STS-121 Press Kit

CONTENTS
Section Page

STS-115 MISSION OVERVIEW: SPACE STATION ASSEMBLY RESUMES................................ STS-115 TIMELINE OVERVIEW ............................................................................................... MISSION PRIORITIES ............................................................................................................. LAUNCH AND LANDING ...........................................................................................................
L A U N CH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A B OR T- T O- OR B IT ( AT O ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . T RA N SA TLA NT I C A B OR T L A N D I NG ( TAL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R E T UR N -T O -L A U N CH - SI T E ( R TL S ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . A B OR T O N C E A RO U N D (A OA ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . L A N D I NG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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MISSION PROFILE................................................................................................................... STS-115 ATLANTIS CREW ...................................................................................................... MISSION PERSONNEL ............................................................................................................. RENDEZVOUS AND DOCKING ..................................................................................................
U N D O CK I NG , S E PA RA TI O N A N D D EPA RTU R E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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SPACEWALKS ......................................................................................................................... PAYLOAD OVERVIEW .............................................................................................................. EXPERIMENTS ......................................................................................................................... SHUTTLE REFERENCE DATA .................................................................................................... ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ......................................................................................... MEDIA ASSISTANCE ............................................................................................................... PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACTS ..................................................................................................

26 32 51 54 67 82 83

August 2006

CONTENTS

STS-115 MISSION OVERVIEW: SPACE STATION ASSEMBLY RESUMES

ConfigurationoftheInternationalSpaceStationatthecompletionofSTS115 Forthefirsttimesincelate2002,assemblyof theInternationalSpaceStation(ISS)will resumeontheSTS115mission. SixastronautswillbelaunchedontheSpace ShuttleAtlantisonthe116thshuttlemissionand the27thflightofAtlantistodeliverandinstall the17andahalftonP3/P4trusssegmentto theportsideoftheintegratedtrusssystemof theorbitaloutpost.Thetruss,partofthe stationsgirderlikebackbone,includesanew setofphotovoltaicsolararrays.Whenunfurled totheirfulllengthof240feet,thearrayswill provideadditionalpowerforthestationin preparationforthedeliveryofinternational sciencemodulesoverthenexttwoyears.Each ofthe82activearrayblanketsthataregrouped into31andahalfbayscontain16,400 individualsiliconphotovoltaiccellstoconvert sunlightintoelectricity. ThetrussalsocontainsadevicecalledtheSolar AlphaRotaryJoint(SARJ),whichwillrotate 360degreeseitherclockwiseor counterclockwisetopositiontheP4andP6 solararraystotrackthesunforelectricalpower generation.

August 2006

MISSION OVERVIEW

SpaceShuttleAtlantisrolledoverfromtheOrbiterProcessingFacilitytothe VehicleAssemblyBuildinginlateJulyinpreparationforSTS115 AtlantisisscheduledtoliftofffromLaunchPad 39BatNASAsKennedySpaceCenter,Florida, noearlierthanlateAugust.Aswasthecasefor thejustcompletedSTS121mission,Atlantis launchisgovernedbydaylightlighting requirementsattheFloridaspaceportandthe properlightinginorbitforphotographyofthe externalfueltankonceitisjettisonedeightand ahalfminutesafterlaunch. Eachdayslaunchopportunitywillbeabout fiveminuteslong,timedtowhentherotationof theEarthplacestheKennedySpaceCenterin theplaneofthestationsorbit. STS115isexpectedtolast11dayswiththe threescheduledspacewalksplannedforflight days4,5and7.Ifafocusedinspectionof Atlantisheatshieldisrequestedoncethe shuttleisatthestation,theflightcouldbe extendedbyoneortwodays,changingthe flightdaysonwhichthethreespacewalkswill beconducted. ThemissioniscommandedbyNavyCapt. BrentJett,47,aveteranofthreeprevious spaceflights,includingtheSTS97missionin 2000totheISSthatdeliveredthefirstU.S.solar arraysontheP6trussstructure. JettisjoinedbyNavyCapt.ChrisFerguson,45, afirsttimeflyerwhowillserveasthemissions pilot.JoeTanner,56,willleadtwoteamsof

STS115CommanderBrentJett

August 2006

MISSION OVERVIEW

 spacewalkersinhisfourthflightintospace. TannerwasacrewmateofJettsontheSTS97 mission.CoastGuardCmdr.DanBurbank,45, makeshissecondflighttotheISSonthe STS115missionandwillserveasflight engineerduringlaunchandlanding.Navy Cmdr.HeideStefanyshynPiper(Hyedee StephuhnihshunPyepur),43,makesher firstspaceflightonAtlantismission,joining Tannerfortwoofthethreeplanned spacewalks.CanadianSpaceAgencyastronaut SteveMacLean(Muhklaine),51,roundsout thecrewandwilljoinBurbankforthesecond spacewalkoftheflightinhissecondmission intospace.Heflewascientificresearchmission aboardColumbia14yearsagoandwillbecome thesecondCanadianastronauttowalkin space,followinginthefootstepsofhis colleague,ChrisHadfield. Tannerhasconductedfivespacewalksinhis careerbothinserviceoftheHubbleSpace Telescopeandatthestation.Burbank,Piper andMacLeanwillbeconductingtheirfirst spacewalks. Theprimarypurposeofthemissionistoinstall thehugeP3/P4trusstotheexistingP1trusson theportsideofthestation.Complexworkwith boththeshuttleandthestationsroboticarms willberequiredtonotonlyinstallthenewtruss segment,butalsoinspectAtlantiswingsand thermalprotectionsystem,duplicating inspectionsperformedonSTS114andSTS121 missions.Thisheatshieldinspection conductedoverseveraldayswillensurethe shuttleissafetoreturntoEarth. MacLean,whohelpeddeveloptheCanadian builtroboticarmsforbothshuttleandstation, willbecomethefirstCanadiantooperateboth systemsduringtheSTS115mission.

AviewofOrbiterDiscoverysundersideduringtheSTS121RendezvousPitchManeuver

August 2006

MISSION OVERVIEW

Expedition13crewCommanderPavelVinogradov(center),flightengineerandNASAscience officerJeffWilliams(right)andEuropeanSpaceAgency(ESA)astronautThomasReiter(left) WhenAtlantisarrivesatthestationtwodays afteritslaunch,thesixpersonshuttlecrewwill begreetedbythethreemanExpedition13 crew.RussianCommanderPavelVinogradov, 53,andFlightEngineerandNASAScience OfficerJeffWilliams,48,havebeenaboardthe complexsinceApril1followingtheirlaunchon theSoyuzTMA8spacecraftfromtheBaikonur CosmodromeinKazakhstan.Theyare scheduledtoreturntoEarthinlateSeptember followingthearrivalofthenextstationcrew, Expedition14,whichwilllaunchinanother SoyuzspacecraftrightaftertheSTS115 mission.ThethirdmemberoftheExpedition 13crewisEuropeanSpaceAgencyastronaut ThomasReiter,48,whoarrivedattheoutpost ontheSTS121mission.Hewillremainon boardwiththeExpedition14crewthroughthe endoftheyear. TheSTS115flightmarksthesecondtimeas manyasfouroutofthefivepartneragencies willhavebeenrepresentedonthestation together.

August 2006

MISSION OVERVIEW

Afterlaunching,thecrewwillspenditsfirst hoursinspacesettingupequipmentand downlinkinginitialimageryofAtlantis externalfueltankfollowingitsjettison. Thenextday,FergusonandBurbankwilljoin MacLeanattheaftflightdeckofAtlantisto grappleandunberththe50footlongOrbiter BoomSensorSystem(OBSS),acraneextension fortheshuttlesroboticarm.Theextension usestwolasersandahighresolutiontelevision cameratoexaminetheleadingedgesof Atlantiswingsanditsnosecapforanysignof damagethatmayhaveoccurredduringlaunch. Additionalinspectionsofthewingsandother orbitersurfaceswilltakeplacethedaypriorto undockingfromthestationandinthehours followingundocking.Imageryanalystsatthe JohnsonSpaceCenterinHoustonwillpore overthedataandreporttheirfindingsto membersoftheMissionManagementTeam. Whiletheboominspectionisunderway, TannerandPiperwillpreparethespacesuits andtoolsthatthey,BurbankandMacLeanwill useduringtheirspacewalks.JettandFerguson willconductperiodicfiringsofAtlantisjetsin thestandardplantoplaceAtlantisonaprecise coursetorendezvouswiththestationthe followingday.Oncetheinitialboom inspectioniscomplete,theboomwillbeput backontothestarboardsill,oredge,ofthe shuttlecargobayforuselaterinthemission.

