱ
launchedȱ aboardȱ STSȬ92ȱ onȱ Oct.ȱ 11,ȱ 2000,ȱ andȱ
installedȱonȱtheȱUnityȱNadirȱportȱinȱpreparationȱ
ofȱ Destinyȱ laboratoryȱ installation.ȱ ȱ PMAȬ2ȱ wasȱ
temporarilyȱrelocatedȱoffȱofȱNodeȱ1ȱtoȱZenithȬ1ȱ
(ZȬ1)ȱ Manualȱ Berthingȱ Mechanismȱ untilȱ DesȬ
tinyȱ installationȱ wasȱ completedȱ onȱ STSȬ98ȱ onȱ
Feb.ȱ 7,ȱ 2001.ȱ ȱ Followingȱ installationȱ ofȱ Destinyȱ
ontoȱ Unity,ȱ PMAȬ2ȱ wasȱ relocatedȱ fromȱ ZȬ1ȱ
Manualȱ Berthingȱ Mechanismȱ toȱ Destiny’sȱ forȬ
wardȱendcone,ȱwhereȱitȱhasȱremainedȱuntilȱtheȱ
STSȬ120ȱmission.ȱ

Harmony (Node 2) Unity (Node 1)

Destiny (US Lab)

PMA 2
ȱ
PicturedȱaboveȱisȱtheȱHarmonyȱ(Nodeȱ2)ȱmoduleȱinstalledȱonȱtheȱUnityȱ(Nodeȱ1)ȱportȱCommonȱ
BerthingȱMechanism.ȱȱTheȱBoeingȬbuiltȱPressurizedȱMatingȱAdapterȬ2ȱisȱshownȱatȱtheȱbottomȱofȱȱ
theȱU.S.ȱDestinyȱlaboratoryȱbeforeȱrelocationȱontoȱHarmony,ȱscheduledȱafterȱtheȱshuttleȱundocks.

42
ȱ
STATION RELOCATION ACTIVITIES OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ
formedȱbyȱtheseȱdevicesȱthatȱpullȱtogether,ȱlockȱ
P6 Specifications
andȱsealȱȬȬȱaȱdifferentȱmethodȱthanȱtheȱȈbumpȬ
Dimensions: Width: 8 ft. toȬtripȱ latch,ȱ thenȱ sealȈȱ procedureȱ thatȱ mostȱ
Length: 5 ft. spacecraftȱuseȱtoȱdock.ȱ

Weight: 2,504 lbs. Duringȱ STSȬ120,ȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ Discoveryȱ willȱ

dockȱtoȱPMAȬ2.ȱȱWhenȱaȱshuttleȱdocksȱwithȱtheȱ
Launched: STS-88
station,ȱ itsȱ finalȱ approachȱisȱatȱ aȱrelativeȱ velocȬ
12/04/1998
ityȱofȱoneȬtenthȱofȱaȱfootȱperȱsecondȱasȱitȱmakesȱ
Cost: $219,254,000 contactȱ withȱ PMAȬ2.ȱ ȱ Asȱ theȱ latchesȱ automatiȬ
callyȱ attachȱ theȱ twoȱ spacecraftȱ togetherȱ andȱ
ȱ ȱ
PMAȬ1ȱ hasȱ computersȱ mountedȱ externallyȱ forȱ onceȱ relativeȱ motionȱ betweenȱ theȱ spacecraftȱ
useȱ inȱ commandȱ andȱ controlȱofȱUnity.ȱȱPMAȬ2ȱ stops,ȱ aȱ shuttleȱ astronautȱ retractsȱ theȱ dockingȱ
andȱ PMAȬ3ȱ areȱ interchangeableȱ withȱ eachȱ ringȱonȱtheȱshuttleȇsȱmechanism,ȱclosingȱlatchesȱ
other.ȱ ȱ Becauseȱ PMAsȱ areȱ pressurizedȱ andȱ toȱfirmlyȱsecureȱtheȱshuttleȱtoȱtheȱstation.ȱ
heated,ȱ theyȱ alsoȱ serveȱ asȱ short,ȱ tunnelȬlikeȱ
Onȱ Aug.ȱ 30,ȱ 2007,ȱ PMAȬ3ȱ wasȱ movedȱ toȱ theȱ
bridgesȱthatȱcrewsȱcanȱuseȱtoȱgoȱfromȱoneȱpartȱ
nadirȱhatchȱofȱUnityȱ(Nodeȱ1)ȱtoȱmakeȱroomȱforȱ
ofȱtheȱstationȱtoȱanother,ȱasȱwellȱasȱbetweenȱtheȱ
theȱ temporaryȱ berthingȱ ofȱ Harmony.ȱ ȱ Duringȱ
stationȱ andȱ spacecraftȱ thatȱ areȱ dockedȱ there.ȱȱ
flightȱ dayȱ 4ȱ ofȱ Flightȱ 10A,ȱ theȱ spaceȱ stationȱ
PMAsȱ alsoȱ includeȱ mechanicalȱ interfaces,ȱ
roboticȱarmȱwillȱmoveȱHarmonyȱfromȱtheȱshutȬ
spacewalkȱ hardwareȱ andȱ thermalȱ controlȱ
tleȱcargoȱbayȱtoȱaȱtemporaryȱlocationȱatȱtheȱportȱ
equipment,ȱ electricalȱ powerȱ subsystemȱ andȱ
hatchȱofȱUnity.ȱ
commandȱ andȱ dataȱ handlingȱ passthroughs.ȱȱ
PMAȬ2ȱ alsoȱ passesȱ highȱ pressureȱ oxygenȱ andȱ
nitrogenȱfromȱtheȱorbiterȱtoȱtheȱstation.ȱ

Allȱ threeȱ PMAsȱ performȱ theȱ sameȱ basicȱ funcȬ

tionȱofȱconnectingȱaȱCommonȱBerthingȱMechaȬ
nismȱ (CBM)ȱ portȱ ofȱ aȱ stationȱ moduleȱ toȱ theȱ
Androgynousȱ Peripheralȱ Attachȱ Systemȱ
(APAS)ȱ dockingȱ portȱ ofȱ anotherȱ moduleȱ orȱ
visitingȱspacecraft.ȱȱPMAsȱ1,ȱ2,ȱ&ȱ3ȱeachȱhaveȱaȱ
passiveȱ CBMȱ port.ȱ ȱ Ofȱ theȱ 3ȱ PMAs,ȱ PMAȬ1ȱ isȱ
theȱ onlyȱ oneȱ withȱ anȱ activeȱ APASȱ andȱ itȱ wasȱ
operatedȱonlyȱoneȱtimeȱonȱSTSȬ88ȱinȱmatingȱtheȱ
FunctionalȱCargoȱBlockȱ(FGB)ȱtoȱPMAȬ1.ȱȱPMAsȱ
2ȱ&ȱ3ȱeachȱhaveȱaȱpassiveȱAPASȱport.ȱȱTheȱCBMȱ
isȱ onȱ theȱ bigȱ endȱ ofȱ theȱ PMAȱ andȱ theȱ APASȱ isȱ
ȱ
onȱtheȱsmallȱend.ȱȱTheȱCBMȱisȱusedȱtoȱconnectȱ
PMAȬ2ȱisȱshownȱattachedȱtoȱtheȱȱ
stationȱ hardwareȱ elementsȱ whileȱ theȱ APASȱ isȱ
U.S.ȱDestinyȱlaboratory
usedȱ forȱ dockingȱ spacecraft.ȱ ȱ Airtightȱ sealsȱ areȱ

OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
MISSION PROFILE 43
 ȱ
ȱ
Atȱ shuttleȱ undockȱ plusȱ 2,ȱ theȱ station’sȱ roboticȱ
armȱwillȱunberthȱPMAȬ2ȱfromȱtheȱU.S.ȱDestinyȱ
laboratoryȱandȱplaceȱitȱonȱtheȱforwardȱhatchȱofȱ
Harmony.ȱ ȱ ȱ Atȱ shuttleȱ undockȱ plusȱ 4,ȱ theȱ staȬ
tionȱ armȱ thenȱ willȱ moveȱ theȱ integratedȱ stackȱ
(PMAȬ2ȱ andȱ NodeȬ2)ȱ toȱ itsȱ finalȱ locationȱ —ȱ
Destiny’sȱ forwardȱ endcone.ȱ ȱ Theȱ combinedȱ
operationȱtoȱrelocateȱPMAȬ2ȱtoȱitsȱfinalȱpositionȱ
onȱHarmonyȱisȱexpectedȱtoȱtakeȱ10ȱtoȱ12ȱhoursȱ
withȱ theȱ actualȱ roboticȱ operationȱ estimatedȱ toȱ
takeȱaboutȱtwoȱhours.ȱ
Pressurizedȱ Matingȱ Adaptersȱ areȱ Boeingȱ prodȬ
ucts,ȱbuiltȱinȱHuntingtonȱBeach,ȱCalif.ȱȱTheȱtightȱ
sealȱ thatȱ permitsȱ shirtȬsleevedȱ transitȱ betweenȱ
RelocationȱofȱPMAȬ2
44
ȱ
STATION RELOCATION ACTIVITIES
stationȱ elementsȱ andȱ spacecraftȱ isȱ providedȱ inȱ
partȱbyȱCommonȱBerthingȱMechanismȱtechnolȬ
ogy.ȱ
Onȱtheȱdayȱofȱshuttleȱundock,ȱHarmonyȱwillȱbeȱ
ingressedȱ forȱ theȱ Centerlineȱ Berthingȱ Cameraȱ
Systemȱ (CBCS)ȱ installation.ȱ ȱ Theȱ CBCSȱ isȱ
neededȱ toȱ berthȱ theȱ PMAȬ2ȱ toȱ Harmony.ȱ ȱ ȱ Theȱ
labȬPMAȬ2ȱ umbilicalsȱ areȱ disconnectedȱ duringȱ
STSȬ120ȇsȱ fifthȱ spacewalk.ȱȱPMAȬ2ȱ willȱ beȱreloȬ
catedȱ twoȱ daysȱ afterȱ shuttleȱ undocking.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
labȬPMAȬ2ȱ umbilicalsȱ willȱ beȱ reconnectedȱ durȬ
ingȱ Expeditionȱ 16/10Aȱ Stageȱ spacewalksȱ
plannedȱ forȱ Nov.ȱ 14ȱ (USOSȱ EVAȱ 10)ȱ andȱ
Nov.ȱ18ȱ(USOSȱEVAȱ11).ȱ
ȱ
OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ

ȱ
ShownȱhereȱisȱaȱdrawingȱofȱPMAȬ2.ȱȱTheȱoutsideȱdiameterȱofȱtheȱACBMȱandȱPCBMȱdiameterȱȱ
isȱapproximatelyȱ80ȱinches.ȱȱTheȱISSȱCommonȱhatchȱopeningȱisȱapproxȱ48ȱinchesȱxȱ48ȱinches.ȱȱ
TheȱAPASȱoutsideȱdiameterȱisȱapproximatelyȱ56ȱinches.ȱȱAPASȱhatchȱopeningȱȱ
isȱapproximatelyȱ31.5ȱinches.ȱ

OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
MISSION PROFILE 45
 ȱ
ȱ

ȱ
RelocationȱofȱHarmonyȱ(Nodeȱ2)ȱ
ShownȱhereȱareȱtheȱstepsȱtoȱrelocateȱtheȱHarmonyȱ(Nodeȱ2)ȱmoduleȱtoȱitsȱfinalȱpositionȱȱ
atȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱDestinyȱlab.ȱȱPMAȬ2ȱisȱshownȱhereȱatȱtheȱendȱofȱHarmony.ȱȱThisȱȱ
relocationȱwillȱbeȱdoneȱapproximatelyȱfourȱdaysȱafterȱtheȱspaceȱshuttleȱundocks.ȱ

46
ȱ
STATION RELOCATION ACTIVITIES OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ

RENDEZVOUS AND DOCKING

ȱ

ȱ
DuringȱSTSȬ118,ȱtheȱSpaceȱShuttleȱEndeavourȱflewȱintoȱpositionȱforȱaȱphotoȱsurveyȱbyȱ
crewmembersȱaboardȱtheȱInternationalȱSpaceȱStation.ȱȱAȱRussianȱspacecraft,ȱdockedȱȱ
toȱtheȱstation,ȱcanȱbeȱseenȱinȱtheȱrightȱforeground.ȱ
ȱ
Theȱ shuttleȱ launchȱ isȱ timedȱ preciselyȱ toȱ placeȱ Asȱ Discoveryȱ movesȱ closerȱ toȱ theȱ station,ȱ theȱ
theȱ orbiterȱ onȱ theȱ correctȱ trajectoryȱ andȱ courseȱ shuttle’sȱ rendezvousȱ radarȱ systemȱ andȱ
forȱ itsȱ twoȬdayȱ chaseȱ ofȱ theȱ station.ȱ ȱ Periodicȱ trajectoryȱcontrolȱsensorȱwillȱtrackȱtheȱcomplexȱ
engineȱfiringsȱwillȱgraduallyȱbringȱDiscoveryȱtoȱ andȱ provideȱ rangeȱ andȱ closingȱ rateȱ dataȱ toȱ theȱ
aboutȱ50,000ȱfeetȱbehindȱtheȱstationȱ—ȱtheȱstartȬ crew.ȱ ȱ Duringȱ theȱ finalȱ approach,ȱ Discoveryȱ
ingȱpointȱforȱaȱfinalȱapproach.ȱ willȱexecuteȱseveralȱsmallȱmidȬcourseȱcorrectionȱ
burnsȱthatȱwillȱplaceȱtheȱshuttleȱaboutȱ1,000ȱfeetȱ
Aboutȱ 2.5ȱ hoursȱ beforeȱ docking,ȱ Discovery’sȱ directlyȱ belowȱ theȱ station.ȱ ȱ STSȬ120ȱ
jetsȱ willȱbeȱfiredȱ duringȱwhatȱisȱ calledȱtheȱTerȬ Commanderȱ Pamȱ Melroyȱ thenȱ willȱ manuallyȱ
minalȱInitiationȱburnȱtoȱbeginȱtheȱfinalȱphaseȱofȱ controlȱ theȱ shuttleȱ forȱ theȱ remainderȱ ofȱ theȱ
theȱ rendezvous.ȱ ȱ Discoveryȱ willȱ closeȱ theȱ finalȱ approachȱandȱdocking.ȱ
milesȱtoȱtheȱstationȱduringȱtheȱnextȱorbit.ȱ

OCTOBER 2007
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RENDEZVOUS & DOCKING 47
 ȱ
ȱ
digitalȱ cameras.ȱ ȱ Theȱ imageryȱ isȱ oneȱ ofȱ severalȱ
inspectionȱtechniquesȱtoȱdetermineȱtheȱhealthȱofȱ
theȱshuttle’sȱthermalȱprotectionȱsystem,ȱincludȬ
ingȱtheȱtilesȱandȱreinforcedȱcarbonȬcarbonȱwingȱ
leadingȱedgesȱandȱnoseȱcap.ȱ

TheȱphotosȱwillȱbeȱdownlinkedȱthroughȱtheȱstaȬ
tion’sȱ KuȬbandȱ communicationsȱ systemȱ forȱ
analysisȱ byȱ systemsȱ engineersȱ andȱ missionȱ
managers.ȱ

ȱ loadȱbayȱwillȱbeȱfacingȱtheȱstation.ȱ
ISSȱcrewȱmembersȱwillȱphotographȱDiscoveryȱ
duringȱtheȱRendezvousȱPitchȱManeuver.ȱ
Melroyȱwillȱstopȱtheȱapproachȱ600ȱfeetȱbeneathȱ
theȱ stationȱ toȱ ensureȱ properȱ lightingȱ forȱ
imageryȱ priorȱ toȱ initiatingȱ theȱ standardȱ
RendezvousȱPitchȱManeuverȱ(RPM),ȱorȱbackflip.ȱ
Melroyȱ willȱ maneuverȱ Discoveryȱ throughȱ aȱ
9Ȭminute,ȱ 360Ȭdegreeȱ backflipȱ thatȱ allowsȱ theȱ
stationȱcrewȱtoȱtakeȱasȱmanyȱasȱ300ȱdigitalȱpicȬ
turesȱofȱtheȱshuttle’sȱheatȱshield.ȱ
Onȱ verbalȱ cueȱ fromȱPilotȱGeorgeȱ Zamkaȱ toȱ theȱ
stationȱ crew,ȱ Melroyȱ willȱ commandȱ Discoveryȱ
toȱ beginȱ aȱ noseȬforward,ȱ threeȬquarterȱ ofȱ aȱ
degreeȱperȱsecondȱrotationalȱbackflip.ȱ
WhenȱDiscoveryȱcompletesȱitsȱrotation,ȱitsȱpayȬ
Melroyȱthenȱwillȱ moveȱ Discoveryȱtoȱaȱpositionȱ
aboutȱ400ȱfeetȱdirectlyȱinȱfrontȱofȱtheȱstationȱinȱ
preparationȱforȱtheȱfinalȱapproachȱtoȱdockingȱtoȱ
theȱDestinyȱdockingȱport.ȱ
Theȱ shuttle’sȱ crewȱ membersȱ operateȱ laptopȱ
computersȱprocessingȱtheȱnavigationalȱdata,ȱtheȱ
laserȱ rangeȱ systemsȱ andȱ Discovery’sȱ dockingȱ
mechanism.ȱ
Usingȱ aȱ viewȱ fromȱ aȱ cameraȱ mountedȱ inȱ theȱ
centerȱ ofȱ theȱ Orbiterȱ Dockingȱ System,ȱ Melroyȱ
willȱpreciselyȱmatchȱupȱtheȱdockingȱportsȱofȱtheȱ
twoȱspacecraft.ȱȱIfȱnecessary,ȱsheȱwillȱtemporarȬ
ilyȱ pauseȱ 30ȱ feetȱ fromȱ theȱ stationȱ toȱ ensureȱ
properȱalignmentȱofȱtheȱdockingȱmechanisms.ȱ

Bothȱ400ȱandȱ800ȱmmȱdigitalȱcameraȱlensesȱwillȱ
beȱ usedȱ toȱ photographȱ Discoveryȱ byȱ stationȱ
crewȱ members.ȱ ȱ Theȱ 400ȱ mmȱ lensȱ providesȱ upȱ
toȱ 3Ȭinchȱ resolutionȱ andȱ theȱ 800ȱ mmȱ lensȱ canȱ
provideȱ upȱ toȱ 1Ȭinchȱ resolution.ȱ ȱ Theȱ imageryȱ
includesȱ theȱ upperȱ surfacesȱ ofȱ theȱ shuttleȱ asȱ
wellȱ asȱ Discovery’sȱ underside,ȱ capturingȱ picȬ
turesȱ ofȱ theȱ noseȱ landingȱ gearȱ doorȱ seals,ȱ theȱ
mainȱ landingȱ gearȱ doorȱ sealsȱ andȱ theȱ elevonȱ
cove.ȱ
ȱ
Theȱphotosȱwillȱbeȱtakenȱoutȱofȱwindowsȱinȱtheȱ TheȱISS,ȱasȱviewedȱbyȱSpaceȱShuttleȱ
Zvezdaȱ Serviceȱ Moduleȱ usingȱ Kodakȱ DCSȱ 760ȱ Endeavour’sȱSTSȬ118ȱastronauts.ȱ

48
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 ȱ
ȱ
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 ground-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 post Ti trajectory in
preparation for the final, manual proximity
operations phase.ȱ
ȱ andȱmissionȱtimelineȱactivitiesȱpermit.ȱ
OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
RENDEZVOUS & DOCKING
Forȱ Discovery’sȱ docking,ȱ Melroyȱ willȱ maintainȱ
theȱ shuttleȇsȱ speedȱ relativeȱ toȱ theȱ stationȱ atȱ
aboutȱoneȬtenthȱofȱaȱfootȱperȱsecondȱ(whileȱbothȱ
Discoveryȱandȱtheȱstationȱareȱtravelingȱatȱaboutȱ
17,500ȱmph),ȱandȱkeepȱtheȱdockingȱmechanismsȱ
alignedȱ toȱ withinȱ aȱ toleranceȱ ofȱ threeȱ inches.ȱȱ
Whenȱ Discoveryȱ makesȱ contactȱ withȱ theȱ
station,ȱ preliminaryȱ latchesȱ willȱ automaticallyȱ
attachȱ theȱ twoȱ spacecraft.ȱ ȱ Immediatelyȱ afterȱ
Discoveryȱ docks,ȱ theȱ shuttleȇsȱ steeringȱ jetsȱ willȱ
beȱdeactivatedȱtoȱreduceȱtheȱforcesȱactingȱatȱtheȱ
dockingȱ interface.ȱ ȱ Shockȱ absorberȱ springsȱ inȱ
theȱ dockingȱ mechanismȱ willȱ dampenȱ anyȱ
relativeȱ motionȱ betweenȱ theȱ shuttleȱ andȱ theȱ
station.ȱ
Onceȱ theȱ motionȱ betweenȱ theȱ spacecraftȱ hasȱ
beenȱstopped,ȱtheȱdockingȱringȱwillȱbeȱretractedȱ
toȱ closeȱ aȱ finalȱ setȱ ofȱ latchesȱ betweenȱ theȱ twoȱ
vehicles.ȱ
UNDOCKING, SEPARATION AND
DEPARTURE
Atȱ undockingȱ time,ȱ theȱ hooksȱ andȱ latchesȱ willȱ
beȱ opened,ȱ andȱ springsȱ willȱ pushȱ theȱ shuttleȱ
awayȱfromȱtheȱstation.ȱȱDiscovery’sȱsteeringȱjetsȱ
willȱbeȱshutȱoffȱtoȱavoidȱanyȱinadvertentȱfiringsȱ
duringȱtheȱinitialȱseparation.ȱ
Onceȱ Discoveryȱ isȱ aboutȱ twoȱ feetȱfromȱtheȱstaȬ
tionȱ andȱ theȱ dockingȱ devicesȱ areȱ clearȱ ofȱ oneȱ
another,ȱZamkaȱwillȱ turnȱ theȱsteeringȱ jetsȱ backȱ
onȱandȱwillȱmanuallyȱcontrolȱDiscoveryȱwithinȱ
aȱtightȱcorridorȱasȱtheȱshuttleȱseparatesȱfromȱtheȱ
station.ȱ
Discoveryȱ willȱ moveȱ toȱ aȱ distanceȱ ofȱ aboutȱ
450ȱfeet,ȱwhereȱZamkaȱwillȱbeginȱtoȱflyȱaroundȱ
theȱ stationȱ inȱ itsȱ newȱ configuration.ȱ ȱ Thisȱ maȬ
neuverȱ willȱ occurȱ onlyȱ ifȱ propellantȱ marginsȱ
49
 ȱ
ȱ
Onceȱ Discoveryȱ completesȱ 1.5ȱ revolutionsȱ ofȱ
theȱcomplex,ȱZamkaȱwillȱfireȱDiscovery’sȱjetsȱtoȱ
leaveȱ theȱ area.ȱ ȱ Theȱ shuttleȱ willȱ moveȱ aboutȱ
46ȱmilesȱ fromȱ theȱ stationȱ andȱ remainȱ thereȱ
whileȱgroundȱteamsȱanalyzeȱdataȱfromȱtheȱlateȱ
inspectionȱ ofȱ theȱ shuttleȇsȱ heatȱ shield.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
distanceȱisȱcloseȱenoughȱtoȱallowȱtheȱshuttleȱtoȱ
returnȱ toȱ theȱ stationȱ inȱ theȱ unlikelyȱ eventȱ thatȱ
theȱ heatȱ shieldȱ isȱ damaged,ȱ preventingȱ theȱ
shuttleȇsȱreȬentry.ȱ

ȱ
BackdroppedȱbyȱEarthȇsȱhorizonȱandȱtheȱblacknessȱofȱspace,ȱtheȱȱ
InternationalȱSpaceȱStationȱappearsȱtoȱbeȱveryȱsmallȱasȱtheȱSpaceȱȱ
ShuttleȱEndeavourȱdepartsȱfromȱtheȱstationȱduringȱSTSȬ118.ȱ

50
ȱ
RENDEZVOUS & DOCKING OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ

SPACEWALKS
ȱ
Theȱ primaryȱ objectivesȱ forȱ STSȬ120’sȱ spaceȬ
walksȱ areȱ toȱ temporarilyȱ installȱ theȱ Nodeȱ 2ȱ
module,ȱ alsoȱ knownȱ asȱ Harmony,ȱ andȱ relocateȱ
theȱstationȇsȱP6ȱtrussȱandȱsolarȱarrays.ȱȱTheȱfirstȱ
threeȱ spacewalks,ȱ knownȱ asȱ extravehicularȱ
activitiesȱorȱEVAs,ȱwillȱfocusȱonȱtheseȱactivities.ȱȱ
Theȱ fourthȱ spacewalk,ȱ recentlyȱ addedȱ toȱ theȱ
mission,ȱ involvesȱ aȱ demonstrationȱ ofȱ spaceȱ
shuttleȱ thermalȱ protectionȱ systemȱ repairȱ techȬ
niques.ȱȱTheȱfifthȱandȱfinalȱspacewalkȱpreparesȱ
forȱtheȱrelocationȱofȱHarmonyȱandȱtheȱPressurȬ
izedȱMatingȱAdapterȬ2,ȱscheduledȱtoȱoccurȱjustȱ
afterȱtheȱshuttleȱmission.ȱ
Theȱspacewalksȱareȱplannedȱonȱflightȱdaysȱ4,ȱ6,ȱ
8,ȱ10ȱandȱ11.ȱȱFiveȱspacewalksȱisȱtheȱmostȱconȬ
ductedȱ duringȱ aȱ shuttleȱ missionȱ toȱ theȱ spaceȱ
station.ȱ ȱ STSȬ120ȱ alsoȱ isȱ theȱ firstȱ missionȱ withȱ
fiveȱdifferentȱspacewalkers.ȱ

ȱ
ScottȱParazynskiȱandȱDougȱWheelockȱwillȱperformȱtheȱfirst,ȱthirdȱandȱfourthȱspacewalks.ȱ

OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
SPACEWALKS 51
 ȱ
ȱ
Veteranȱ astronautȱ Scottȱ Parazynskiȱ isȱ theȱ leadȱ
spacewalkerȱ andȱ willȱ conductȱ theȱ firstȱ fourȱ
excursions.ȱ ȱ Heȱ willȱ beȱ joinedȱ byȱ firstȱ timeȱ
spacewalkerȱ Dougȱ Wheelockȱ onȱ theȱ first,ȱ thirdȱ
andȱ fourthȱ spacewalks.ȱ ȱ Expeditionȱ 16ȱ Flightȱ
Engineerȱ Danielȱ Taniȱ willȱ conductȱ theȱ secondȱ
spacewalkȱ withȱ Parazynski.ȱ ȱ Expeditionȱ 16ȱ
CommanderȱPeggyȱWhitsonȱandȱExpeditionȱ16ȱ
FlightȱEngineerȱYuriȱMalenchenkoȱwillȱconductȱ
theȱfifthȱspacewalk.ȱ
Missionȱ Specialistȱ Paoloȱ Nespoliȱ willȱ beȱ theȱ
intravehicularȱleadȱforȱtheȱfirstȱfourȱspacewalks,ȱ
assistingȱtheȱspacewalkersȱwithȱtheirȱtasksȱfromȱ
insideȱ theȱ spacecraft.ȱ ȱ Taniȱ willȱ beȱ theȱ intraveȬ
hicularȱleadȱforȱtheȱfifthȱspacewalk.ȱ
Wilson,ȱ Wheelockȱ andȱ Andersonȱ willȱ operateȱ
theȱspaceȱstation’sȱroboticȱarmȱforȱtheȱHarmonyȱ
installation,ȱ P6ȱ relocationȱ andȱ variousȱ
spacewalkingȱtasks.ȱȱZamkaȱwillȱjoinȱWilsonȱinȱ
roboticȱ armȱ operationsȱ toȱ useȱ theȱ shuttleȱ armȱ
forȱtasksȱduringȱtheȱthirdȱspacewalk.ȱ

ȱ
ParazynskiȱandȱDanielȱTaniȱwillȱconductȱtheȱsecondȱspacewalk.ȱ

52
ȱ
SPACEWALKS OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ
Theȱ spacewalkersȱ willȱ beȱ identifiableȱ byȱ variȬ
ousȱmarkingsȱonȱtheirȱspacesuits.ȱȱParazynski’sȱ
suitȱ willȱ haveȱ solidȱ redȱ stripes.ȱ ȱ Wheelockȱ willȱ
wearȱ anȱ allȬwhiteȱ spacesuit.ȱ ȱ Tani’sȱ suitȱ willȱ
haveȱ brokenȱ redȱ stripes.ȱ ȱ Whitson’sȱ suitȱ willȱ
haveȱ aȱ redȱ stripeȱ andȱ aȱ candyȱ caneȱ stripe.ȱȱ
Malenchenkoȱ willȱ wearȱ aȱ suitȱ withȱ candyȱ caneȱ
stripes.ȱ
Theȱ spacewalksȱ willȱ startȱ fromȱ theȱ station’sȱ
Questȱairlock.ȱȱAsȱinȱrecentȱmissions,ȱtheȱastroȬ
nautsȱ willȱ prepareȱ forȱ theȱ EVAȱ byȱ usingȱ theȱ
“campout”ȱ prebreatheȱ protocol,ȱ spendingȱ theȱ
nightȱ beforeȱ theȱ spacewalkȱ inȱ theȱ airlock.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
prebreatheȱ exerciseȱ purgesȱ nitrogenȱ fromȱ theȱ
astronauts’ȱsystemsȱsoȱtheyȱavoidȱtheȱconditionȱ
knownȱasȱtheȱbends.ȱ
Duringȱ theȱ campout,ȱ theȱ spacewalkingȱ crewȱ
membersȱisolateȱthemselvesȱinȱtheȱairlock.ȱȱTheȱ
airlockȇsȱ airȱ pressureȱ isȱ loweredȱ toȱ 10.2ȱ psiȱ
whileȱtheȱstationȱisȱkeptȱatȱ14.7ȱpsi,ȱorȱnearȱseaȬ
levelȱpressure.ȱȱUponȱrising,ȱtheȱastronautsȱdonȱ
oxygenȱ masks,ȱ andȱ theȱ airlock’sȱ pressureȱ isȱ
raisedȱ againȱ toȱ 14.7ȱ psiȱ forȱ anȱ hour.ȱ ȱ Afterȱ
breakfast,ȱ theȱ pressureȱ isȱ loweredȱ backȱ toȱ
10.2ȱpsiȱforȱanȱadditionalȱhourȱasȱtheȱspacewalkȱ
suitsȱ areȱ donned.ȱȱAnȱ additionalȱ 30ȱminutesȱ inȱ
theȱsuitsȱcompletesȱtheȱprotocol.ȱȱAsȱaȱresult,ȱtheȱ
crewȱcanȱgetȱoutsideȱearlierȱtoȱperformȱtheȱday’sȱ
tasks.ȱ

ȱ
Expeditionȱ16ȱcrewȱmembersȱPeggyȱWhitsonȱandȱYuriȱMalenchenkoȱȱ
willȱperformȱtheȱfifthȱspacewalk.ȱ

OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
SPACEWALKS 53
 ȱ
ȱ
EVA-1
EV1:ȱȱParazynskiȱ
EV2:ȱȱWheelockȱ
IV:ȱȱNespoliȱ
Duration:ȱȱ6.5ȱhoursȱ
EVAȱOperations:ȱ
x Retrieveȱ theȱ SȬbandȱ Antennaȱ Structuralȱ
Assemblyȱ(SASA)ȱfromȱZ1ȱtrussȱ
x Prepareȱ Harmonyȱ forȱ removalȱ fromȱ
Discovery’sȱcargoȱbayȱ
x Installȱ theȱ Payloadȱ andȱ Dataȱ Grappleȱ
FixtureȱonȱHarmonyȱ
x Removeȱcontaminationȱcoversȱandȱcapsȱ
x Disconnectȱ powerȱ cablesȱ fromȱ
Discovery’sȱcargoȱbayȱ
x DisconnectȱP6/Z1ȱfluidȱumbilicalsȱ
Wilson,ȱ Taniȱ andȱ Andersonȱ willȱ positionȱ theȱ
station’sȱ roboticȱ armȱ outsideȱ theȱ Questȱ airlock.ȱȱ
Wheelockȱwillȱrideȱonȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱarmȱforȱtheȱ
SȬbandȱ Antennaȱ Structuralȱ Assemblyȱ removalȱ
andȱ toȱ carryȱ itȱ toȱ Discovery’sȱ payloadȱ bayȱ forȱ
returnȱ toȱ Earth.ȱ ȱ Parazynskiȱ willȱ “freeȱ float”ȱ
(notȱ attachedȱ toȱ aȱ footȱ restraint)ȱ toȱ completeȱ
thisȱtask.ȱ
Bothȱ crewȱ membersȱ willȱ workȱ inȱ Discovery’sȱ
payloadȱ bayȱ toȱ prepareȱ Harmonyȱ forȱ removal.ȱȱ
Theyȱ willȱ secureȱ aȱ Payloadȱ andȱ Dataȱ Grappleȱ
Fixtureȱ ontoȱ Harmonyȱ thatȱ couldȱ notȱ beȱ inȱ
placeȱ duringȱ launch,ȱ removeȱ contaminationȱ
coversȱandȱdisconnectȱtheȱpowerȱcablesȱlinkingȱ
HarmonyȱtoȱDiscovery.ȱ
Theȱ stationȱ roboticȱ armȱ operatorsȱ thenȱ willȱ
removeȱ Harmonyȱ fromȱ theȱ payloadȱ bayȱ andȱ
54
ȱ
SPACEWALKS
beginȱmovingȱitȱtowardȱitsȱpositionȱonȱNodeȱ1,ȱ
alsoȱknownȱasȱUnity.ȱ
Movingȱ onȱ toȱ prepareȱ P6ȱ forȱ itsȱ relocation,ȱ
Parazynskiȱ willȱdisconnectȱfourȱ ammoniaȱfluidȱ
umbilicalsȱ fromȱ P6ȱ andȱ mateȱ themȱ toȱ Z1.ȱȱ
Meanwhile,ȱWheelockȱwillȱprepareȱaȱshroudȱforȱ
theȱaftȱradiatorȱofȱP6.ȱȱBothȱcrewȱmembersȱwillȱ
workȱ togetherȱ toȱ installȱ thatȱ shroudȱ andȱ twoȱ
moreȱ onȱ electricalȱ boxes,ȱ calledȱ sequentialȱ
shuntȱ units,ȱ onȱ P6.ȱ ȱ Theȱ shroudsȱ willȱ keepȱ theȱ
hardwareȱwarmȱduringȱtheȱtruss’ȱrelocation.ȱ
EVA-2
EV1:ȱȱParazynskiȱ
EV3:ȱȱTaniȱ
IV:ȱȱNespoliȱ
Duration:ȱȱ6.5ȱhoursȱ
EVAȱOperations:ȱ
x DetachȱtheȱP6ȱtrussȱ
x Removeȱandȱreplaceȱaȱremoteȱpowerȱcontrolȱ
moduleȱ
x ExternallyȱoutfitȱHarmonyȱ
Beforeȱtheȱspacewalkȱbegins,ȱWilson,ȱWheelockȱ
andȱ Andersonȱ willȱ grappleȱ theȱ P6ȱ trussȱ withȱ
theȱstationȱroboticȱarm.ȱȱAtȱtheȱbeginningȱofȱtheȱ
spacewalk,ȱParazynskiȱandȱTaniȱwillȱdisconnectȱ
nineȱ cablesȱ fromȱ P6ȱ toȱ removeȱ itȱ fromȱ Z1.ȱȱ
Parazynksiȱ alsoȱ willȱ disconnectȱ groundingȱ
strapsȱandȱboltsȱthatȱholdȱP6ȱinȱplace.ȱ
TheȱroboticȱarmȱoperatorsȱthenȱwillȱremoveȱP6ȱ
andȱbeginȱitsȱrelocationȱprocess.ȱ
Taniȱ willȱ workȱ onȱ theȱ starboardȱ 1ȱ (S1)ȱ trussȱ toȱ
reconfigureȱ connectorsȱ thatȱ willȱ allowȱ theȱ
radiatorȱonȱS1ȱtoȱbeȱdeployedȱfromȱtheȱgroundȱ
later.ȱ ȱ Heȱ thenȱ willȱ workȱ insideȱ theȱ S0ȱ trussȱ toȱ
OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ
reȬrouteȱ electricalȱ linesȱ thatȱ willȱ leadȱ toȱ theȱ P6ȱ
trussȱ onceȱ itȱ isȱ reȬinstalledȱ outboardȱ onȱ theȱ
trussȱ structure.ȱ Taniȱ willȱ completeȱ theȱ
replacementȱofȱaȱremoteȱpowerȱcontrolȱmoduleȱ
thatȱisȱassociatedȱwithȱtheȱstation’sȱroboticȱarmȱ
andȱitsȱuseȱofȱaȱgrappleȱfixtureȱonȱHarmonyȱasȱ
anȱoperatingȱbase.ȱ
Parazynskiȱ willȱ workȱ onȱ externalȱ outfittingȱ ofȱ
Harmonyȱ byȱ installingȱ 11ȱ handrails,ȱ twoȱ gapȱ
spanners,ȱthreeȱworksiteȱinterfaces,ȱanȱelectricalȱ
connectorȱandȱfiveȱtrunionȱandȱkeelȱpinȱcovers.ȱȱ
Fourȱ pinsȱ willȱ beȱ removedȱ fromȱ theȱ radialȱ
berthingȱ mechanisms,ȱ andȱ launchȱ restraintsȱ
willȱ beȱ releasedȱ onȱ theȱ zenithȱ berthingȱ petalsȱ
andȱ 16ȱ capsȱ underȱ micrometeoroidȱ debrisȱ covȬ
ers.ȱȱTaniȱwillȱassistȱwithȱtheȱoutfittingȱonceȱhisȱ
tasksȱonȱtheȱtrussȱareȱcomplete.ȱ
Together,ȱ theȱ spacewalkersȱ alsoȱ willȱ affixȱ theȱ
powerȱ andȱ dataȱ grappleȱ fixtureȱ thatȱ wasȱ temȬ
porarilyȱputȱinȱplaceȱduringȱtheȱfirstȱspacewalk.ȱ
EVA-3
EV1:ȱȱParazynskiȱ
EV2:ȱȱWheelockȱ
Duration:ȱȱ7ȱhoursȱ
EVAȱOperations:ȱ
x InstallȱtheȱP6ȱtrussȱ
x Transferȱtheȱmainȱbusȱswitchingȱunitȱtoȱtheȱ
stationȱ
ParazynskiȱandȱWheelockȱwillȱworkȱatȱtheȱoutȬ
boardȱ endȱ ofȱ theȱ portȱ trussȱ toȱ assistȱ withȱ theȱ
roboticȱarmȱattachmentȱofȱP6ȱinȱitsȱnewȱlocationȱ
onȱP5.ȱȱP6ȱwillȱbeȱpositionedȱ130ȱcmȱawayȱandȱ
2ȱcmȱforwardȱofȱtheȱtruss.ȱȱTheȱspacewalkȱcrewȱ
willȱ provideȱ verbalȱ cuesȱ toȱ theȱ roboticȱ armȱ
operators,ȱ Tani,ȱ Wilsonȱ andȱ Anderson,ȱ duringȱ
theȱinstallation.ȱȱOnceȱP6ȱisȱinȱplace,ȱWheelockȱ
OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
SPACEWALKS
willȱcloseȱtheȱmechanicalȱcaptureȱclawȱtoȱsecureȱ
itȱ inȱ place.ȱ ȱ Theyȱ willȱ installȱ boltsȱ onȱ eachȱ corȬ
nerȱ forȱ permanentȱ attachmentȱ thenȱ releaseȱ theȱ
captureȱ latch.ȱ ȱ Theyȱ willȱ mateȱ fourȱ umbilicalsȱ
fromȱP5ȱtoȱP6ȱtoȱprovideȱpower.ȱ
Theȱspacewalkersȱthenȱwillȱmoveȱtoȱtheȱedgeȱofȱ
P6ȱ toȱ removeȱ theȱ thermalȱ shroudsȱ fromȱ theȱ
electronicȱ hardware,ȱ orȱ sequentialȱ shuntȱ units,ȱ
whichȱwereȱinstalledȱduringȱtheȱfirstȱspacewalkȱ
toȱprotectȱthem.ȱ
ParazynskiȱwillȱreleaseȱcinchesȱonȱaȱP6ȱradiatorȱ
toȱ allowȱ itsȱ deploymentȱ fromȱ theȱ groundȱ later.ȱȱ
HeȱthenȱwillȱmoveȱtoȱtheȱS1ȱtrussȱtoȱreconfigureȱ
theȱ electricalȱ connectorsȱ thatȱ allowedȱ theȱ
groundȱtoȱdeployȱtheȱS1ȱradiatorsȱbyȱthisȱpointȱ
inȱ theȱ mission.ȱ ȱ Parazynskiȱ thenȱ hasȱ timeȱ toȱ
completeȱvariousȱgetȬaheadȱtasksȱonȱtheȱoutsideȱ
ofȱtheȱstation.ȱ
Meanwhile,ȱ Wheelockȱ willȱ workȱ fromȱ theȱ endȱ
ofȱ theȱ shuttleȱ roboticȱ arm,ȱ operatedȱ byȱ Zamkaȱ
andȱ Wilson,ȱ toȱ installȱ theȱ mainȱ busȱ switchingȱ
unitȱspareȱhardware.ȱȱWheelockȱwillȱgetȱonȱtheȱ
armȱ nearȱ theȱ Destinyȱ lab,ȱ rideȱ itȱ downȱ toȱ
Discovery’sȱ cargoȱ bay,ȱ retrieveȱ theȱ spareȱ
hardwareȱandȱcarryȱitȱupȱtoȱanȱexternalȱstorageȱ
platform.ȱȱParazynskiȱwillȱassistȱwithȱboltingȱitȱ
inȱplaceȱonȱExternalȱStowageȱPlatformȬ2.ȱ
EVA-4
EV1:ȱȱParazynskiȱ
EV2:ȱȱWheelockȱ
IV:ȱȱNespoliȱ
Duration:ȱȱ4ȱhoursȱ
EVAȱOperations:ȱ
Tileȱ Repairȱ Ablatorȱ Dispenserȱ (TȬRAD)ȱ
DetailedȱTestȱObjectiveȱ(DTO)ȱ848ȱ
55
 ȱ
ȱ
TheȱprimaryȱpurposeȱofȱtheȱdetailedȱtestȱobjecȬ x Removeȱ Harmonyȇsȱ activeȱ commonȱ
tiveȱ isȱ toȱ evaluateȱ theȱ Shuttleȱ Tileȱ AblatorȬ54ȱ berthingȱmechanismȱcoverȱ
(STAȬ54)ȱ materialȱ andȱ aȱ tileȱ repairȱ ablatorȱ disȬ
x Reconfigureȱ S0ȱ truss/Unityȱ andȱ Zaryaȱ
penserȱ inȱ aȱmicrogravityȱ andȱ vacuumȱ environȬ
Module/Pressurizedȱ Matingȱ AdapterȬ1ȱ
mentȱ forȱ theirȱ useȱ asȱ aȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ thermalȱ
powerȱandȱjumperȱcablesȱ
protectionȱsystemȱrepairȱtechnique.ȱ
Forȱ theȱ primaryȱ objectiveȱ ofȱ thisȱ spacewalk,ȱ
Parazynskiȱ hasȱ beenȱ involvedȱ inȱ theȱ developȬ
Whitsonȱ andȱ Malenchenkoȱ willȱ workȱ atȱ theȱ
mentȱofȱspaceȱshuttleȱthermalȱprotectionȱsystemȱ
forwardȱendȱofȱtheȱDestinyȱlab.ȱȱTheyȱwillȱclearȱ
repairȱtechniquesȱandȱwillȱleadȱtheȱtestingȱdurȬ
theȱ areaȱ ofȱ cablesȱ andȱ obstructionsȱ inȱ preparaȬ
ingȱ theȱ spacewalk.ȱ ȱ Wheelockȱ willȱ assistȱ withȱ
tionȱforȱtheȱpermanentȱinstallationȱofȱHarmonyȱ
managingȱtheȱtoolsȱandȱsamplesȱduringȱtheȱtest.ȱ
andȱitsȱassociatedȱumbilicalȱtrays.ȱ
Theȱspacewalkersȱ willȱ setupȱforȱ theȱtestȱonȱ theȱ
Theyȱ willȱ demateȱ andȱ stowȱ theȱ Stationȱ toȱ
outsideȱofȱtheȱDestinyȱlab.ȱ
Shuttleȱ Powerȱ Transferȱ cablesȱ andȱ eightȱ cablesȱ
TheȱTileȱRepairȱAblatorȱDispenser,ȱorȱTȬRAD,ȱisȱ betweenȱtheȱPressurizedȱMatingȱAdapterȬ2ȱandȱ
similarȱtoȱaȱcaulkȬgun.ȱȱParazynskiȱwillȱuseȱtheȱ theȱDestinyȱlab.ȱ
TȬRADȱtoȱmixȱandȱextrudeȱtheȱSTAȬ54ȱmaterialȱ
intoȱ holesȱ inȱ severalȱ demonstrationȱ tiles.ȱ ȱ Theȱ Toȱmakeȱwayȱforȱumbilicalȱtrayȱinstallationȱforȱ
crewȱ membersȱ willȱ watchȱ forȱ swellingȱ ofȱ theȱ Harmony,ȱtheyȱwillȱdemateȱconnectorsȱonȱeachȱ
materialȱ andȱ workȱ itȱ inȱ untilȱ itȱ isȱ smoothȱ byȱ sideȱofȱtheȱlab,ȱandȱWhitsonȱwillȱremoveȱaȱlightȱ
tampingȱtheȱmaterialȱwithȱfoamȬtippedȱtools.ȱ andȱplaceȱitȱinȱtheȱairlock.ȱ

Theȱrepairedȱsamplesȱandȱ toolsȱ willȱ beȱstowedȱ Malenchenkoȱ thenȱ willȱ reconfigureȱ connectorsȱ

inȱ Discovery’sȱ cargoȱ bayȱ forȱ returnȱ toȱ Earth.ȱȱ onȱP1ȱthatȱwillȱ allowȱ theȱ outboardȱ radiatorsȱtoȱ
Theȱ samplesȱ willȱ undergoȱ extensiveȱ testingȱ onȱ beȱdeployedȱfromȱtheȱground.ȱ
theȱground.ȱ Theȱspacewalkersȱwillȱworkȱtogetherȱtoȱremoveȱ
EVA-5 theȱ activeȱ commonȱ berthingȱ mechanismȱ coverȱ
onȱ Harmonyȱ toȱ clearȱ itȱ forȱ attachmentȱ toȱ
EV4:ȱȱWhitsonȱ Destiny.ȱ ȱ Theyȱ willȱ removeȱ aȱ strapȱ aroundȱ theȱ
circumferenceȱofȱtheȱcover,ȱfoldȱitȱandȱtakeȱitȱtoȱ
EV5:ȱȱMalenchenkoȱ
theȱairlockȱforȱdisposal.ȱ
IV:ȱȱTaniȱ
Malenchenkoȱ willȱ workȱ behindȱ theȱ Z1ȱ truss,ȱ
Duration:ȱȱ6.5ȱhoursȱ nearȱtheȱRussianȱsegment,ȱtoȱremoveȱanȱelectriȬ
calȱ jumperȱ forȱ theȱ powerȱ reconfigurations.ȱȱ
EVAȱOperations:ȱ
Whitsonȱ willȱ configureȱ aȱ powerȱ cableȱ onȱ theȱ
x Prepareȱ forȱ Pressurizedȱ Matingȱ AdapterȬ2ȱ starboardȱ sideȱ ofȱ Z1.ȱ ȱ Sheȱ willȱ retrieveȱ hardȬ
relocationȱ ware,ȱcalledȱtheȱbaseȱbandȱsingleȱprocessor,ȱandȱ
bringȱ itȱ insideȱ forȱ laterȱ returnȱ andȱ upgradeȱ onȱ
x StowȱtheȱstationȱtoȱshuttleȱpowerȱtransȬ
theȱground.ȱ
ferȱ(SSPTS)ȱcableȱ
Theȱ spacewalkersȱ alsoȱ willȱ transferȱ toolsȱ
x Stowȱ theȱ Destinyȱ Lab/Pressurizedȱ MatȬ
neededȱforȱspacewalksȱafterȱtheȱshuttleȱleaves.ȱ
ingȱAdapterȬ2ȱcablesȱ

56
ȱ
SPACEWALKS OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ

EXPERIMENTS
ȱ
DETAILED TEST OBJECTIVES Theȱ TȬRADȱ isȱ comprisedȱ ofȱ aȱ single,ȱ carbonȱ
dioxideȬpressurizedȱ vesselȱ separatedȱ intoȱ twoȱ
Detailedȱ Testȱ Objectivesȱ (DTOs)ȱ areȱ aimedȱ atȱ mainȱ sections.ȱ ȱ Itsȱ mixing,ȱ deliveryȱ systemȱ
testing,ȱ evaluatingȱ orȱ documentingȱ spaceȱ consistsȱofȱaȱstaticȱmixer,ȱaȱ3Ȭfootȱlengthȱofȱhoseȱ
shuttleȱ systemsȱ orȱ hardware,ȱ orȱ proposedȱ andȱanȱapplicatorȱgunȱthatȱcontrolsȱtheȱflowȱofȱ
improvementsȱ toȱ theȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ orȱ spaceȱ theȱ extrudingȱ material.ȱ ȱ Theȱ assemblyȱ weighsȱ
stationȱhardware,ȱsystemsȱandȱoperations.ȱ 55ȱpoundsȱandȱisȱaboutȱtheȱsameȱsizeȱasȱaȱhandȬ
heldȱvacuum.ȱ
TheȱfollowingȱDTOsȱareȱplannedȱforȱSTSȬ120:ȱ
DTO 853 In-Flight Evaluation for Areas
DTO 848 TPS Repair Techniques
of CO 2 Concentration
(T-RAD/STA-54 Tile Repair Demo)
Theȱ purposeȱ ofȱ theȱ DTOȱ isȱ toȱ evaluateȱ carbonȱ
TheȱprimaryȱpurposeȱofȱtheȱDTOȱisȱtoȱevaluateȱ
dioxideȱ(CO2)ȱlevelsȱatȱspecificȱtimesȱduringȱtheȱ
Shuttleȱ Tileȱ AblatorȬ54ȱ (STAȬ54)ȱ materialȱ andȱ
missionȱ andȱ inȱ shuttleȱ areasȱ thatȱ haveȱ theȱ
theȱtileȱrepairȱablatorȱdispenserȱinȱaȱmicrogravȬ
potentialȱtoȱcontainȱelevatedȱlevels.ȱȱTheȱDTOȱisȱ
ityȱandȱvacuumȱenvironmentȱforȱuseȱasȱaȱspaceȱ
beingȱ carriedȱ outȱ overȱ fourȱ missions:ȱ ȱ STSȬ118,ȱ
shuttleȱ thermalȱ protectionȱ systemȱ repairȱ techȬ
STSȬ120,ȱ STSȬ122ȱ andȱ STSȬ123.ȱ ȱ Duringȱ theȱ
nique.ȱ
missions,ȱ theȱ dataȱ willȱ beȱ collectedȱ overȱ aȱ
TheȱTileȱRepairȱAblatorȱDispenser,ȱorȱTȬRAD,ȱisȱ periodȱofȱfiveȱdays,ȱduringȱsimilarȱtimeȱperiodsȱ
similarȱtoȱaȱcaulkȬgunȱandȱisȱdesignedȱtoȱfaciliȬ andȱinȱsimilarȱlocations.ȱ
tateȱ theȱ repairȱ ofȱ tilesȱ nearȱ theȱ orbiter’sȱ noseȱ
TheȱCO2ȱ levelsȱwillȱ beȱ recordedȱ usingȱtheȱCarȬ
landingȱ gearȱ door,ȱ itsȱ twoȱ mainȱ landingȱ gearȱ
bonȱ Dioxideȱ Monitorȱ (CDM)ȱ —ȱ aȱ portableȱ
doorsȱandȱtheȱexternalȱtankȱattachmentȱdoors.ȱ
handheldȱ deviceȱ designedȱ toȱ monitorȱ andȱ
Duringȱ theȱ test,ȱ anȱ ExtraȬVehicularȱ Activityȱ quantifyȱCO2ȱconcentrations.ȱ
(EVA)ȱcrewȱmemberȱwillȱuseȱTȬRADȱtoȱmixȱandȱ
Theȱ testȱ wasȱ promptedȱ byȱ theȱ STSȬ121ȱ andȱ
extrudeȱ STAȬ54ȱ materialȱ intoȱ holesȱ inȱ severalȱ
STSȬ115ȱmissionȱcrewsȱwhoȱreportedȱexperiencȬ
demonstrationȱ tiles.ȱ ȱ Theȱ crewȱ memberȱ willȱ
ingȱ stuffinessȱ andȱ headachesȱ whileȱ sleepingȱ inȱ
thenȱworkȱitȱinȱuntilȱitȱisȱsmoothȱbyȱtampingȱtheȱ
theȱmiddeckȱ area.ȱȱTheȱsymptomsȱareȱbelievedȱ
material.ȱ
toȱ mostȱ likelyȱ resultȱ fromȱ exposureȱ toȱ highȱ
STAȬ54ȱisȱaȱtwoȬpartȱsiliconeȬbasedȱablatorȱthatȱ levelsȱofȱCO2.ȱ
consistsȱofȱaȱbaseȱmaterialȱandȱaȱcatalyst.ȱȱOnceȱ
Forȱ theȱ reportedȱ timesȱ duringȱ STSȬ121ȱ andȱ
mixed,ȱ itȱ resemblesȱ theȱ consistencyȱ ofȱ cakeȬ
STSȬ115,ȱ theȱ CO2ȱ levelsȱ withinȱ theȱ crewȱ modȬ
frosting.ȱ ȱ However,ȱ theȱ materialȱ curesȱ toȱ theȱ
ule,ȱasȱindicatedȱbyȱtheȱvehicleȱinstrumentation,ȱ
textureȱofȱaȱpencilȱeraserȱwithinȱ24ȱtoȱ48ȱhours.ȱȱ
wereȱ withinȱ theȱ acceptableȱ range.ȱ ȱ AdditionȬ
Duringȱ reȬentry,ȱ theȱ STAȬ54ȱ dissipatesȱ heatȱ byȱ
ally,ȱforȱtheȱcourseȱofȱtheȱdockedȱphase,ȱtheȱCO2ȱ
charring,ȱthusȱprotectingȱtheȱshuttleȱtiles.ȱ
levelsȱinȱtheȱshuttleȱtrackedȱwellȱwithȱtheȱlevelsȱ

OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
EXPERIMENTS 57
 ȱ
ȱ
inȱ theȱ station.ȱ ȱ Theȱ stationȱ crewȱ didȱ notȱ reportȱ
anyȱsymptoms.ȱ
Dataȱ samplingȱ locationsȱ forȱ theȱ testȱ areȱ
dependentȱuponȱ crewȱ sleepȱ locationsȱ andȱ highȱ
activityȱlocationsȱbecauseȱtheȱpostȬsleepȱactivityȱ
periodȱ andȱ highȱ activityȱ periodsȱ areȱ theȱ timesȱ
whenȱCO2ȱsymptomsȱwereȱreportedȱbyȱtheȱtwoȱ
crews.ȱ
Duringȱ theȱ upcomingȱ fourȱ missions,ȱ theȱ crewsȱ
willȱplaceȱtheȱCDMȱinȱtheȱmiddeckȱbeforeȱtheyȱ
goȱtoȱsleepȱsoȱthatȱgroundȱcontrollersȱcanȱmoniȬ
torȱ CO2ȱ levelsȱ continuously.ȱ ȱ Theȱ informationȱ
willȱbeȱusedȱtoȱidentifyȱCO2ȱ“hotȱspots”ȱwithinȱ
theȱshuttle.ȱ
Asȱ aȱ result,ȱ engineeringȱ evaluationsȱ willȱ beȱ
madeȱ toȱ fineȬtuneȱ airȱ exchangeȱ analyses,ȱ toȱ
determineȱ ifȱ anyȱ configurationȱ changesȱ areȱ
necessaryȱtoȱoptimizeȱairflowȱandȱtoȱdetermineȱ
ifȱ operationalȱ improvementsȱ areȱ neededȱ orȱ ifȱ
crewȱ exposureȱ timeȱ inȱ identifiedȱ areasȱ shouldȱ
beȱlimited.ȱ
CDMȱ technologyȱ wasȱ successfullyȱ usedȱ toȱ
determineȱ theȱ existenceȱ ofȱ CO2ȱ pocketsȱ onȱ theȱ
spaceȱ station.ȱ ȱ Theȱ kitȱ thatȱ willȱ beȱ usedȱ onȱ theȱ
shuttleȱwillȱincludeȱtheȱCDM,ȱfiltersȱandȱseveralȱ
batteryȱ packs.ȱ ȱ Theȱ CDMȱ isȱ capableȱ ofȱ
monitoringȱ CO2ȱ inȱ aȱ localizedȱ areaȱ forȱ eitherȱ
longȱ orȱ shortȱ durationsȱ ofȱ time,ȱ dependingȱ onȱ
theȱoperatingȱmode.ȱ
DTO 805 Crosswind Landing
Performance (If opportunity)
TheȱpurposeȱofȱthisȱDTOȱisȱtoȱdemonstrateȱtheȱ
capabilityȱ toȱ performȱ aȱ manuallyȱ controlledȱ
landingȱ inȱ theȱ presenceȱ ofȱ aȱ crosswind.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
testingȱisȱdoneȱinȱtwoȱsteps.ȱ
1.ȱ PreȬlaunch:ȱ Ensureȱ planningȱ willȱ allowȱ
selectionȱ ofȱ aȱ runwayȱ withȱ Microwaveȱ
58
ȱ
EXPERIMENTS
Scanningȱ Beamȱ Landingȱ Systemȱ support,ȱ
whichȱ isȱ aȱ setȱ ofȱ dualȱ transmittersȱ locatedȱ
besideȱ theȱ runwayȱ providingȱ precisionȱ
navigationȱ vertically,ȱ horizontallyȱ andȱ lonȬ
gitudinallyȱ withȱ respectȱ toȱ theȱ runway.ȱȱ
Thisȱ precisionȱ navigationȱ subsystemȱ helpsȱ
provideȱaȱhigherȱprobabilityȱofȱaȱmoreȱpreȬ
ciseȱ landingȱ withȱ aȱ crosswindȱ ofȱ 10ȱ toȱ
15ȱknotsȱasȱlateȱinȱtheȱflightȱasȱpossible.ȱ
2.ȱ Entry:ȱȱThisȱtestȱrequiresȱthatȱtheȱcrewȱperȬ
formȱ aȱ manuallyȱ controlledȱ landingȱ inȱ theȱ
presenceȱ ofȱ aȱ 90Ȭdegreeȱ crosswindȱ compoȬ
nentȱofȱ10ȱtoȱ15ȱknotsȱsteadyȱstate.ȱ
Duringȱaȱcrosswindȱlanding,ȱtheȱdragȱchuteȱwillȱ
beȱ deployedȱ afterȱ noseȱ gearȱ touchdownȱ whenȱ
theȱ vehicleȱ isȱ stableȱ andȱ trackingȱ theȱ runwayȱ
centerline.ȱ
SDTO 17010-J/A, Multi-Protocol
Converter, for live HDTV downlink with
MPC and incorporation into HDTV
system
Theȱ purposeȱ ofȱ thisȱ Stationȱ Developmentȱ Testȱ
Objectiveȱ (SDTO)ȱ isȱ toȱ demonstrateȱ theȱ
capabilityȱofȱtheȱmultiȬprotocolȱconverterȱ(MPC)ȱ
beforeȱ theȱ installationȱ andȱ activationȱ ofȱ theȱ
Japaneseȱ Experimentȱ Module.ȱ Theȱ purposeȱ ofȱ
theȱJAXAȱsuppliedȱhardwareȱisȱtoȱprovideȱhighȬ
definitionȱ televisionȱ (HDTV)ȱ downlinkȱ toȱ theȱ
spaceȱ station,ȱ whileȱ simplifyingȱ theȱ processingȱ
ofȱ theȱ dataȱ system.ȱ ȱ Theȱ objectivesȱ includeȱ
demonstratingȱ theȱ MPCȱ system’sȱ abilityȱ toȱ
capture,ȱ process,ȱ andȱ downlinkȱ aȱ liveȱ digitalȱ
HDTVȱsignalȱfromȱtheȱstationȱtoȱtheȱgroundȱviaȱ
theȱ KuȬbandȱ systemȱ andȱ toȱ evaluateȱ theȱ longȬ
termȱ radiationȱ toleranceȱ ofȱ HDȱ digitalȱ videoȱ
camerasȱ andȱ ofȱ theȱ highȬspeed,ȱ highȬdensityȱ
electronicȱ componentsȱ andȱ circuitryȱ requiredȱ toȱ
processȱdigitalȱHDȱvideoȱimageryȱforȱdownlink.ȱȱ
Ifȱ timeȱ permits,ȱ theȱ crewȱ willȱ alsoȱ useȱ theȱ
OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ
JAXAȬprovidedȱ HDȱ camcorderȱ inȱ conjunctionȱ
withȱ theȱ Spaceȱ Videoȱ Gatewayȱ systemȱ toȱ
evaluateȱdownlinkȱcompressionȱmethods.ȱ
SDTO 13005-U ISS Structural Life and
Life Validation and Extension
Theȱ purposeȱ ofȱ thisȱ Stationȱ Developmentȱ Testȱ
Objectiveȱ (SDTO)ȱ isȱ toȱ guaranteeȱ safetyȱ ofȱ theȱ
stationȱ structureȱ andȱ crewȱ byȱ validatingȱ theȱ
onȬorbitȱmathȱmodelsȱthatȱwereȱcreatedȱforȱtheȱ
spaceȱstation.ȱȱTheȱtestȱwillȱbeȱusedȱtoȱvalidateȱ
criticalȱ interfaceȱ loadȱ andȱ toȱ helpȱ improveȱ
fatigueȱlifeȱpredictionȱonȱtheȱstation.ȱ
Duringȱ thisȱ mission,ȱ ifȱ crewȱ timeȱ isȱ available,ȱ
threeȱ testsȱ willȱ beȱ performed:ȱ ȱ oneȱ duringȱ theȱ
shuttleȬstationȱ matedȱ reboost,ȱ oneȱ duringȱ
undockingȱandȱoneȱduringȱS5ȱtrussȱinstallation.ȱȱ
Theȱ testsȱ willȱ provideȱ dynamicȱ loadsȱ
informationȱ forȱ engineersȱ toȱ useȱ inȱ creatingȱ
preciseȱ modelsȱ thatȱ canȱ beȱ usedȱ forȱ analysis.ȱȱ
OnȬorbitȱ dataȱ mayȱ aidȱ inȱ detectingȱ structuralȱ
anomalies,ȱ andȱ theȱ station’sȱ responseȱ toȱ actualȱ
loadingȱeventsȱaidsȱinȱpostȬflightȱreconstructionȱ
ofȱloadsȱthatȱhelpȱdetermineȱstructuralȱlifeȱusage.ȱ
Theȱ testȱ requiresȱ actualȱ orȱ educatedȱ estimatesȱ
ofȱ inputȱ (forcingȱ function)ȱ andȱ actualȱ outputȱ
(onȬorbitȱ sensorȱ measurements)ȱ ofȱ theȱ stationȱ
response.ȱȱMeasurementȱofȱtheȱforceȱinputȱ(i.e.,ȱ
thrusterȱ firingȱ sequences,ȱ videoȱ ofȱ crewȱ activȬ
ity,ȱ etc.)ȱ andȱ stationȱ responseȱ willȱ aidȱ reconȬ
structionȱ ofȱ stationȱ loadsȱ andȱ structuralȱ lifeȱ
usageȱoverȱtheȱlifeȱofȱtheȱstation,ȱthusȱallowingȱ
lifeȱextensionȱofȱtheȱstructure.ȱ
Allȱ ofȱ theȱ onȬorbitȱ dynamicȱ testsȱ wereȱ alsoȱ
performedȱonȱtheȱISSȬOrbiterȱmatedȱconfiguraȬ
tionȱmodels.ȱ
SDTO 15003-U ISS Microgravity
Theȱ purposeȱ ofȱ thisȱ Stationȱ Developmentȱ Testȱ
Objectiveȱ (SDTO)ȱ isȱ toȱ measureȱ theȱ spaceȱ
OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
EXPERIMENTS
stationȱ microgravityȱ environment.ȱ ȱ Operationȱ
ofȱ equipmentȱ onȱ theȱ stationȱ createsȱ vibrationsȱ
whichȱ canȱ disturbȱ —ȱ vibrateȱ —ȱ scienceȱ
experiments.ȱ ȱ Toȱ minimizeȱ theȱ vibrationȱ someȱ
experimentsȱ experience,ȱ stationȱ hardwareȱ isȱ
builtȱ withȱ isolationȱ systems,ȱ somewhatȱ similarȱ
toȱ automotiveȱ shocksȱ andȱ springs.ȱ ȱ Suchȱ
systemsȱ reduceȱ theȱ vibrationȱ transmittedȱ fromȱ
stationȱhardwareȱtoȱtheȱexperimentȱlocations.ȱ
Theȱbiggestȱsourceȱofȱvibrationȱonȱtheȱstationȱisȱ
createdȱ byȱ theȱ crewȱ membersȱ duringȱ routineȱ
exercise.ȱȱAsȱcrewȱmembersȱcycle,ȱrun,ȱwalk,ȱorȱ
performȱ resistiveȱ exercise,ȱ largeȱ vibrationsȱ areȱ
createdȱ thatȱ canȱ affectȱ theȱ experiments.ȱ ȱ Thisȱ
SDTOȱwillȱmeasureȱtheȱaccelerationsȱcausedȱbyȱ
theȱ shuttle’sȱ ergometer,ȱ orȱ stationaryȱ exerciseȱ
bicycle,ȱ toȱ determineȱ theȱ amountȱ ofȱ loadȱ itȱ
placesȱonȱtheȱstationȱandȱshuttle.ȱ
SHORT-DURATION RESEARCH TO BE
COMPLETED DURING STS-120
Theȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ andȱ Internationalȱ Spaceȱ StaȬ
tionȱ haveȱ anȱ integratedȱ researchȱ programȱ thatȱ
optimizesȱ useȱ ofȱ shuttleȱ crewȱ membersȱ andȱ
longȬdurationȱ spaceȱ stationȱ crewȱ membersȱ toȱ
addressȱresearchȱquestionsȱinȱaȱvarietyȱofȱdisciȬ
plines.ȱ
ValidationȱofȱProceduresȱforȱMonitoringȱCrewȱ
Memberȱ Immuneȱ Functionȱ (Integratedȱ
Immune)ȱ willȱ assessȱ theȱ clinicalȱ risksȱ resultingȱ
fromȱ theȱ adverseȱ effectsȱ ofȱ spaceflightȱ onȱ theȱ
humanȱ immuneȱ systemȱ andȱ willȱ validateȱ aȱ
flightȬcompatibleȱ immuneȱ monitoringȱ strategy.ȱȱ
Researchersȱ willȱ collectȱ andȱ analyzeȱ blood,ȱ
urineȱ andȱ salivaȱ samplesȱ fromȱ crewȱ membersȱ
before,ȱ duringȱ andȱ afterȱ spaceflightȱ toȱ monitorȱ
changesȱinȱtheirȱimmuneȱsystems.ȱ
Mauiȱ Analysisȱ ofȱ Upperȱ Atmosphericȱ InjecȬ
tionsȱ (MAUI)ȱ willȱ observeȱ theȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ
engineȱ exhaustȱ plumesȱ fromȱ theȱ Mauiȱ Spaceȱ
59
 ȱ
ȱ
Surveillanceȱ Siteȱ inȱ Hawaii.ȱ ȱ Theȱ observationsȱ
willȱ occurȱ whenȱ theȱ shuttleȱ firesȱ itsȱ enginesȱ atȱ
nightȱorȱtwilight.ȱȱAȱtelescopeȱandȱallȬskyȱimagȬ
ersȱwillȱtakeȱimagesȱandȱdataȱwhileȱtheȱshuttleȱ
fliesȱ overȱ theȱ Mauiȱ site.ȱ ȱ Theȱ imagesȱ willȱ beȱ
analyzedȱ toȱ betterȱ understandȱ theȱ interactionȱ
betweenȱ theȱ spacecraftȱ plumeȱ andȱ theȱ upperȱ
atmosphere.ȱ
Testȱ ofȱ Midodrineȱ asȱ aȱ Countermeasureȱ
Againstȱ PostȬFlightȱ Orthostaticȱ Hypotensionȱ
(Midodrine)ȱ isȱ aȱ testȱ ofȱ theȱ abilityȱ ofȱ theȱ drugȱ
midodrineȱtoȱreduceȱtheȱincidenceȱorȱseverityȱofȱ
orthostaticȱhypotension.ȱȱIfȱsuccessful,ȱtheȱdrugȱ
willȱ beȱ employedȱ asȱ aȱ countermeasureȱ toȱ theȱ
dizzinessȱ causedȱ byȱ theȱ bloodȬpressureȱ
decreaseȱthatȱmanyȱastronautsȱexperienceȱuponȱ
returningȱtoȱtheȱEarthȇsȱgravity.ȱ
Perceptualȱ Motorȱ Deficitsȱ inȱ Spaceȱ (PMDIS)ȱ
willȱ investigateȱ whyȱ astronautsȱ experienceȱ
difficultyȱ withȱ handȬeyeȱ coordinationȱ whileȱ inȱ
space.ȱ ȱ Theseȱ measurementsȱ willȱ beȱ usedȱ toȱ
distinguishȱ betweenȱ threeȱ possibleȱ explanaȬ
tions:ȱ ȱ theȱ brainȱ notȱ adaptingȱ toȱ theȱ nearȱ
weightlessnessȱ ofȱ space;ȱ theȱ difficultyȱ ofȱ perȬ
formingȱ fineȱ movementsȱ whenȱ floatingȱ inȱ
space;ȱ andȱ stressȱ dueȱ toȱ factorsȱ suchȱ asȱ spaceȱ
sicknessȱ andȱ sleepȱ deprivation.ȱ ȱ Thisȱ experiȬ
mentȱ isȱ aȱ cooperativeȱ effortȱ withȱ theȱ Canadianȱ
SpaceȱAgency.ȱ
Bioavailablityȱ andȱ Performanceȱ Effectsȱ ofȱ
Promethazineȱ duringȱ Spaceflightȱ (PMZ)ȱ willȱ
examineȱtheȱperformanceȬimpactingȱsideȬeffectsȱ
ofȱ promethazineȱ andȱ itsȱ bioavailabilityȱ —ȱ theȱ
degreeȱ toȱ whichȱ aȱ drugȱ canȱ beȱ absorbedȱ andȱ
usedȱ byȱ theȱ partsȱ ofȱ theȱ bodyȱ onȱ whichȱ itȱ isȱ
intendedȱ toȱ haveȱ anȱ effect.ȱ ȱ Promethazineȱ isȱ aȱ
medicationȱ takenȱ byȱ astronautsȱ toȱ preventȱ
motionȱsickness.ȱ
60
ȱ
EXPERIMENTS
Ramȱ Burnȱ Observationsȱ (RAMBO)ȱ isȱ anȱ
experimentȱ inȱ whichȱ theȱ Departmentȱ ofȱ
Defenseȱusesȱaȱsatelliteȱtoȱobserveȱspaceȱshuttleȱ
orbitalȱmaneuveringȱsystemȱengineȱburns.ȱȱTheȱ
studyȇsȱ purposeȱ isȱ toȱ improveȱ plumeȱ modelsȱ
thatȱpredictȱtheȱdirectionȱofȱtheȱplume,ȱorȱrisingȱ
columnȱofȱexhaust,ȱasȱtheȱshuttleȱmaneuversȱonȱ
orbit.ȱ ȱ Understandingȱthisȱ flowȱ directionȱcouldȱ
beȱ significantȱ toȱ theȱ safeȱ arrivalȱ andȱ departureȱ
ofȱspacecraftȱ onȱcurrentȱ andȱ futureȱexplorationȱ
missions.ȱ
SleepȬWakeȱ Actigraphyȱ andȱ Lightȱ Exposureȱ
duringȱ Spaceflightȱ –ȱ Shortȱ (SleepȬShort)ȱ willȱ
examineȱ theȱ effectsȱ ofȱ spaceflightȱ onȱ theȱ sleepȬ
wakeȱ cyclesȱ ofȱ theȱ astronautsȱ duringȱ shuttleȱ
missions.ȱ ȱ Advancingȱ stateȬofȬtheȬartȱ technolȬ
ogyȱ forȱ monitoring,ȱ diagnosingȱ andȱ assessingȱ
treatmentȱ ofȱ sleepȱ patternsȱ isȱ vitalȱ toȱ treatingȱ
insomniaȱonȱEarthȱandȱinȱspace.ȱ
International Partner Experiments
Fischerȱ Ratȱ Thyroidȱ Lowȱ Serumȱ 5ȱ percentȱ
(FRTL5)ȱ willȱ beȱ usedȱ asȱ aȱ biologicalȱ systemȱ toȱ
measureȱradiationȱandȱmicrogravityȱeffectsȱTheȱ
FRTL5ȱ ratȱ thyroidȱ cellȱ strainȱ wasȱ chosenȱ
becauseȱ ofȱ itsȱ relevanceȱ toȱ humanȱ physiologyȱ
andȱmedicine.ȱȱThyroidȱtissueȱisȱanȱidealȱtargetȱ
forȱ spaceȱ radiationȱ researchȱ becauseȱ itȱ isȱ
resistantȱ toȱ radiation’sȱ acuteȱ effects.ȱ ȱ Thisȱ
experimentȱshouldȱhelpȱimproveȱknowledgeȱofȱ
theȱ effectȱ ofȱ theȱ spaceȱ environmentȱ onȱ theȱ
humanȱ body,ȱ especiallyȱ withȱ longerȬtermȱ
missionsȱplannedȱinȱtheȱfuture.ȱ
Studyȱ ofȱ Spaceȱ Environmentȱ Effectsȱ onȱ PY17ȱ
Bacterialȱ Sporesȱ onboardȱ Internationalȱ Spaceȱ
Stationȱ(SPORE)ȱisȱtheȱstudyȱofȱPY17ȱbacterialȱ
sporesȱ responseȱ toȱ theȱ effectsȱ ofȱ microgravityȱ
andȱ radiation.ȱ ȱ Theȱ experimentȱ wasȱ conceivedȱ
byȱhighȱschoolȱstudents.ȱ
OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ
Samples and Hardware Returning on opedȱ onȱ orbitȱ inȱ aȱ gardenȱ habitat.ȱ ȱ Theȱ secondȱ
STS-120 experimentȱwillȱexamineȱyeastȱcells’ȱadaptationȱ
toȱ theȱ spaceȱ environment;ȱ theȱ thirdȱ willȱ examȬ
Analysisȱ ofȱ aȱ Novelȱ Sensoryȱ Mechanismȱ inȱ
ineȱ plantȱ cellȱ cultures.ȱ ȱ Aȱ fourthȱ experimentȱ
Rootȱ Phototropismȱ (Tropi)ȱ sproutedȱ ArabiȬ
willȱexamineȱcrystalȱformationȱusingȱsilicatesȱ—ȱ
dopsisȱ thalianaȱ (thaleȱ cress)ȱ plantsȱ fromȱ seedsȱ
compoundsȱcontainingȱsilicon,ȱoxygenȱandȱoneȱ
underȱ differentȱ frequenciesȱ ofȱ lightȱ andȱ levelsȱ
orȱmoreȱmetals.ȱȱForȱtheȱcrystalȱgrowthȱexperiȬ
ofȱartificialȱgravity.ȱȱTheȱplantsȱwillȱbeȱanalyzedȱ
ment,ȱstudentsȱwillȱgrowȱcrystalsȱinȱtheirȱclassȬ
atȱtheȱmolecularȱlevelȱtoȱdetermineȱwhatȱgenesȱ
roomsȱ andȱ analyzeȱ growthȱ ofȱ thoseȱ comparedȱ
areȱ responsibleȱ forȱ successfulȱ plantȱ growthȱ inȱ
toȱtheȱcrystalsȱgrownȱinȱspace.ȱ
microgravity.ȱ
Educationȱ Payloadȱ Operationsȱ –ȱ Kitȱ Cȱ
Capillaryȱ Flowȱ Experimentȱ (CFE)ȱ isȱ aȱ suiteȱ ofȱ
(EPOȱȬȱKitȱ C)ȱ isȱ anȱ onȬorbitȱ plantȱ growthȱ
fluidȱ physicsȱ experimentsȱ thatȱ investigateȱ
investigationȱ usingȱ basilȱ seeds.ȱ ȱ Theȱ stillȱ andȱ
capillaryȱflowsȱandȱflowsȱofȱfluidsȱinȱcontainersȱ
videoȱimageryȱcapturedȱwillȱbeȱusedȱasȱpartȱofȱaȱ
withȱcomplexȱgeometries.ȱȱResultsȱwillȱimproveȱ
nationalȱ engineeringȱ designȱ challengeȱ forȱ
currentȱ computerȱ modelsȱ thatȱ areȱ usedȱ byȱ
studentsȱ inȱ kindergartenȱ throughȱ 12thȱ grade.ȱȱ
designersȱofȱlowȱgravityȱfluidȱsystemsȱandȱmayȱ
Onȱtheȱground,ȱstudentsȱwillȱgrowȱbasilȱseedsȱ—ȱ
improveȱ fluidȱ transferȱ systemsȱ onȱ futureȱ
controlȱandȱflownȱseedsȱ—ȱinȱgrowthȱchambersȱ
spacecraft.ȱ
toȱ conductȱ theirȱ ownȱ plantȱ growthȱ scienceȱ
Coarseningȱ inȱ Solidȱ Liquidȱ MixturesȬ2ȱ experiments.ȱ
(CSLMȬ2)ȱ examinesȱ theȱ kineticsȱ ofȱ competitiveȱ
Nutritionalȱ Statusȱ Assessmentȱ (Nutrition)ȱ isȱ
particleȱgrowthȱwithinȱaȱliquidȱmatrix.ȱȱDuringȱ
NASA’sȱ mostȱ comprehensiveȱ inȬflightȱ studyȱ toȱ
thisȱ process,ȱ smallȱ particlesȱ shrinkȱ byȱ losingȱ
dateȱofȱhumanȱphysiologicȱchangesȱduringȱlongȬ
atomsȱ toȱ largerȱ particles,ȱ causingȱ theȱ largerȱ
durationȱ spaceflight;ȱ thisȱ includesȱ measuresȱ ofȱ
particlesȱ toȱ growȱ (coarsen)ȱ withinȱ aȱ liquidȱ
boneȱ metabolism,ȱ oxidativeȱ damage,ȱ nutritionalȱ
lead/tinȱ matrix.ȱ ȱ Thisȱ studyȱ definedȱ theȱ
assessmentsȱandȱhormonalȱchanges.ȱȱThisȱstudyȱ
mechanismsȱ andȱ ratesȱ ofȱ coarseningȱ thatȱ
willȱ impactȱ bothȱ theȱ definitionȱ ofȱ nutritionalȱ
governȱturbineȱblades,ȱdentalȱamalgamȱfillings,ȱ
requirementsȱ andȱ developmentȱ ofȱ foodȱ systemsȱ
ironȱcopper,ȱetc.ȱ
forȱ futureȱ spaceȱ explorationȱ missionsȱ toȱ theȱ
CommercialȱGenericȱBioprocessingȱApparatusȱ moonȱandȱMars.ȱȱTheȱexperimentȱalsoȱwillȱhelpȱ
Scienceȱ Insertȱ –ȱ 02ȱ (CSIȬ02)ȱ isȱ anȱ educationalȱ toȱunderstandȱtheȱimpactȱofȱcountermeasuresȱ—ȱ
payloadȱ designedȱ toȱ interestȱ middleȱ schoolȱ exerciseȱ andȱ pharmaceuticalsȱ —ȱ onȱ nutritionalȱ
studentsȱ inȱ science,ȱ technology,ȱ engineeringȱ statusȱandȱnutrientȱrequirementsȱforȱastronauts.ȱ
andȱ mathȱ byȱ participatingȱ inȱ nearȱ realȬtimeȱ
Testȱ ofȱ Reactionȱ andȱ Adaptationȱ Capabilitiesȱ
researchȱ conductedȱ aboardȱ theȱ station.ȱ ȱ StuȬ
(TRAC)ȱwillȱtestȱtheȱtheoryȱofȱbrainȱadaptationȱ
dentsȱ willȱ observeȱ fourȱ experimentsȱ throughȱ
duringȱ spaceflightȱ byȱ testingȱ handȬeyeȱ
dataȱ andȱ imageryȱ downlinkedȱ andȱ distributedȱ
coordinationȱ before,ȱ duringȱ andȱ afterȱ theȱ
directlyȱintoȱtheȱclassroomȱviaȱtheȱInternet.ȱȱTheȱ
mission.ȱ ȱ Thisȱ experimentȱ isȱ aȱ collaborativeȱ
firstȱ isȱ aȱ seedȱ germinationȱ experimentȱ throughȱ
effortȱ betweenȱ NASAȱ andȱ theȱ Canadianȱ Spaceȱ
whichȱ studentsȱ willȱ learnȱ howȱ gravityȱ affectsȱ
Agency.ȱ
plantȱ development.ȱ ȱ Smallȱ seedsȱwillȱ beȱ develȬ

OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
EXPERIMENTS 61
 ȱ
ȱ
SmokeȱandȱAerosolȱMeasurementȱExperimentȱ
(SAME)ȱ willȱ measureȱ theȱ smokeȱ properties,ȱ orȱ
particleȱ sizeȱ distribution,ȱ fromȱ typicalȱ spaceȬ
craftȱ fireȱ smokesȱ toȱ identifyȱ waysȱ toȱ improveȱ
smokeȱdetectorsȱonȱfutureȱspacecraft.ȱ
Returning International Partner
Experiments
Colorȱ consistsȱ ofȱ anȱ astronautȱ buildingȱ aȱ colȬ
oredȱ sceneȱ utilizingȱ nonȬrepresentationalȱ andȱ
superȬimposableȱ paintedȱ transparentȱ filmsȱ toȱ
identifyȱtheȱmostȱfavorableȱimpression.ȱ
Neuroendocrineȱ andȱ Immuneȱ Responsesȱ inȱ
Humansȱ Duringȱ andȱ Afterȱ LongȬtermȱ Stayȱ atȱ
ISSȱ (Immuno)ȱ willȱ provideȱ anȱ understandingȱ
forȱtheȱdevelopmentȱofȱpharmacologicalȱtoolsȱtoȱ
countermeasureȱ unwantedȱ immunologicalȱ sideȱ
effectsȱduringȱlongȬdurationȱmissions.ȱ
Motionȱ Perception:ȱ ȱ Vestibularȱ Adaptationȱ toȱ
GȬTransitionsȱ (MOP)ȱ isȱ toȱ gainȱ insightȱ inȱ theȱ
processȱ ofȱ vestibularȱ adaptationȱ toȱ aȱ gravityȱ
transition.ȱ
LBPȬMuscle:ȱ ȱ Studyȱ ofȱ Lowerȱ Backȱ Painȱ inȱ
Astronautsȱ duringȱ Spaceflightȱ willȱ studyȱ theȱ
developmentȱofȱlowerȱbackȱpainȱinȱcrewȱmemȬ
bersȱ duringȱ spaceflightȱ andȱ determineȱ ifȱ thereȱ
isȱaȱrelationshipȱtoȱmuscleȱatrophy.ȱ
Experiments Delivered to the
International Space Station on STS-120
Investigatingȱ theȱ Structureȱ ofȱ Paramagneticȱ
Aggregatesȱ fromȱ Colloidalȱ Emulsionsȱ
(InSPACE)Ȭ2ȱ willȱ studyȱ theȱ fundamentalȱ
behaviorȱofȱmagneticȱcolloidalȱfluidsȱunderȱtheȱ
influenceȱ ofȱ variousȱ magneticȱ fields.ȱ ȱ Thisȱ
technologyȱ hasȱ promiseȱ toȱ improveȱ theȱ abilityȱ
toȱ designȱ structures,ȱ suchȱ asȱ bridgesȱ andȱ
buildings,ȱ andȱ toȱ betterȱ withstandȱ earthquakeȱ
damage.ȱ
62
ȱ
EXPERIMENTS
EUROPEAN EXPERIMENT PROGRAM
Inȱ additionȱ toȱ hisȱ tasksȱ asȱ anȱ STSȬ120ȱ missionȱ
specialist,ȱEuropeanȱSpaceȱAgencyȱ(ESA)ȱastroȬ
nautȱ Paoloȱ Nespoliȱ willȱ undertakeȱ theȱ EuroȬ
peanȱ Esperiaȱ mission,ȱ duringȱ whichȱ heȱ willȱ
carryȱoutȱaȱnumberȱofȱexperimentsȱonȱbehalfȱofȱ
theȱEuropeanȱscienceȱcommunity.ȱȱTwoȱofȱtheseȱ
experimentsȱ(ChromosomeȬ2ȱandȱNeocytolysis)ȱ
areȱsponsoredȱbyȱESA.ȱȱTheȱotherȱthreeȱexperiȬ
mentsȱ (HPA,ȱ FRTLȬ5ȱ andȱ SPORE)ȱ areȱ sponȬ
soredȱ byȱ theȱ Italianȱ Spaceȱ Agency,ȱ orȱ ASI.ȱȱ
ChromosomeȬ2,ȱ Neocytolysisȱ andȱ HPAȱ areȱ
experimentsȱ inȱ theȱ fieldȱ ofȱ humanȱ physiology.ȱȱ
FRTLȬ5ȱ andȱ SPOREȱ areȱ biologyȱ experiments.ȱȱ
Nespoliȱ alsoȱ willȱ beȱ conductingȱ Educationalȱ
Activitiesȱ(seeȱARISS)ȱcoordinatedȱbyȱbothȱESAȱ
andȱASI.ȱ
Chromosome-2
Duringȱspaceflights,ȱcrewȱmembersȱareȱexposedȱ
toȱ differentȱ typesȱ ofȱ ionizingȱ radiation.ȱ ȱ Toȱ
assessȱ theȱ geneticȱ impactȱ ofȱ theseȱ radiations,ȱ
thisȱ experimentȱ willȱ studyȱ chromosomeȱ
changesȱandȱsensitivityȱtoȱradiationȱinȱlymphoȬ
cytesȱ (whiteȱ bloodȱ cells)ȱ ofȱ ISSȱ crewȱ members.ȱȱ
Theȱ ChromosomeȬ2ȱ experimentȱ isȱ plannedȱ toȱ
beȱ carriedȱ outȱ usingȱ eightȱ subjects:ȱ ȱ fourȱ fromȱ
shortȬdurationȱflightsȱandȱfourȱexpeditionȱcrewȱ
members.ȱ
ȱ
MultiȬfluorescentȱchromosomeȱmapȱofȱaȱcellȱ
exposedȱtoȱcosmicȱradiation.ȱȱ(Image:ȱȱM.ȱDurante)ȱ
OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ
ScienceȱTeam:ȱ
C.ȱJohannes,ȱM.ȱHorstmannȱ
UniversitätȱDuisburgȬEssenȱ
Essen,ȱGermanyȱ
Neocytolysis
Thisȱ experimentȱ coversȱ theȱ effectsȱ ofȱ weightȬ
lessnessȱ onȱ theȱ hemopoieticȱ system,ȱ whichȱ isȱ
theȱ systemȱ ofȱ theȱ bodyȱ responsibleȱ forȱ theȱ forȬ
mationȱ ofȱ bloodȱ cells.ȱ ȱ Theȱ experimentȱ willȱ
studyȱ aȱ processȱ calledȱ neocytolysis,ȱ theȱ selecȬ
tiveȱ destructionȱ ofȱ youngȱ redȱ bloodȱ cells.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
experimentwillȱ analyzeȱ theȱ physicalȱ andȱ funcȬ
tionalȱ characteristicsȱ ofȱ youngȱ redȱ bloodȱ cellsȱ
takenȱfromȱastronautȱbloodȱsamplesȱbeforeȱandȱ
afterȱ spaceflight.ȱ ȱ Itȱ willȱ beȱ carriedȱ outȱ withȱ
threeȱsubjectsȱfromȱshortȬtermȱmissions.ȱ
ȱ
Constituentsȱofȱblood.ȱȱEȱisȱanȱerythrocyteȱorȱ
redȱbloodȱcell,ȱLȱisȱaȱlymphocyteȱorȱwhiteȱ
bloodȱcellȱandȱPȱisȱaȱbloodȱplatelet.ȱȱ(Image:ȱȱNASA)ȱ
ScienceȱTeam:ȱ
A.ȱRisso,ȱG.ȱAntonutto,ȱ
UniversityȱofȱUdine,ȱUdine,ȱItalyȱ
M.ȱCosulich,ȱG.ȱMinetti.ȱ
UniversityȱofȱPavia,ȱPavia,ȱItalyȱ
OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
EXPERIMENTS
Hand Posture Analyzer (HPA)
Thisȱexperimentȱhasȱtwoȱgoals:ȱȱunderstandingȱ
theȱ abilityȱ ofȱ theȱ humanȱ brainȱ toȱ mentallyȱ
representȱ theȱ presenceȱ orȱ absenceȱ ofȱ gravityȱ
effectsȱ onȱ objectȱ motion,ȱ andȱ studyingȱ theȱ
effectsȱ ofȱ weightlessnessȱ onȱ movement.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
Handȱ Postureȱ Analyzer,ȱ wasȱ launchedȱ toȱ theȱ
ISSȱ onȱ Progressȱ flightȱ 12Pȱ inȱ Augustȱ 2003,ȱ andȱ
usedȱ duringȱ Expeditionsȱ 7ȱ andȱ 8.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
preliminaryȱ versionȱ ofȱ theȱ sameȱ hardwareȱ wasȱ
usedȱ onȱ boardȱ theȱ stationȱ duringȱ theȱ “Marcoȱ
Polo”ȱ missionȱ withȱ ESAȱ astronautȱ Robertoȱ
Vittoriȱ inȱ 2002.ȱ ȱ Duringȱ hisȱ secondȱ missionȱ inȱ
Aprilȱ 2005,ȱ astronautȱ Robertoȱ Vittoriȱ againȱ
performedȱtheȱHPAȱexperiment.ȱ
ȱ
AstronautȱRobertoȱVittoriȱusesȱtheȱCHIROȱ
deviceȱduringȱtheȱ“MarcoȱPolo”ȱmissionȱȱ
(Aprilȱ2002)ȱ(Image:ȱȱV.ȱZolesi)ȱ
TheȱHPAȱhardwareȱconsistsȱofȱtwoȱdynamomeȬ
tersȱ forȱ measuringȱ pinchȱ andȱ gripȱ forceȱ andȱ aȱ
glovedȱ instrumentationȱ deviceȱ wornȱ byȱ theȱ
astronaut,ȱ whichȱ isȱ attachedȱ toȱ anȱ electronicsȱ
box.ȱ ȱ Theȱ astronautȱ willȱ carryȱ outȱ threeȱ differȬ
entȱ experimentȱ protocols:ȱ ȱ IMAGINE,ȱ duringȱ
whichȱ theȱ astronautȱ simulatesȱ throwingȱ anȱ
imaginaryȱballȱupȱagainstȱtheȱceilingȱandȱcatchȬ
ingȱitȱonȱtheȱwayȱdownȱusingȱtheȱinstrumentedȱ
gloveȱandȱelectronicsȱbox;ȱMAIS,ȱduringȱwhichȱ
theȱsubjectȱusesȱtheȱsameȱhardwareȱandȱcarriesȱ
63
 ȱ
ȱ
outȱ aȱ protocolȱ ofȱ reachingȱ out,ȱ grippingȱ andȱ
releasingȱdifferentȱsizedȱcylindricalȱobjects;ȱandȱ
CHIRO,ȱ whichȱ measuresȱ theȱ maximumȱ forceȱ
exertedȱonȱtheȱhandȱandȱpinchȱgripȱdynamomeȬ
tersȱbyȱtheȱastronaut.ȱ
ScienceȱTeam:ȱ
F.ȱLacquaniti,ȱ
UniversitàȱTorȱVergata,ȱRome,ȱItalyȱ
M.ȱZago,ȱW.ȱMiller,ȱS.ȱGravano,ȱ
IRCCSȱSantaȱLuciaȱFoundation,ȱItalyȱ
P.ȱPastacaldi,ȱ
AziendaȱOspedalieraȱPisana,ȱPisa,ȱItaly.ȱ
F.ȱPosteraro,ȱ
OspedaleȱdellaȱVersilia,ȱLidoȱdiȱCamaioreȱ(LU),ȱ
Italyȱ
V.ȱZolesi,ȱ
KayserȱItalia,ȱLivorno,ȱItalyȱ
Fischer Rat Thyroid Low serum 5%
(FRTL5)
Thisȱexperimentȱisȱaimedȱatȱassessingȱtheȱeffectsȱ
ofȱ theȱ spaceȱ environmentȱ (weightlessnessȱ andȱ
radiation)ȱ onȱ normalȱ inȱ vitroȱ culturesȱ ofȱ
soȬcalledȱ FRTL5ȱ ratȱ thyroidȱ cells.ȱ ȱ Thisȱ
experimentȱwillȱuseȱcellsȱalreadyȱexposedȱtoȱtheȱ
spaceȱ environmentȱ duringȱ theȱ FRTLȬ5ȱ
experimentȱ onȱ theȱ 10Ȭdayȱ Eneideȱ missionȱ withȱ
ESAȱastronautȱRobertoȱVittoriȱinȱAprilȱ2005.ȱ
ȱ
FTRL5ȱequipmentȱ(Image:ȱȱS.ȱAmbesi)ȱ
64
ȱ
EXPERIMENTS
Theȱ FRTL5ȱ cellsȱ willȱ beȱ usedȱ inȱ aȱ proliferativeȱ
state,ȱwhichȱisȱaffectedȱmuchȱmoreȱbyȱtheȱspaceȱ
environment.ȱȱTheȱcellsȱwillȱbeȱsealedȱinȱsterileȱ
cultureȱ flasksȱ andȱ keptȱ underȱ controlledȱ
conditions.ȱ ȱ Oneȱ ofȱ theȱ reasonsȱ forȱ choosingȱ
theseȱspecificȱthyroidȱcellsȱisȱtheȱrelevanceȱtheyȱ
haveȱ toȱ humanȱ physiologyȱ andȱ medicine.ȱȱ
Thyroidȱ tissueȱ isȱ anȱ idealȱ targetȱ forȱ spaceȱ
radiationȱresearch.ȱ
TheȱcellsȱwillȱbeȱtestedȱafterȱreturningȱtoȱEarthȱ
forȱ DNAȱ modificationsȱ becauseȱ ofȱ radiationȱ
andȱ magneticȱ fields,ȱ andȱ theȱ effectȱ ofȱ weightȬ
lessnessȱonȱcellȱbehavior.ȱȱThisȱkindȱofȱresearchȱ
helpsȱtoȱimproveȱourȱknowledgeȱofȱtheȱeffectȱofȱ
theȱ spaceȱ environmentȱ onȱ theȱ humanȱ body,ȱ
especiallyȱ withȱ longerȬtermȱ missionsȱ plannedȱ
inȱtheȱfutureȱ(e.g.,ȱMars).ȱ
ScienceȱTeam:ȱ
F.ȱCurcio,ȱUniversityȱofȱUdine,ȱItalyȱ
S.ȱAmbesi,ȱUniversityȱofȱUdine,ȱItalyȱ
SPORE
Theȱ SPOREȱ educationalȱ experiment’sȱ purposeȱ
isȱ theȱ studyȱ ofȱ PY17ȱ bacterialȱ spores’ȱ responseȱ
toȱ exposureȱ toȱ weightlessnessȱ andȱ ionizingȱ
radiations,ȱ whichȱ areȱ characteristicȱ ofȱ theȱ ISSȱ
environment.ȱ ȱ Theȱ experimentȱ wasȱ conceivedȱ
byȱhighȱschoolȱstudents.ȱ
PY17ȱisȱtheȱnameȱgivenȱtoȱaȱcultureȱofȱtheȱwildȱ
typeȱ stockȱ sporesȱ ofȱ Bacillusȱ subtilis.ȱȱ
NinetyȬsixȱsealedȱcuvettesȱcontainingȱtheȱsporesȱ
willȱbeȱequallyȱsplitȱintoȱthreeȱexperimentȱconȬ
tainers.ȱ ȱ Theȱ experimentȱ willȱ lastȱ theȱ durationȱ
ofȱ theȱ mission.ȱ ȱ Theȱ bacterialȱ sporesȱ areȱ harmȬ
lessȱtoȱhumans.ȱ
OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ
Duringȱ theȱ mission,ȱ Paoloȱ Nespoliȱ willȱ beȱ
involvedȱ inȱ twoȱ liveȱ amateurȱ radioȱ contactsȱ
fromȱ theȱ ISS.ȱ ȱ Heȱ willȱ answerȱ questionsȱ fromȱ
schoolȱ childrenȱ andȱ universityȱ studentsȱ atȱ theȱ
IISȱ DeambrosisȬNattaȱ schoolȱ inȱ Sestriȱ Levante,ȱ
Genoa,ȱ Italyȱ andȱ theȱ Universityȱ ofȱ L’Aquilaȱ
respectively.ȱ

