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Abmd70.169 net.columbia utzoo!decvax!duke!bmd70!jcp Thu Nov 19 01:07:40 1981 Aviation Week Nov 16 Highlights of the November 16, 1981 Aviation Week and Space Technology: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This review is entirely dedicated to Space Shuttle/Program news due to the high volume of Space Technology articles following the flight of STS-2. A second review of the non-shuttle articles may be prepared later in the week if time permits.

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Space Shuttle: Mission Control Transfer --------------------------------------- NASA is considering transfering Shuttle mission control operations from the Johnson Space Center in Houston to Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, and for military launches, to Vandenburg Air Force Base when the launch complex there is complete. The move is unlikely before 1984.

NASA Advanced Concepts Outline: - Future Directions in Space? ------------------------------------------------------------- An advanced, reusable unmanned heavy launch vehicle is being considered, using shuttle type technology. An effort underway at the Marshall Space Flight Center centers on clustering the 2.9 mill. lb thrust SRBs from the space shuttle, in groups of 3 or more to form a heavy lift vehicle designated SRB-X. NASA may deemphasize civilian space usage in favor of a more military emphasis to develop more advanced hardware for strategic applications, such as reconnaissance from geo-synchronous platforms. Science experiments that can be performed from earth orbit will be emphasized, possibly at the expense of planetary exploration, to make maximum use of the Shuttle. When a manned space station becomes a reality, planetary sample return missions will probably take precedence. The possibility of transferring Shuttle operations from NASA to a new agency created for that purpose after it becomes operational is being discussed.

Shuttle Launch Assessment: ------------------------- Launch performance was good, in particular: Main engine chamber pressures were within 1/10th of one percent of ideal values. SRB performance was normal, and modifications to Pad 39A (waterflood system) minimized shock wave effects to at most 20-25% of that experienced on STS-1 Ascent loft was approximately 50% of the value on STS-1, reflecting a change in SRB nozzle gimbal profile designed to reduce ascent loft by 50% from STS-1. The ascent loft on STS-1 resulted in the loss of 1000lbs theoretical payload. APU #1 overheated and was shut down a few minutes early after main engine cutoff. This was due to an improper setting of the APU heater element. Upon recovery of the vehicle at Edwards AFB, it was found only 12 tiles were damaged, and NONE (zero, ie. 0) fell off. No determination has been made yet on the fuel cell problem which caused early termination of STS-2

APU Oil Problem Update: ---------------------- The APU old problem would not have affected APU operation had the Nov. 4th launch of Columbia proceeded another 31 seconds. Independent labs who analyzed the oil taked from all 3 APU's found white, black, and gray particles, believed to be decomposition products of the Mobil Jet-2 lubricating oil in the system. The decomposition occured when hydrazine fuel leaked by a seal and into the oil near the gearbox linkage, decomposing one of the four esthers in the oil.

Launch Radar Coverage Augmented: ------------------------------- Navy/Grumman E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft (not AWACS) augmented radar coverage of the STS-2 launch. The aircraft were used to: Cover restricted airspace 10 miles either side of launch trajectory. SRB tracking after seperation to splashdown and recover vehicle vectoring to site. Had ejection of the crew been necessary, E-2Cs would have directed recovery aircraft, and also aided in recovery of fragments of the Columbia.

Second Orbiter Work Advances: ---------------------------- Work on the second orbiter, #099, Challenger, is advancing on schedule at the Rockwell plant in Palmdale, California. The spacecraft is now about 80% complete and incorporates several upgrapdes from Orbiter 102, Columbia: Weight reduction of ~2000lbs due to structural modifications Thermal protection system 'quilt' material on the Orbital Maneuvering System pods instead of tiles to save weight and time 2 Head-Up display units to provide flightcrew with approach and landing information Strengthened mid-body and thrust structure area. Wiring and mounting provision for Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation equipment to use NAVSTAR positioning info.

Orbiter 099, Challenger, is scheduled to fly mission 6 Orbiter 103 will begin construction in the second bay of the Palmdale facility soon. Orbiter 101, Enterprise, was removed from Palmdale to Edwards Air Force Base recently, to clear room for 103.

Aproximately two thirds of the 31000 TPS tiles to be installed at Palmdale have been installed in a process characterized as 'smooth' in contrast to the experience with Orbiter 102.

Orbiter 103 will utilize further advanced materials to replace some of its TPS tiles. The new material is Fibrous Refractory Composite Insulation, is a mixture of 78% silica fiber and 22% aluminum borosilicate with at density of 12 lb/cubic ft, replacing the current LI-2200 silica material tile with a density of 22 lb/cubic ft. About 3000 tiles are to be replaced this way, saving about 1200 lbs. 103 is scheduled to be delivered in September 1983. Replacements for the 9lb/cubic ft white tiles are also being sought, mainly to improve durability.

Shuttle Lightweight Tank Production Begins ------------------------------------------ Production has started on the first of 4 lightweight external tanks for the space shuttle. The eight production external tank will be the 1st lightweight model and is to be delivered in Fiscal 1983. The schedule calls for 7 tanks Fiscal 1983, 11 in Fiscal 1984, 19 in Fiscal 1985. At this time production level of 24 tanks/year is set to begin in last quarter 1985. Planning is under way to increase this to 55/year. The target weight for the lightweight tank is 64000lb, compared to 77000 lbs for the 1st flight tank. The STS-2 tank was 200 lbs lighter than that. The lightweight tank elmininated the pretty white paint on the exterior of the tank.

Production tanks cost 10.1 million each, up from 1.8 million estimated five years ago. Cost increases were due to: Addition of tumbling system to ensure the tank entered the atmosphere in an unstable configuration, so as to completely break up Addition of range safety tank detonator system. Consists of two command antennas, two linear shaped charges, seven detonating fuses, a safe and arm device, and two detonators. Broadening of thermal protection requirements

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Summary prepared by J.C.Pistritto, (duke!bmd70!jcp@brl)

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