August 2006

MISSION OVERVIEW

 Onthethirddayofthemission,Jettwilltake overmanualcontrolofAtlantisatapointabout 1,000feetdirectlybelowthestation.Hethen willflytheshuttletojust600feetunderthe complexandbeginaslowbackfliprotationof theorbiter.ThiswillenableVinogradovand Williamstocapturehighresolutiondigital imageryofAtlantisforengineersontheground toanalyzetheconditionoftheshuttlesheat shield. Withthebackflipcompleted,Jettwillslowly maneuverAtlantistoadockingwiththestation attheforwardendoftheDestinyLaboratory, settingthestageforaweekofjointoperations betweenthetwocrews. Evenbeforethehatchesareopenedtoallowthe ninecrewmemberstogreetoneanother, FergusonandBurbankwillusetheshuttles roboticarmtograpplethemassiveP3/P4truss. Oncehatchesareopened,MacLeanwilljoin WilliamsinDestinyattheroboticworkstation tomaneuverthestationsCanadarm2robotic armforahandoffofthetrussfromFerguson andBurbank.Thetrusswillremaingrappled toCanadarm2overnight. TannerandPiperwillthenbeginspacewalk preparationsastheyuseanewtechniquecalled anextravehicularactivity(EVA)campout protocolwhichrequiresthemtoprebreathe pureoxygeninmaskstobegintocleanse nitrogenfromtheirbloodstreams.Thatwill preventaconditionknownasdecompression sickness,commonlycalledthebends. TannerandPiperwillsleepinQuestovernight asitspressureisloweredto10.2poundsper squareinchtofurtherridtheirbloodstreamsof nitrogenandshortentheirfinalspacewalk preparations.BurbankandMacLeanwill followthesameregimepriortothesecond spacewalkofthemission,andTannerandPiper willrepeattheprocedurepriortothethird spacewalk. AsTannerandPiperpreparetoleavetheQuest airlockfortheirfirstspacewalk,MacLeanand Williamswillslowlyandcarefullypositionthe P3/P4trussattheedgeoftheP1truss.They willalignitproperlythroughtheuseof televisioncamerasandinstallittoP1sothatthe twosegmentsarecapturedandhardmatedto oneanotherthroughaseriesoffourstructural bolts.Oncetheboltsaresecureandthetruss segmentsaremated,theCanadarm2will releaseitsgraspofthetrussgrapplefixture. AfteremergingfromQuest,TannerandPiper willmovetothenewlyinstalledtrusssegment wheretheywillfirstconnectpowercablesin oneoftwotrayshousingthetrusselectronics. ThenextoperationcallsforPipertorelease launchrestraintsfortheSolarArrayBlanket Boxes(SABB)thathousethefoldedarrays. TannerandPiperwillthenreleasesimilar restraintsfortheBetaGimbalAssemblies (BGA)thatserveasthestructurallinkbetween thetrussintegratedelectronicsandthemassive SolarArrayWings(SAWs).TheBGAswill rotatetothecorrectpositionfortheactual deploymentofthearraysonflightday6.

August 2006

MISSION OVERVIEW

 newdeployproceduredevelopedaftertheP6 arraydeploymentontheSTS97missionin 2000. Atthattime,thesolararraypanelsexperienced aphenomenoncalledstictionthatcauseda tensionbardesignedtokeepthearraystautto oscillatebackandforth.Theeffectwassimilar toasailflappingwhileheldonthetopand bottom.Itwasdeterminedaftertheflightthata siliconcoatingdesignedtoprotectthecopper wiringinthesolarcellsagainstthedegrading effectsofatomicoxygenparticleshadfused overtimeasthearrayswereintheirblanket boxes.Inaddition,thestictioncouldbe lessenedbydeployingthearraysafterthey havebeenwarmedinthesunfirstandbyusing ahightensiondeploymentmode.Asecond solararraywingwasdeployedonSTS97using thehightensionmodewithoutincident. Camerasandvisualclueshavealsobeenadded tomakeiteasierforthecrewtobettermonitor deployment. Forthisflight,thearrayswillbedeployedata hightensiontoavoidlargemotionbythe tensionbaritself.Thetemperatureofthearrays alsowillbecontrolledtoavoidarepeatofthe stictionissue. Oncethecrewisawake,theywilltakeoverthe arraydeploymentprocess,commandingthe

Beforethespacewalkerscancompletethe unstowingofthearrayblanketboxes,they mustmoveakeelpinoutoftheway.Thepin heldtheP4trusssegmentinplaceatthebottom ofthepayloadbayforlaunch. Next,TannerandPiperwillbeginpreparations foroperationoftheSolarAlphaRotaryJoint andcompletingtheconnectionofelectrical cablesbetweenthenewP3trussandtheP1 truss. Asthespacewalkconcludes,MissionControlin HoustonwillcommandtheactivationoftheP4 trussforathoroughcheckoutofitssystemsand thearraysastheyremainfoldedintheir canisters. ThesecondspacewalkbyBurbankand MacLeanonflightday5willbedevotedtofinal preparationsfortheactivationoftheSolar AlphaRotaryJoint.Sixlaunchrestraints,four thermalcoversandsixteenlaunchlockswillbe removedandreleasedtosetthestageforits activation. Beforethecrewisawakenedtobeginthesixth dayofthemission,flightcontrollerswillinitiate thedeploymentofthenewarraysontheP4 truss.Onlyonehalfofthe31.5bays encapsulatingthearrayswillbeimmediately unfurledsothatflightcontrollerscanconfirma

August 2006

MISSION OVERVIEW

 replacecomponentsoftheS1(starboard)truss Sbandcommunicationssystemandinstalla newexternalwirelesscommunicationsantenna onforwardendofDestinytoenableimproved televisiontransmissionsfromcamerasmounted onthehelmetsoffuturespacewalkers.They willalsoinstallathermalshroudonthe stationsKUbandantennatoprotectitfromthe extremeheatandcoldoflowEarthorbit. wingstounfoldtoaninterimpositionof49per centoffulldeployment,thentotheirfulllength of240feet.Theincrementaldeployment sequenceisperformedwhenthesunisatthe correctanglerelativetothestationforthe properthermalconditioningofthearray blankets. Afterthearraysarefullydeployed,the Canadarm2willwalkofffromtheMobile TransporterbacktotheDestinyLabtoenable therailcartomovetoaworksiteattheP3truss foracheckoutofitsfunctionalitythenextday. WorksiteNo.8onthetrussiswherethe stationsroboticarmwillbepositionedduring thenextflight,STS116,fortheinstallationof theP5trusscomponent. Thefollowingday,flightday7,willfind TannerandPiperconductingthethirdandfinal spacewalkofthemissiontoreleaserestraints forthedeploymentoftheheatdissipating radiatorontheP4truss.Theyalsowilldeploy bracestoholdtheSolarAlphaRotaryJointin place,removealargekeelpinthatrestrained theP3trussduringlaunchinAtlantiscargo bay,andinstallboltclipstoproperlyposition theBetaGimbalAssembliesforthenewly deployedP4arrays. Inaddition,TannerandPiperexpecttoremove amaterialsscienceexperimentfromthehullof theQuestairlocktoreturntoEarth,removeand OncethehealthcheckoftherailsworksiteNo. 8iscompleted,therailcarwillreturntoits normalparkingplaceonworksiteNo.4atthe S0trussinthemiddleofthetrusssystem.The stationsarmwillmovefromitsgrapplefixture onDestinytotheMobileTransporteratwork siteNo.4thenextdaytosupportadditional inspectionsofAtlantisthermalinsulation. Thecrewenjoyahalfdayofoffdutytimeon flightday8andconductthefinaltransferof itemstothestation. Onflightday9,thecrewwillcompleteits transferwork,sayfarewelltotheExpedition13 crewandclosehatchesbetweenthetwo vehicles.Undockingfromthestationisnow expectedlateintheshuttlecrewsworkday withapossibleflyaroundofthecomplex dependentoncrewtimeandpropellant capability.

August 2006

MISSION OVERVIEW

 systemonceagaintoconductacompletelate inspectionofAtlantiswingsandnosecapina procedurealmostidenticaltotheactivityon flightday2. Ferguson,BurbankandMacLeanwilltake turnsmonitoringthemaneuversoftheboom sensorcranetoviewthereinforcedcarbon carbonpanelingontheleadingedgesofthe shuttleswingsandnosecap.Thatwillprovide theimageryneededtopermitmission managerstogiveAtlantisanditscrewthefinal clearancetoreturnhome. OnshuttlemissionSTS121,partofthis inspectionwasperformedwhiletheshuttlewas dockedtothestation.Usingalessonlearned fromSTS121,theinspectionplanhasbeen changedtoprovideamoreefficientwayfor Atlantisastronautstoconductthefinal examinationoftheshuttlesheatshield.During DiscoverysflightonSTS121,lightingand clearanceissuescausedtimetobeaddedtothe inspectionoftheportwing.Therevised timelineforSTS115willeliminatesuchissues. Onflightday11,theastronautswillstowtheir gear,testAtlantisflightcontrolsurfacesand steeringjetsandreviewtheirentryandlanding procedures. Atlantisisscheduledtolandonthemorningof flightday12,settingthestageforsubsequent shuttlemissionstocontinuetheexpansionof theInternationalSpaceStation.

Expedition13crewCommanderPavel Vinogradov(left),flightengineerandNASA scienceofficerJeffWilliams(right),and EuropeanSpaceAgency(ESA)astronaut ThomasReiter(center) Atlantiswillseparatefromthestationina trajectorythatwillenablethecrewtodocument theoutpostwithitsnewlyinstalledtrussthat willmakeitasymmetricalasitorbitstheEarth. Thestarboardtrusswillbebuiltoutinasimilar fashionwhentheS3/S4trusssegmentsare deliveredtotheISSontheSTS117missionnext year. JettandFergusonwillmonitorAtlantis departurefromthestationastheshuttlemoves toadistanceof40nauticalmiles.Atthatpoint, anenginefiringwillplaceAtlantisinastation keepingorbitintheunlikelyeventitwould havetoreturntothecomplexduetodamageto itsheatshield. Onflightday10,theshuttlecrewwillusethe shipsroboticarmtograppletheboomsensor

August 2006

MISSION OVERVIEW

STS-115 TIMELINE OVERVIEW

FLIGHT DAY 1:
Launch PayloadBayDoorOpening KuBandAntennaDeployment ShuttleRobotArmPowerUp ExternalTankHandheldVideo,Umbilical WellImageryandWingLeadingEdge SensorDataDownlink

DockingtotheInternationalSpaceStation HatchOpeningandWelcomingby Expedition13Crew ShuttlerobotarmgrappleofP3/P4Truss andhandofftoStationrobotarm Tanner/PipersleepinQuestAirlockfor spacewalkprebreathecampoutprotocol