Aȱ webȬchatȱ withȱ Nespoliȱ beforeȱ orȱ afterȱ theȱ

flightȱisȱalsoȱforeseen,ȱasȱwellȱasȱtheȱdistributionȱ
ȱ ofȱ educationȱ materialȱ aboutȱ theȱ missionȱ toȱ
CuvetteȱusedȱinȱSPOREȱexperimentȱ youngstersȱinȱItaly.ȱȱTheȱeducationȬbasedȱactiviȬ
tiesȱareȱbeingȱcoordinatedȱbyȱESAȱandȱASI.ȱ
Onceȱretrieved,ȱtheȱsporesȱwillȱbeȱcomparedȱtoȱ
controlȱ samplesȱ thatȱ haveȱ followedȱ theȱ sameȱ
experimentȱ protocolȱ onȱ theȱ ground.ȱ ȱ Theȱ comȬ
parisonȱwillȱhelpȱdetermineȱtheȱeffectsȱofȱresidȬ
ualȱ gravityȱ variationȱ andȱ exposureȱ toȱ ionizingȱ
radiationsȱ onȱ theȱ spores’ȱ survivalȱ andȱ develȬ
opment.ȱ

ScienceȱTeam:ȱ
M.ȱMezzacappa,ȱ
LiceoȱScientificoȱ“Majorana”ȱdiȱIsernia,ȱItalyȱ
A.ȱIscra,ȱ
IstitutoȱdiȱIstruzioneȱSuperioreȱ“Vittorioȱ
EmanueleȱIIȱ–ȱRuffini”ȱdiȱGenova,ȱItalyȱ
L.iȱNaclerio,ȱ
UniversitàȱdelȱMolise,ȱItalyȱ
ȱ
ARISS (and additional education
CompetitionȱwinnerȱatȱESA’sȱESRINȱfacilityȱ
activities)
inȱFrascati,ȱItalyȱasksȱaȱquestionȱofȱESAȱ
ARISSȱstandsȱforȱAmateurȱRadioȱonȱtheȱISS.ȱȱItȱ astronautȱRobertoȱVittoriȱonȱtheȱISS.ȱȱ
isȱ anȱ internationalȱ associationȱ ofȱ nationalȱ amaȬ 21ȱAprilȱ2005.ȱ(Image:ȱȱESA)ȱ
teurȱ radioȱ societiesȱ fromȱ theȱ countriesȱ particiȬ
ProjectȱTeamȱ
patingȱ inȱ theȱ ISSȱ program.ȱ ȱ Theȱ associationȱ
formsȱ aȱ valuableȱ partȱ ofȱ ESA’sȱ educationȱ proȬ G.ȱBertels,ȱBrussels,ȱBelgiumȱ
gram,ȱhelpingȱ toȱ stimulateȱ childrenȱ andȱ youngȱ ESAȬHMEȱEducationȱOffice,ȱ
people’sȱ interestȱ inȱ science,ȱ technicalȬbasedȱ ESTEC,ȱNoordwijk,ȱTheȱNetherlandsȱ
subjectsȱ andȱ spaceȱ inȱ general.ȱ ȱ Theȱ goalȱ isȱ toȱ
stimulateȱ interestȱ forȱ futureȱ careersȱ inȱ theseȱ
areas.ȱ

OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
EXPERIMENTS 65
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66
ȱ
EXPERIMENTS OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ

EXTERNAL TANK ET-120 (ET-120)

ȱ
ETȬ120ȱ wasȱ firstȱ shippedȱ fromȱ theȱ Michoudȱ
AssemblyȱFacilityȱDec.ȱ31,ȱ2004.ȱȱItȱwasȱtheȱfirstȱ
tankȱslatedȱtoȱflyȱonȱtheȱspaceȱshuttleȇsȱreturnȱtoȱ
flight,ȱ whichȱ wasȱ Discovery’sȱ STSȬ114ȱ missionȱ
inȱJulyȱ2005.ȱȱETȬ120ȱalsoȱwasȱtheȱfirstȱtankȱtoȱbeȱ
modifiedȱ withȱ theȱ safetyȱ improvementsȱ manȬ
datedȱ byȱ theȱ Columbiaȱ Accidentȱ Investigationȱ
Board.ȱ ȱ Improvementsȱ includedȱ theȱ forwardȱ
bipod,ȱ liquidȱ hydrogenȱ tank/intertankȱ flangeȱ
andȱliquidȱoxygenȱfeedlineȱbellows.ȱ

ȱ
LockheedȱMartinȱtechnicianȱDennisȱSilbernagelȱtorquesȱboltȱfastenersȱonȱtheȱredesignedȱ–Yȱbipodȱ
fittingȱonȱETȬ120ȱatȱNASA’sȱMichoudȱAssemblyȱFacilityȱinȱNewȱOrleansȱinȱNovemberȱ2004.ȱȱTheȱ
bipodȱredesignȱwasȱoneȱofȱtheȱReturnȱtoȱFlightȱchangesȱtoȱtheȱexternalȱtankȱtoȱminimizeȱpotentialȱ
debrisȱbyȱeliminatingȱtheȱlargeȱinsulatingȱfoamȱcoveringȱtheȱbipodȱareaȱinȱfavorȱofȱelectricȱheaters.ȱ

OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
EXTERNAL TANK REPAIRS 67
 ȱ
ȱ
ETȬ120ȱ wasȱ fueledȱ twiceȱ atȱ theȱ Kennedyȱ Spaceȱ
Center,ȱ Fla.,ȱ inȱ preparationȱ forȱ launchȱ ofȱ
STSȬ114.ȱ ȱ Theȱ resultingȱ Thermalȱ Protectionȱ
Systemȱ (foam)ȱ conditionsȱ wereȱ reportedȱ andȱ
documented.ȱ ȱ ETȬ120ȱ eventuallyȱ wasȱ replacedȱ
byȱanotherȱtankȱbeforeȱtheȱlaunchȱofȱSTSȬ114.ȱ
ETȬ120ȱ returnedȱ toȱ theȱ Michoudȱ Assemblyȱ
Facilityȱ inȱ Newȱ Orleansȱ onȱ Oct.ȱ 18,ȱ 2005,ȱ forȱ
TPSȱmodificationsȱandȱwasȱusedȱasȱaȱdissectionȱ
testȱarticleȱduringȱanȱSTSȬ114ȱfoamȱlossȱinvestiȬ
gation.ȱ ȱ Foamȱ lossȱ eventsȱ onȱ theȱ Protuberanceȱ
Airȱ Loadȱ (PAL)ȱ andȱ Ice/Frostȱ rampsȱ duringȱ
STSȬ114ȱ requiredȱ dissectionsȱ toȱ beȱ performedȱ
onȱ ETȬ120ȱ toȱ furtherȱ understandȱ foamȱ lossȱ
mechanisms.ȱ
Dissectionsȱ alsoȱ revealedȱ TPSȱ crackingȱ atȱ theȱ
liquidȱ hydrogenȱ PALȱ rampȱ andȱ liquidȱ hydroȬ
genȱIce/Frostȱrampȱlocations.ȱȱOtherȱTPSȱappliȬ
cationsȱconsideredȱ“atȱrisk”ȱtoȱtheȱoverallȱSpaceȱ
ShuttleȱProgramȱforȱthermalȱcrackingȱalsoȱwereȱ
removedȱfromȱETȬ120ȱandȱevaluated.ȱȱAllȱotherȱ
dissectedȱ TPSȱ applicationsȱ wereȱ returnedȱ toȱ
flightȬreadyȱ configuration.ȱ ȱ Inȱ additionȱ toȱ theȱ
TPSȱ attentionȱ ETȬ120ȱ received,ȱ otherȱ systems,ȱ
includingȱ theȱ structure,ȱ electrical,ȱ propulȬ
sion/mechanicalȱ subsystems,ȱ wentȱ throughȱ aȱ
verificationȱreassessmentȱprocess.ȱ

ȱ
LanceȱMercier,ȱLockheedȱMartinȱtechnician,ȱmeasuresȱfoamȱpriorȱtoȱremovingȱitȱfromȱETȬ120’sȱliquidȱ
hydrogenȱtankȱprotuberanceȱairloadsȱ(PAL)ȱrampȱinȱNovemberȱ2005.ȱFollowingȱSTSȬ114,ȱstudiesȱȱ
andȱtestingȱdeterminedȱthatȱbothȱtheȱliquidȱoxygenȱandȱtheȱliquidȱhydrogenȱPALȱrampsȱcouldȱbeȱȱ
removedȱfromȱtheȱexternalȱtankȱtoȱminimizeȱpotentialȱfoamȱloss.ȱȱTheȱtwoȱPALȱramps,ȱmadeȱentirelyȱ
ofȱfoam,ȱweighedȱalmostȱ37ȱpounds.ȱȱETȬ119ȱwasȱtheȱfirstȱtankȱtoȱflyȱwithoutȱPALȱramps.ȱ

68
ȱ
EXTERNAL TANK REPAIRS OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ
Aȱrecoveryȱplanȱwasȱpresentedȱandȱacceptedȱbyȱ .12ȱpoundsȱ ofȱ TPSȱ massȱ forȱ eachȱ bracket.ȱ ȱ Lessȱ
theȱ program,ȱ andȱ theȱ Externalȱ Tankȱ Projectȱ foamȱonȱtheȱbracketsȱisȱacceptableȱforȱtheȱshutȬ
initiatedȱ aȱ recovery/repairȱ planȱ effortȱ toȱ returnȱ tle’sȱ ascent.ȱ ȱ Itȱ isȱ nowȱ knownȱ thatȱ SLAȱ isȱ notȱ
theȱtankȱtoȱflightȱstatus.ȱȱTheȱgoalȱforȱtheȱtank’sȱ requiredȱonȱtheȱbrackets.ȱ
TPSȱrepairsȱwasȱtoȱkeepȱdebrisȱriskȱatȱtheȱsameȱ
levelȱ orȱ betterȱ thanȱ theȱ existingȱ configuration.ȱȱ LO2ȱ andȱ LH2ȱ (Liquidȱ Hydrogen)ȱ PALȱ Rampsȱ
ETȬ120ȱ repairȱ workȱ beganȱ inȱ Octoberȱ 2006ȱ toȱ wereȱremoved.ȱ
supportȱ theȱ Augustȱ 2007ȱ launchȱ onȱ needȱ misȬ Bipodȱ Harnessȱ Modificationsȱ –ȱ Wireȱ harnessȱ
sionȱ forȱ shuttleȱ Endeavour’sȱ STSȬ118ȱ mission.ȱȱ sealing/bonding,ȱ flownȱ asȱ aȱ returnȬtoȬflightȱ
ETȬ120ȱ isȱ theȱ primaryȱ tankȱ forȱ Discovery’sȱ modificationȱ onȱ ETȬ119ȱ duringȱ theȱ STSȬ121ȱ
STSȬ120ȱmission.ȱ missionȱ wasȱ performedȱ toȱ precludeȱ aȱ debrisȱ
ETȬ120ȱ wasȱ shippedȱ byȱ bargeȱ fromȱ theȱ eventȱ similarȱ toȱ theȱ oneȱ observedȱ onȱ STSȬ114.ȱȱ
MichoudȱAssemblyȱFacilityȱonȱJulyȱ24,ȱ2007ȱandȱ Voidsȱ withinȱ cablingȱ andȱ underneathȱ theȱ
arrivedȱ atȱ theȱ Kennedyȱ Spaceȱ Center,ȱ Fla.,ȱ onȱ harnessesȱ haveȱ theȱ potentialȱ toȱ causeȱ
Julyȱ29.ȱ cryoingestionȱ andȱ cryopumpingȱ failure.ȱ ȱ Aȱ
processȱwasȱdevelopedȱtoȱsealȱcablesȱandȱbondȱ
ET-120 – BEFORE AND AFTER: HOW harnessesȱwithȱminimalȱdefects.ȱ
THE ET-120 TANK FOR STS-120 IS
DIFFERENT FROM ET-120 FOR STS-114
LH2ȱ Ice/Frostȱ Rampȱ modificationsȱ haveȱ beenȱ
madeȱ atȱ 14ȱ locationsȱ (stations1151Ȭ1980).ȱȱ
LO2ȱ(LiquidȱOxygen)ȱIce/FrostȱRampsȱmodificaȬ
tionsȱhaveȱbeenȱmadeȱatȱfourȱlocationsȱ(stationsȱ
XT,ȱ718,ȱ760,ȱ794ȱandȱ828).ȱȱAȱcompleteȱredesignȱ
isȱ plannedȱ andȱ willȱ flyȱ nextȱ yearȱ onȱ ETȬ128ȱ
duringȱtheȱSTSȬ124ȱmission.ȱ

LO2ȱFeedlineȱBracketsȱ–ȱFourȱfeedlineȱbracketsȱ
(stationsȱ 1129,ȱ 1623,ȱ 1377,ȱ andȱ 1871)ȱ onȱ ETȬ120ȱ
wereȱmodifiedȱwithȱaȱdifferentȱfoamȱconfiguraȬ
tionȱ asȱ anȱ interimȱ measureȱ beforeȱ aȱ newȱ titaȬ
niumȱ bracketȱ designȱ fliesȱ onȱ ETȬ128/STSȬ124.ȱȱ
BXȱfoamȱandȱSuperȬLightweightȱAblatorȱ(SLA)ȱ
wereȱ removedȱ fromȱ theȱ upperȱ portionȱ ofȱ theȱ ȱ
fourȱ brackets,ȱwhichȱ wereȱresprayedȱonlyȱwithȱ AȱUnitedȱSpaceȱAllianceȱexternalȱtankȱ
BXȱfoamȱandȱrestoredȱtoȱnearȱtheȱoriginalȱmoldȱ technicianȱmapsȱoutȱtheȱcuttingȱareaȱofȱtheȱ
line.ȱ ȱ Bracketȱ BXȱ foamȱ isȱ aboutȱ oneȬinchȱ thickȱ LO2ȱfeedȱlineȱbracketȱwhereȱBX265ȱfoamȱ
andȱ theȱ underlyingȱ SLAȱ isȱ aboutȱ oneȬhalfȬinchȱ insulationȱandȱsuperȱlightweightȱablator,ȱȱ
thick,ȱbutȱtheȱSLAȱisȱdenser,ȱorȱheavierȱthanȱtheȱ orȱSLA,ȱcorkȱinsulationȱisȱtoȱbeȱremoved.ȱȱȱ
BXȱ foam.ȱ ȱ Approximatelyȱ fiveȱ inchesȱ ofȱ TPSȱ isȱ TheȱBX265ȱfoamȱinsulationȱwasȱlaterȱ
beingȱ removed,ȱ whichȱ eliminatesȱ aboutȱ reappliedȱwithoutȱtheȱSLA.

OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
EXTERNAL TANK REPAIRS 69
 ȱ
ȱ
Intertankȱ Acreageȱ Machining/Ventingȱ –ȱ Theȱ
areaȱ ofȱ ventedȱ intertankȱ TPSȱ foamȱ wasȱ
increasedȱ toȱ reduceȱ theȱ potentialȱ forȱ foamȱ lossȱ
becauseȱofȱ“popcorning,”ȱwhichȱresultsȱfromȱairȱ
bubblesȱbecomingȱtrappedȱinȱfoam,ȱthenȱflakingȱ
offȱ andȱ fallingȱ awayȱ fromȱ heatingȱ andȱ
expansionȱduringȱlaunch.ȱ

Twoȱ ETȱ Cameraȱ Antennasȱ Replacedȱ –ȱ

Corrosionȱ onȱ antennasȱ observedȱ duringȱ visualȱ
inspectionȱ wereȱ believedȱ toȱ haveȱ beenȱ causedȱ
byȱtheȱtank’sȱextendedȱstayȱatȱtheȱlaunchȱpadȱorȱ
exposureȱtoȱmoistureȱatȱtheȱMichoudȱAssemblyȱ
Facility.ȱ ȱ Twoȱ LO2ȱ Feedlineȱ Cameraȱ Systemȱ
antennasȱwereȱremovedȱandȱreplacedȱwithȱnewȱ
nickelȬplatedȱ antennas.ȱ ȱ TPSȱ closeoutȱ materialȱ
wasȱ reappliedȱ usingȱ theȱ existingȱ verifiedȱ andȱ
validatedȱprocedure.ȱ

TheȱSpaceȱShuttleȱProgramȱremainsȱcommittedȱ
toȱunderstandingȱexternalȱtankȱfoamȱinȱorderȱtoȱ
moreȱaccuratelyȱassessȱpotentialȱrisksȱandȱmakeȱ
improvementsȱ toȱ theȱ tank.ȱ ȱ Aȱ numberȱ ofȱ
improvementsȱwereȱmadeȱpriorȱtoȱSTSȬ114ȱandȱ
moreȱ wereȱ madeȱ beforeȱ STSȬ121.ȱ ȱ Whileȱ
externalȱtankȱfoamȱlossȱneverȱcanȱbeȱcompletelyȱ
eliminated,ȱ theȱ programȱ continuesȱ toȱ makeȱ
tankȱ improvementsȱ toȱ minimizeȱ foamȱ andȱ iceȱ
lossȱ byȱ lookingȱ atȱ areasȱ whereȱ debrisȱ mayȱ beȱ
shed,ȱ prioritizingȱ themȱ andȱ methodicallyȱ
eliminatingȱthemȱoneȱatȱaȱtime.ȱ
ȱ
Theȱsuperȱlightweightȱablator,ȱorȱSLA,ȱȱ
corkȱinsulationȱhasȱbeenȱremovedȱfromȱȱ
theȱexternalȱtankȱandȱaȱUnitedȱSpaceȱȱ
Allianceȱexternalȱtankȱtechnicianȱsandsȱȱ
offȱtheȱresidueȱfromȱtheȱLO2ȱfeedȱlineȱȱ
bracket.ȱȱTheȱBX265ȱfoamȱinsulationȱȱ
wasȱlaterȱreappliedȱwithoutȱtheȱSLA.ȱ