FLIGHT DAY 4:
StationrobotarminstallsP3/P4Truss installationonP1Trussattachment Tanner/PiperEVANo.1toconnectpower cables,releaseSolarArrayBlanketBoxand BetaGimbalAssemblyRestraintsandto preparetheSolarAlphaRotaryJointfor operations ActivationoftheP4arrayassembly Burbank/MacLeansleepinQuestAirlock forspacewalkprebreathecampoutprotocol

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

FLIGHT DAY 5:
Burbank/MacLeanEVANo.2tocomplete preparationsfortheactivationoftheSolar AlphaRotaryJointforoperations SolarAlphaRotaryJointactivationand checkoutduringcrewsleep StationrobotarmismaneuveredtoP4array deployviewingposition

FLIGHT DAY 3:
RendezvousOperations TerminalInitiationEngineFiring RendezvousPitchManeuverandISSDigital PhotographyofAtlantis

August 2006

TIMELINE OVERVIEW

10

FLIGHT DAY 6:
FirstbayofP4SolarArray4Aand2Amasts aredeployedbeforecrewwakeup RemainingbaysoftheP4SolarArray4A and2Amastsaredeployed(31.5baysper array) Stationrobotarmconductsdoublewalk offfromtheMobileBaseSystemtothe DestinyLabtoprepareforEVANo.3and TrussworksiteNo.8checkoutin preparationforuseduringtheSTS116 mission Tanner/PipersleepinQuestAirlockfor spacewalkprebreathecampoutprotocol

Transferactivitiesandwatersupply transfersfromshuttletostation

FLIGHT DAY 9:
Finaltransfers Rendezvoustoolcheckoutinpreparation forundocking Finalfarewellsandhatchclosure Undocking

FLIGHT DAY 10:

ShuttleroboticarmgrappleofOBSS OBSSlateinspectionofAtlantisstarboard wingandnosecap OBSSfinalberthingbyshuttlerobotarm Finalshuttlerobotarmpowerdown

FLIGHT DAY 7:
Tanner/PiperEVANo.3toreleasethe photovoltaicradiatorrestraintsforits deployment,deploytheSolarAlphaRotary Jointbraces,removetheP3keelpintoclear thetrusspathfortheMobileTransporter, retrievetheMISSE5experiment,installan externalwirelessTVtransmissionantenna andconductothergetaheadworkfor futurespacewalks TheMobileTransporterismovedfrom worksite7onthetrusstoworksite8to checkoutthatlocationinadvanceof STS116,thenmovesbacktoitsnormal parkingspaceonworksite4

FLIGHT DAY 11:

FlightControlSystemCheckout ReactionControlSystemHotFireTest CabinStowage DeorbitTimelineReview KuBandAntennaStowage

FLIGHT DAY 12:

DeorbitPreparations PayloadBayDoorClosing DeorbitBurn KSCLanding

FLIGHT DAY 8:
Crewoffdutyperiodforahalfaday JointCrewNewsConference

August 2006

TIMELINE OVERVIEW

11

MISSION PRIORITIES
PrioritiesfortheSTS115spaceshuttlemission include(inorder): Performflightday2inspections Performrendezvouspitchmaneuverduring rendezvousanddockingfororbiterthermal protectionsysteminspectionusing InternationalSpaceStationimagery Installintegratedtrussstructure(ITS)P3/P4 toITSP1 ActivateITSP3/P4systemstoreceive survivalpowerfromP6 Transfermandatoryquantitiesofwater Transfercriticalitemspertransferpriority list ConfigureP4forpowergenerationand distributionanddeployP4solararray wings DeploySolarAlphaRotaryJoint(SARJ) drivelockassemblies InstallfouroffourAlphaJointInterface Structure(AJIS)struts Removelaunchlocksandrestraints, activateandcheckoutSARJ InstallallSARJbracebeams DeployP4photovoltaicradiator Completespacewalktasksnecessaryto enablethemobiletransporter(MT)tobe movedtoworksiteNo.8 Removecircuitinterruptdevices6and8 RemoveandreplaceSbandstring1Sband AntennaSupportAssembly(SASA) Conductorbiterlateinspectionfor micrometeoroidorbitaldebris RelocateMTtoworksiteNo.8andcheck outMobileServicingSystem Transferremainingitemspertransfer prioritylist RemoveandreplacestarboardSbandbase bandprocessorandtransponder Installextravehicularactivity(EVA) temporaryrailstop,stowP3MTstopand EVAshuttletetherstop InstallP6shoulderboltretainer RetrieveMaterialsontheInternational SpaceStationExperiment(MISSE)5 Transferminimumof25poundsofoxygen tostationshighpressuregastanks Performdailymiddeckactivitiestosupport payloadoperations: MICROBE BioavailabilityandPerformanceEffects ofPromethazineDuringSpaceflight SleepWakeActigraphyandLight ExposureDuringSpaceflight LatentVirus:MonitoringReactivation andSheddinginAstronauts

August 2006

MISSION PRIORITIES

12

 PerformU.S./Russiandailyspacestation payloadstatuschecksasrequired Performinternalthermalcontrolsystem sampling Performdefibrillatorcheckout Installantennagroupinterfacetubeheat shield SetthesoftcapturelatchesfortheP5install ConductmodifiedRocketdynetruss attachmentsystemvisualinspectionand foreignobjectdebrischeck EngageP6betagimbalassemblyhingelock Reboostspacestationwithorbiter,using availablepropellant,tomaintainaltitude andrendezvousrequirements Performimagerysurveyofthespace stationsexteriorduringorbiterflyaround (ifpropellantavailable) PerformramburnobservationandMaui analysisofupperatmosphericinjections payloadsofopportunity PerformStationDetailedTestObjective (SDTO)15003U:Microgravity EnvironmentDefinitionfortheSARJ checkout PerformSDTO12004U:ShuttleBooster FanBypass PerformSDTO13005U:ISSStructuralLife ValidationandExtension PerformprogramapprovedEVAgetahead tasks: ReleaseP4integratedequipment assemblymicrometeoroidorbitaldebris shieldbolttorques Positionauxiliaryportablefoot restraintsforSTS116sEVA1 Installexternalwirelessinstrumentation systemantennasandcableonU.S.lab InstallS1crewandequipment translationaidlight Installnonpropulsiveventonlab MateP1/P3fluidumbilical

August 2006

MISSION PRIORITIES

13

LAUNCH AND LANDING

LAUNCH
Aswithallpreviousspaceshuttlelaunches, AtlantisonSTS115willhaveseveralmodes availablethatcouldbeusedtoaborttheascent ifneededduetoenginefailuresorother systemsproblems.Shuttlelaunchabort philosophyaimstowardsaferecoveryofthe flightcrewandintactrecoveryoftheorbiter anditspayload.Abortmodesinclude:

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

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

ABORT ONCE AROUND (AOA)

AnAOAisselectedifthevehiclecannot achieveaviableorbitorwillnothaveenough propellanttoperformadeorbitburn,buthas enoughenergytocircletheEarthonceandland about90minutesafterliftoff.

TRANSATLANTIC ABORT LANDING (TAL)

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

LANDING
TheprimarylandingsiteforAtlantison STS115istheKennedySpaceCentersShuttle LandingFacility.Alternatelandingsitesthat couldbeusedifneededduetoweather conditionsorsystemsfailuresareatEdwards AirForceBase,California,andWhiteSands SpaceHarbor,NewMexico.

August 2006

LAUNCH & LANDING

14

MISSION PROFILE

CREW
Commander: Pilot: MissionSpecialist1: MissionSpecialist2: MissionSpecialist3: MissionSpecialist4: BrentJett ChrisFerguson JoeTanner DanBurbank Heidemarie StefanyshynPiper SteveMacLean

Space Shuttle Main Engines:

SSME1: SSME2: SSME3: ExternalTank: SRBSet: RSRMSet: 2044 2048 2047 ET118 BI127 94

LAUNCH
Orbiter: LaunchSite: LaunchDate: LaunchTime: Atlantis(OV104) KennedySpaceCenter LaunchPad39B NoEarlierThanAugust 27,2006 4:30p.m.EDT(Preferred InPlanelaunchtimefor 8/27) 5Minutes 122NauticalMiles(140 Miles)OrbitalInsertion; 190NM(218Miles) Rendezvous 51.6Degrees 10Days20Hours16 Minutes

SHUTTLE ABORTS
Abort Landing Sites
RTLS: TAL: AOA: KennedySpaceCenterShuttle LandingFacility PrimaryZaragoza,Spain. AlternatesMoronandIstres,France PrimaryKennedySpaceCenter ShuttleLandingFacility;Alternate WhiteSandsSpaceHarbor

LaunchWindow: Altitude:

Landing
NoEarlierThanSept.7, 2006 LandingTime: 12:02p.m.EDT PrimarylandingSite: KennedySpaceCenter ShuttleLandingFacility LandingDate:

Inclination: Duration:

PAYLOADS
P3/P4Truss

VEHICLE DATA
ShuttleLiftoffWeight: Orbiter/PayloadLiftoffWeight: 4,525,808 pounds 269,840 pounds

Orbiter/PayloadLandingWeight: 199,679 pounds SoftwareVersion: OI30

August 2006

MISSION PROFILE

15

STS-115 ATLANTIS CREW

TheSTS115missionwillresumetheassembly oftheInternationalSpaceStationwiththe deliveryandinstallationofstationssecondport trusssegment(P3/P4)ontotheP1trussandthe secondsetofsolararraysandbatteries. Followingtheinstallationofthesegments utilizingboththeshuttleandthestationrobotic arms,aseriesofthreespacewalkswillcomplete thefinalconnectionsandprepareforthe deploymentofthestationssecondsetofsolar arrays. Toreflecttheprimarymissionoftheflight,the patchdepictsasolarpanelasthemainelement. AsAtlantislaunchestowardthespacestation, itstraildepictsthesymboloftheAstronaut Office.Thestarburst,representingthepowerof thesun,risesovertheEarthandshinesonthe solarpanel.Theshuttleflightnumber115is shownatthebottomofthepatch,alongwith thespacestationassemblydesignation12A(the 12thAmericanassemblymission).Theblue Earthinthebackgroundremindsusofthe importanceofspaceexplorationandresearchto allofEarthsinhabitants. Shortbiographicalsketchesofthecrewfollow withdetailedbackgroundavailableat: http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/.

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Aveteranofthreespacemissions,BrentJett willcommandthecrewofSTS115,theshuttles 19thmissiontotheInternationalSpaceStation. HeservedasthepilotofSTS72inJanuary1996 andthenagainonSTS81in1997.Heflewas thecommanderonSTS97in2000.Acaptainin theU.S.Navy,hehastraveledmorethan12 millionmilesoverthethreemissionsand logged699hours,15minutesand57secondsin space.Hehasoverallresponsibilityfortheon orbitexecutionofthemission,orbitersystems operationsandflightoperationsincluding landingtheorbiter.Inaddition,Jettwillflythe shuttleinaprocedurecalledtherendezvous pitchmaneuverwhileAtlantisis600feetbelow thestationbeforedockingtoenablethestation crewtophotographtheorbitersheatshield. HewillthendockAtlantistothestation.Jett willalsobeheavilyinvolvedinspacewalk preparationsandtransferringcargotothe stationduringthedockedphaseofthemission.

BrentJett

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ChrisFerguson AcaptainintheU.S.Navy,ChrisFergusonwill makehisfirstjourneyintospaceasthepilotof theSTS115shuttlemission.Hewillbe responsiblefororbitersystemsoperationsand assistingJettintherendezvousanddockingto theInternationalSpaceStation.Alongwith DanBurbank,hewillusetheshuttlesrobotic armandtheOrbiterBoomSensorSystemto inspectAtlantisheatshield.Hewillalsoassist Burbankwithshuttlearmoperationsduringthe unberthingoftheP3/P4trussfromtheshuttle cargobayandhandingitofftothestation roboticarmaswellastransfercargotoand fromtheshuttle.Fergusonwillundock JoeTanner Atlantisfromthestationattheendofthe mission. Withfivespacewalkstohiscredit,STS115 MissionSpecialist1(MS1)JoeTannerwillmake hisfourthventureintospace.Tannerwill performtwoofthethreeextravehicular activities(EVAs),orspacewalks,asEV1.He willconductthefirstandthethirdplanned spacewalkswithHeideStefanyshynPiperon flightdays4and7.Hewillshare intravehiculardutieswithStefanyshynPiper duringthesecondspacewalkonflightday5. Hewillbeseatedonthemiddeckforlaunch andlanding.

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DanBurbank MissionSpecialist2(MS2)DanBurbank,a commanderintheU.S.CoastGuard,willbe makinghissecondspaceflight.Hepreviously flewonAtlantisSTS106missionin2000. Burbank,asEV3,willconductthesecond spacewalkofthemissionwithhiscolleague StevenMacLean.Hewillserveasthe intravehicularactivitycrewmemberhelpingto suitupandchoreographspacewalkersTanner andHeidemarieStefanyshynPiperforthefirst andthirdspacewalks.Hewillbetheprime operatoroftheshuttleroboticarm,working withFergusontounberththeP3/P4truss segmentfromtheshuttlescargobayandhand itofftothestationroboticarm,aswellas conductroboticinspectionsoftheshuttles thermalprotectionsystem.Duringthe rendezvous,dockingandundocking,hewill managetherendezvousnavigationtoolsused toguidetheshuttlestrajectoryrelativetothe station.Hewillbeseatedontheflightdeckfor launchandlanding,servingintheroleofflight engineer. HeidemarieStefanyshynPiper

MissionSpecialist3(MS3)HeideStefanyshyn Piperwillbemakingherfirstflightintospace. AcaptainintheU.S.Navy,shewillserveas EV2andconductthefirstandthirdspacewalks ofthemissionwithTanner.Shewillbethe primeoperatorofthespacestationroboticarm duringthesecondspacewalk,duringthe deploymentofthesolararraysandduringthe transferofthestationarmfromtheMobileBase SystemtotheDestinylaboratory.Shewillalso assistSteveMacLeanduringtheunberthing, handoffandberthingoftheOrbiterBoom SensorSystem.Shewillserveastheoverall leadfortransferringsuppliesfromtheshuttles cargomoduletothestation.Duringthe rendezvous,dockingandundocking,shewill managethehandheldlaserandtheOrbiter DockingSystem.Shewilloverseepayloadbay doorclosingoperations.Shewillbeseatedon themiddeckforlaunchandtheflightdeckfor landing.

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 MissionSpecialist4(MS4)SteveMacLeanofthe CanadianSpaceAgencywillmakehissecond spaceflightonSTS115.HefirstflewonSTS52 in1992.MacLeanwillexecutethesecond spacewalkofthemissionwithBurbank.He willbetheprimeoperatorofthespacestation roboticarmforthemission,overseeingits operationduringtheP3/P4trusssegment installation,duringtheOrbiterBoomSensor Systemhandoffstotheshuttlearmandduring EVA1andEVA3.Inaddition,MacLeanwill assistBurbankandFergusonduringtherobotic inspectionsoftheshuttlesthermalprotection system.MacLeanwillshareintravehicular activitydutieswithBurbankhelpingto choreographEVA1andEVA3Hewillalso overseeshuttlepayloadbaydooropeningonce Atlantisreachesorbit.MacLeanwillbeseated ontheflightdeckforlaunchandthemiddeck forlanding.

SteveMacLean

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MISSION PERSONNEL
CONSOLE POSITIONS FOR STS-115
Ascent

Flt.Director
SteveStich

CAPCOM
TonyAntonelli KenHam(Wx) MeganMcArthur TerryVirts HansSchlegel TonyAntonelli KenHam(Wx) N/A KevinFord PamMelroy ZachJones N/A N/A

PAO
KyleHerring

Orbit1(Lead) Orbit2 Planning Entry

PaulDye CathyKoerner BryanLunney SteveStich

KyleHerring(Lead) KylieClem NicoleCloutier KellyHumphries

ShuttleTeam4 ISSOrbit1 ISSOrbit2(Lead) ISSOrbit3 StationTeam4 MissionControl, Korolev,Russia

MikeSarafin KellyBeck JohnMcCullough KwatsiAlibaruho AnnetteHasbrook MarkFerring

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

JSCPAORepresentativeatKSCforLaunchKellyHumphries KSCLaunchCommentatorGeorgeDiller KSCLaunchDirectorMikeLeinbach NASALaunchTestDirectorJeffSpaulding

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RENDEZVOUS AND DOCKING

AtlantisapproachtotheInternationalSpace StationduringtheSTS115rendezvousand dockingprocesswillincludeatrickymaneuver firstdemonstratedonSTS114andrepeated duringtheSTS121mission.Theorbiterwillbe commandedtoconductabackflippirouette, enablingstationcrewmemberstotakedigital imagesoftheshuttlesheatshield. WithAtlantisCommanderBrentJettatthe controls,theshuttlewillperformthe 360degreepitcharoundmaneuverwiththe orbiterabout600feetbelowthestation.The flipwilltakeaboutnineminutestocomplete, offeringExpedition13CommanderPavel VinogradovandFlightEngineerJeffWilliams timetocapturerequiredtilesurfaceimageryof Atlantis. Thephotoswillthenbedownlinkedthrough thestationsKubandcommunicationssystem foranalysisbysystemsengineersandmission managers. Thephotographywillbeperformedoutof windows6and8intheZvezdaServiceModule withKodakDCS760digitalcamerasand 400mmand800mmlenses.Theimagery duringthesocalledRendezvousPitch Maneuver(RPM)isamongseveralinspection proceduresinstitutedaftertheColumbia accident.Theproceduresaredesignedtodetect anddeterminetheextentofanydamagethe orbitersprotectivetilesandreinforcedcarbon carbonsurfacesmighthavesustained. ThesequenceofeventsthatbringsAtlantisto itsdockingwiththestationbeginswiththe preciselytimedlaunchoftheshuttle,placing theorbiteronthecorrecttrajectoryandcourse

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

bottomside_800mm.cnv

foritstwodaychasetoarriveatthestation. Duringthefirsttwodaysofthemission, periodicenginefiringswillgraduallybring Atlantistoapointaboutnineandahalfstatute milesbehindthestation,thestartingpointfora finalapproach. Abouttwoandahalfhoursbeforethe scheduleddockingtimeonflightday3, Atlantiswillreachthatpoint,about50,000feet behindtheISS.There,Atlantisjetswillbe firedinwhatiscalledtheTerminalInitiation (TI)burntobeginthefinalphaseofthe rendezvous.Atlantiswillclosethefinalmiles tothestationduringthenextorbit.