70
ȱ
EXTERNAL TANK REPAIRS OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ
SHUTTLE REFERENCE DATA
ȱ
SHUTTLE ABORT MODES
RSLS Aborts
Theseȱ occurȱ whenȱ theȱ onȬboardȱ shuttleȱ comȬ
putersȱdetectȱaȱproblemȱandȱcommandȱaȱhaltȱinȱ
theȱlaunchȱsequenceȱafterȱtakingȱ overȱ fromȱtheȱ
groundȱ launchȱ sequencerȱ andȱ beforeȱ solidȱ
rocketȱboosterȱignition.ȱ
Ascent Aborts
Selectionȱofȱanȱascentȱabortȱmodeȱmayȱ becomeȱ
necessaryȱifȱthereȱisȱaȱfailureȱthatȱaffectsȱvehicleȱ
performance,ȱ suchȱ asȱ theȱ failureȱ ofȱ aȱ spaceȱ
shuttleȱ mainȱ engineȱ orȱ anȱ orbitalȱ maneuveringȱ
systemȱ engine.ȱ ȱ Otherȱ failuresȱ requiringȱ earlyȱ
terminationȱ ofȱ aȱ flight,ȱ suchȱ asȱ aȱ cabinȱ leak,ȱ
mightȱ alsoȱ requireȱ theȱ selectionȱ ofȱ anȱ abortȱ
mode.ȱȱThereȱareȱtwoȱbasicȱtypesȱofȱascentȱabortȱ
modesȱforȱspaceȱshuttleȱmissions:ȱȱintactȱabortsȱ
andȱ contingencyȱ aborts.ȱ ȱ Intactȱ abortsȱ areȱ
designedȱtoȱprovideȱaȱsafeȱreturnȱofȱtheȱorbiterȱ
toȱ aȱ plannedȱ landingȱ site.ȱ ȱ Contingencyȱ abortsȱ
areȱ designedȱ toȱ permitȱ flightȱ crewȱ survivalȱ
followingȱ moreȱ severeȱ failuresȱ whenȱ anȱ intactȱ
abortȱ isȱ notȱ possible.ȱ ȱ Aȱ contingencyȱ abortȱ
wouldȱgenerallyȱresultȱinȱaȱditchȱoperation.ȱ
Intact Aborts
Thereȱ areȱ fourȱ typesȱ ofȱ intactȱ aborts:ȱ ȱ abortȱ toȱ
orbitȱ (ATO),ȱ abortȱ onceȱ aroundȱ (AOA),ȱ transȬ
oceanicȱ abortȱ landingȱ (TAL)ȱ andȱ returnȱ toȱ
launchȱsiteȱ(RTLS).ȱ
Return to Launch Site
Theȱ RTLSȱ abortȱ modeȱ isȱ designedȱ toȱ allowȱ theȱ
returnȱ ofȱ theȱ orbiter,ȱ crewȱ andȱ payloadȱ toȱ theȱ
OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
SHUTTLE REFERENCE DATA
launchȱ site,ȱ Kennedyȱ Spaceȱ Center,ȱ approxiȬ
matelyȱ25ȱminutesȱafterȱliftoff.ȱ
Theȱ RTLSȱ profileȱ isȱ designedȱ toȱ accommodateȱ
theȱ lossȱ ofȱ thrustȱ fromȱ oneȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ mainȱ
engineȱ betweenȱ liftoffȱ andȱ approximatelyȱ
fourȱminutesȱ 20ȱ seconds,ȱ atȱ whichȱ timeȱ notȱ
enoughȱ mainȱ propulsionȱ systemȱ propellantȱ
remainsȱ toȱ returnȱ toȱ theȱ launchȱ site.ȱ ȱ Anȱ RTLSȱ
canȱbeȱconsideredȱtoȱconsistȱofȱthreeȱstagesȱ—ȱaȱ
poweredȱ stage,ȱ duringȱ whichȱ theȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ
mainȱ enginesȱ areȱ stillȱ thrusting;ȱ anȱ externalȱ
tankȱ separationȱ phase;ȱ andȱ theȱ glideȱ phase,ȱ
duringȱ whichȱ theȱ orbiterȱ glidesȱ toȱ aȱ landingȱ atȱ
theȱKennedyȱSpaceȱCenter.ȱȱTheȱpoweredȱRTLSȱ
phaseȱ beginsȱ withȱ theȱ crewȱ selectionȱ ofȱ theȱ
RTLSȱ abort,ȱ afterȱ solidȱ rocketȱ boosterȱ
separation.ȱȱTheȱcrewȱselectsȱtheȱabortȱmodeȱbyȱ
positioningȱtheȱabortȱrotaryȱswitchȱtoȱRTLSȱandȱ
depressingȱ theȱ abortȱ pushȱ button.ȱ ȱ Theȱ timeȱ atȱ
whichȱ theȱ RTLSȱ isȱ selectedȱ dependsȱ onȱ theȱ
reasonȱ forȱ theȱ abort.ȱ Forȱ example,ȱ aȱ
threeȬengineȱ RTLSȱ isȱ selectedȱ atȱ theȱ lastȱ
moment,ȱ aboutȱ 3ȱ minutes,ȱ 34ȱ secondsȱ intoȱ theȱ
mission;ȱ whereasȱ anȱ RTLSȱ chosenȱ dueȱ toȱ anȱ
engineȱ outȱ atȱ liftoffȱ isȱ selectedȱ atȱ theȱ earliestȱ
time,ȱ aboutȱ 2ȱ minutes,ȱ 20ȱsecondsȱ intoȱ theȱ
missionȱ(afterȱsolidȱrocketȱboosterȱseparation).ȱ
Afterȱ RTLSȱ isȱ selected,ȱ theȱ vehicleȱ continuesȱ
downrangeȱtoȱdissipateȱexcessȱmainȱpropulsionȱ
systemȱ propellant.ȱ ȱ Theȱ goalȱ isȱ toȱ leaveȱ onlyȱ
enoughȱ mainȱ propulsionȱ systemȱ propellantȱ toȱ
beȱ ableȱ toȱ turnȱ theȱ vehicleȱ around,ȱ flyȱ backȱ
towardȱ theȱKennedyȱSpaceȱ Centerȱ andȱ achieveȱ
theȱproperȱmainȱengineȱcutoffȱconditionsȱsoȱtheȱ
vehicleȱ canȱ glideȱ toȱ theȱ Kennedyȱ Spaceȱ Centerȱ
afterȱ externalȱ tankȱ separation.ȱ ȱ Duringȱ theȱ
downrangeȱ phase,ȱ aȱ pitchȬaroundȱ maneuverȱ isȱ
71
 ȱ
ȱ
initiatedȱ (theȱ timeȱ dependsȱ inȱ partȱ onȱ theȱ timeȱ
ofȱaȱspaceȱshuttleȱmainȱengineȱfailure)ȱtoȱorientȱ
theȱ orbiter/externalȱ tankȱ configurationȱ toȱ aȱ
headsȬupȱ attitude,ȱ pointingȱ towardȱ theȱ launchȱ
site.ȱ ȱ Atȱ thisȱ time,ȱ theȱ vehicleȱ isȱ stillȱ movingȱ
awayȱfromȱtheȱlaunchȱsite,ȱbutȱtheȱspaceȱshuttleȱ
mainȱ enginesȱ areȱ nowȱ thrustingȱ toȱ nullȱ theȱ
downrangeȱvelocity.ȱȱInȱaddition,ȱexcessȱorbitalȱ
maneuveringȱ systemȱ andȱ reactionȱ controlȱ sysȬ
temȱ propellantsȱ areȱ dumpedȱ byȱ continuousȱ
orbitalȱ maneuveringȱ systemȱ andȱ reactionȱ conȬ
trolȱ systemȱ engineȱ thrustingsȱ toȱ improveȱ theȱ
orbiterȱ weightȱ andȱ centerȱ ofȱ gravityȱ forȱ theȱ
glideȱphaseȱandȱlanding.ȱ
Theȱ vehicleȱ willȱ reachȱ theȱ desiredȱ mainȱengineȱ
cutoffȱ pointȱ withȱ lessȱ thanȱ 2ȱ percentȱ excessȱ
propellantȱ remainingȱ inȱ theȱ externalȱ tank.ȱ ȱ Atȱ
mainȱ engineȱ cutoffȱ minusȱ 20ȱ seconds,ȱ aȱ pitchȱ
downȱ maneuverȱ (calledȱ poweredȱ pitchȬdown)ȱ
takesȱtheȱmatedȱvehicleȱtoȱtheȱrequiredȱexternalȱ
tankȱ separationȱ attitudeȱ andȱ pitchȱ rate.ȱ ȱ Afterȱ
mainȱ engineȱ cutoffȱ hasȱ beenȱ commanded,ȱ theȱ
externalȱ tankȱ separationȱ sequenceȱ begins,ȱ
includingȱ aȱ reactionȱ controlȱ systemȱ maneuverȱ
thatȱ ensuresȱ thatȱ theȱ orbiterȱ doesȱ notȱ recontactȱ
theȱ externalȱ tankȱ andȱ thatȱ theȱ orbiterȱ hasȱ
achievedȱ theȱ necessaryȱ pitchȱ attitudeȱ toȱ beginȱ
theȱglideȱphaseȱofȱtheȱRTLS.ȱ
Afterȱtheȱreactionȱcontrolȱsystemȱmaneuverȱhasȱ
beenȱ completed,ȱ theȱ glideȱ phaseȱ ofȱ theȱ RTLSȱ
begins.ȱ ȱ Fromȱ thenȱ on,ȱ theȱ RTLSȱ isȱ handledȱ
similarlyȱtoȱaȱnormalȱentry.ȱ
Transoceanic Abort Landing
Theȱ TALȱ abortȱ modeȱ wasȱ developedȱ toȱ
improveȱ theȱ optionsȱ availableȱ whenȱ aȱ spaceȱ
shuttleȱ mainȱ engineȱ failsȱ afterȱ theȱ lastȱ RTLSȱ
opportunityȱ butȱ beforeȱ theȱ firstȱ timeȱ thatȱ anȱ
AOAȱcanȱbeȱaccomplishedȱwithȱonlyȱtwoȱspaceȱ
shuttleȱ mainȱ enginesȱ orȱ whenȱ aȱ majorȱ orbiterȱ
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systemȱ failure,ȱ forȱ example,ȱ aȱ largeȱ cabinȱ
pressureȱ leakȱ orȱ coolingȱ systemȱ failure,ȱ occursȱ
afterȱ theȱ lastȱ RTLSȱ opportunity,ȱ makingȱ itȱ
imperativeȱtoȱlandȱasȱquicklyȱasȱpossible.ȱ
Inȱ aȱ TALȱ abort,ȱ theȱ vehicleȱ continuesȱ onȱ aȱ
ballisticȱ trajectoryȱ acrossȱ theȱ Atlanticȱ Oceanȱ toȱ
landȱ atȱ aȱ predeterminedȱ runway.ȱ ȱ Landingȱ
occursȱ aboutȱ 45ȱ minutesȱ afterȱ launch.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
landingȱ siteȱ isȱ selectedȱ nearȱ theȱ normalȱ ascentȱ
groundȱ trackȱ ofȱ theȱ orbiterȱ toȱ makeȱ theȱ mostȱ
efficientȱ useȱ ofȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ mainȱ engineȱ
propellant.ȱȱTheȱlandingȱsiteȱalsoȱmustȱhaveȱtheȱ
necessaryȱ runwayȱ length,ȱ weatherȱ conditionsȱ
andȱU.S.ȱStateȱDepartmentȱapproval.ȱȱTheȱthreeȱ
landingȱ sitesȱ thatȱ haveȱ beenȱ identifiedȱ forȱ aȱ
launchȱareȱZaragoza,ȱSpain;ȱMoron,ȱSpain;ȱandȱ
Istres,ȱFrance.ȱ
Toȱ selectȱ theȱ TALȱ abortȱ mode,ȱ theȱ crewȱ mustȱ
placeȱ theȱ abortȱ rotaryȱ switchȱ inȱ theȱ TAL/AOAȱ
positionȱ andȱ depressȱ theȱ abortȱ pushȱ buttonȱ
beforeȱ mainȱ engineȱ cutoffȱ (Depressingȱ itȱ afterȱ
mainȱ engineȱ cutoffȱ selectsȱ theȱ AOAȱ abortȱ
mode).ȱ ȱ Theȱ TALȱ abortȱ modeȱ beginsȱ sendingȱ
commandsȱtoȱsteerȱtheȱvehicleȱtowardȱtheȱplaneȱ
ofȱ theȱ landingȱ site.ȱ ȱ Itȱ alsoȱ rollsȱ theȱ vehicleȱ
headsȱ upȱ beforeȱ mainȱ engineȱ cutoffȱ andȱ sendsȱ
commandsȱ toȱ beginȱ anȱ orbitalȱ maneuveringȱ
systemȱ propellantȱ dumpȱ (byȱ burningȱ theȱ
propellantsȱ throughȱ theȱ orbitalȱ maneuveringȱ
systemȱenginesȱandȱtheȱreactionȱcontrolȱsystemȱ
engines).ȱ ȱ Thisȱ dumpȱ isȱ necessaryȱ toȱ increaseȱ
vehicleȱ performanceȱ (byȱ decreasingȱ weight)ȱ toȱ
placeȱ theȱ centerȱ ofȱ gravityȱ inȱ theȱ properȱ placeȱ
forȱvehicleȱcontrolȱandȱtoȱdecreaseȱtheȱvehicle’sȱ
landingȱ weight.ȱ ȱ TALȱ isȱ handledȱ likeȱ aȱ normalȱ
entry.ȱ
Abort to Orbit
Anȱ ATOȱ isȱ anȱ abortȱ modeȱ usedȱ toȱ boostȱ theȱ
orbiterȱtoȱaȱ safeȱorbitalȱaltitudeȱwhenȱperformȬ
OCTOBER 2007
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ȱ
anceȱhasȱbeenȱlostȱandȱitȱisȱimpossibleȱtoȱreachȱ
theȱ plannedȱ orbitalȱ altitude.ȱ ȱ Ifȱ aȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ
mainȱ engineȱ failsȱ inȱ aȱ regionȱ thatȱ resultsȱ inȱ aȱ
mainȱ engineȱ cutoffȱ underȱ speed,ȱ theȱ Missionȱ
Controlȱ Centerȱ willȱ determineȱ thatȱ anȱ abortȱ
modeȱ isȱ necessaryȱ andȱ willȱ informȱ theȱ crew.ȱȱ
Theȱorbitalȱmaneuveringȱsystemȱenginesȱwouldȱ
beȱusedȱtoȱplaceȱtheȱorbiterȱinȱaȱcircularȱorbit.ȱ
Abort Once Around
TheȱAOAȱabortȱmodeȱisȱusedȱinȱcasesȱinȱwhichȱ
vehicleȱ performanceȱ hasȱ beenȱ lostȱ toȱ suchȱ anȱ
extentȱ thatȱ eitherȱ itȱ isȱ impossibleȱ toȱ achieveȱ aȱ
viableȱorbitȱorȱnotȱenoughȱorbitalȱmaneuveringȱ
systemȱpropellantȱisȱavailableȱtoȱaccomplishȱtheȱ
orbitalȱ maneuveringȱ systemȱ thrustingȱ maneuȬ
verȱtoȱplaceȱtheȱorbiterȱonȱorbitȱandȱtheȱdeorbitȱ
thrustingȱ maneuver.ȱ ȱ Inȱ addition,ȱ anȱ AOAȱ isȱ
usedȱinȱcasesȱinȱwhichȱaȱmajorȱsystemsȱproblemȱ
(cabinȱ leak,ȱ lossȱ ofȱ cooling)ȱ makesȱ itȱ necessaryȱ
toȱ landȱ quickly.ȱ ȱ Inȱ theȱ AOAȱ abortȱ mode,ȱ oneȱ
orbitalȱmaneuveringȱsystemȱthrustingȱsequenceȱ
isȱ madeȱ toȱ adjustȱ theȱ postȬmainȱ engineȱ cutoffȱ
orbitȱ soȱ aȱ secondȱ orbitalȱ maneuveringȱ systemȱ
thrustingȱ sequenceȱ willȱ resultȱ inȱ theȱ vehicleȱ
deorbitingȱandȱlandingȱatȱtheȱAOAȱlandingȱsiteȱ
(Whiteȱ Sands,ȱ N.M.;ȱ Edwardsȱ Airȱ Forceȱ Base,ȱ
Calif.;ȱorȱtheȱKennedyȱSpaceȱCenter,ȱFla).ȱȱThus,ȱ
anȱAOAȱresultsȱinȱtheȱorbiterȱcirclingȱtheȱEarthȱ
onceȱandȱlandingȱaboutȱ90ȱminutesȱafterȱliftoff.ȱ
Afterȱ theȱ deorbitȱ thrustingȱ sequenceȱ hasȱ beenȱ
executed,ȱtheȱflightȱcrewȱfliesȱtoȱaȱlandingȱatȱtheȱ
plannedȱ siteȱ muchȱ asȱ itȱ wouldȱ forȱ aȱ nominalȱ
entry.ȱ
Contingency Aborts
Contingencyȱ abortsȱ areȱ causedȱ byȱ lossȱ ofȱ moreȱ
thanȱ oneȱ mainȱ engineȱ orȱ failuresȱ inȱ otherȱ sysȬ
tems.ȱȱLossȱofȱoneȱmainȱengineȱwhileȱanotherȱisȱ
stuckȱ atȱ aȱ lowȱ thrustȱ settingȱ alsoȱ mayȱ necessiȬ
tateȱaȱcontingencyȱabort.ȱȱSuchȱanȱabortȱwouldȱ
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SHUTTLE REFERENCE DATA
maintainȱ orbiterȱ integrityȱ forȱ inȬflightȱ crewȱ
escapeȱ ifȱ aȱ landingȱ cannotȱ beȱ achievedȱ atȱ aȱ
suitableȱlandingȱfield.ȱ
Contingencyȱabortsȱdueȱtoȱsystemȱfailuresȱotherȱ
thanȱ thoseȱ involvingȱ theȱ mainȱ enginesȱ wouldȱ
normallyȱresultȱinȱanȱintactȱrecoveryȱofȱvehicleȱ
andȱ crew.ȱȱLossȱ ofȱ moreȱ thanȱ oneȱ mainȱ engineȱ
may,ȱ dependingȱ onȱ engineȱ failureȱ times,ȱ resultȱ
inȱ aȱ safeȱ runwayȱ landing.ȱ ȱ However,ȱ inȱ mostȱ
threeȬengineȬoutȱ casesȱ duringȱ ascent,ȱ theȱ
orbiterȱ wouldȱ haveȱ toȱ beȱ ditched.ȱ ȱ Theȱ inflightȱ
crewȱ escapeȱ systemȱ wouldȱ beȱ usedȱ beforeȱ
ditchingȱtheȱorbiter.ȱ
Abort Decisions
Thereȱ isȱ aȱ definiteȱ orderȱ ofȱ preferenceȱ forȱ theȱ
variousȱabortȱmodes.ȱȱTheȱtypeȱofȱfailureȱandȱtheȱ
timeȱofȱtheȱfailureȱdetermineȱwhichȱtypeȱofȱabortȱ
isȱ selected.ȱ ȱ Inȱ casesȱ whereȱ performanceȱ lossȱ isȱ
theȱ onlyȱ factor,ȱ theȱ preferredȱ modesȱ areȱ ATO,ȱ
AOA,ȱ TALȱ andȱRTLS,ȱ inȱ thatȱ order.ȱȱTheȱmodeȱ
chosenȱisȱtheȱhighestȱoneȱthatȱcanȱbeȱcompletedȱ
withȱtheȱremainingȱvehicleȱperformance.ȱ
Inȱ theȱ caseȱ ofȱ someȱ supportȱ systemȱ failures,ȱ
suchȱasȱcabinȱleaksȱorȱvehicleȱcoolingȱproblems,ȱ
theȱ preferredȱ modeȱ mightȱ beȱ theȱ oneȱ thatȱ willȱ
endȱ theȱ missionȱ mostȱ quickly.ȱ ȱ Inȱ theseȱ cases,ȱ
TALȱ orȱ RTLSȱ mightȱ beȱ preferableȱ toȱ AOAȱ orȱ
ATO.ȱ ȱ Aȱ contingencyȱ abortȱ isȱ neverȱ chosenȱ ifȱ
anotherȱabortȱoptionȱexists.ȱ
Missionȱ Controlȱ Houstonȱ isȱ primeȱ forȱ callingȱ
theseȱ abortsȱ becauseȱ itȱ hasȱ aȱ moreȱ preciseȱ
knowledgeȱ ofȱ theȱ orbiterȇsȱ positionȱ thanȱ theȱ
crewȱcanȱobtainȱfromȱonȬboardȱsystems.ȱȱBeforeȱ
mainȱ engineȱ cutoff,ȱ Missionȱ Controlȱ makesȱ
periodicȱ callsȱ toȱ theȱ crewȱ toȱ tellȱ themȱ whichȱ
abortȱ modeȱ isȱ (orȱ isȱ not)ȱ available.ȱ ȱ Ifȱ groundȱ
communicationsȱ areȱ lost,ȱ theȱ flightȱ crewȱ hasȱ
onȬboardȱmethods,ȱsuchȱasȱcueȱcards,ȱdedicatedȱ
displaysȱandȱdisplayȱinformation,ȱtoȱdetermineȱ
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 ȱ
ȱ
theȱabortȱregion.ȱȱWhichȱabortȱmodeȱisȱselectedȱ
dependsȱonȱtheȱcauseȱandȱtimingȱofȱtheȱfailureȱ
causingȱ theȱ abortȱ andȱ whichȱ modeȱ isȱ safestȱ orȱ
improvesȱ missionȱ success.ȱ ȱ Ifȱ theȱ problemȱ isȱ aȱ
spaceȱ shuttleȱ mainȱ engineȱ failure,ȱ theȱ flightȱ
crewȱandȱMissionȱControlȱCenterȱselectȱtheȱbestȱ
optionȱavailableȱatȱtheȱtimeȱaȱmainȱengineȱfails.ȱ
Ifȱ theȱ problemȱ isȱ aȱ systemȱ failureȱ thatȱ jeopardȬ
izesȱ theȱ vehicle,ȱ theȱ fastestȱ abortȱ modeȱ thatȱ
resultsȱinȱtheȱearliestȱvehicleȱlandingȱisȱchosen.ȱȱ
RTLSȱ andȱ TALȱ areȱ theȱ quickestȱ optionsȱ
(35ȱminutes),ȱ whereasȱ anȱ AOAȱ requiresȱ aboutȱ
90ȱminutes.ȱȱWhichȱofȱtheseȱisȱselectedȱdependsȱ
onȱtheȱtimeȱofȱtheȱfailureȱwithȱthreeȱgoodȱspaceȱ
shuttleȱmainȱengines.ȱ
TheȱflightȱcrewȱselectsȱtheȱabortȱmodeȱbyȱposiȬ
tioningȱ anȱ abortȱ modeȱ switchȱ andȱ depressingȱ
anȱabortȱpushȱbutton.ȱ
SHUTTLE ABORT HISTORY
RSLS Abort History
(STS-41 D) June 26, 1984
Theȱ countdownȱ forȱ theȱ secondȱ launchȱ attemptȱ
forȱDiscovery’sȱmaidenȱflightȱendedȱatȱTȬ4ȱsecȬ
ondsȱ whenȱ theȱ orbiter’sȱ computersȱ detectedȱ aȱ
sluggishȱvalveȱinȱmainȱengineȱNo.ȱ3.ȱȱTheȱmainȱ
engineȱwasȱreplacedȱandȱDiscoveryȱwasȱfinallyȱ
launchedȱonȱAug.ȱ30,ȱ1984.ȱ
(STS-51 F) July 12, 1985
Theȱ countdownȱ forȱ Challenger’sȱ launchȱ wasȱ
haltedȱ atȱ TȬ3ȱ secondsȱ whenȱ onȬboardȱ comȬ
putersȱdetectedȱaȱproblemȱwithȱaȱcoolantȱvalveȱ
onȱmainȱengineȱNo.ȱ2.ȱȱTheȱvalveȱwasȱreplacedȱ
andȱChallengerȱwasȱlaunchedȱonȱJulyȱ29,ȱ1985.ȱ
(STS-55) March 22, 1993
Theȱ countdownȱ forȱ Columbia’sȱ launchȱ wasȱ
haltedȱ byȱ onȬboardȱ computersȱ atȱ TȬ3ȱ secondsȱ
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SHUTTLE REFERENCE DATA
followingȱaȱproblemȱwithȱpurgeȱpressureȱreadȬ
ingsȱ inȱ theȱ oxidizerȱ preburnerȱ onȱ mainȱ engineȱ
No.ȱ 2.ȱ ȱ Columbia’sȱ threeȱ mainȱ enginesȱ wereȱ
replacedȱonȱ theȱlaunchȱpad,ȱandȱ theȱ flightȱ wasȱ
rescheduledȱ behindȱ Discovery’sȱ launchȱ onȱ
STSȬ56.ȱ Columbiaȱ finallyȱ launchedȱ onȱ
Aprilȱ26,ȱ1993.ȱ
(STS-51) Aug. 12, 1993
Theȱ countdownȱ forȱ Discovery’sȱ thirdȱ launchȱ
attemptȱ endedȱ atȱ theȱ TȬ3ȱ secondȱ markȱ whenȱ
onboardȱcomputersȱdetectedȱtheȱfailureȱofȱoneȱofȱ
fourȱsensorsȱinȱmainȱengineȱNo.ȱ2ȱwhichȱmonitorȱ
theȱ flowȱ ofȱ hydrogenȱ fuelȱ toȱ theȱ engine.ȱ ȱ Allȱ ofȱ
Discovery’sȱmainȱenginesȱwereȱorderedȱreplacedȱ
onȱtheȱlaunchȱpad,ȱdelayingȱtheȱshuttle’sȱfourthȱ
launchȱattemptȱuntilȱSept.ȱ12,ȱ1993.ȱ
(STS-68) Aug. 18, 1994
Theȱ countdownȱ forȱ Endeavour’sȱ firstȱ launchȱ
attemptȱ endedȱ 1.9ȱ secondsȱ beforeȱ liftoffȱ whenȱ
onȬboardȱ computersȱ detectedȱ higherȱ thanȱ
acceptableȱ readingsȱ inȱ oneȱ channelȱ ofȱ aȱ sensorȱ
monitoringȱ theȱ dischargeȱ temperatureȱ ofȱ theȱ
highȱ pressureȱ oxidizerȱ turbopumpȱ inȱ mainȱ
engineȱNo.ȱ3.ȱȱAȱtestȱfiringȱofȱtheȱengineȱatȱtheȱ
Stennisȱ Spaceȱ Centerȱ inȱ Mississippiȱ onȱ
Septemberȱ2ndȱconfirmedȱthatȱaȱslightȱdriftȱinȱaȱ
fuelȱ flowȱ meterȱ inȱ theȱ engineȱ causedȱ aȱ slightȱ
increaseȱ inȱ theȱ turbopump’sȱ temperature.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
testȱfiringȱalsoȱconfirmedȱaȱslightlyȱslowerȱstartȱ
forȱ mainȱ engineȱ No.ȱ 3ȱ duringȱ theȱ padȱ abort,ȱ
whichȱ couldȱ haveȱ contributedȱ toȱ theȱ higherȱ
temperatures.ȱ ȱ Afterȱ Endeavourȱ wasȱ broughtȱ
backȱ toȱ theȱ Vehicleȱ Assemblyȱ Buildingȱ toȱ beȱ
outfittedȱ withȱ threeȱ replacementȱ engines,ȱ
NASAȱ managersȱ setȱ Oct.ȱ 2ȱ asȱ theȱ dateȱ forȱ
Endeavour’sȱsecondȱlaunchȱattempt.ȱ
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 ȱ
ȱ
Abort to Orbit History 17,000ȱ mphȱ (28,000ȱ kilometersȱ perȱ hour),ȱ
reachesȱorbit.ȱ
(STS-51 F) July 29, 1985
Theȱ mainȱ engineȱ operatesȱ atȱ greaterȱ temperaȬ
Afterȱ anȱ RSLSȱ abortȱ onȱ Julyȱ 12,ȱ 1985,ȱ ChalȬ tureȱ extremesȱ thanȱ anyȱ mechanicalȱ systemȱ inȱ
lengerȱ wasȱ launchedȱ onȱ Julyȱ 29,ȱ 1985.ȱ ȱ Fiveȱ commonȱ useȱ today.ȱ ȱ Theȱ fuel,ȱ liquefiedȱ hydroȬ
minutesȱ andȱ 45ȱ secondsȱ afterȱ launch,ȱ aȱ sensorȱ genȱ atȱ Ȭ423ȱ degreesȱ Fahrenheitȱ (Ȭ253ȱ degreesȱ
problemȱ resultedȱ inȱ theȱ shutdownȱ ofȱ centerȱ Celsius),ȱ isȱ theȱ secondȱ coldestȱ liquidȱ onȱ Earth.ȱȱ
engineȱNo.ȱ1,ȱresultingȱinȱaȱsafeȱ“abortȱtoȱorbit”ȱ Whenȱ itȱ andȱ theȱ liquidȱ oxygenȱ areȱ combusted,ȱ
andȱsuccessfulȱcompletionȱofȱtheȱmission.ȱ theȱtemperatureȱinȱtheȱmainȱcombustionȱchamȬ
berȱ isȱ 6,000ȱ degreesȱ Fahrenheitȱ (3,316ȱ degreesȱ
SPACE SHUTTLE MAIN ENGINES Celsius),ȱhotterȱthanȱtheȱboilingȱpointȱofȱiron.ȱ
Developedȱ inȱ theȱ 1970sȱ byȱ NASA’sȱ Marshallȱ
Theȱ mainȱ enginesȱ useȱ aȱ stagedȱ combustionȱ
SpaceȱFlightȱCenterȱinȱHuntsville,ȱAla.,ȱtheȱspaceȱ
cycleȱsoȱthatȱallȱpropellantsȱenteringȱtheȱenginesȱ
shuttleȱmainȱengineȱisȱtheȱmostȱadvancedȱliquidȬ
areȱ usedȱ toȱ produceȱ thrustȱ orȱ powerȱ —ȱ moreȱ
fueledȱ rocketȱ engineȱ everȱ built.ȱ ȱ Everyȱ spaceȱ
efficientlyȱ thanȱanyȱ previousȱ rocketȱengine.ȱȱInȱ
shuttleȱ mainȱengineȱ isȱ testedȱandȱprovenȱ flightȬ
aȱstagedȱcombustionȱcycle,ȱpropellantsȱareȱfirstȱ
worthyȱatȱNASA’sȱStennisȱSpaceȱCenterȱinȱsouthȱ
burnedȱpartiallyȱatȱhighȱpressureȱandȱrelativelyȱ
Mississippi,ȱbeforeȱinstallationȱonȱanȱorbiter.ȱȱItsȱ
lowȱ temperatureȱ —ȱ thenȱ burnedȱ completelyȱ atȱ
mainȱ featuresȱ includeȱ variableȱ thrust,ȱ highȱ perȬ
highȱ temperatureȱ andȱ pressureȱ inȱ theȱ mainȱ
formanceȱ reusability,ȱ highȱ redundancyȱ andȱ aȱ
combustionȱ chamber.ȱ ȱ Theȱ rapidȱ mixingȱ ofȱ theȱ
fullyȱintegratedȱengineȱcontroller.ȱ
propellantsȱ underȱ theseȱ conditionsȱ isȱ soȱ comȬ
Theȱ shuttle’sȱ threeȱ mainȱ enginesȱ areȱ mountedȱ pleteȱthatȱ99ȱpercentȱofȱtheȱfuelȱisȱburned.ȱ
onȱ theȱ orbiterȱ aftȱ fuselageȱ inȱ aȱ triangularȱ patȬ
Atȱ normalȱ operatingȱ level,ȱ eachȱ engineȱ generȬ
tern.ȱ ȱ Spacedȱ soȱ thatȱ theyȱ areȱ movableȱ duringȱ
atesȱ 490,847ȱ poundsȱ ofȱ thrustȱ (measuredȱ inȱ aȱ
launch,ȱ theȱ enginesȱ areȱ usedȱ —ȱ inȱ conjunctionȱ
vacuum).ȱ ȱ Fullȱ powerȱ isȱ 512,900ȱ poundsȱ ofȱ
withȱ theȱ solidȱ rocketȱ boostersȱ —ȱ toȱ steerȱ theȱ
thrust;ȱ minimumȱ powerȱ isȱ 316,100ȱ poundsȱ ofȱ
shuttleȱvehicle.ȱ
thrust.ȱ
Eachȱ ofȱ theseȱ powerfulȱ mainȱ enginesȱ isȱ 14ȱ feetȱ
Theȱ engineȱ canȱ beȱ throttledȱ byȱ varyingȱ theȱ
(4.2ȱ meters)ȱ long,ȱ weighsȱ aboutȱ 7,000ȱ poundsȱ
outputȱ ofȱ theȱ preȬburners,ȱ thusȱ varyingȱ theȱ
(3,150ȱkilograms)ȱandȱisȱ7.5ȱfeetȱ(2.25ȱmeters)ȱinȱ
speedȱ ofȱ theȱ highȬpressureȱ turbopumpsȱ and,ȱ
diameterȱatȱtheȱendȱofȱitsȱnozzle.ȱ
therefore,ȱtheȱflowȱofȱtheȱpropellant.ȱ
Theȱ enginesȱ operateȱ forȱ aboutȱ 8Ȭ1/2ȱ minutesȱ
Atȱ aboutȱ 26ȱ secondsȱ intoȱ launch,ȱ theȱ mainȱ
duringȱ liftoffȱ andȱ ascentȱ —ȱ burningȱ moreȱ thanȱ
enginesȱ areȱ throttledȱ downȱ toȱ 316,000ȱ poundsȱ
500,000ȱgallonsȱ(1.9ȱmillionȱliters)ȱofȱsuperȬcoldȱ
ofȱ thrustȱ toȱ keepȱ theȱ dynamicȱ pressureȱ onȱ theȱ
liquidȱhydrogenȱandȱliquidȱoxygenȱpropellantsȱ
vehicleȱ belowȱ aȱ specifiedȱ levelȱ —ȱ aboutȱ
storedȱinȱtheȱhugeȱexternalȱtankȱattachedȱtoȱtheȱ
580ȱpoundsȱperȱsquareȱfootȱorȱmaxȱq.ȱȱThen,ȱtheȱ
undersideȱ ofȱ theȱ shuttle.ȱ ȱ Theȱ enginesȱ shutȱ
enginesȱ areȱ throttledȱ backȱ upȱ toȱ normalȱ
downȱjustȱbeforeȱtheȱshuttle,ȱtravelingȱatȱaboutȱ
operatingȱ levelȱ atȱ aboutȱ 60ȱ seconds.ȱ ȱ Thisȱ
reducesȱstressȱonȱtheȱvehicle.ȱȱTheȱmainȱenginesȱ