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 AsAtlantismovesclosertothestation,the shuttlesrendezvousradarsystemand trajectorycontrolsensor(TCS)willbegin trackingthecomplexandprovidingrangeand closingrateinformationtothecrew.During thefinalapproach,Atlantiswillexecuteseveral smallmidcoursecorrectionsatregular intervalswithitssteeringjets.Thatwillplace Atlantisatapointabout1000feetdirectly belowthestation.Jettthenwilltakeoverthe manualflyingoftheshuttleuptheradial vector,orRbar.TheRbaristhetheimaginary linedrawnbetweenthestationandtheEarth. HewillslowAtlantisapproachandflytoa pointabout600feetdirectlybelowthestation, andifrequired,waitfortheproperlighting conditions.Therendezvousisdesignedto optimizelightingforinspectionimageryaswell ascrewvisibilityforcriticalrendezvousevents. OnverbalcuefromPilotChrisFergusonto alertthestationcrew,Jettwillcommand Atlantistobeginanoseforward,threequarter ofadegreepersecondrotationalbackflip.At RPMstart,theISScrewwillbeginofseriesof photographsforinspection.Thesequenceof photographymappingprovidesoptimization ofthelightingconditions. Rendezvous Approach Profile

Space Shuttle Rendezvous Maneuvers

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

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 WhenAtlantiscompletesitsrotation,itwill returntoanorientationwithitspayloadbay facingthestation. JettthenwillmoveAtlantistoapositionabout 400feetinfrontofthestationalongtheVBar, orthevelocityvector,thedirectionoftravelfor bothspacecraft.FergusonwillprovideJett withnavigationinformationasheslowly inchestheshuttletowardthedockingportat theforwardendofthestationsDestiny Laboratory. FergusonwilljoinmissionspecialistsJoe Tanner,DanBurbankandHeidemarie StefanyshynPiperinplayingkeyrolesinthe rendezvous.Theywilloperatelaptop computersprocessingthenavigationaldata,the laserrangesystemsandAtlantisdocking mechanism. Usingaviewfromacameramountedinthe centerofAtlantisdockingmechanismasakey alignmentaid,Jettwillpreciselymatchupthe dockingportsofthetwospacecraft.Hewillfly toapointwherethedockingmechanismsare 30feetapartandpausetocheckthealignment. ForAtlantisdocking,Jettwillmaintainthe shuttlesspeedrelativetothestationatabout onetenthofafootpersecond(whileboth Atlantisandthestationaretravelingatabout 17,500mph),andkeepthedockingmechanisms alignedtowithinatoleranceofthreeinches. WhenAtlantismakescontactwiththestation, preliminarylatcheswillautomaticallyattach thetwospacecraft.ImmediatelyafterAtlantis docks,theshuttlessteeringjetswillbe deactivatedtoreducetheforcesactingatthe dockinginterface.Shockabsorberlikesprings inthedockingmechanismwilldampenany relativemotionbetweentheshuttleandthe station.

Boththe400and800mmdigitalcameralenses willbeusedtocaptureimageryoftherequired surfacesoftheorbiter.The400mmlens providesuptothreeinchresolutionandthe800 mmlenscanprovideuptooneinchresolution aswellasdetectgapfillerprotrusionsof greaterthan.25inch.Theimageryincludesthe uppersurfacesoftheshuttleaswellasAtlantis belly,capturingpicturesofthenoselanding geardoorseals,themainlandinggeardoor sealsandtheelevoncovewithoneinch analyticalresolution.SincetheSTS114 mission,additionalzoneswereaddedforthe 800mmlenstofocusonthegapfillerson Atlantisbellywhentheorbiterisat145and 230degreeanglesduringtheflip.Thereshould beenoughtimefortwosetsofpictures.

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 Oncethatmotionbetweenthespacecrafthas beenstopped,Tannerwillsecurethedocking mechanism,sendingcommandsforAtlantis dockingringtoretractandtocloseafinalsetof latchesbetweenthetwovehicles. OnceAtlantisisabouttwofeetfromthestation, withthedockingdevicesclearofoneanother, Fergusonwillturnthesteeringjetsbackonand firethemtoveryslowlymoveaway.Fromthe aftflightdeck,Fergusonwillmanuallycontrol Atlantiswithinatightcorridorastheorbiter separatesfromthestation,essentiallythe reverseofthetaskperformedbyJettjustbefore Atlantisdocked. Atlantiswillcontinuemovingawaytoa distanceofabout450feet,whereFergusonwill initiateamaneuvertoflytheshuttledirectly abovethestation.OnceAtlantisreachesthat point,FergusonwillfireAtlantisjetstodepart thevicinityofthestationforthefinaltime. Atlantiswillseparatetoadistanceofabout40 nauticalmilesfromthestation.Theshuttlewill remaintheretoprotectforareturntothe complexintheunlikelyeventthelate inspectionrevealsanydamagetotheheat shield.

UNDOCKING, SEPARATION AND DEPARTURE

WithadditionalinspectionsofAtlantisheat shieldscheduledonflightday9,thedaybefore undocking,andflightday10immediatelypost undocking,theorbiterwillundockwiththe shuttleroboticarmandOrbiterBoomSensor System(OBBS)deployedintheirmated configuration.TheOBSSwillbestowedafter theinspectionsarecompleted. OnceAtlantisisreadytoundock,Tannerwill sendacommandtoreleasethedocking mechanism.Atinitialseparationofthe spacecraft,springsinthedockingmechanism willpushtheshuttleawayfromthestation. Atlantissteeringjetswillbeshutofftoavoid anyinadvertentfiringsduringtheinitial separation.

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SPACEWALKS
TheprimaryfocusforSTS115sspacewalksare toinstallthePort3/Port4(P3/P4)trusssegment totheportsideoftheintegratedtrusssystem andprepareitforonorbitactivities.Three spacewalksareplannedandwillbeperformed onflightdaysfour,fiveandseven.EVAs1and 2willbebacktobackspacewalks. Ifafocusedinspectionofthespaceshuttleis required,EVA1and2willbeperformedon flightdaysfourandsixandEVA3willbeon flightday8. MissionspecialistsJoeTannerandHeide StefanyshynPiperwillperformEVAs1and3. MissionspecialistsDanBurbankandSteve MacLean,aCanadianSpaceAgencyastronaut, willperformEVA2.Tannerhasconductedfive previousspacewalks.Thesewillbethefirst spacewalksforStefanyshynPiper,Burbankand MacLean. MissionSpecialistHeideStefanyshynPiper OnEVAs1and3,Tannerwillwearthe spacesuitmarkedwithsolidredstripes,while StefanyshynPiperwillwearanallwhite spacesuit.OnEVA2Burbankwillwearthe spacesuitmarkedwithbrokenhorizontalred stripes,whileMacLeanwillwearaspacesuit markedwithbrokendiagonalredstripes.Each spacewalkisestimatedtolastsixandahalf hours. MissionSpecialistJoeTanner

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MissionSpecialistDanBurbank Allthespacewalkswillbeconductedfromthe stationsjointairlock,theU.S.Questairlock. BeforeeachEVA,theastronautswillprepare usinganewprebreatheprotocolfirsttested duringthehandoverofExpedition12inApril. Theastronautswillspendthenightasthe procedureiscalled,intheairlock.Camping out,helpsreducetheamountoftimetypically requiredfortheprebreatheexerciseand,in somecases,thecomplexityofthenext morningsEVApreparations.Consequently,it aidsthecrewtogetoutsideearliertoperform thedaysEVAtasks. Theprotocolcallsforthecrewmembersto isolatethemselvesintheairlockandlowerthe airpressureto10.2poundspersquareinch,or psithestationiskeptat14.7psi,ornearsea levelpressureandthencampoutforthe night.Astronautsaboardtheshuttleperforma similarprocedureforshuttlebasedEVAs, loweringthespacecraftsairpressureadayor sobeforeaspacewalk. ThemorningofEVA1,theIntegratedTruss Segment(ITS)P3/P4willbeattachedtothePort 1(P1)segment.TheP3segmentconsistsofthe MissionSpecialistSteveMacLean

P3trussandtheSolarAlphaRotaryJoint (SARJ),adevicewhichwillrotate360degrees clockwiseandcounterclockwisetopositionthe P4andP6solararraystotrackthesunfor electricalpower.TheP4segmentprovidesthe stationwithasecondsetofphotovoltaicSolar ArrayWings(SAWs)thatwillprovide additionalpowerforthestationonceunfurled totheirfulllengthof240feet. MacLeanwillbecomethefirstCanadianto operatetheSpaceStationRemoteManipulator System(SSRMS),orCanadarm2,whenthecrew matestheP3/P4trusstothestation.Hewillbe thesecondCanadiantowalkinspace. Thestationeventuallywillhave11integrated trusssegmentsthatstretch356feetfromendto end.Theywillsupportfourvirtuallyidentical solararrayassembliesthatprovideelectrical power.Theyalsowillsupportradiatorsthat willcoolthestation. ISSassemblysequence,thetrusseswillprovide apathfortheSpecialPurposeDexterous Manipulator(SPDM)thatwillslidealongrails onthestationsmaintrussstructure.MajorP3 subsystemsincludetheSegmenttoSegment

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 AsTannerandPiperprepareforthespacewalk, SteveMacLeanandJeffWilliamswillusethe stationsroboticarmtoslowlymovethe 17andahalftonP3/P4trusstotheportsideof theintegratedtrusssystem.Theywillalignit usingatelevisioncameraandthenmateitto P1. OnceTannerandPiperhavelefttheairlock, theywillmovetothenewlyinstalledtruss. UponagofromMissionControlthatthe properelectricalinhibitsareinplace,Tanner willconnectthepowercablesintheP1toP3 lowerutilitytray,wheretheelectrical connectionsarehoused.Hewillalsoclosethe number7CircuitInterruptDevices.Upon completion,Tannerwillgivetheground controlteamagotobegintheactivationof theP3/P4truss. PiperwillalsobeworkingontheP3/P4truss. Herfirsttaskwillbetoreleasetheaftand forwardSolarArrayBlanketBox(SABB)launch restraints,unboltingtheSABBsfromthe IntegratedEquipmentAssembly.TheSABBs holdthefoldedsolararrays.Piperwillrelease theaftSABBfirst.

AttachSystem(SSAS),SolarAlphaRotaryJoint (SARJ),andUnpressurizedCargoCarrier AttachSystem(UCCAS).MajorP4subsystems includethePhotovoltaicModule(PVM), PhotovoltaicRadiator(PVR),andModified RocketdyneTrussAttachmentSystem (MRTAS). TheSTS115spacewalksalsoincluderemoval ofCircuitInterruptDevices(CIDs)6and8to supportpowerreconfigurationtaskson Mission12A.1,andanupgradeofthe IntegratedTrussSegmentS1trussSband systemBasebandSignalProcessor(BSP)and Transponder.

EVA 1
TheP3/P4activationoperationsarecomplex andchallengingforboththecrewandthe groundteams.Theactivationinvolvesdetailed sequentialtaskchoreography,timeand cooperationbetweentheintravehicular, extravehicularcrewmembersandmultiple MissionControlsystemsdisciplines. DuringthefirstEVA,thecrewwillpreparethe trussforactivationandpreparethesolararrays fordeployment.

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 PiperandTannerwillthenreleasesimilar restraintsfortheBetaGimbalAssemblies (BGA).TheBGAsarethestructurallink betweenthetrussintegratedelectronicsand theSolarArrayWings.Piperwillreleasethe forwardwingBGA;Tannerwillreleasetheaft wingBGA. PriortotheforwardwingBGArelease,Tanner willrotateakeelpinthatheldtheP4truss segmentinplaceforlaunch.TannerandPiper willthencompleteunstowingtheSABBs.Next, thespacewalkcrewwillbeginpreparingthe SolarAlphaRotaryJoint(SARJ)forrotationby installingthedrivelockassemblies(DLA)to theironorbitposition.Piperwillalsodeploy andrigidizethefourAlphaJointInterface Structure(AJIS)struts.TheAJISstrutsmustbe rigidized,forpurposesofstructuralloading, priortoremovinganyofthelaunchlockson thesubsequentEVA. WhenMissionControlhascompletedtheP3/P4 activationtoapointwherethenextsetof electricalinhibitsareinplace,Tannerwill connecttheelectricalcablesintheP1toP3 upperutilitytray.Hewillalsoremovethe number6and8CircuitInterruptDevicesin preparationforworkonthenextshuttleflight, STS116. Withtheconclusionofthespacewalk,Mission ControlHoustonwillcommandtheactivation oftheP4trusstocheckoutitssystemsandthe stillfoldedsolararrays. TheBGAswillrotatetothecorrectpositionfor thedeploymentofthesolararraysonflightday 6. releasingandremoving16launchlocks,sixof 10outerlaunchrestraints.Thelaunchlocks andlaunchrestraintsconstraintheSARJand handleloadsduringascent.Allofthelaunch locksmustberemovedbeforeanyofthelaunch restraintscanberemoved.Inaddition,the drivelockassembliesmustbedeployedto provideamethodofcontrollinguncontrolled SARJrotation. BothBurbankandMacLeanwillwork simultaneouslytoremovethelaunchlocks. Eachlaunchlockislocatedunderaseparate insulationcoverwhichisinturnconnectedto theSARJinboardbulkheadbyfourtosixbolts, andconnectedtotheoutboardbulkheadbyone tothreespringloadedclampbolts.Thecover mustberemovedtoaccessthelaunchlock. Afterremovingthecover,thelaunchlockis removedbyreleasingfourbolts.Oncethe launchlockisremoved,thecoverisreplaced andreattachedtotheSARJinboardbulkhead. Theoutboardspringclampboltsareleftopen toallowforSARJrotation. Afterthelaunchlocksareremoved,Burbank andMacLeanwillbeginremovingtheSARJ launchrestraints.Theserestraintshold togethertheinnerandouterSARJbulkheads. Therearetwoadditionallaunchrestraints holdingtheforwardfacenadirandzenithSARJ stubrailstotheinboardSARJbulkheadaswell astwoadditionallaunchrestraintsonafttruss beams. ThefinaltaskofEVA2willbethedeployment oftheSARJbracebeams.Thesebeamsare locatedontheP3inboardsideoftheSARJ. ThesebeamsalsohelprigidizetheSARJ interface.

EVA 2
Onflightday5,BurbankandMacLeanwill continuepreparingtheSARJforrotationby

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 shield,andretrievetheMaterialsforISS Experiment(MISSE)5fromP6. BeforemovingtoP4,Tannerwillmovetothe P6zenithbulkheadtoinstalleightboltretainers ontheP6betagimbalassembliesandengagea remainingP64barhingelock.Thebolt retainerswillpreventthepotentialbackingout ofthosebolts.Oneoftheeighthingelocksdid notengageduringtheSTS97mission. Althoughpreviousattemptstoengagethelock wereunsuccessful,theteambelievestheyhave thecorrecttoolforthenonstandardtask. Piperwillspendsometimepreparingthework sitesfortheSASAtask. ThecrewthenwillmovetoP4wheretheywill preparetheP4radiatorfordeploymentby removingthecinchesandwinchesonthe radiator.Thesemustbereleasedbeforethe crewinsidethestationcandeploytheradiator. Thecinchesarewirebraidedcableswithnut assembliesontheendthatserveaslaunch restraintsforthePVR.Oneendofthecableis permanentlyattachedtothePVRbaseplate,the oppositeendcontainsanadjustablenut assemblythatslidesintoareceptacleonthe outermostPVRpanel. ThenutassembliessecurethePVRforlaunch. TheEVAcrewwilluseapistolgriptool(PGT) onthenutstoreleasethetensioninthecable, removethecablenutassemblyfromits receptacleonthePVR,andattachthecinchtoa cliponthePVRbaseplate. Thenexttaskwillbetoreleasethewinchbar, whichsecuredthePVRduringlaunch,fromthe PVR.APIPpinsecuresthewinchbartothe outermostPVRpanel.Tannerwillreleaseone ofthewinchPIPpinswhilePiperreleasesthe other.Afterthewinchbarisreleasedfromthe PVR,thepippinwillbereinstalledintothe

Oncethesetasksarecompleted,theSARJcan berotatedandMissionControlwillcommanda checkoutthatinvolvesasseriesoftests, includingrotatingtheSARJafull360degrees, plusanother180degreestopositiontheP4 photovoltaicradiator(PVR)pointingtoward Earth.Thispositioncorrespondstothe0 degreeSARJposition. ThesolararrayandSARJpreparationwork mustbecompletedbytheendofEVA2sothe SARJcanbecheckedoutallowingthesolar arraysdeploymentonflightday6.

EVA 3
Onflightday7,TannerandPiperwillagain dontheirspacesuitsforthethirdandfinal spacewalk.Duringthesixandonehalfhour EVA,thecrewwillinstallboltretainersonthe P6betagimbalassembly(BGA),preparetheP4 PVR,aphotovoltaicorheatdissipating radiator,fordeployment,clearthepathonP3s forwardfacefortheMTsmovetoworksite8, removeandreplacetheS1Sbandantenna supportassembly(SASA),removeandreplace thestring1basebandsignalprocessor(BSP) andtransponderontheS1truss,installthe antennagroupinterfacetube(AGIT)heat

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 winchbar.Theradiatorwillthenbereadyfor deployment. TannerandPiperwillalsocleartheP3 forwardfacesothemobiletransporter(MT)can moveontotheP3truss.Thekeelpinanddrag linkarelocatedonP3face1.TannerandPiper willremovethedraglinkandkeelpinandstow themwithintheP3structure.TannerandPiper willremovetheP3spacevisionsystem(SVS) target,aswellasrotateP1,P3MTstopsand tethershuttlestops.Inaddition,thecrewwill installtheEVAtemporaryrailstop(ETRS).The ETRSwillnowperformthefunctionsofthe otherMTandtethershuttlestopmechanisms whilestillallowingaCrewandEquipment TranslationAid(CETA)carttobeoutboardof theMT/MBSwhiletheMT/MBSisattheP3 worksite.Thecrewwillalsorelocatethe articulatingportablefootrestraints(APFR) usedduringtheirtaskstotheP4trusswhere theywillnotinterferewiththeMTmovement. AftercompletingtheirP3andP4tasks,Tanner andPiperwillmovebacktotheZ1trussviathe airlock.TheEVAcrewwillstartworkingon theremovalandreplacementoftheSASAonS1 withaspareunitthatislocatedontheZ1truss. Thetaskwillrequireseveralhandoffsbetween thecrewtomovethespareSASAuptotheS1 truss.Thecrewwillalsoneedtotemporarily stowthefailedSASAwhilethespareSASAis installed.Thecrewwillreversetheirpathand usethesametechniquetomovethefailed SASAbacktotheZ1truss.ThefailedSASA willbereturnedtoEarthonalatermission. PiperwillretrieveupgradedSbandBSPand transpondersfromtheairlock.ThenewOrbital ReplacementUnits(ORUs)willbecarriedto theworksiteinalargeORUtransferbag.Piper willtemporarilystowthebagontheS1truss whileshechangesouttheSbandtransponder andbasebandsignalprocessor(BSP).Shewill returntotheairlockwiththeolderversionBSP andtransponder. WhilePiperisbusyontheS1truss,Tannerwill installaheatshieldontheKubandantenna groupinterfacetube(AGIT).Thiswillhelp preventoverheatinginthisareaduringcertain ISSattitudes.TannerwillthenreturntotheP6 trusstoremoveMISSE5fromtheP6trussfor returntoEarth.

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PAYLOAD OVERVIEW
SpaceShuttleAtlantiswillcarryequipment andsuppliesinitscargobaytothe InternationalSpaceStation.Additionalitems willbecarriedontheshuttlemiddeck, includingsupplies,food,waterandclothingfor thestationcrew. RotaryJoint(SARJ)andtwoUnpressurized CargoCarrierAttachmentSystemsites.The P3/P4segmentis45.3ftlongandweighs34,885 pounds.

Integrated Truss Segment P3/P4

TheP3structurehasanelongatedhexagonal crosssectionwithtwobaysarrayedalongthe longaxis.TheP4trusssegmentisintegratedto theP3segmentbeforeflight.Adetailed descriptionofthisprimepayloadforthe STS115missioncanbefoundonpage39.