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SHUTTLE REFERENCE DATA 75
 ȱ
ȱ
areȱ throttledȱ downȱ againȱ atȱ aboutȱ sevenȱ
minutes,ȱ 40ȱ secondsȱ intoȱ theȱ missionȱ toȱ
maintainȱ threeȱg’sȱ —ȱ threeȱ timesȱ theȱ Earth’sȱ
gravitationalȱ pullȱ —ȱ againȱ reducingȱ stressȱ onȱ
theȱ crewȱ andȱ theȱ vehicle.ȱ ȱ Thisȱ accelerationȱ
levelȱ isȱ aboutȱ oneȬthirdȱ theȱ accelerationȱ
experiencedȱonȱpreviousȱcrewedȱspaceȱvehicles.ȱ
Aboutȱ10ȱsecondsȱbeforeȱmainȱengineȱcutoffȱorȱ
MECO,ȱtheȱcutoffȱsequenceȱbegins;ȱaboutȱthreeȱ
secondsȱlaterȱtheȱmainȱenginesȱareȱcommandedȱ
toȱbeginȱthrottlingȱatȱ10ȱpercentȱ thrustȱperȱsecȬ
ondȱtoȱ65ȱpercentȱthrust.ȱȱThisȱisȱheldȱforȱaboutȱ
6.7ȱseconds,ȱandȱtheȱenginesȱareȱshutȱdown.ȱ
Theȱ engineȱ performanceȱ hasȱ theȱ highestȱ thrustȱ
forȱ itsȱ weightȱ ofȱ anyȱ engineȱ yetȱ developed.ȱ ȱ Inȱ
fact,ȱ oneȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ mainȱ engineȱ generatesȱ
sufficientȱ thrustȱ toȱ maintainȱ theȱ flightȱ ofȱ 2Ȭ1/2ȱ
747ȱairplanes.ȱ
Theȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ mainȱ engineȱ isȱ alsoȱ theȱ firstȱ
rocketȱengineȱtoȱuseȱaȱbuiltȬinȱelectronicȱdigitalȱ
controller,ȱ orȱ computer.ȱ ȱ Theȱ controllerȱ willȱ
acceptȱ commandsȱ fromȱ theȱ orbiterȱ forȱ engineȱ
start,ȱ changeȱ inȱ throttle,ȱ shutdown,ȱ andȱ moniȬ
torȱ engineȱ operation.ȱ ȱ Inȱ theȱ eventȱ ofȱ aȱ failure,ȱ
theȱ controllerȱ automaticallyȱ correctsȱ theȱ probȬ
lemȱorȱsafelyȱshutsȱdownȱtheȱengine.ȱ
NASAȱ continuesȱ toȱ increaseȱ theȱ reliabilityȱ andȱ
safetyȱ ofȱ shuttleȱ flightsȱ throughȱ aȱ seriesȱ ofȱ
enhancementsȱ toȱ theȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ mainȱ
engines.ȱ ȱ Theȱ enginesȱ wereȱ modifiedȱ inȱ 1988,ȱ
1995,ȱ 1998,ȱ andȱ 2001.ȱ ȱ Modificationsȱ includeȱ
newȱ highȬpressureȱ fuelȱ andȱ oxidizerȱ
turbopumpsȱ thatȱ reduceȱ maintenanceȱ andȱ
operatingȱ costsȱ ofȱ theȱ engine,ȱ aȱ twoȬductȱ
powerheadȱ thatȱ reducesȱ pressureȱ andȱ
turbulenceȱinȱtheȱengine,ȱandȱaȱsingleȬcoilȱheatȱ
exchangerȱthatȱlowersȱtheȱnumberȱofȱpostȱflightȱ
inspectionsȱ required.ȱ ȱ Anotherȱ modificationȱ
incorporatesȱ aȱ largeȬthroatȱ mainȱ combustionȱ
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chamberȱ thatȱ improvesȱ theȱ engine’sȱ reliabilityȱ
byȱ reducingȱ pressureȱ andȱ temperatureȱ inȱ theȱ
chamber.ȱ
Afterȱtheȱorbiterȱlands,ȱtheȱenginesȱareȱremovedȱ
andȱ returnedȱ toȱ aȱ processingȱ facilityȱ atȱ
Kennedyȱ Spaceȱ Center,ȱ Fla.,ȱ whereȱ theyȱ areȱ
recheckedȱandȱreadiedȱforȱtheȱnextȱflight.ȱȱSomeȱ
componentsȱ areȱ returnedȱ toȱ theȱ mainȱ engine’sȱ
primeȱcontractor,ȱPrattȱ&ȱWhitneyȱRocketDyne,ȱ
WestȱPalmȱBeach,ȱFla.,ȱforȱregularȱmaintenance.ȱȱ
Theȱ mainȱ enginesȱ areȱ designedȱ toȱ operateȱ forȱ
7.5ȱaccumulatedȱhours.ȱ
SPACE SHUTTLE SOLID ROCKET
BOOSTERS
TheȱtwoȱSRBsȱprovideȱtheȱmainȱthrustȱtoȱliftȱtheȱ
spaceȱ shuttleȱ offȱ theȱ padȱ andȱ upȱ toȱ anȱ altitudeȱ
ofȱ aboutȱ 150,000ȱ feet,ȱ orȱ 24ȱ nauticalȱ milesȱ
(28ȱstatuteȱ miles).ȱ ȱ Inȱ addition,ȱ theȱ twoȱ SRBsȱ
carryȱtheȱentireȱweightȱofȱtheȱexternalȱtankȱandȱ
orbiterȱ andȱ transmitȱ theȱ weightȱ loadȱ throughȱ
theirȱstructureȱtoȱtheȱmobileȱlauncherȱplatform.ȱ
Eachȱ boosterȱ hasȱ aȱ thrustȱ (seaȱ level)ȱ ofȱ aboutȱ
3,300,000ȱ poundsȱ atȱ launch.ȱ ȱ Theyȱ areȱ ignitedȱ
afterȱ theȱ threeȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ mainȱ engines’ȱ
thrustȱ levelȱ isȱ verified.ȱ ȱ Theȱ twoȱ SRBsȱ provideȱ
71.4ȱ percentȱ ofȱ theȱ thrustȱ atȱ liftoffȱ andȱ duringȱ
firstȬstageȱ ascent.ȱ ȱ SeventyȬfiveȱ secondsȱ afterȱ
SRBȱ separation,ȱ SRBȱ apogeeȱ occursȱ atȱ anȱ altiȬ
tudeȱ ofȱ aboutȱ 220,000ȱ feet,ȱ orȱ 35ȱ nauticalȱ milesȱ
(40ȱ statuteȱ miles).ȱ ȱ SRBȱ impactȱ occursȱ inȱ theȱ
oceanȱ aboutȱ 122ȱ nauticalȱ milesȱ (140ȱ statuteȱ
miles)ȱdownrange.ȱ
Theȱ SRBsȱ areȱ theȱ largestȱ solidȬpropellantȱ
motorsȱ everȱ flownȱ andȱ theȱ firstȱ designedȱ forȱ
reuse.ȱȱEachȱisȱ149.16ȱfeetȱlongȱandȱ12.17ȱfeetȱinȱ
diameter.ȱ ȱ Eachȱ SRBȱ weighsȱ aboutȱ 1,300,000ȱ
poundsȱatȱlaunch.ȱȱTheȱpropellantȱforȱeachȱsolidȱ
rocketȱ motorȱ weighsȱ aboutȱ 1,100,000ȱ pounds.ȱȱ
OCTOBER 2007
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ȱ
Theȱ inertȱ weightȱ ofȱ eachȱ SRBȱ isȱ aboutȱ
192,000ȱpounds.ȱ
Primaryȱelementsȱofȱeachȱboosterȱareȱtheȱmotorȱ
(includingȱcase,ȱpropellant,ȱigniterȱandȱnozzle),ȱ
structure,ȱseparationȱsystems,ȱoperationalȱflightȱ
instrumentation,ȱ recoveryȱ avionics,ȱ pyrotechȬ
nics,ȱ decelerationȱ system,ȱ thrustȱ vectorȱ controlȱ
systemȱandȱrangeȱsafetyȱdestructȱsystem.ȱ
Eachȱboosterȱisȱattachedȱtoȱtheȱexternalȱtankȱatȱ
theȱ SRB’sȱ aftȱ frameȱ byȱ twoȱ lateralȱ swayȱ bracesȱ
andȱaȱdiagonalȱattachment.ȱȱTheȱforwardȱendȱofȱ
eachȱSRBȱisȱattachedȱtoȱtheȱexternalȱtankȱatȱtheȱ
forwardȱendȱofȱtheȱSRB’sȱforwardȱskirt.ȱȱOnȱtheȱ
launchȱpad,ȱeachȱboosterȱalsoȱisȱattachedȱtoȱtheȱ
mobileȱlauncherȱplatformȱatȱtheȱaftȱskirtȱbyȱfourȱ
boltsȱandȱnutsȱthatȱareȱseveredȱbyȱsmallȱexploȬ
sivesȱatȱliftoff.ȱ
DuringȱtheȱdowntimeȱfollowingȱtheȱChallengerȱ
accident,ȱ detailedȱ structuralȱ analysesȱ wereȱ
performedȱonȱcriticalȱstructuralȱelementsȱofȱtheȱ
SRB.ȱȱAnalysesȱwereȱprimarilyȱfocusedȱinȱareasȱ
whereȱ anomaliesȱ hadȱ beenȱ notedȱ duringȱ postȬ
flightȱinspectionȱofȱrecoveredȱhardware.ȱ
Oneȱofȱtheȱareasȱwasȱtheȱattachȱringȱwhereȱtheȱ
SRBsȱareȱconnectedȱtoȱtheȱexternalȱtank.ȱȱAreasȱ
ofȱ distressȱ wereȱ notedȱ inȱ someȱ ofȱ theȱ fastenersȱ
whereȱ theȱ ringȱ attachesȱtoȱ theȱ SRBȱ motorȱ case.ȱȱ
Thisȱ situationȱ wasȱ attributedȱ toȱ theȱ highȱ loadsȱ
encounteredȱ duringȱ waterȱ impact.ȱ ȱ Toȱ correctȱ
theȱsituationȱandȱensureȱhigherȱstrengthȱmarginsȱ
duringȱascent,ȱtheȱattachȱringȱwasȱredesignedȱtoȱ
encircleȱtheȱmotorȱcaseȱcompletelyȱ(360ȱdegrees).ȱ
Previously,ȱ theȱ attachȱ ringȱ formedȱ aȱ Cȱ andȱ
encircledȱtheȱmotorȱcaseȱ270ȱdegrees.ȱ
Additionally,ȱspecialȱstructuralȱtestsȱwereȱdoneȱ
onȱ theȱ aftȱ skirt.ȱ ȱ Duringȱ thisȱ testȱ program,ȱ anȱ
anomalyȱoccurredȱinȱaȱcriticalȱweldȱbetweenȱtheȱ
holdȬdownȱpostȱandȱskinȱofȱtheȱskirt.ȱȱAȱredesȬ
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ignȱ wasȱ implementedȱ toȱ addȱ reinforcementȱ
bracketsȱandȱfittingsȱinȱtheȱaftȱringȱofȱtheȱskirt.ȱ
Theseȱ twoȱ modificationsȱ addedȱ aboutȱ
450ȱpoundsȱtoȱtheȱweightȱofȱeachȱSRB.ȱ
Theȱ propellantȱ mixtureȱ inȱ eachȱ SRBȱ motorȱ
consistsȱofȱanȱammoniumȱperchlorateȱ(oxidizer,ȱ
69.6ȱ percentȱ byȱ weight),ȱ aluminumȱ (fuel,ȱ
16ȱpercent),ȱironȱoxideȱ(aȱcatalyst,ȱ0.4ȱpercent),ȱaȱ
polymerȱ (aȱ binderȱ thatȱ holdsȱ theȱ mixtureȱ
together,ȱ 12.04ȱ percent),ȱ andȱ anȱ epoxyȱ curingȱ
agentȱ (1.96ȱ percent).ȱ ȱ Theȱ propellantȱ isȱ anȱ
11ȬpointȱstarȬshapedȱperforationȱinȱtheȱforwardȱ
motorȱ segmentȱ andȱ aȱ doubleȬtruncatedȬconeȱ
perforationȱ inȱ eachȱ ofȱ theȱ aftȱ segmentsȱ andȱ aftȱ
closure.ȱ ȱ Thisȱ configurationȱ providesȱ highȱ
thrustȱatȱignitionȱandȱthenȱreducesȱtheȱthrustȱbyȱ
aboutȱaȱthirdȱ50ȱsecondsȱafterȱliftoffȱtoȱpreventȱ
overstressingȱ theȱ vehicleȱ duringȱ maximumȱ
dynamicȱpressure.ȱ
TheȱSRBsȱareȱusedȱasȱmatchedȱpairsȱandȱeachȱisȱ
madeȱ upȱ ofȱ fourȱ solidȱ rocketȱ motorȱ segments.ȱȱ
Theȱ pairsȱ areȱ matchedȱ byȱ loadingȱ eachȱ ofȱ theȱ
fourȱ motorȱ segmentsȱ inȱ pairsȱ fromȱ theȱ sameȱ
batchesȱ ofȱ propellantȱ ingredientsȱ toȱ minimizeȱ
anyȱ thrustȱ imbalance.ȱ ȱ Theȱ segmentedȬcasingȱ
designȱ assuresȱ maximumȱ flexibilityȱ inȱ fabricaȬ
tionȱ andȱ easeȱ ofȱ transportationȱ andȱ handling.ȱȱ
Eachȱsegmentȱisȱshippedȱtoȱtheȱlaunchȱsiteȱonȱaȱ
heavyȬdutyȱrailȱcarȱwithȱaȱspeciallyȱbuiltȱcover.ȱ
Theȱ nozzleȱ expansionȱ ratioȱ ofȱ eachȱ boosterȱ
beginningȱ withȱ theȱ STSȬ8ȱ missionȱ isȱ 7ȬtoȬ79.ȱȱ
Theȱnozzleȱisȱgimbaledȱforȱthrustȱvectorȱ(direcȬ
tion)ȱcontrol.ȱȱEachȱSRBȱhasȱitsȱownȱredundantȱ
auxiliaryȱ powerȱ unitsȱ andȱ hydraulicȱ pumps.ȱȱ
Theȱ allȬaxisȱ gimbalingȱ capabilityȱ isȱ 8ȱdegrees.ȱȱ
Eachȱnozzleȱhasȱaȱcarbonȱclothȱlinerȱthatȱerodesȱ
andȱ charsȱ duringȱ firing.ȱ ȱ Theȱ nozzleȱ isȱ aȱ conȬ
vergentȬdivergent,ȱmovableȱdesignȱinȱwhichȱanȱ
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ȱ
aftȱ pivotȬpointȱ flexibleȱ bearingȱ isȱ theȱ gimbalȱ
mechanism.ȱ
Theȱ coneȬshapedȱ aftȱ skirtȱ reactsȱ theȱ aftȱ loadsȱ
betweenȱ theȱ SRBȱ andȱ theȱ mobileȱ launcherȱ
platform.ȱ ȱ Theȱ fourȱ aftȱ separationȱ motorsȱ areȱ
mountedȱ onȱ theȱ skirt.ȱ ȱ Theȱ aftȱ sectionȱ containsȱ
avionics,ȱ aȱ thrustȱ vectorȱ controlȱ systemȱ thatȱ
consistsȱ ofȱ twoȱ auxiliaryȱ powerȱ unitsȱ andȱ
hydraulicȱ pumps,ȱ hydraulicȱ systemsȱ andȱ aȱ
nozzleȱextensionȱjettisonȱsystem.ȱ
Theȱ forwardȱ sectionȱ ofȱ eachȱ boosterȱ containsȱ
avionics,ȱ aȱ sequencer,ȱ forwardȱ separationȱ
motors,ȱ aȱ noseȱ coneȱ separationȱ system,ȱ drogueȱ
andȱ mainȱ parachutes,ȱ aȱ recoveryȱ beacon,ȱ aȱ
recoveryȱ light,ȱ aȱ parachuteȱ cameraȱ onȱ selectedȱ
flightsȱandȱaȱrangeȱsafetyȱsystem.ȱ
Eachȱ SRBȱ hasȱ twoȱ integratedȱ electronicȱ
assemblies,ȱ oneȱ forwardȱ andȱ oneȱ aft.ȱ ȱ Afterȱ
burnout,ȱ theȱ forwardȱ assemblyȱ initiatesȱ theȱ
releaseȱofȱtheȱnoseȱcapȱandȱfrustum,ȱaȱtransitionȱ
pieceȱ betweenȱ theȱ noseȱ coneȱ andȱ solidȱ rocketȱ
motor,ȱandȱturnsȱonȱtheȱrecoveryȱaids.ȱȱTheȱaftȱ
assembly,ȱ mountedȱ inȱ theȱ externalȱ tank/SRBȱ
attachȱring,ȱconnectsȱwithȱtheȱforwardȱassemblyȱ
andȱ theȱ orbiterȱ avionicsȱ systemsȱ forȱ SRBȱ
ignitionȱ commandsȱ andȱ nozzleȱ thrustȱ vectorȱ
control.ȱ ȱ Eachȱ integratedȱ electronicȱ assemblyȱ
hasȱ aȱ multiplexer/demultiplexer,ȱ whichȱ sendsȱ
orȱ receivesȱ moreȱ thanȱ oneȱ message,ȱ signalȱ orȱ
unitȱ ofȱ informationȱ onȱ aȱ singleȱ communicationȱ
channel.ȱ
Eightȱ boosterȱ separationȱ motorsȱ (fourȱ inȱ theȱ
noseȱ frustumȱ andȱ fourȱ inȱ theȱ aftȱ skirt)ȱ ofȱ eachȱ
SRBȱ thrustȱ forȱ 1.02ȱ secondsȱ atȱ SRBȱ separationȱ
fromȱtheȱexternalȱtank.ȱȱEachȱsolidȱrocketȱsepaȬ
rationȱmotorȱisȱ31.1ȱinchesȱlongȱandȱ12.8ȱinchesȱ
inȱdiameter.ȱ
Locationȱ aidsȱ areȱ providedȱ forȱ eachȱ SRB,ȱ frusȬ
tum/drogueȱ chutesȱ andȱ mainȱ parachutes.ȱȱ
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Theseȱ includeȱ aȱ transmitter,ȱ antenna,ȱ
strobe/converter,ȱ batteryȱ andȱ saltȬwaterȱ switchȱ
electronics.ȱȱTheȱlocationȱaidsȱareȱdesignedȱforȱaȱ
minimumȱ operatingȱ lifeȱ ofȱ 72ȱ hoursȱ andȱ whenȱ
refurbishedȱ areȱ consideredȱ usableȱ upȱ toȱ
20ȱtimes.ȱȱTheȱflashingȱlightȱisȱanȱexception.ȱȱItȱ
hasȱanȱoperatingȱlifeȱofȱ280ȱhours.ȱȱTheȱbatteryȱ
isȱusedȱonlyȱonce.ȱ
Theȱ SRBȱ noseȱ capsȱ andȱ nozzleȱ extensionsȱ areȱ
notȱrecovered.ȱ
Theȱ recoveryȱ crewȱ retrievesȱ theȱ SRBs,ȱ frusȬ
tum/drogueȱ chutes,ȱ andȱ mainȱ parachutes.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
nozzlesȱareȱplugged,ȱtheȱsolidȱrocketȱmotorsȱareȱ
dewatered,ȱandȱtheȱSRBsȱareȱtowedȱbackȱtoȱtheȱ
launchȱ site.ȱ ȱ Eachȱ boosterȱ isȱ removedȱ fromȱ theȱ
water,ȱ andȱ itsȱ componentsȱ areȱ disassembledȱ
andȱwashedȱwithȱfreshȱandȱdeionizedȱwaterȱtoȱ
limitȱsaltȬwaterȱcorrosion.ȱȱTheȱmotorȱsegments,ȱ
igniterȱ andȱ nozzleȱ areȱ shippedȱ backȱ toȱ ATKȱ
Thiokolȱforȱrefurbishment.ȱ
Eachȱ SRBȱ incorporatesȱ aȱ rangeȱ safetyȱ systemȱ
thatȱ includesȱ aȱ batteryȱ powerȱ source,ȱ
receiver/decoder,ȱantennasȱandȱordnance.ȱ
Hold-Down Posts
Eachȱ solidȱ rocketȱ boosterȱ hasȱ fourȱ holdȬdownȱ
postsȱ thatȱ fitȱ intoȱ correspondingȱ supportȱ postsȱ
onȱ theȱ mobileȱ launcherȱ platform.ȱ ȱ HoldȬdownȱ
boltsȱholdȱtheȱSRBȱandȱlauncherȱplatformȱpostsȱ
together.ȱ ȱ Eachȱ boltȱ hasȱ aȱ nutȱ atȱ eachȱ end,ȱ butȱ
onlyȱtheȱtopȱnutȱisȱfrangible.ȱȱTheȱtopȱnutȱconȬ
tainsȱ twoȱ NASAȱ standardȱ detonatorsȱ (NSDs),ȱ
whichȱareȱignitedȱatȱsolidȱrocketȱmotorȱignitionȱ
commands.ȱ
Whenȱ theȱ twoȱ NSDsȱ areȱ ignitedȱ atȱ eachȱ holdȬ
down,ȱ theȱ holdȬdownȱ boltȱ travelsȱ downwardȱ
becauseȱ ofȱ theȱ releaseȱ ofȱ tensionȱ inȱ theȱ boltȱ
(pretensionedȱbeforeȱlaunch),ȱNSDȱgasȱpressureȱ
andȱ gravity.ȱ ȱ Theȱ boltȱ isȱ stoppedȱ byȱ theȱ studȱ
OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ
decelerationȱ stand,ȱ whichȱ containsȱ sand.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
SRBȱ boltȱ isȱ 28ȱ inchesȱ longȱ andȱ 3.5ȱ inchesȱ inȱ
diameter.ȱ ȱ Theȱ frangibleȱ nutȱ isȱ capturedȱ inȱ aȱ
blastȱcontainer.ȱ
Theȱ solidȱ rocketȱ motorȱ ignitionȱ commandsȱ areȱ
issuedȱ byȱ theȱ orbiter’sȱ computersȱ throughȱ theȱ
masterȱ eventsȱ controllersȱ toȱ theȱ holdȬdownȱ
pyrotechnicȱ initiatorȱ controllersȱ onȱ theȱ mobileȱ
launcherȱplatform.ȱȱTheyȱprovideȱtheȱignitionȱtoȱ
theȱ holdȬdownȱ NSDs.ȱ ȱ Theȱ launchȱ processingȱ
systemȱ monitorsȱ theȱ SRBȱ holdȬdownȱ PICsȱ forȱ
lowȱ voltageȱ duringȱ theȱ lastȱ 16ȱ secondsȱ beforeȱ
launch.ȱ ȱ PICȱ lowȱ voltageȱ willȱ initiateȱ aȱ launchȱ
hold.ȱ
SRB Ignition
SRBȱ ignitionȱ canȱ occurȱ onlyȱ whenȱ aȱ manualȱ
lockȱpinȱfromȱeachȱSRBȱsafeȱandȱarmȱdeviceȱhasȱ
beenȱ removed.ȱ ȱ Theȱ groundȱ crewȱ removesȱ theȱ
pinȱ duringȱ prelaunchȱ activities.ȱ ȱ Atȱ Tȱ minusȱ
fiveȱ minutes,ȱ theȱ SRBȱ safeȱ andȱ armȱ deviceȱ isȱ
rotatedȱ toȱ theȱ armȱ position.ȱ ȱ Theȱ solidȱ rocketȱ
motorȱ ignitionȱ commandsȱ areȱ issuedȱ whenȱ theȱ
threeȱ SSMEsȱ areȱ atȱ orȱ aboveȱ 90ȱ percentȱ ratedȱ
thrust,ȱ noȱ SSMEȱ failȱ and/orȱ SRBȱ ignitionȱ PICȱ
lowȱvoltageȱisȱindicatedȱandȱthereȱareȱnoȱholdsȱ
fromȱtheȱLPS.ȱ
Theȱ solidȱ rocketȱ motorȱ ignitionȱ commandsȱ areȱ
sentȱ byȱ theȱ orbiterȱ computersȱ throughȱ theȱ
MECsȱtoȱtheȱsafeȱandȱarmȱdeviceȱNSDsȱinȱeachȱ
SRB.ȱȱAȱPICȱsingleȬchannelȱcapacitorȱdischargeȱ
deviceȱ controlsȱ theȱ firingȱ ofȱ eachȱ pyrotechnicȱ
device.ȱ Threeȱ signalsȱ mustȱ beȱ presentȱ
simultaneouslyȱforȱtheȱPICȱtoȱgenerateȱtheȱpyroȱ
firingȱ output.ȱ ȱ Theseȱ signalsȱ —ȱ arm,ȱ fireȱ 1ȱ andȱ
fireȱ2ȱ—ȱoriginateȱinȱtheȱorbiterȱgeneralȬpurposeȱ
computersȱ andȱ areȱ transmittedȱ toȱ theȱ MECs.ȱȱ
Theȱ MECsȱ reformatȱ themȱ toȱ 28Ȭvoltȱ dcȱ signalsȱ
forȱ theȱ PICs.ȱ ȱ Theȱ armȱ signalȱ chargesȱ theȱ PICȱ
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SHUTTLE REFERENCE DATA
capacitorȱ toȱ 40ȱ voltsȱ dcȱ (minimumȱ ofȱ 20ȱ voltsȱ
dc).ȱ
Theȱ fireȱ 2ȱ commandsȱ causeȱ theȱ redundantȱ
NSDsȱtoȱfireȱthroughȱaȱthinȱbarrierȱsealȱdownȱaȱ
flameȱ tunnel.ȱ ȱ Thisȱ ignitesȱ aȱ pyroȱ boosterȱ
charge,ȱ whichȱ isȱ retainedȱ inȱ theȱ safeȱ andȱ armȱ
deviceȱ behindȱ aȱ perforatedȱ plate.ȱ ȱ Theȱ boosterȱ
chargeȱ ignitesȱ theȱ propellantȱ inȱ theȱ igniterȱ iniȬ
tiator;ȱandȱcombustionȱproductsȱofȱthisȱpropelȬ
lantȱ igniteȱ theȱ solidȱ rocketȱ motorȱ initiator,ȱ
whichȱfiresȱdownȱtheȱlengthȱofȱtheȱsolidȱrocketȱ
motorȱ ignitingȱ theȱ solidȱ rocketȱ motorȱ propelȬ
lant.ȱ
Theȱ GPCȱ launchȱ sequenceȱ alsoȱ controlsȱ certainȱ
criticalȱ mainȱ propulsionȱ systemȱ valvesȱ andȱ
monitorsȱtheȱengineȬreadyȱindicationsȱfromȱtheȱ
SSMEs.ȱȱTheȱMPSȱstartȱcommandsȱareȱissuedȱbyȱ
theȱonȬboardȱcomputersȱatȱTȱminusȱ6.6ȱsecondsȱ
(staggeredȱ startȱ —ȱ engineȱ three,ȱ engineȱ two,ȱ
engineȱoneȱ—ȱallȱaboutȱwithinȱ0.25ȱofȱaȱsecond),ȱ
andȱ theȱ sequenceȱ monitorsȱ theȱ thrustȱ buildupȱ
ofȱeachȱengine.ȱȱAllȱthreeȱSSMEsȱmustȱreachȱtheȱ
requiredȱ90ȱpercentȱthrustȱwithinȱthreeȱseconds;ȱ
otherwise,ȱanȱorderlyȱshutdownȱisȱcommandedȱ
andȱsafingȱfunctionsȱareȱinitiated.ȱ
Normalȱ thrustȱ buildupȱ toȱ theȱ requiredȱ 90ȱ perȬ
centȱthrustȱlevelȱwillȱresultȱinȱtheȱSSMEsȱbeingȱ
commandedȱ toȱ theȱ liftoffȱ positionȱ atȱ Tȱminusȱ
threeȱ secondsȱ asȱ wellȱ asȱ theȱ fireȱ 1ȱ commandȱ
beingȱissuedȱtoȱarmȱtheȱSRBs.ȱȱAtȱTȱminusȱthreeȱ
seconds,ȱ theȱ vehicleȱ baseȱ bendingȱ loadȱ modesȱ
areȱ allowedȱ toȱ initializeȱ (movementȱ ofȱ
25.5ȱinchesȱ measuredȱ atȱ theȱ tipȱ ofȱ theȱ externalȱ
tank,ȱ withȱ movementȱ towardsȱ theȱ externalȱ
tank).ȱ
Atȱ Tȱ minusȱ zero,ȱ theȱ twoȱ SRBsȱ areȱ ignitedȱ
underȱ commandȱ ofȱ theȱ fourȱ onȬboardȱ
computers;ȱ separationȱ ofȱ theȱ fourȱ explosiveȱ
boltsȱ onȱ eachȱ SRBȱ isȱ initiatedȱ (eachȱ boltȱ isȱ
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ȱ
28ȱinchesȱ longȱ andȱ 3.5ȱ inchesȱ inȱ diameter);ȱ theȱ
twoȱ TȬ0ȱ umbilicalsȱ (oneȱ onȱ eachȱ sideȱ ofȱ theȱ
spacecraft)ȱ areȱ retracted;ȱ theȱ onȬboardȱ masterȱ
timingȱ unit,ȱ eventȱ timerȱ andȱ missionȱ eventȱ
timersȱ areȱ started;ȱ theȱ threeȱ SSMEsȱ areȱ atȱ
100ȱpercent;ȱandȱtheȱgroundȱlaunchȱsequenceȱisȱ
terminated.ȱ
Theȱsolidȱrocketȱmotorȱthrustȱprofileȱisȱtailoredȱ
toȱreduceȱthrustȱduringȱtheȱmaximumȱdynamicȱ
pressureȱregion.ȱ
Electrical Power Distribution
Electricalȱ powerȱ distributionȱ inȱ eachȱ SRBȱ
consistsȱofȱorbiterȬsuppliedȱmainȱdcȱbusȱpowerȱ
toȱeachȱSRBȱviaȱSRBȱbusesȱA,ȱBȱandȱC.ȱȱOrbiterȱ
mainȱ dcȱbusesȱA,ȱBȱandȱCȱsupplyȱmainȱ dcȱ busȱ
powerȱtoȱcorrespondingȱSRBȱbusesȱA,ȱBȱandȱC.ȱȱ
Inȱ addition,ȱ orbiterȱ mainȱ dcȱ busȱ Cȱ suppliesȱ
backupȱ powerȱ toȱ SRBȱ busesȱ Aȱ andȱ B,ȱ andȱ
orbiterȱ busȱ Bȱ suppliesȱ backupȱ powerȱ toȱ SRBȱ
busȱC.ȱ Thisȱ electricalȱ powerȱ distributionȱ
arrangementȱ allowsȱ allȱ SRBȱ busesȱ toȱ remainȱ
poweredȱinȱtheȱeventȱoneȱorbiterȱmainȱbusȱfails.ȱ
Theȱ nominalȱ dcȱ voltageȱ isȱ 28ȱ voltsȱ dc,ȱ withȱ anȱ
upperȱ limitȱ ofȱ 32ȱ voltsȱ dcȱ andȱ aȱ lowerȱ limitȱ ofȱ
24ȱvoltsȱdc.ȱ
Hydraulic Power Units
Thereȱ areȱ twoȱ selfȬcontained,ȱ independentȱ
HPUsȱ onȱ eachȱ SRB.ȱ ȱ Eachȱ HPUȱ consistsȱ ofȱ anȱ
auxiliaryȱ powerȱ unit,ȱ fuelȱ supplyȱ module,ȱ
hydraulicȱ pump,ȱ hydraulicȱ reservoirȱ andȱ
hydraulicȱ fluidȱ manifoldȱ assembly.ȱ ȱ Theȱ APUsȱ
areȱ fueledȱ byȱ hydrazineȱ andȱ generateȱ
mechanicalȱ shaftȱ powerȱ toȱ aȱ hydraulicȱ pumpȱ
thatȱ producesȱ hydraulicȱ pressureȱ forȱ theȱ SRBȱ
hydraulicȱsystem.ȱȱTheȱtwoȱseparateȱHPUsȱandȱ
twoȱ hydraulicȱ systemsȱ areȱ locatedȱ onȱ theȱ aftȱ
endȱ ofȱ eachȱ SRBȱ betweenȱ theȱ SRBȱ nozzleȱ andȱ
aftȱskirt.ȱȱTheȱHPUȱcomponentsȱareȱmountedȱonȱ
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theȱaftȱskirtȱbetweenȱtheȱrockȱandȱtiltȱactuators.ȱȱ
Theȱ twoȱ systemsȱ operateȱ fromȱ Tȱ minusȱ
28ȱsecondsȱ untilȱ SRBȱ separationȱ fromȱ theȱ
orbiterȱandȱexternalȱtank.ȱȱTheȱtwoȱindependentȱ
hydraulicȱsystemsȱareȱconnectedȱtoȱtheȱrockȱandȱ
tiltȱservoactuators.ȱ
Theȱ APUȱ controllerȱ electronicsȱ areȱ locatedȱ inȱ
theȱ SRBȱ aftȱ integratedȱ electronicȱ assembliesȱ onȱ
theȱaftȱexternalȱtankȱattachȱrings.ȱ
Theȱ APUsȱ andȱ theirȱ fuelȱ systemsȱ areȱ isolatedȱ
fromȱ eachȱ other.ȱ ȱ Eachȱ fuelȱ supplyȱ moduleȱ
(tank)ȱ containsȱ 22ȱ poundsȱ ofȱ hydrazine.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
fuelȱ tankȱ isȱ pressurizedȱ withȱ gaseousȱ nitrogenȱ
atȱ 400ȱ psi,ȱ whichȱ providesȱ theȱ forceȱ toȱ expelȱ
(positiveȱ expulsion)ȱ theȱ fuelȱ fromȱ theȱ tankȱ toȱ
theȱfuelȱdistributionȱline,ȱmaintainingȱaȱpositiveȱ
fuelȱ supplyȱ toȱ theȱ APUȱ throughoutȱ itsȱ operaȬ
tion.ȱ
Theȱ fuelȱ isolationȱ valveȱ isȱ openedȱ atȱ APUȱ
startupȱ toȱ allowȱ fuelȱ toȱ flowȱ toȱ theȱ APUȱ fuelȱ
pumpȱ andȱ controlȱ valvesȱ andȱ thenȱ toȱ theȱ gasȱ
generator.ȱ ȱ Theȱ gasȱ generator’sȱ catalyticȱ actionȱ
decomposesȱ theȱ fuelȱ andȱ createsȱ aȱ hotȱ gas.ȱ ȱ Itȱ
feedsȱ theȱ hotȱ gasȱ exhaustȱ productȱ toȱ theȱ APUȱ
twoȬstageȱ gasȱ turbine.ȱ ȱ Fuelȱ flowsȱ primarilyȱ
throughȱ theȱ startupȱ bypassȱ lineȱ untilȱ theȱ APUȱ
speedȱisȱsuchȱthatȱtheȱfuelȱpumpȱoutletȱpressureȱ
isȱ greaterȱ thanȱ theȱ bypassȱ line’s.ȱ ȱ Thenȱ allȱ theȱ
fuelȱisȱsuppliedȱtoȱtheȱfuelȱpump.ȱ
Theȱ APUȱ turbineȱ assemblyȱ providesȱ mechaniȬ
calȱ powerȱ toȱ theȱ APUȱ gearbox.ȱ ȱ Theȱ gearboxȱ
drivesȱ theȱ APUȱ fuelȱ pump,ȱ hydraulicȱ pumpȱ
andȱ lubeȱ oilȱ pump.ȱ ȱ Theȱ APUȱ lubeȱ oilȱ pumpȱ
lubricatesȱ theȱ gearbox.ȱ ȱ Theȱ turbineȱ exhaustȱ ofȱ
eachȱ APUȱ flowsȱ overȱ theȱ exteriorȱ ofȱ theȱ gasȱ
generator,ȱcoolingȱit,ȱandȱisȱthenȱdirectedȱoverȬ
boardȱthroughȱanȱexhaustȱduct.ȱ
Whenȱ theȱ APUȱ speedȱ reachesȱ 100ȱ percent,ȱ theȱ
APUȱprimaryȱcontrolȱvalveȱcloses,ȱandȱtheȱAPUȱ
OCTOBER 2007
 ȱ
ȱ
speedȱ isȱ controlledȱ byȱ theȱ APUȱ controllerȱ
electronics.ȱ ȱ Ifȱ theȱ primaryȱ controlȱ valveȱ logicȱ
failsȱ toȱ theȱ openȱ state,ȱ theȱ secondaryȱ controlȱ
valveȱ assumesȱ controlȱ ofȱ theȱ APUȱ atȱ
112ȱpercentȱ speed.ȱ ȱ Eachȱ HPUȱ onȱ anȱ SRBȱ isȱ
connectedȱ toȱ bothȱ servoactuatorsȱ onȱ thatȱ SRB.ȱȱ
Oneȱ HPUȱ servesȱ asȱ theȱ primaryȱ hydraulicȱ
sourceȱforȱtheȱservoactuator,ȱandȱtheȱotherȱHPUȱ
servesȱ asȱ theȱ secondaryȱ hydraulicsȱ forȱ theȱ
servoactuator.ȱ Eachȱ servoactuatorȱ hasȱ aȱ
switchingȱ valveȱ thatȱ allowsȱ theȱ secondaryȱ
hydraulicsȱtoȱpowerȱtheȱactuatorȱifȱtheȱprimaryȱ
hydraulicȱ pressureȱ dropsȱ belowȱ 2,050ȱ psi.ȱ ȱ Aȱ
switchȱcontactȱonȱtheȱswitchingȱvalveȱwillȱcloseȱ
whenȱ theȱ valveȱ isȱ inȱ theȱ secondaryȱ position.ȱȱ
Whenȱtheȱvalveȱisȱclosed,ȱaȱsignalȱisȱsentȱtoȱtheȱ
APUȱ controllerȱ thatȱ inhibitsȱ theȱ 100ȱ percentȱ
APUȱ speedȱ controlȱ logicȱ andȱ enablesȱ theȱ
112ȱpercentȱ APUȱ speedȱ controlȱ logic.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
100ȱpercentȱ APUȱ speedȱ enablesȱ oneȱ APU/HPUȱ
toȱ supplyȱ sufficientȱ operatingȱ hydraulicȱ
pressureȱtoȱbothȱservoactuatorsȱofȱthatȱSRB.ȱ
Theȱ APUȱ 100ȱ percentȱ speedȱ correspondsȱ toȱ
72,000ȱ rpm,ȱ 110ȱ percentȱ toȱ 79,200ȱ rpm,ȱ andȱ
112ȱpercentȱtoȱ80,640ȱrpm.ȱ
Theȱ hydraulicȱ pumpȱ speedȱ isȱ 3,600ȱ rpmȱ andȱ
suppliesȱ hydraulicȱ pressureȱ ofȱ 3,050,ȱ plusȱ orȱ
minusȱ 50,ȱ psi.ȱ ȱ Aȱ highȬpressureȱ reliefȱ valveȱ
providesȱ overpressureȱ protectionȱ toȱ theȱ
hydraulicȱsystemȱandȱrelievesȱatȱ3,750ȱpsi.ȱ
Theȱ APUs/HPUsȱ andȱ hydraulicȱ systemsȱ areȱ
reusableȱforȱ20ȱmissions.ȱ
Thrust Vector Control
EachȱSRBȱhasȱtwoȱhydraulicȱgimbalȱservoactuaȬ
tors:ȱȱoneȱforȱrockȱandȱoneȱforȱtilt.ȱȱTheȱservoacȬ
tuatorsȱprovideȱtheȱforceȱandȱcontrolȱtoȱgimbalȱ
theȱnozzleȱforȱthrustȱvectorȱcontrol.ȱ
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SHUTTLE REFERENCE DATA
Theȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ ascentȱ thrustȱ vectorȱ controlȱ
portionȱ ofȱ theȱ flightȱ controlȱ systemȱ directsȱ theȱ
thrustȱofȱtheȱthreeȱshuttleȱmainȱenginesȱandȱtheȱ
twoȱSRBȱnozzlesȱtoȱcontrolȱshuttleȱattitudeȱandȱ
trajectoryȱduringȱliftoffȱandȱascent.ȱȱCommandsȱ
fromȱtheȱguidanceȱsystemȱareȱtransmittedȱtoȱtheȱ
ATVCȱ drivers,ȱ whichȱ transmitȱ signalsȱ proporȬ
tionalȱtoȱtheȱcommandsȱtoȱeachȱservoactuatorȱofȱ
theȱmainȱenginesȱandȱSRBs.ȱȱFourȱindependentȱ
flightȱ controlȱ systemȱ channelsȱ andȱ fourȱ ATVCȱ
channelsȱ controlȱ sixȱ mainȱ engineȱandȱ fourȱ SRBȱ
ATVCȱdrivers,ȱwithȱeachȱdriverȱcontrollingȱoneȱ
hydraulicȱ portȱ onȱ eachȱ mainȱ andȱ SRBȱ servoacȬ
tuator.ȱ
Eachȱ SRBȱ servoactuatorȱ consistsȱ ofȱ fourȱ indeȬ
pendent,ȱ twoȬstageȱ servovalvesȱ thatȱ receiveȱ
signalsȱfromȱtheȱdrivers.ȱȱEachȱservovalveȱconȬ
trolsȱ oneȱ powerȱ spoolȱ inȱ eachȱ actuator,ȱ whichȱ
positionsȱ anȱ actuatorȱ ramȱ andȱ theȱ nozzleȱ toȱ
controlȱtheȱdirectionȱofȱthrust.ȱ
Theȱfourȱservovalvesȱinȱeachȱactuatorȱprovideȱaȱ
forceȬsummedȱ majorityȱ votingȱ arrangementȱ toȱ
positionȱ theȱ powerȱ spool.ȱ ȱ Withȱ fourȱ identicalȱ
commandsȱ toȱ theȱ fourȱ servovalves,ȱ theȱ actuatorȱ
forceȬsumȱ actionȱ preventsȱ aȱ singleȱ erroneousȱ
commandȱ fromȱ affectingȱ powerȱ ramȱ motion.ȱȱIfȱ
theȱerroneousȱcommandȱpersistsȱforȱmoreȱthanȱaȱ
predeterminedȱ time,ȱ differentialȱ pressureȱ
sensingȱ activatesȱ aȱ selectorȱ valveȱ toȱ isolateȱ andȱ
removeȱ theȱ defectiveȱ servovalveȱ hydraulicȱ
pressure,ȱpermittingȱtheȱremainingȱchannelsȱandȱ
servovalvesȱtoȱcontrolȱtheȱactuatorȱramȱspool.ȱ
Failureȱ monitorsȱ areȱ providedȱ forȱ eachȱ channelȱ
toȱ indicateȱ whichȱ channelȱ hasȱ beenȱ bypassed.ȱȱ
Anȱisolationȱvalveȱonȱeachȱchannelȱprovidesȱtheȱ
capabilityȱofȱresettingȱaȱfailedȱorȱbypassedȱchanȬ
nel.ȱ
Eachȱactuatorȱramȱisȱequippedȱwithȱtransducersȱ
forȱ positionȱ feedbackȱ toȱ theȱ thrustȱ vectorȱ conȬ
trolȱsystem.ȱȱWithinȱeachȱservoactuatorȱramȱisȱaȱ
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splashdownȱloadȱreliefȱassemblyȱtoȱcushionȱtheȱ
nozzleȱ atȱ waterȱ splashdownȱ andȱ preventȱ damȬ
ageȱtoȱtheȱnozzleȱflexibleȱbearing.ȱ
Theȱ SRBsȱ separateȱ fromȱ theȱ externalȱ tankȱ
withinȱ 30ȱ millisecondsȱ ofȱ theȱ ordnanceȱ firingȱ
command.ȱ

SRB Rate Gyro Assemblies Theȱforwardȱattachmentȱpointȱconsistsȱofȱaȱballȱ

(SRB)ȱandȱsocketȱ(ET)ȱheldȱtogetherȱbyȱoneȱbolt.ȱȱ
Eachȱ SRBȱ containsȱ twoȱ RGAs,ȱ withȱ eachȱ RGAȱ
TheȱboltȱcontainsȱoneȱNSDȱpressureȱcartridgeȱatȱ
containingȱ oneȱ pitchȱ andȱ oneȱ yawȱ gyro.ȱ ȱ Theseȱ
eachȱ end.ȱ ȱ Theȱ forwardȱ attachmentȱ pointȱ alsoȱ
provideȱanȱoutputȱproportionalȱtoȱangularȱratesȱ
carriesȱtheȱrangeȱsafetyȱsystemȱcrossȬstrapȱwirȬ
aboutȱtheȱpitchȱandȱyawȱaxesȱtoȱtheȱorbiterȱcomȬ
ingȱ connectingȱ eachȱ SRBȱ RSSȱ andȱ theȱ ETȱ RSSȱ
putersȱ andȱ guidance,ȱ navigationȱ andȱ controlȱ
withȱeachȱother.ȱ
systemȱ duringȱ firstȬstageȱ ascentȱ flightȱ inȱ conȬ
junctionȱwithȱtheȱorbiterȱrollȱrateȱgyrosȱuntilȱSRBȱ TheȱaftȱattachmentȱpointsȱconsistȱofȱthreeȱsepaȬ
separation.ȱ ȱ Atȱ SRBȱ separation,ȱ aȱ switchoverȱ isȱ rateȱ struts:ȱ ȱ upper,ȱ diagonalȱ andȱ lower.ȱ ȱ Eachȱ
madeȱfromȱtheȱSRBȱRGAsȱtoȱtheȱorbiterȱRGAs.ȱ strutȱ containsȱ oneȱ boltȱ withȱ anȱ NSDȱ pressureȱ
cartridgeȱ atȱ eachȱ end.ȱ ȱ Theȱ upperȱ strutȱ alsoȱ
Theȱ SRBȱ RGAȱ ratesȱ passȱ throughȱ theȱ orbiterȱ
carriesȱ theȱ umbilicalȱ interfaceȱ betweenȱ itsȱ SRBȱ
flightȱ aftȱ multiplexers/demultiplexersȱ toȱ theȱ
andȱtheȱexternalȱtankȱandȱonȱtoȱtheȱorbiter.ȱ
orbiterȱ GPCs.ȱ Theȱ RGAȱ ratesȱ areȱ thenȱ
midȬvalueȬselectedȱinȱredundancyȱmanagementȱ Thereȱ areȱ fourȱ boosterȱ separationȱ motorsȱ onȱ
toȱprovideȱSRBȱpitchȱandȱyawȱratesȱtoȱtheȱuserȱ eachȱ endȱ ofȱ eachȱ SRB.ȱ ȱ Theȱ BSMsȱ separateȱ theȱ
software.ȱ ȱ Theȱ RGAsȱ areȱ designedȱ forȱ SRBsȱ fromȱ theȱ externalȱ tank.ȱ ȱ Theȱ solidȱ rocketȱ
20ȱmissions.ȱ motorsȱ inȱ eachȱ clusterȱ ofȱ fourȱ areȱ ignitedȱ byȱ
firingȱ redundantȱ NSDȱ pressureȱ cartridgesȱ intoȱ
SRB Separation redundantȱconfinedȱdetonatingȱfuseȱmanifolds.ȱ
SRBȱseparationȱisȱinitiatedȱwhenȱtheȱthreeȱsolidȱ
Theȱ separationȱ commandsȱ issuedȱ fromȱ theȱ
rocketȱmotorȱchamberȱpressureȱtransducersȱareȱ
orbiterȱ byȱ theȱ SRBȱ separationȱ sequenceȱ initiateȱ
processedȱ inȱ theȱ redundancyȱ managementȱ
theȱ redundantȱ NSDȱ pressureȱ cartridgeȱ inȱ eachȱ
middleȱ valueȱ selectȱ andȱ theȱ headȬendȱ chamberȱ
boltȱandȱigniteȱtheȱBSMsȱtoȱeffectȱaȱcleanȱsepaȬ
pressureȱ ofȱ bothȱ SRBsȱ isȱ lessȱ thanȱ orȱ equalȱ toȱ
ration.ȱ
50ȱpsi.ȱ ȱ Aȱ backupȱ cueȱ isȱ theȱ timeȱ elapsedȱ fromȱ
boosterȱignition.ȱ SPACE SHUTTLE SUPER LIGHT WEIGHT
Theȱseparationȱsequenceȱisȱinitiated,ȱcommandȬ TANK (SLWT)
ingȱ theȱ thrustȱ vectorȱ controlȱ actuatorsȱ toȱ theȱ
Theȱ superȱ lightweightȱ externalȱ tankȱ (SLWT)ȱ
nullȱ positionȱ andȱ puttingȱ theȱ mainȱ propulsionȱ
madeȱ itsȱ firstȱ shuttleȱ flightȱ Juneȱ 2,ȱ 1998,ȱ onȱ
systemȱ intoȱ aȱ secondȬstageȱ configurationȱ
missionȱ STSȬ91.ȱ ȱ Theȱ SLWTȱ isȱ 7,500ȱ poundsȱ
(0.8ȱsecondȱfromȱsequenceȱinitialization),ȱwhichȱ
lighterȱ thanȱ theȱ standardȱ externalȱ tank.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
ensuresȱ theȱ thrustȱ ofȱ eachȱ SRBȱ isȱ lessȱ thanȱ
lighterȱweightȱtankȱallowsȱtheȱshuttleȱtoȱdeliverȱ
100,000ȱ pounds.ȱ ȱ Orbiterȱ yawȱ attitudeȱ isȱ heldȱ
Internationalȱ Spaceȱ Stationȱ elementsȱ (suchȱ asȱ
forȱ fourȱ seconds,ȱ andȱ SRBȱ thrustȱ dropsȱ toȱ lessȱ
theȱserviceȱmodule)ȱintoȱtheȱproperȱorbit.ȱ
thanȱ60,000ȱpounds.ȱ

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Theȱ SLWTȱ isȱ theȱ sameȱ sizeȱ asȱ theȱ previousȱ
design.ȱ ȱ Butȱ theȱ liquidȱ hydrogenȱ tankȱ andȱ theȱ
liquidȱ oxygenȱ tankȱ areȱ madeȱ ofȱ aluminumȱ
lithium,ȱ aȱ lighter,ȱ strongerȱ materialȱ thanȱ theȱ
metalȱ alloyȱ usedȱ forȱ theȱ shuttle’sȱ currentȱ tank.ȱȱ
Theȱ tank’sȱ structuralȱ designȱ hasȱ alsoȱ beenȱ
improved,ȱ makingȱ itȱ 30ȱ percentȱ strongerȱ andȱ
5ȱpercentȱlessȱdense.ȱ
Theȱ SLWT,ȱ likeȱ theȱ standardȱ tank,ȱ isȱ manufacȬ
turedȱatȱMichoudȱAssembly,ȱnearȱNewȱOrleans,ȱ
byȱLockheedȱMartin.ȱ
Theȱ 154ȬfootȬlongȱ externalȱ tankȱ isȱ theȱ largestȱ
singleȱcomponentȱofȱtheȱspaceȱshuttle.ȱȱItȱstandsȱ
tallerȱ thanȱ aȱ 15Ȭstoryȱ buildingȱ andȱ hasȱ aȱ
diameterȱ ofȱ aboutȱ 27ȱ feet.ȱ ȱ Theȱ externalȱ tankȱ
holdsȱ overȱ 530,000ȱ gallonsȱ ofȱ liquidȱ hydrogenȱ
andȱ liquidȱ oxygenȱ inȱ twoȱ separateȱ tanks.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
hydrogenȱ (fuel)ȱ andȱ liquidȱ oxygenȱ (oxidizer)ȱ
areȱ usedȱ asȱ propellantsȱ forȱ theȱ shuttle’sȱ threeȱ
mainȱengines.ȱ

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LAUNCH AND LANDING
ȱ
LAUNCH
Asȱ withȱ allȱ previousȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ launches,ȱ
Discoveryȱhasȱseveralȱoptionsȱtoȱabortȱitsȱascentȱ
ifȱ neededȱ dueȱ toȱ engineȱ failuresȱ orȱ otherȱ sysȬ
temsȱ problems.ȱ ȱ Shuttleȱ launchȱ abortȱ philosoȬ
phyȱisȱintendedȱtoȱfacilitateȱsafeȱrecoveryȱofȱtheȱ
flightȱ crewȱ andȱ intactȱ recoveryȱ ofȱ theȱ orbiterȱ
andȱitsȱpayload.ȱ
Abortȱmodesȱinclude:ȱ
ABORT-TO-ORBIT (ATO)
Thisȱ modeȱ isȱ usedȱ ifȱ there’sȱ aȱ partialȱ lossȱ ofȱ
mainȱengineȱthrustȱlateȱenoughȱtoȱpermitȱreachȬ
ingȱaȱminimalȱ105ȱbyȱ85ȱnauticalȱmileȱorbitȱwithȱ
theȱ orbitalȱ maneuveringȱ systemȱ engines.ȱ Theȱ
enginesȱ boostȱ theȱ shuttleȱ toȱ aȱ safeȱ orbitalȱ altiȬ
tudeȱwhenȱitȱisȱimpossibleȱtoȱreachȱtheȱplannedȱ
orbitalȱaltitude.ȱ
TRANSATLANTIC ABORT LANDING
(TAL)
Theȱ lossȱ ofȱ oneȱ orȱ moreȱ mainȱ enginesȱ midwayȱ
throughȱ poweredȱ flightȱ wouldȱ forceȱ aȱ landingȱ
atȱ eitherȱ Zaragoza,ȱ Spain;ȱ Moron,ȱ Spain;ȱ orȱ
Istres,ȱ France.ȱ Forȱ launchȱ toȱ proceed,ȱ weatherȱ
conditionsȱ mustȱ beȱ acceptableȱ atȱ oneȱ ofȱ theseȱ
TALȱsites.ȱ
OCTOBER 2007
ȱ
LAUNCH & LANDING
RETURN-TO-LAUNCH-SITE (RTLS)
Ifȱ oneȱ orȱ moreȱ enginesȱ shutsȱ downȱ earlyȱ andȱ
there’sȱ notȱ enoughȱ energyȱ toȱ reachȱ Zaragoza,ȱ
theȱ shuttleȱ wouldȱ pitchȱ aroundȱ towardȱ
Kennedyȱ untilȱ withinȱ glidingȱ distanceȱ ofȱ theȱ
ShuttleȱLandingȱFacility.ȱForȱlaunchȱtoȱproceed,ȱ
weatherȱ conditionsȱ mustȱ beȱ forecastȱ toȱ beȱ
acceptableȱ forȱ aȱ possibleȱ RTLSȱ landingȱ atȱ KSCȱ
aboutȱ20ȱminutesȱafterȱliftoff.ȱ
ABORT ONCE AROUND (AOA)
Anȱ AOAȱ isȱ selectedȱ ifȱ theȱ vehicleȱ cannotȱ
achieveȱ aȱ viableȱ orbitȱ orȱ willȱ notȱ haveȱ enoughȱ
propellantȱ toȱ performȱ aȱ deorbitȱ burn,ȱ butȱ hasȱ
enoughȱenergyȱtoȱcircleȱtheȱEarthȱonceȱandȱlandȱ
aboutȱ90ȱminutesȱafterȱliftoff.ȱ
LANDING
Theȱ primaryȱ landingȱ siteȱ forȱ Discoveryȱ onȱ
STSȬ120ȱ isȱ theȱ Kennedyȱ Spaceȱ Center’sȱ Shuttleȱ
Landingȱ Facility.ȱ Alternateȱ landingȱ sitesȱ thatȱ
couldȱ beȱ usedȱ ifȱ neededȱ becauseȱ ofȱ weatherȱ
conditionsȱ orȱ systemsȱ failuresȱ areȱ atȱ Edwardsȱ
Airȱ Forceȱ Base,ȱ Calif.,ȱ andȱ Whiteȱ Sandsȱ Spaceȱ
Harbor,ȱN.M.ȱ
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ȱ

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

ȱ
AAȱ AntennaȱAssemblyȱ
AAAȱ AvionicsȱAirȱAssemblyȱ
ABCȱ AudioȱBusȱCouplerȱ
ACȱ AssemblyȱCompleteȱ
ACBMȱ ActiveȱCommonȱBerthingȱMechanismȱ
ACOȱ AssemblyȱandȱCheckoutȱOfficerȱ
ACSȱ AtmosphereȱControlȱandȱSupplyȱ
ACSMȱ AttitudeȱControlȱSystemȱModingȱ
ACUȱ ArmȱComputerȱUnitȱ
ADOȱ AdaptationȱDataȱOverlayȱ
ADSEPȱ AdvancedȱSeparationȱ
ADVASCȱ AdvancedȱAstrocultureȱ
ADVASCȬGCȱ AdvancedȱAstroculture—GrowthȱChamberȱ
AEAȱ AntennaȱElectronicsȱAssemblyȱ
AFDȱ AftȱFlightȱDeckȱ
AJISȱ AlphaȱJointȱInterfaceȱStructureȱ
AKAȱ ActiveȱKeelȱAssemblyȱ
APASȱ AndrogynousȱPeripheralȱAttachmentȱSystemȱ
APCUȱ AssemblyȱPowerȱConverterȱUnitȱ
APDSȱ AndrogynousȱPeripheralȱDockingȱSystemȱ
APFRȱ ArticulatingȱPortableȱFootȱRestraintȱ
APMȱ AttachedȱPressurizedȱModuleȱ
APPCMȱ ArmȱPitchȱPlaneȱChangeȱModeȱ
APSȱ AutomatedȱPayloadȱSwitchȱ
ARȱ AtmosphereȱRevitalizationȱ
ARCUȱ AmericanȬtoȬRussianȱConverterȱUnitȱ
ARISȱ ActiveȱRackȱIsolationȱSystemȱ
ARSȱ AirȱRevitalizationȱSystemȱ
ASCRȱ AssuredȱSafeȱCrewȱReturnȱ
ATAȱ AmmoniaȱTankȱAssemblyȱ
ATCSȱ ActiveȱThermalȱControlȱSystemȱ
ATUȱ AudioȱTerminalȱUnitȱ
AUAIȱ AssembleȱContingencyȱSystem/UHFȱAudioȱInterfaceȱ
AVUȱ ArtificialȱVisionȱUnitȱ
AVVȱ AccumulatorȱVentȱValveȱ

BAȱ BearingȱAssemblyȱ
BBCȱ BusȱBoltȱControllerȱ
BCȱ BusȱControllerȱ

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ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS 87
 ȱ
ȱ
BCDUȱ BatteryȱCharge/DischargeȱUnitȱ
BCUȱ BackupȱControllerȱUnitȱȱ
BDUȱ BackupȱDriveȱUnitȱ
BGȱ BetaȱGimbalȱ
BGAȱ BetaȱGimbalȱAssemblyȱ
BGDTSȱ BetaȱGimbalȱDeploymentȱTransitionȱStructureȱ
BGHSȱ BetaȱGimbalȱHousingȱSubassemblyȱ
BITȱ BuiltȬInȱTestȱ
BITEȱ BuiltȬInȱTestȱEquipmentȱ
BMRRMȱ BearingȱMotorȱandȱRollȱRingȱModuleȱ
BONEMACȱ BoneȱMarrowȱMacrophagesȱinȱSpaceȱ
BPSMUȱ BatteryȱPoweredȱSpeakerȱMicrophoneȱUnitȱ
BRSȱ BottomȱRightȱSideȱ
BSPȱ BasebandȱSignalȱProcessorȱ
BTSȱ BoltȱTightȱSwitchȱ

C&Cȱ CommandȱandȱControlȱ
C&DHȱ CommandȱandȱDataȱHandlingȱ
C&Mȱ ControlȱandȱMonitorȱ
C&Tȱ CommunicationȱandȱTrackingȱ
C&Wȱ CautionȱandȱWarningȱ
C/AȬcodeȱ Coarse/AcquisitionȬcodeȱ
C/Lȱ CrewȱLockȱ
CAȱ ControlȱAttitudeȱ
CASȱ CommonȱAttachȱSystemȱ
CBMȱ CommonȱBerthingȱMechanismȱ
CBOSSȱ CellularȱBiotechnologyȱOperatingȱScienceȱSystemȱ
CCAAȱ CommonȱCabinȱAirȱAssemblyȱ
CCASEȱ CommercialȱCassetteȱExperimentȱ
CCDȱ CursorȱControlȱDeviceȱ
CCMSȱ ConcentricȱCableȱManagementȱSystemȱ
CCSȱ CommunicationȱandȱControlȱSystemȱ
CCTVȱ ClosedȬCircuitȱTelevisionȱ
CDDTȱ CommonȱDisplayȱDevelopmentȱTeamȱ
CDRAȱ CarbonȱDioxideȱRemovalȱAssemblyȱ
CDSȱ CommandȱandȱDataȱSoftwareȱ
CETAȱ CrewȱandȱEquipmentȱTranslationȱAidȱ
CEUȱ ControlȱElectronicsȱUnitȱ
CFAȱ CircularȱFanȱAssemblyȱ
CGBAȱ CommercialȱGenericȱBioprocessingȱApparatusȱ
CHeCSȱ CrewȱHealthȱCareȱSystemȱ
CHXȱ CondensingȱHeatȱExchangerȱ

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CIDȱ CircuitȱInterruptȱDeviceȱ
CIOBȱ CargoȱIntegrationȱandȱOperationsȱBranchȱ
CLAȱ CameraȱandȱLightȱAssemblyȱ
CLPAȱ CameraȱLightȱandȱPan/TiltȱAssemblyȱ
CMGȱ ControlȱMomentȱGyroscopeȱ
CMGȬTAȱ ControlȱMomentȱGyroscopeȬThrusterȱAssistȱ
CO2ȱ CarbonȱDioxideȱ
COASȱ CrewȱOpticalȱAlignmentȱSightȱ
CORȱ CommunicationȱOutageȱRecorderȱ
COTSȱ CommercialȬOffȬTheȬShelfȱ
CPȱ ColdȱPlateȱ
CPCGȬHȱ CommercialȱProteinȱCrystalȱGrowthȬHighȱ
CRȱ ChangeȱRequestȱ
CRESȱ CorrosionȱResistantȱSteelȱ
CRIMȱ CommercialȱRefrigeratorȱIncubatorȱModuleȱ
CRIMȬMȱ CommercialȱRefrigeratorȱIncubatorȱModuleȬModifiedȱ
CRPCMȱ CanadianȱRemoteȱPowerȱControllerȱModuleȱ
CSAȱ ComputerȱSystemsȱArchitectureȱ
CSAȬCPȱ CompoundȱSpecificȱAnalyzerȬCombustionȱProductsȱ
CSCIȱ ComputerȱSoftwareȱConfigurationȱItemȱ
CSMȱ CargoȱSystemsȱManualȱ
CSSȱ CrewȱSupportȱStationȱ
CTBȱ CargoȱTransferȱBagȱ
CVIUȱ CommonȱVideoȱInterfaceȱUnitȱ
CVTȱ CurrentȱValueȱTableȱ
CVVȱ CarbonȱDioxideȱVentȱValveȱ
CWCȱ ContingencyȱWaterȱCollectionȱ

DAAȱ DockedȱAirȬtoȬAirȱ
DAG1ȱ DockedȱA/Gȱ1ȱ
DAIUȱ DockedȱAudioȱInterfaceȱUnitȱ
DAPȱ DigitalȱAutopilotȱ
dcȱ directȱcurrentȱ
DCȱ DockingȱCompartmentȱ
DCPȱ DisplayȱandȱControlȱPanelȱ
DCSUȱ DirectȱCurrentȱSwitchingȱUnitȱ
DDCUȱ DCȬtoȬDCȱConverterȱUnitȱ
DDCUȬCPȱ DCȬtoȬDCȱConverterȱUnitȬColdȱPlateȱ
DDCUȬEȱ ExternalȱDDCUȱ
DDCUȬHPȱ DCȬtoȬDCȱConverterȱUnitȬHeatȱPipeȱ
DDCUȬIȱ InternalȱDDCUȱ
DFLȱ DataȱFormatȱLoadȱ

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DLAȱ DriveȱLockingȱAssemblyȱ
DMCUȱ DockingȱMechanismȱControlȱUnitȱ
DMSȬRȱ DataȱManagementȱSystemȬRussianȱ
dp/dtȱ deltaȱpressure/deltaȱtimeȱ
DPAȱ DigitalȱPreassemblyȱ
DPSȱ DataȱProcessingȱSystemȱ
DTOȱ DevelopmentȱTestȱObjectiveȱ
DTVȱ DigitalȱTelevisionȱ

E/Lȱ EquipmentȱLockȱ
EȬStopȱ EmergencyȱStopȱ
EACPȱ EMUȱAudioȱControlȱPanelȱ
EAIUȱ EMUȱAudioȱInterfaceȱUnitȱ
EASȱ EarlyȱAmmoniaȱServicerȱ
EATCSȱ ExternalȱActiveȱThermalȱControlȱSubsystemȱ
ECLSSȱ EnvironmentalȱControlȱandȱLifeȱSupportȱSystemȱ
ECUȱ ElectronicsȱControlȱUnitȱ
EDȱ EngagementȱDriveȱ
EDDAȱ ExternalȱManeuveringȱUnitȱDon/DoffȱAssemblyȱ
EEȱ EndȱEffectorȱ
EEATCSȱ EarlyȱExternalȱActiveȱThermalȱControlȱSystemȱ
EETȱ ExperimentȱElapsedȱTimeȱ
EETCSȱ EarlyȱExternalȱThermalȱControlȱSystemȱ
EFGFȱ ElectricalȱFlightȬreleasableȱGrappleȱFixtureȱ
EGILȱ ElectricalȱGenerationȱandȱIntegratedȱLightingȱSystemsȱEngineerȱ
EIAȱ ElectricalȱInterfaceȱAssemblyȱ
EMPEVȱ EmergencyȱManualȱPressureȱEqualizationȱValueȱ
EMUȱ ExtravehicularȱMobilityȱUnitȱ
EOAȱ EVAȱOhmmeterȱAssemblyȱ
EPCEȱ ElectricalȱPowerȱConsumingȱEquipmentȱ
EPGȱ ElectricalȱPowerȱGeneratorȱ
EPSȱ ElectricalȱPowerȱSystemȱ
ERȱ EdgeȱRouterȱ
ESAȱ ExternalȱSamplingȱAdapterȱ
ESPȱ ExternalȱStowageȱPlatformȱ
ESSMDMȱ EnhancedȱSpaceȱStationȱMultiplexer/Demultiplexerȱ
ESUȱ EndȱStopȱUnitȱ
ETCSȱ ExternalȱThermalȱControlȱSystemȱ
ETIȱ ElapsedȱTimeȱIndicatorȱ
ETRSȱ EVAȱTemporaryȱRailȱStopȱ
ETSDȱ EVAȱToolȱStorageȱDeviceȱ
ETVCGȱ ExternalȱTelevisionȱCamerasȱGroupȱ

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EUEȱ ExperimentȱUniqueȱEquipmentȱ
EVȱ Extravehicularȱ
EVȬCPDSȱ ExtravehicularȬChargedȱParticleȱDirectionalȱSpectrometerȱ
EVAȱ ExtravehicularȱActivityȱ
EVRȱ ExtravehicularȱRoboticsȱ
EVSUȱ ExternalȱVideoȱSwitchingȱUnitȱ
EXPRESSȱ EXpediteȱtheȱPRocessingȱofȱExperimentsȱtoȱtheȱSpaceȱStationȱ
EXTȱ ExperimentalȱTerminalȱ
EWISȱ ExternalȱWirelessȱInstrumentationȱSystemȱ

FAWGȱ FlightȱAssignmentȱWorkingȱGroupȱ
FCȱ FirmwareȱControllerȱ
FCCȱ FlatȱControllerȱCircuitȱ
FCTȱ FlightȱControlȱTeamȱ
FCVȱ FlowȱControlȱValveȱ
FDȱ FlightȱDayȱ
FDAȱ FaultȱDetectionȱAnnunciationȱ
FDIRȱ Failure,ȱDetection,ȱIsolationȱandȱRecoveryȱ
FDSȱ FireȱDetectionȱandȱSuppressionȱ
FETȱ FieldȱEffectȱTransistorȱ
FGBȱ FunctionalȱCargoȱBlockȱ
FHRCȱ FlexȱHoseȱRotaryȱCouplerȱ
FIȱ FaultȱIsolatorȱ
FPUȱ FluidȱPumpingȱUnitȱ
FQDCȱ FluidȱQuickȱDisconnectȱCouplingȱ
FRDȱ FlightȱRequirementsȱDocumentȱ
FRGFȱ FlightȱReleasableȱGrappleȱFixtureȱ
FSEȱ FlightȱSupportȱEquipmentȱ
FSSȱ FluidȱSystemȱServicerȱ
FWCIȱ FirmwareȱConfigurationȱItemȱ

GASȱ GetȱAwayȱSpecialȱ
GCȱ GrowthȱCellȱ
GCAȱ GrowthȱCellȱAssemblyȱ
GFEȱ GovernmentȬFurnishedȱEquipmentȱ
GFIȱ GroundȱFaultȱInterrupterȱ
GJOPȱ GenericȱJointȱOperationsȱPanelȱ
GLONASSȱ GLObalȱNavigationalȱSatelliteȱSystemȱ
GN&Cȱ Guidance,ȱNavigationȱandȱControlȱ
GNCȱ GuidanceȱNavigationȱComputerȱ
GPCȱ GeneralȱPurposeȱComputerȱ
GPRVȱ GasȱPressureȱregulatingȱValveȱ

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GPSȱ GlobalȱPositioningȱSystemȱ
GUIȱ GraphicalȱUserȱInterfaceȱ

H2ȱ Hydrogenȱ
HABȱ HabitatȱModuleȱ
HCȱ HandȱControllerȱ
HCAȱ HollowȱCathodeȱAssemblyȱ
HCORȱ HighȬRateȱCommunicationȱOutageȱRecorderȱ
HDRȱ HighȱDataȱRateȱ
HDRLȱ HighȱDateȱRateȱLinkȱ
HEPAȱ HighȱEfficiencyȱParticulateȱAirȱ
HGAȱ HighȱGainȱAntennaȱ
HHLȱ HandheldȱLidarȱ
HPȱ HeatȱPipeȱ
HPGTȱ HighȱPressureȱGasȱTankȱ
HRFȱ HumanȱResearchȱFacilityȱ
HRFȬPUFȬDKȱ HumanȱResearchȱFacilityȱPuffȱDataȱKitȱ
HRFȬResȱ HumanȱResearchȱFacilityȱResupplyȱ
HRFMȱ HighȱRateȱFrameȱMultiplexerȱ
HRMȱ HighȱRateȱModemȱ
HRSȱ HandȱReactionȱSwitchȱ

I/Fȱ Interfaceȱ
I/Oȱ Input/Outputȱ
IACȱ InternalȱAudioȱControllerȱ
IASȱ InternalȱAudioȱSubsystemȱ
IATCSȱ InternalȱActiveȱThermalȱControlȱSystemȱ
ICCȱ IntegratedȱCargoȱCarrierȱ
ICOMȱ Intercomȱ
IDAȱ IntegratedȱDiodeȱAssemblyȱ
IDRDȱ IncrementȱDefinitionȱRequirementsȱDocumentȱ
IEAȱ IntegratedȱEquipmentȱAssemblyȱ
IFHXȱ InterfaceȱHeatȱExchangerȱ
IFIȱ ItemȱforȱInvestigationȱ
IFMȱ InȬflightȱMaintenanceȱ
IMCAȱ IntegratedȱMotorȱControlȱAssemblyȱ
IMCSȱ IntegratedȱMissionȱControlȱSystemȱ
IMUȱ ImpedanceȱMatchingȱUnitȱ
IMVȱ IntermoduleȱVentilationȱȱ
INCOȱȱ InstrumentationȱandȱCommunicationȱOfficerȱ
INSTMȱ Instrumentationȱ
INTȱ Internalȱ
INTSYSȱ InternalȱSystemsȱ

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IOCȱ Input/OutputȱControllerȱ
IOCUȱ Input/OutputȱControllerȱUnitȱ
IPȱ InternationalȱPartnerȱ
IRUȱ InȬFlightȱRefillȱUnitȱ
ISAȱ InternalȱSamplingȱAdapterȱ
ISISȱ InternationalȱSpaceȱStationȱInterfaceȱStandardȱ
ISLȱ IntegratedȱStationȱLANȱ
ISOȱ InventoryȱandȱStowageȱOfficerȱ
ISPRȱ InternationalȱStandardȱPayloadȱRackȱ
ISSȱ InternationalȱSpaceȱStationȱ
ISSPOȱ InternationalȱSpaceȱStationȱProgramȱOfficeȱ
ISSSHȱ InternationalȱSpaceȱStationȱSystemsȱHandbookȱ
ITȱ IntegratedȱTrussȱ
ITCSȱ InternalȱThermalȱControlȱSystemȱ
ITSȱ IntegratedȱTrussȱSegmentȱ
IUAȱ InterfaceȱUmbilicalȱAssemblyȱ
IVȱ Intravehicularȱȱ
IVAȱ IntravehicularȱActivityȱ
IVSUȱ InternalȱVideoȱSwitchȱUnitȱ
IWISȱ InternalȱWirelessȱInstrumentationȱSystemȱ

JAXAȱ JapanȱAerospaceȱExplorationȱAgencyȱ
JEMȱ JapaneseȱExperimentȱModuleȱ
JEUȱ JointȱElectronicȱUnitȱ

KSCȱ KennedyȱSpaceȱCenterȱ
kWȱ Kilowattȱ

LAȱ LaunchȱAftȱ
Labȱ Laboratoryȱȱ
LANȱ LocalȱAreaȱNetworkȱ
LBȱ LocalȱBusȱ
LBȬRWSȱ RWSȱLocalȱBusȱ
LCAȱ LabȱCradleȱAssemblyȱ
LCCȱ LaunchȱCommitȱCriteriaȱ
LCDȱ LiquidȱCrystalȱDisplayȱ
LDIȱ LocalȱDataȱInterfaceȱ
LDRȱ LowȱDataȱRateȱ
LDUȱ LinearȱDriveȱUnitȱ
LEDȱ LightȬEmittingȱDiodeȱ
LEEȱ LatchingȱEndȱEffectorȱ
LEUȱ LEEȱElectronicȱUnitȱ
LFDPȱ LoadȱFaultȱDetectionȱProtectionȱ