STAGE 12A ASSEMBLY HARDWARE

Theprimaryelementtobedeliveredisthe P3/P4IntegratedTrussSegment.TheP3/P4 trusssegmentprovidesanadditional photovoltaicmodule(PVM)withtwopower channels(2Aand4A),theportSolarAlpha

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Race Rings
TheSARJincludesaninboardandanoutboard racering,whichprovidethestructural connectionbetweentheP3andP4elements. Alongthecircumferenceofeachraceringare gearteeththatmeshwiththedrivelock assembly(DLA)piniongeartorotatetheSARJ. TheoutboardraceringisusedbytheDLAfor rotatingtheSARJ.

Trundle Bearings
The12equallyspacedtrundlebearingshold theSARJinboardandoutboardracerings together.Eachtrundlebearingisfixedtothe inboardraceringandisclampedontothe outboardraceringwitharollerinterfaceto allowforSARJrotation.Therearethreerollers onthetrundlebearingthatinterfacewiththe outboardracering;theinnerandouterupper rollersandthecenterroller.Eachrollerconsists oftwobearings:theprimaryandjournal bearings.Theprimarybearingrotates.Ifthe primarybearingseizesup,thejournalbearings willbeginrotating.Thejournalbearingis designedtooperateforabout30days.There aremicroswitchesinthetrundlebearingthat allowthegroundtoknowifthejournalbearing isrotating.

Solar Alpha Rotary Joint

TheSolarAlphaRotaryJoint(SARJ)enablesthe newoutboardsolararraystoalwayspointto thesunbyrotatinglikeaFerriswheel.Theport SARJonP3/P4providestrackingfortheP4and P6solararraysonceP6isrelocatedtoP5onthe STS120mission.ThestarboardSARJforthe S3/S4arrays,tobedeliveredonSTS117,will providetrackingfortheS4andS6solararrays onceS6isinstalledontheSTS119mission.The SARJcanrotate360degreesclockwiseand counterclockwise.TheSARJalsoprovidesthe structuralinterfacebetweentheP3orS3andP4 orS4elements.Itincludeshardwaretoroute poweranddatathroughtherotatingSARJ interfacetotheoutboardtrusssegments.

Drive Lock Assembly

TwoDriveLockAssemblies(DLAs)are responsibleforrotatingandlockingtheSARJ. EachDLAincludestheengagedisengage mechanism(EDM)motor,drivemotor,pinion gear,lockrackandtwofollowerarms.The EDMmotorisasteppermotorthatpivotsthe lockrackandpiniongearaboutthelock/engage pivotpointtothedesiredposition.TheDLA positionsarelocked,engagedandneutral.For thelockedposition,thelockrackisincontact withtheraceringgearteethtopreventthe

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 SARJfromrotating.Fortheengagedposition, theDLApiniongearismeshedwiththerace ringgeartorotatetheSARJwiththedrive motor.Intheneutralposition,neitherthelock racknorpiniongearisengagedtotheracering gear.Thefollowerarms,whichareofthesame designasthetrundlebearings,areusedto securetheDLAtotheracering. TheSARJinboardbulkheadisstructurally attachedtoP3attheP3longeronsandfour SARJbraces.Thebracesarestowedonthe diagonalsandnotconnectedtotheinboard bulkheadforlaunchsothattheSARJloadspath issupportedentirelybythelaunchrestraints.

Integrated Truss Segment P4

ThemajorcomponentsoftheP4trussarethe portinboardphotovoltaicmoduleand modifiedRocketdynetrussattachmentsystem.

Rotary Joint Motor Controller

Thetworotaryjointmotorcontrollers(RJMCs) aremountedonthestructuralribsofthe inboardraceringandcontroltheoperationof theDLAmotorsviacommandsfromtheP3 multiplexers/demultiplexers (MDMs).Each RJMChastwoheatersandaresistivethermal devicesensormonitoredbytheP3MDMs.The RJMCsuppliesandreceivesvoltagesignals fromtheresolversontheUtilityTransfer AssemblytodeterminethepositionoftheSARJ (resolverAisconnectedtoRJMC1,resolverB isconnectedtoRJMC2).ForSARJoutboard operations,oneRJMCismovedtotheoutboard racering.

Photovoltaic Module
TheP4photovoltaicmodulecontainstwo powerchannels,2Aand4A.Theindividual componentsofthesepowerchannelsare describedinmoredetailbelow. SolarArrayWing(SAW):Eachpowerchannel beginswiththesolararraywingwhere electricalgenerationtakesplace.Eachsolar arraywingisdividedinhalfbyitsdeployment mastintotwoPVblankets(rightandleft).Each blanketcontains16,400individualsiliconPV cells,eightsquarecentimetersapiece,forthe conversionofsunlightintoelectricity.The photovoltaiccellsaregroupedinto82active panelseachconsistingof200cellsconnected inseries.Theactivepanelsarewiredinsetsof two,providingatotalof41independent circuits,orstrings,perblanket.Twoflat collectorcircuitsrunalongthesidesofeach

SARJ Structural Support

Atlaunch,theSARJissecuredwith16launch locksand10launchrestraints.Allthelaunch locksandthesixoutboardlaunchrestraintswill beremovedonorbitbeforetheSARJisrotated, firstinashorttest,theninitsoperational configuration.Onthelongeronsfortwosides oftheSARJ,therearestubrailsegmentsthat bridgeovertheinterfacethatenablestheSARJ torotate.Thelaunchrestraintsontheinboard andoutboardsideholdthestubrailsegments inplace.WhentheSARJisoperatinginthe inboardmode,theoutboardlaunchrestraints areremovedandtheinboardlaunchrestraints areleftinplacesothatthestubsrailsare cantileveredovertherotatingSARJinterface.

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 blanket,providingconnectivitybetweentwo activepanels.Thecircuitsalsorouteprimary powerfromeachstringtothecontainmentbox wireharness,whichformstheblanketpower output.Thissetupallowseachstringtobe treatedasanindependentpowersource.Two inactivepanelsarelocatedatthetopand bottomofeachblankettopreventthe shadowingofthearraysandtoprotectthe activepanelswhilethearraysarestowed.They alsoprovidespacebetweenthemandthesolar arraywing,whichmustbedirectlyinlinewith thesunwheneverpossibleformaximumpower generation.Thisisaccomplishedby maneuveringthestationintocertain orientations,aswellasbypositioningthe arraysusingtheBetaGimbalAssemblies (BGAs)andtheSARJ. SequentialShuntUnit(SSU):Theprimary poweroutputofeachsolararraywingis dividedinto82individualpaths,orstrings41 perblanketwhichareroutedthroughthe solararraywingmastcanistertotheSSU locatedatthebaseofthecanister.Themain purposeoftheSSUistoregulatethevoltage leveloftheprimarypowerbus,theinputfrom thesolararraywing.Italsocanbeusedto isolatethearrayfromtherestoftheelectrical powersystemduringcontingencyor maintenanceoperations.Thesolararraysare controlledviathephotovoltaiccontroller application(PVCA)softwarewithinthe photovoltaiccontrollerunit(PVCU)routing system.Toregulatetheprimaryvoltagelevel,a closedloopcontrolsystemisusedtoachievea voltagesetpoint.Thevoltagesetpointissent bythePVCAtothethreephotovoltaic controllerelements(PVCEs)withintheSSU. Closedloopcontrolisachievedmainlythrough theSSUShuntElectronicsModule(SEM)and theinputofthethreePVCEs. Theseinternalelectronicsarepoweredbytwo sources:thechannelprimarypowerbusanda directcurrentcontrolpowerbus(providedbya batterycharge/dischargeunitontheadjacent powerchannel).ThePVCEscomparetheSSU outputvoltage(thesumofthe82strings)with thePVCAsetpointandsendsasignaltothe SEM,whichdecideshowmanystringsneedto beroutedbacktothearrayordeselectedto achievethevoltagesetpoint.Shuntingis performedthroughfieldeffecttransistors (FETs)connectedtoeachstringwithintheSEM. Theprocessalwaysallowsonetransitional stringforexceedingthesetpoint.The transitionalstringiscontinuouslyshuntedand unshuntedataspecifiedrateinaprocesscalled ditheringthatresultsinfinevoltagelevel control. BetaGimbalAssembly(BGA):TheBetaGimbal Assemblyisthemechanismusedtoorientthe faceofeachsolararraywingtowardthesunto maximizethepowergenerationofthesolar cells.TheBGAsproviderotationabouttheaxis alongthemast.TheBGAsalsoprovide structuralsupportfortheSAWand accommodatepoweranddatatransferthrough itsrotatinginterface.OneBGAperpower channel(orSAW)islocatedbetweenthebaseof themastcanisterandtheIntegratedEquipment Assembly(IEA).TheBGAiscomprisedoffour maincomponents:theBearingMotorandRoll RingModule(BMRRM),theBetaGimbal HousingSubassembly(BGHS),theBetaGimbal DeploymentTransitionStructure(BGDTS)and theBetaGimbalPlatform(BGP). BearingMotorandRollRingModule(BMRRM): TheBMRRMisthemostcomplexandactive componentoftheBGA.Itsmainpurposeisto providesuntrackingcapabilityforthearrays whiletransferringpower,commands,anddata bidirectionallyacrosstherotationaljoint.The

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 BMRRMconsistsofmodulehousing,twosets ofangularcontactbearings,abrushlessdirect currentmotordrive,arollringassembly,and anantirotationlatchassembly(twolatches). TheBGAallowstransferofpoweranddata throughits360degreecontinualrotationjoint bytheuseofrollringsintheBMRRM.These rollringsaremetallicflexures,whichensure thatametalcontactpointismaintained, allowingpoweranddatatobetransferred,no matterwhattheangleofrotationis. Thecrewhasnotelemetryinsightintothe healthandstatusofthetrusshardwareuntil afteritisinstalledwithitsconnectorsmated. P3/P4installationandactivationisscheduledto occurthedayafterdocking.Installationis performedusingboththeshuttleroboticarm andthestationroboticarm,Canadarm2. Onflightday3afterdocking,theshuttle roboticarmwillbeusedtounberthP3/P4from theshuttlepayloadbayandwillhanditoffto thestationarm.Thestationarmwilloperate fromtheMobileTransporterPowerandData GrappleFixture3locatedatworksite7onthe farportsideofthetruss.P3/P4willspendthe nightgrappledbythestationarm.Thenext day,theP3/P4ismaneuveredtotheP1install position.Aftertheinstallation,aspacewalkis performedoutofstationsQuestairlock.The spacewalkiscriticaltotheactivationand survivaloftheP3/P4integratedhardware. AfterP3/P4isunberthed,manyofitshardware componentsarevulnerabletotheelementsof space,anditiscriticaltoexpeditethe installationandapplicationofkeepalivepower tothosecomponents.Anumberofhardware checkoutsarerequiredbeforeproceedingwith P3/P4unberthingfromthepayloadbay.The shuttleandstationroboticarmssupportone anotherduringallphasesoftheinstallation process.Theshuttleroboticarmprovides cameraviewsandadditionalSpaceVision System(SVS)targetingfunctions,whilethe stationarmmanipulatestheP3/P4element. Also,anumberofstationsystemsare reconfiguredandpowereddowntosupportthe P3/P4zenithtrayumbilicalconnections.