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LGAȱ LowȱGainȱAntennaȱ
LH2ȱ LiquidȱHydrogenȱ
LLAȱ LowȱLevelȱAnalogȱ
LMCȱ LightweightȱMultipurposeȱCarrierȱ
LO2ȱ LiquidȱOxygenȱ
LONȱ LaunchȱOnȱNeedȱ
LTȱ LowȱTemperatureȱ
LTAȱ LaunchȱtoȱActivationȱ
LTLȱ LowȱTemperatureȱLoopȱ
LTUȱ LoadȱTransferȱUnitȱ
LVLHȱ LocalȱVerticalȱLocalȱHorizontalȱ

MAȱ MechanicalȱAssemblyȱ
MAMȱ ManualȱAugmentedȱRoleȱ
MBAȱ MotorizedȱBoltȱAssemblyȱȱ
MBEȱ MetalȱBellowsȱExpanderȱ
MBMȱ ManualȱBerthingȱMechanismȱ
MBSȱ MobileȱRemoteȱServiceȱBaseȱSystemȱ
MBSUȱ MainȱBusȱSwitchingȱUnitȱ
MCȱ MidcourseȱCorrectionȱ
MCAȱ MajorȱConstituentȱAnalyzerȱ
MCASȱ MBSȱCommonȱAttachȱSystemȱ
MCCȱ MissionȱControlȱCenterȱ
MCCȬHȱ MissionȱControlȱCenterȬHoustonȱ
MCCȬMȱ MissionȱControlȱCenterȬMoscowȱ
MCDSȱ MultifunctionȱCRTȱDisplayȱSystemȱ
MCSȱ MotionȱControlȱSystemȱ
MCUȱ MBSȱComputerȱUnitȱ
MDAȱ MotorȱDriveȱAssemblyȱ
MDLȱ MiddeckȱLockerȱ
MDMȱ Multiplexer/Demultiplexerȱ
MEDȱOPSȱ MedicalȱOperationsȱ
MEPSȱ MicroencapsulationȱElectrostaticȱProcessingȱSystemȱ
MEPSIȱ MicroȬElectromechanicalȱSystemȬbasedȱPicoȱSatelliteȱInspectorȱ
MERȱ MissionȱEvaluationȱRoomȱ
METȱ MissionȱElapsedȱTimeȱ
METOXȱ MetalȱOxideȱ
MFCVȱ ManualȱFlowȱControlȱValveȱ
MHSȱ MCUȱHostȱSoftwareȱ
MILȬSTDȱ MilitaryȱStandardȱ
MILAȱ ModeȱIndicatingȱLightȱAssemblyȱ
MIPȱ MissionȱIntegrationȱPlanȱ

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MISSEȱ MaterialsȱInternationalȱSpaceȱStationȱExperimentȱ
MLIȱ MultiȬLayerȱInsulationȱ
MM/ODȱ Micrometeoroid/OrbitalȱDebrisȱ
MMTȱ MissionȱManagementȱTeamȱ
MODȱ MissionȱOperationsȱDirectorateȱ
MPEVȱ ManualȱPressureȱEqualizationȱValveȱ
MPLMȱ MultipurposeȱLogisticsȱModuleȱ
MPMȱ ManipulatorȱPositioningȱMechanismȱ
MRLȱ ManipulatorȱRetentionȱLatchȱ
MRSȱ MobileȱRemoteȱServicerȱ
MRSBSȱ MobileȱRemoteȱServicerȱBaseȱSystemȱ
MSDȱ MassȱStorageȱDeviceȱ
MSFCȱ MarshallȱSpaceȱFlightȱCenterȱ
MSGȱ MicrogravityȱScienceȱGloveboxȱ
MSSȱ MobileȱServicingȱSystemȱ
MTȱ MobileȱTransporterȱ
MTCLȱ MobileȱTransporterȱCaptureȱLatchȱ
MTLȱ ModerateȱTemperatureȱLoopȱ
MTSȱ ModuleȬtoȬTrussȱSegmentȱ
MTSASȱ ModuleȬtoȬTrussȱSegmentȱAttachmentȱSystemȱ
MTWsNȱ MoveȱtoȱWorksiteȱNumberȱ
ȱ ModuleȬtoȬTrussȱSegmentȱAttachmentȱSystemȱ

N2ȱ Nitrogenȱ
N.ȱmi.ȱ Nauticalȱmileȱ
NASAȱȱ NationalȱAeronauticsȱandȱSpaceȱAdministrationȱ
NCCȱ NominalȱCorrectiveȱCombinationȱburnȱ
NCGȱ NonȱCondensableȱGasȱ
NCSȱ NodeȱControlȱSoftwareȱ
NCUȱ NetworkȱControlȱUnitȱ
NETȱ NoȱEarlierȱThanȱ
NIAȱ NitrogenȱInterfaceȱAssemblyȱ
NiH2ȱ NickelȱHydrogenȱ
NIVȱ NitrogenȱIntroductionȱValveȱ
NSIȱ NASAȱStandardȱInitiatorȱ
NSTSȱ NationalȱSpaceȱTransportationȱSystemȱ
NTAȱ NitrogenȱTankȱAssemblyȱ

O2ȱ Oxygenȱ
OCAȱ OrbitalȱCommunicationsȱAdapterȱ
OCADȱ OperationalȱControlȱAgreementȱDocumentȱ
OCJMȱ OperatorȬCommandedȱJointȱPositionȱModeȱ
OCPMȱ OperatorȬCommandedȱPORȱModeȱ

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OCSȱ OperationsȱandȱControlȱSoftwareȱ
ODINȱ OrbitalȱDesignȱIntegrationȱSystemȱ
ODSȱ OrbiterȱDockingȱSystemȱ
OIȱ OperationalȱIncrementȱ
OIUȱ OrbiterȱInterfaceȱUnitȱ
OIVȱ OxygenȱIsolationȱValveȱ
OMIȱ OnȬOrbitȱMaintainableȱItemȱ
OMSȱ OrbitalȱManeuveringȱSystemȱ
OPCGAȱ ObservableȱProteinȱCrystalȱGrowthȱApparatusȱ
OPPȱ OSVSȱPatchȱPanelȱ
Opsȱ Operationsȱ
OPSȱLANȱ OperationsȱLocalȱAreaȱNetworkȱ
ORBTȱ OptimizedȱRBarȱTargetingȱTechniqueȱ
ORCAȱ OxygenȱRechargeȱCompressorȱAssemblyȱ
ORUȱ OrbitalȱReplacementȱUnitȱ
OSEȱ OrbiterȱSupportȱEquipmentȱ
OSOȱ OperationsȱSupportȱOfficerȱ
OSVSȱ OrbiterȱSpaceȱVisionȱSystemȱ
OTDȱ ORUȱTransferȱDeviceȱ
OVȱ OrbiterȱVehicleȱ

P&Sȱ PointingȱandȱSupportȱ
PȬCodeȱ PrecisionȱCodeȱ
P/Lȱ Payloadȱ
P/TVȱ Photo/Televisionȱȱ
P3/P4ȱ Portȱ3/Portȱ4ȱ
PASȱ PayloadȱAttachȱSystemȱ
PBAȱ PortableȱBreathingȱApparatusȱ
PCȱ PersonalȱComputerȱ
PCAȱ PressureȱControlȱAssemblyȱ
PCAMȱ ProteinȱCrystallizationȱApparatusȱforȱMicrogravityȱ
PCBMȱ PassiveȱCommonȱBerthingȱMechanismȱ
PCCȱ PowerȱConverterȱControllerȱ
PCGȬSTESȱ ProteinȱCrystalȱGrowthȬSingleȱThermalȱEnclosureȱSystemȱ
PCMCIAȱ PersonalȱComputerȱMemoryȱCardȱInternationalȱAdapterȱ
PCPȱ PressureȱControlȱPanelȱ
PCRȱ PortableȱComputerȱReceptacleȱȱ
PCSȱ PortableȱComputerȱSystemȱ
PCTȱ PostȬContactȱThrustingȱ
PCUȱ PlasmaȱConnectorȱUnitȱ
PCVPȱ PumpȱandȱControlȱValveȱPackageȱ
PDGFȱ PowerȱandȱDataȱGrappleȱFixtureȱ

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PDIȱ PayloadȱDataȱInterfaceȱ
PDIPȱ PayloadȱDataȱInterfaceȱPanelȱ
PDRSȱ PayloadȱDeploymentȱandȱRetrievalȱSystemȱ
PDTAȱ PowerȱDataȱTransferȱAssemblyȱ
PDUȱ PowerȱDriveȱUnitȱ
PEHGȱ PayloadȱEthernetȱHubȱGatewayȱ
PFȱ PayloadȱForwardȱȱ
PFCSȱ PumpȱFlowȱControlȱSubassemblyȱ
PFEȱ PortableȱFireȱExtinguisherȱ
PFMCȱ Pump/FanȱMotorȱControllerȱ
PFRȱ PortableȱFootȱRestraintȱȱ
PGBAȬSȱ PlantȱGenericȱBioprocessingȱApparatusȬStowageȱ
PGSCȱ PortableȱGeneralȱSupportȱComputerȱ
PGTȱ PistolȱGripȱToolȱ
PHALCONȱ Power,ȱHeating,ȱArticulation,ȱLighting,ȱandȱControlȱOfficerȱ
PJPAMȱ PreȬstoredȱJointȱPositionȱAutosequenceȱModeȱ
PLBȱ PayloadȱBayȱ
PMȱ PumpȱModuleȱ
PMAȱ PressurizedȱMatingȱAdapterȱ
PMCUȱ PowerȱManagementȱControlȱUnitȱ
PMDISȱ PerceptualȱMotorȱDeficitsȱInȱSpaceȱ
PMPȱ PayloadȱMountingȱPanelȱ
POAȱ Payload/ORUȱAccommodationȱ
POCȱ PortableȱOnboardȱComputerȱȱ
PORȱ PointȱofȱReferenceȱ
POSTȱ PowerȱONȱSelfȬTestȱ
PPȱ PlanningȱPeriodȱ
PPAȱ PumpȱPackageȱAssemblyȱ
PPAMȱ PreȬstoredȱPORȱAutosequenceȱModeȱ
ppO2ȱ partialȱpressureȱofȱoxygenȱ
PPRVȱ PositiveȱPressureȱReliefȱValveȱ
PPTȱ Precipitateȱȱ
PRDȱ PayloadȱRetentionȱDeviceȱ
PRLAȱ PayloadȱRetentionȱLatchȱAssemblyȱ
ProxȬOpsȱ ProximityȱOperationsȱ
PSNȱ PowerȱSourceȱNodeȱ
PSPȱ PayloadȱSignalȱProcessorȱȱ
PTBȱ PayloadȱTrainingȱBufferȱ
PTCSȱ PassiveȱThermalȱControlȱSystemȱ
PTRȱ PortȱThermalȱRadiatorȱ
PTUȱ Pan/TiltȱUnitȱ
PVȱ Photovoltaicȱ

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PVCAȱ PhotovoltaicȱControllerȱApplicationȱ
PVCEȱ PhotovoltaicȱControllerȱElementȱ
PVCUȱ PhotovoltaicȱControllerȱUnitȱ
PVMȱ PhotovoltaicȱModuleȱ
PVRȱ PhotovoltaicȱRadiatorȱ
PVRGFȱ PhotovoltaicȱRadiatorȱGrappleȱFixtureȱ
PVTCSȱ PhotovoltaicȱThermalȱControlȱSystemȱ
PWPȱ PortableȱWorkȱPlatformȱ
PWRȱ PortableȱWaterȱReservoirȱ
PYRȱ PitchȱYawȱRollȱ

QDȱ QuickȱDisconnectȱ

R/Fȱ Refrigerator/Freezerȱ
R&Rȱ RemovalȱandȱReplacementȱ
RACUȱ RussianȬtoȬAmericanȱConverterȱUnitȱ
RAIUȱ RussianȱAudioȱInterfaceȱUnitȱ
RAMȱ RandomȱAccessȱMemoryȱ
RAMVȱ RheostatȱAirȱMixȱValveȱ
RBȱ RadiatorȱBeamȱ
RBBȱ RightȱBlanketȱBoxȱ
RBIȱ RemoteȱBusȱIsolatorȱ
RBVMȱ RadiatorȱBeamȱValveȱȱ
RCCȱ ReinforcedȱCarbonȬCarbonȱ
RCSȱ ReactionȱControlȱSystemȱ
RDAȱ RetainerȱDoorȱAssemblyȱ
RFȱ RadioȱFrequencyȱ
RFCAȱ RackȱFlowȱControlȱAssemblyȱ
RFGȱ RadioȱFrequencyȱGroupȱ
RGAȱ RateȱGyroȱAssembliesȱ
RHCȱ RotationalȱHandȱControllerȱ
RHXȱ RegenerativeȱHeatȱExchangerȱ
RICȱ RackȱInterfaceȱControllerȱ
RJMCȱ RotaryȱJointȱMotorȱControllerȱ
RMSȱ RemoteȱManipulatorȱSystemȱ
ROBOȱ RoboticsȱOperationsȱSupportȱOfficerȱȱ
ROSȱ RussianȱOrbitalȱSegmentȱ
RPȱ Receiver/Processorȱȱ
RPCȱ RemoteȱPowerȱControllerȱ
RPCMȱ RemoteȱPowerȱControllerȱModuleȱ
RPDAȱ RemoteȱPowerȱDistributionȱAssemblyȱ
RPMȱ RbarȱPitchȱManeuverȱ
RPOPȱ RendezvousȱandȱProximityȱOperationsȱProgramȱ

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RSȱ RussianȱSegmentȱ
RSCȱ RMSȱSideviewȱCameraȱ
RSPȱ ResupplyȱStowageȱPlatformȱ
RSRȱ ResupplyȱStowageȱRackȱ
RSTSȱ RackȱStandaloneȱTemperatureȱSensorȱ
RSUȱ RollerȱSuspensionȱUnitȱ
RTȱ RemoteȱTerminalȱ
RTȬBoxȱ ReactionȱTimeȱBoxȱ
RTASȱ RocketdyneȱTrussȱAttachmentȱSystemȱ
RTDȱ ResistiveȱThermalȱDeviceȱ
RTLȱ ReadyȱtoȱLatchȱ
RWSȱ RoboticȱWorkstationȱ

Sȱ Starboardȱ
S&Mȱ StructuresȱandȱMechanismsȱ
S3/S4ȱ Starboardȱ3/Starboardȱ4ȱ
SAȱ SolarȱArrayȱ
SABBȱ SolarȱArrayȱBlanketȱBoxȱ
SAGEȱ SpaceȱArabidoposisȱGenomicsȱExperimentȱ
SARJȱ SolarȱAlphaȱRotaryȱJointȱ
SARJ_Cȱ SARJȱControllerȱ
SARJ_Mȱ SARJȱManagerȱ
SASAȱ SȬbandȱAntennaȱSupportȱAssemblyȱ
SAWȱ SolarȱArrayȱWingȱ
SCAȱ SwitchgearȱControllerȱAssemblyȱ
SCIȱ SignalȱConditioningȱInterfaceȱ
SCUȱ ServiceȱandȱCoolingȱUmbilicalȱ
SDȱ SmokeȱDetectorȱ
SDOȱ SolenoidȱDriverȱOutputȱ
SDSȱ SampleȱDeliveryȱSystemȱ
SEMȱ ShuntȱElectronicsȱModuleȱ
SEPSȱ SecondaryȱElectricalȱPowerȱSubsystemȱ
SFCAȱ SystemȱFlowȱControlȱAssemblyȱ
SFUȱ SquibȱFiringȱUnitȱ
SGANTȱ SpaceȬtoȬGroundȱAntennaȱ
SHOSSȱ SpacehabȱOceaneeringȱSpaceȱSystemȱ
SHOTȱ SpaceȱHardwareȱOptimizationȱTechnologyȱ
SIGIȱ SpaceȱIntegratedȱGlobalȱPositioningȱSystem/InertialȱNavigationȱSystemȱ
SJRMȱ SingleȱJointȱRateȱModeȱ
SLDPȱ SpacelabȱDataȱProcessingȱ
SLPȱ SpacelabȱLogisticsȱPalletȱ
SMȱ ServiceȱModuleȱ

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SMCCȱ ShuttleȱMissionȱControlȱCenterȱ
SMDPȱ ServiceȱModuleȱDebrisȱPanelȱ
SOCȱ StateȱofȱChargeȱ
SOVȱ ShutoffȱValveȱ
SPCEȱ ServicingȱPerformanceȱandȱCheckoutȱEquipmentȱ
SPDȱ SpoolȱPositioningȱDeviceȱ
SPDAȱ SecondaryȱPowerȱDistributionȱAssemblyȱ
SPDMȱ SpecialȱPurposeȱDexterousȱManipulatorȱ
SPGȱ SingleȬPointȱGroundȱ
SRMSȱ ShuttleȱRemoteȱManipulatorȱSystemȱ
SSASȱ SegmentȬtoȬSegmentȱAttachȱSystemȱ
SSBAȱ SpaceȱStationȱBufferȱAmplifierȱ
SSCȱ StationȱSupportȱComputerȱ
SSMDMȱ SpaceȱStationȱMultiplexer/Demultiplexerȱ
SSORȱ SpaceȬtoȬSpaceȱOrbiterȱRatioȱ
SSPȱ StandardȱSwitchȱPanelȱ
SSPTSȱ StationȬtoȬShuttleȱPowerȱTransferȱSystemȱȱ
SSRMSȱ SpaceȱStationȱRemoteȱManipulatorȱSystemȱ
SSSHȱ SpaceȱShuttleȱSystemsȱHandbookȱ
SSSRȱ SpaceȬtoȬSpaceȱStationȱRadioȱ
SSUȱ SequentialȱShuntȱUnitȱ
STCRȱ StarboardȱThermalȱControlȱRadiatorȱ
STESȱ SingleȱThermalȱEnclosureȱSystemȱ
STRȱ StarboardȱThermalȱRadiatorȱ
SVSȱ SpaceȱVisionȱSystemȱ

TAȱ ThrusterȱAssistȱ
TAAȱ TriaxialȱAccelerometerȱAssemblyȱ
TAHȱ TrayȱActuationȱHandleȱ
TBAȱ TrundleȱBearingȱAssemblyȱ
TCȱ TerminalȱComputerȱ
TCCSȱ TraceȱContaminantȱControlȱSubassemblyȱ
TCCVȱ TemperatureȱControlȱandȱCheckȱValveȱ
TCSȱ TrajectoryȱControlȱSensorȱ
TDȱ TranslationȱDriveȱ
TDRSȱ TrackingȱandȱDataȱRelayȱSatelliteȱ
TDRSSȱ TrackingȱandȱDataȱRelayȱSatelliteȱSystemȱ
TEAȱ TorqueȱEquilibriumȱAttitudeȱ
TFRȱ TranslationȱFootȱRestraintȱ
THCȱ TemperatureȱandȱHumidityȱControlȱ
THORȱ ThermalȱOperationsȱandȱResourcesȱOfficerȱ
TIȱ TerminalȱPhaseȱInitiationȱ

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TORFȱ TwiceȱOrbitalȱRateȱFlyaroundȱ
TORUȱ TeleoperatorȱControlȱModeȱ
TORVAȱ TwiceȱOrbitalȱRateȱ+Rbarȱtoȱ+VbarȱApproachȱ
TPLȱ TransferȱPriorityȱListȱ
TRACȱ TestȱofȱReactionȱandȱAdaptionȱCapabilitiesȱ
TRCȱ TransmitterȱReceiverȱControllerȱ
TRRJȱ ThermalȱRadiatorȱRotaryȱJointȱ
TSPȱ TwistedȱShieldedȱPairȱ
TTCRȱ TrailingȱThermalȱControlȱRadiatorȱ
TUSȱ TrailingȱUmbilicalȱSystemȱ
TVISȱ TreadmillȱVibrationȱIsolationȱSystemȱ
TWMVȱ ThreeȬWayȱMixingȱValveȱ

UBȱ UserȱBusȱȱ
UCCASȱ UnpressurizedȱCargoȱCarrierȱAttachȱSystemȱ
UDGȱ UserȱDataȱGenerationȱ
UFȱ UtilizationȱFlightȱ
UHFȱ UltrahighȱFrequencyȱ
UIAȱ UmbilicalȱInterfaceȱAssemblyȱ
ULCASȱ UnpressurizedȱLogisticsȱCarrierȱAttachȱSystemȱ
UIPȱ UtilityȱInterfaceȱPanelȱ
ULFȱ UtilizationȱLogisticsȱFlightȱȱ
UMAȱ UmbilicalȱMechanismȱAssemblyȱ
UOPȱ UtilityȱOutletȱPanelȱ
USAȱ UnitedȱSpaceȱAllianceȱȱ
USLȱ U.S.ȱLaboratoryȱ
USOSȱ UnitedȱStatesȱOnȬOrbitȱSegmentȱ
UTAȱ UtilityȱTransferȱAssemblyȱ

VAJȱ VacuumȱAccessȱJumperȱ
VBSPȱȱ VideoȱBasebandȱSignalȱProcessorȱ
VCPȱ VideoȱCameraȱPortȱ
VCSAȱ VideoȱCameraȱSupportȱAssemblyȱȱ
VDSȱ VideoȱDistributionȱSystemȱ
VDUȱ VideoȱDistributionȱUnitȱ
VESȱ VacuumȱExhaustȱSystemȱ
VGSȱ VideoȱGraphicsȱSoftwareȱ
VRCVȱ Vent/ReliefȱControlȱValveȱ
VRIVȱ Vent/ReliefȱIsolationȱValveȱ
VRSȱ VESȱResourceȱSystemȱ
VRVȱ Vent/ReliefȱValveȱ
VSCȱ VideoȱSignalȱConverterȱ

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VSSAȱ VideoȱStanchionȱSupportȱAssemblyȱ

W/Sȱ Worksiteȱ
WETAȱ WVSȱExternalȱTransceiverȱAssemblyȱ
WHSȱ WorkstationȱHostȱSoftwareȱ
WIFȱ WorksiteȱInterfaceȱ
WRMȱ WaterȱRecoveryȱManagementȱ
WSȱ WaterȱSeparatorȱ
WVAȱ WaterȱVentȱAssemblyȱ

XPOPȱ XȬaxisȱPointingȱOutȱofȱPlaneȱ

ZCGȬSSȱ ZeoliteȱCrystalȱGrowth—SampleȱStowageȱ
ZSRȱ ZeroȬgȱStowageȱRackȱ

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MEDIA ASSISTANCE
ȱ
NASA TELEVISION TRANSMISSION
NASAȱ Televisionȱ isȱ carriedȱ onȱ anȱ MPEGȬ2ȱ
digitalȱ signalȱ accessedȱ viaȱ satelliteȱ AMCȬ6,ȱ atȱ
72ȱdegreesȱ westȱ longitude,ȱ transponderȱ 17C,ȱ
4040ȱ MHz,ȱ verticalȱ polarization.ȱ Forȱ thoseȱ inȱ
Alaskaȱ orȱ Hawaii,ȱ NASAȱ Televisionȱ willȱ beȱ
seenȱonȱAMCȬ7,ȱatȱ137ȱdegreesȱwestȱlongitude,ȱ
transponderȱ 18C,ȱ atȱ 4060ȱ MHz,ȱ horizontalȱ
polarization.ȱ Inȱ bothȱ instances,ȱ aȱ Digitalȱ Videoȱ
Broadcastȱ(DVB)ȬcompliantȱIntegratedȱReceiverȱ
Decoderȱ(IRD)ȱ(withȱmodulationȱofȱQPSK/DBV,ȱ
dataȱ rateȱ ofȱ 36.86ȱ andȱ FECȱ 3/4)ȱ willȱ beȱ neededȱ
forȱ reception.ȱ Theȱ NASAȱ Televisionȱ scheduleȱ
andȱlinksȱtoȱstreamingȱvideoȱareȱavailableȱat:ȱ
http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
NASAȱ TV’sȱ digitalȱ conversionȱ willȱ requireȱ
membersȱ ofȱ theȱ broadcastȱ mediaȱ toȱ upgradeȱ
withȱ anȱ ‘addressable’ȱ Integratedȱ Receiverȱ
DeȬcoder,ȱ orȱ IRD,ȱ toȱ participateȱ inȱ liveȱ newsȱ
eventsȱ andȱ interviews,ȱ mediaȱ briefingsȱ andȱ
receiveȱ NASA’sȱ Videoȱ Fileȱ newsȱ feedsȱ onȱ aȱ
dedicatedȱ Mediaȱ Servicesȱ channel.ȱ NASAȱ misȬ
sionȱcoverageȱwillȱairȱonȱaȱdigitalȱNASAȱPublicȱ
Servicesȱ(“FreeȱtoȱAir”)ȱchannel,ȱforȱwhichȱonlyȱ
aȱbasicȱIRDȱwillȱbeȱneeded.ȱ
Status Reports
Statusȱ reportsȱ onȱ launchȱ countdownȱ andȱ misȬ
sionȱ progress,ȱ onȬorbitȱ activitiesȱ andȱ landingȱ
operationsȱwillȱbeȱpostedȱat:ȱ
http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
Thisȱsiteȱalsoȱ containsȱ informationȱ onȱ theȱcrewȱ
andȱwillȱbeȱupdatedȱregularlyȱwithȱphotosȱandȱ
videoȱclipsȱthroughoutȱtheȱflight.ȱ
Briefings
Aȱmissionȱpressȱbriefingȱscheduleȱwillȱbeȱissuedȱ
beforeȱ launch.ȱ Theȱ updatedȱ NASAȱ televisionȱ
scheduleȱ willȱ indicateȱ whenȱ missionȱ briefingsȱ
areȱplanned.ȱ
More Internet Information
Informationȱ onȱ theȱ Internationalȱ Spaceȱ Stationȱ
isȱavailableȱat:ȱ
http://www.nasa.gov/station
Informationȱ onȱ safetyȱ enhancementsȱ madeȱ
sinceȱtheȱColumbiaȱaccidentȱisȱavailableȱat:ȱ
http://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/
system/index.html

Television Schedule InformationȱonȱotherȱcurrentȱNASAȱactivitiesȱisȱ

availableȱat:ȱ
Aȱ scheduleȱ ofȱ keyȱ onȬorbitȱ eventsȱ andȱ mediaȱ
briefingsȱduringȱtheȱmissionȱwillȱbeȱdetailedȱinȱ http://www.nasa.gov
aȱNASAȱTVȱscheduleȱpostedȱatȱtheȱ linkȱ above.ȱ
Resourcesȱ forȱ educatorsȱ canȱ beȱ foundȱ atȱ theȱ
Theȱscheduleȱwillȱbeȱupdatedȱasȱnecessaryȱandȱ
followingȱaddress:ȱ
willȱalsoȱbeȱavailableȱat:ȱ
http://education.nasa.gov

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PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACTS

ȱ
HEADQUARTERS KylieȱClemȱ
WASHINGTON, DC PublicȱAffairsȱSpecialistȱ
MissionȱOperationsȱDirectorateȱandȱShuttleȱCrewȱ
MichaelȱBraukusȱ 281Ȭ483Ȭ5111ȱ
PublicȱAffairsȱOfficerȱ kylie.s.clem@nasa.gov
InternationalȱPartnersȱ
NicoleȱCloutierȬLemastersȱ
202Ȭ358Ȭ1979ȱ
michael.j.braukus@nasa.gov PublicȱAffairsȱSpecialistȱ
SpaceȱStationȱCrewȱ
KatherineȱTrinidadȱ 281Ȭ483Ȭ5111ȱ
PublicȱAffairsȱOfficerȱ nicole.cloutier-1@nasa.gov
SpaceȱOperationsȱ
202Ȭ358Ȭ3749ȱ KENNEDY SPACE CENTER
katherine.trinidad@nasa.govȱ CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA
JohnȱYembrickȱ AllardȱBeutelȱ
PublicȱAffairsȱOfficerȱ NewsȱChiefȱ
SpaceȱOperationsȱ 321Ȭ861Ȭ4769ȱ
202Ȭ358Ȭ0602ȱ allard.beutel@nasa.gov
john.yembrick-1@nasa.gov
GeorgeȱDillerȱ
JOHNSON SPACE CENTER PublicȱAffairsȱSpecialistȱ
HOUSTON, TEXAS SpaceȱShuttleȱ
321Ȭ867Ȭ2468ȱ
JamesȱHartsfieldȱ george.h.diller@nasa.govȱ
NewsȱChiefȱ
TracyȱYoungȱ
281Ȭ483Ȭ5111ȱ
james.a.hartsfield@nasa.gov PublicȱAffairsȱSpecialistȱ
InternationalȱSpaceȱStationȱ
KyleȱHerringȱ 321Ȭ867Ȭ2468ȱ
PublicȱAffairsȱSpecialistȱ tracy.g.young@nasa.govȱ
SpaceȱShuttleȱProgramȱOfficeȱ
281Ȭ483Ȭ5111ȱ MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER
kyle.j.herring@nasa.govȱ HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA
RobȱNaviasȱ DomȱAmatoreȱ
ProgramȱandȱMissionȱOperationsȱLeadȱ PublicȱAffairsȱManagerȱ
281Ȭ483Ȭ5111ȱ 256Ȭ544Ȭ0034ȱ
rob.navias-1@nasa.govȱ dominic.a.amatore@nasa.govȱ

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JuneȱMaloneȱ DRYDEN FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER
PublicȱAffairsȱSpecialistȱ CALIFORNIA
NewsȱChief/MediaȱManagerȱ
256Ȭ544Ȭ0034ȱ AlanȱBrownȱ
june.e.malone@nasa.gov NewsȱChiefȱ
661Ȭ276Ȭ2665ȱ
SteveȱRoy alan.brown@nasa.gov
PublicȱAffairsȱSpecialist
SpaceȱShuttleȱPropulsion LeslieȱWilliamsȱ
256Ȭ544Ȭ0034ȱ PublicȱAffairsȱSpecialistȱ
steven.e.roy@nasa.gov 661Ȭ276Ȭ3893ȱ
leslie.a.williams@nasa.gov
STENNIS SPACE CENTER
MISSISSIPPI GLENN RESEARCH CENTER
CLEVELAND, OHIO
LindaȱTheobaldȱ
PublicȱAffairsȱSpecialistȱ LoriȱRachulȱ
228Ȭ688Ȭ3249ȱ NewsȱChiefȱ
linda.l.theobald@nasa.gov 216Ȭ433Ȭ8806ȱ
lori.j.rachul@nasa.gov
PaulȱFoermanȱ
NewsȱChiefȱ KatherineȱMartinȱ
228Ȭ688Ȭ1880ȱ PublicȱAffairsȱSpecialistȱ
paul.foerman-1@nasa.gov 216Ȭ433Ȭ2406ȱ
katherine.martin@nasa.gov
RebeccaȱStreckerȱ
PublicȱAffairsȱSpecialistȱ LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER
228Ȭ688Ȭ3346ȱ
HAMPTON, VIRGINIA
rebecca.a.strecker@nasa.gov
MarnyȱSkoraȱ
AMES RESEARCH CENTER Head,ȱNewsȱMediaȱOfficeȱ
MOFFETT FIELD, CALIFORNIA 757Ȭ864Ȭ3315ȱ
marny.skora@nasa.gov
MikeȱMewhinneyȱ
NewsȱChiefȱ ChrisȱRinkȱ
650Ȭ604Ȭ3937ȱ PublicȱAffairsȱOfficerȱ
michael.mewhinney@nasa.gov 757Ȭ864Ȭ6786ȱ
christopher.p.rink@nasa.gov
JonasȱDinoȱ
PublicȱAffairsȱSpecialistȱ KathyȱBarnstorffȱ
650Ȭ604Ȭ5612ȱ PublicȱAffairsȱOfficerȱ
jonas.dino@nasa.gov 757Ȭ864Ȭ9886ȱ
katherine.a.barnstorff@nasa.gov

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UNITED SPACE ALLIANCE BOEING
MikeȱCurieȱ EdȱMemiȱ
SpaceȱProgramȱOperationsȱContractȱ MediaȱRelationsȱ
HoustonȱOperationsȱ BoeingȱNASAȱSystemsȱ
281Ȭ483Ȭ9251ȱ 281Ȭ226Ȭ4029ȱ
321Ȭ861Ȭ3805ȱ edmund.g.memi@boeing.com
michael.j.curie@usa-spaceops.com

TracyȱYatesȱ
FloridaȱOperationsȱ
321Ȭ861Ȭ3956ȱ
tracy.e.yates@usa-spaceops.com

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