Modified Rocketdyne Truss Attachment System

TheP4elementincludestheactivesideofthe P4P5ModifiedRocketdyneTrussAttachment System(MRTAS),whichwillbeusedtoattach theP5elementtoP4onthenextshuttle mission,STS116.Unliketheothertypeof attachmentsystemthatmatedtheP6array trusstotheZ1trussandwillbeusedtoattach P6toP5,theMRTASdoesnotincludeacapture clawsince,duetotheP4BGAlocations,thereis noroomtoaccommodateit.TheP5issoft dockedtoP4bypositioningthefourP5coarse cones(oneoneachcorner)intoreceptacleson P4.OncetheP5elementissoftdocked,the crewsecurestheprimaryboltateachcorneron P5intothenutassembliesonP4.Iftheprimary boltcannotbesecured,twocontingencyboltsat eachcorneronP5canbetightenedintothenut assembliesonP4.

P3/P4 Preparation
DuringAtlantisrendezvouswiththe InternationalSpaceStation,theshuttlecrew performsavisualinspectionoftheP3/P4truss segmentusingpayloadbayandshuttlerobotic armcameras.Thecrewalsowillobserve throughtheaftflightdeckwindowstoverify thatthehardwaresurvivedthelaunchintact.

P3/P4 Installation
DuringP3/P4unberthingfromthepayloadbay, PilotChrisFergusonandMissionSpecialist

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 DanBurbankfirstmaneuvertheshuttlearmto theP3/P4grapplefixturelocatedontheorbiter portsideandgrapplethetrusssegment.When thecamerasandviewingequipmentare properlyconfiguredforunberthing,thefour orbiterlongeronpayloadretentionlatch assembliesandtwoactivekeelassembliesare opened,andthetrussisliftedoutofthe payloadbay. Duringunberthing,anothercrewmember monitorstheclearancebetweentheP3/P4truss element,theorbiteraftbulkheadandthe Destinylaboratoryasthetrussismovedusing aliftandtiltmaneuver.Thetrussisthen swungoutovertheportsideoftheorbiterand maneuveredtotheP3/P4handoffposition. MissionSpecialistSteveMacLeanandstation flightengineerJeffWilliamsuseCanadarm2to grappleP3/P4attheothergrapplefixtureon thestarboardside.Whenthestationarm grapplesP3/P4,theshuttlearmreleasesits grapplefixtureandmaneuversoutoftheway. Thecamerasarereconfiguredforthe installation. Workingfromthestationsroboticswork station,MacLeanthenmaneuversthetrussto theP3/P4preinstallpositionontheportsideof P1.P3/P4isnowintheproperorientationfor installation.Justinchesawayfrominstallation, allshuttleandstationthrustersareinhibitedas matingoperationsbegin.Fromthepreinstall position,MacLeanslowlymaneuverstheP3/P4 trusssegmentintowardtheportsideofP1 usingcomputerdisplaysandshuttlearm camerastoassistwithalignmentand orientation.Atthesametime,theP1active attachmentpower/datainterfacesand hardwareareverified,andtheattachment softwarestateistransitionedfromstandbyto manual. Within8to10cm(3to4in.)ofmating,the threereadytolatch(RTL)sensorsontheP1 sideofthetrussinterfacecontactthethreeRTL strikerplates(passiveside),whichsendsa signaltocomputersprovidingapositive indicationtothecrewthatthecapturelatchis readytobeclosed.EachRTLsensorcontains dualredundantmicroswitches,andonlyone switchindicationisrequiredtoproceedwith capturelatchactuation. Themarginfortheprecisealignmentofthe attachmentdevicescapturelatchesisplusor minus3inchesineitherdirection. ThecaptureoftheP3/P4andtheP1segments occursintwostageswithfourhugebolts driventoformahardmatebetweenthetwo trusscomponents.

Activation and Checkout

TheP3/P4activationoperationsarethemost complexoftheentiremissionandarethemost challengingforboththecrewandflight controllers.Theactivationofthenewly installedP3/P4segmentsinvolvespoweringup andcheckingoutallintegratedhardware withintheP3/P4trusssegment. FollowingP3/P4installationtotheP1truss,a numberofactivitiesarerequiredtoapplythe keepalivepowerthatprotectstheP3/P4 hardwarefromfreezing.TheP1toP3lower trayutilitycableconnectionsarerequiredto powerP3/P4componentheaters.These connections,alongwithsimilarconnectionsfor theuppertrayutilitycableswillbe accomplishedduringthefirstspacewalkbyJoe TannerandHeidemarieStefanyshnPiper.

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Lower Tray Utility Connections (Channel 2/3)

InparallelwithEVApreparationtasksand P3/P4installationoperations,theground temporarilyshutsdownpowertotheS0,S1, andP1trusssystemsonpowerchannel2/3. WhenallP1toP3lowertrayconnectionsare made,thegroundreactivatesthatpower channel2/3fortheS0,S1andP1trusssegments inparallelwithotherspacewalkactivities.

Upper Tray Utility Connections (Channel 4/5)

Whenthechannel2/3powerupiscomplete andallcriticalS0,S1andP1systemsare verified,allS0,S1,andP1systemsonpower channel1/4arethenshutoffinpreparationfor theuppertray(EVA)utilitycableconnections betweenP1andP3.Also,atrussthermalclock isstartedduetothelossoftrusscontrolled heaters.Thesecondchannelisreactivatedonce allthecableconnectionsaremadeandverified.

tensionbartoslambackintothelowerhalf blanketboxintermittently.Itresultedinthe arrayflappingandwavingagainstitstension bar.Itwasdeterminedpostflightthatthe arraystictionwascausedbyanatomic oxygencoatingonthepanelsthatfused togetherovertime.Theseverityofthearray stictionisdirectlyproportionaltothelength oftimethepanelsarestoredinsidetheblanket boxes,aswellasthetemperatureofthepanels atdeployment.Toavoidthisproblemforthe P4solararraydeployments,anewdeploy procedurewasdeveloped.Theblanketboxes aredeployedinhightensionmodetoavoid largemovementsofthetensionbar.Thearrays arealsothermallyconditionedtominimize panelstiction.Eachsolararrayisalso deployedduringperiodsoflowornosunlight. Thearraysaredeployedonflightday6.

P4 Photovoltaic Radiator Deploy

TheP4photovoltaicradiator(PVR)isdeployed bycommandssentbyJettandFergusonfrom computersontheshuttleflightdeckonflight day7aftertheradiatorcinchesandwinchesare releasedduringthethirdspacewalk.The radiatorisrequiredtocoolthearrays electronicswhentheP4isprovidingpowerto stationcomponents.TheP4powerchannels willbeprovidepowerforP4useonlyuntilthe stationselectricalsystemisrewiredduringthe STS116mission.

P4 Initial Activation and Battery Conditioning/Charging

P4activationcanbeginaftercircuitbreakersare turnedonfollowingtheP1P3lowertray connections.P4channel4Aactivationcan beginaftercircuitbreakers6and8areremoved followingtheP3/P4uppertrayconnections. ClosingorremovingthesebreakersenablesP6 channel2BtosupplyP4channel2Awith startuppower.TheP4isactivatedonflightday 4.

Solar Alpha Rotary Joint Activation and Checkout

TheSARJlaunchandpreactivationorientation isatanangleof180degreestoitsownaxiswith bothDLAslocked.Uponcompletionofits activationandcheckout,theSARJwillhave rotatedslightlytoanangleof0degreesrelative toitsaxiswithoneDLAengagedandoneDLA

P4 Solar Array Deploy

DuringtheP6channel2BSAWdeployonthe STS97missionin2001,thesolararraypanels experiencedaphenomenoncalledstiction duringdeploy.Thearraystiction,or stickinessbetweenblankets,causedthearray

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 locked.ThegoalsofthisflightsSARJ activationandcheckoutaretorotatetothe solararraywingdeploypositionandlock, verifythefunctionalityofeachSARJpower systemanddemonstrateitsabilitytoaccurately positionitselftotrackthesun. TheSARJcheckoutbeginsneartheendofthe secondspacewalkonflightday5andcontinues throughcrewsleeppriortosolararray deployment.Thecheckoutisscheduledtotake upto12hours,butcouldbecompletedinless time,ifthesystemsoperateasexpected. (MSSS).Theobservationswilloccurwhenthe shuttlefiresitsenginesatnightortwilightover MSSS.Spectrallyfilteredimagesandspectraof theradiationresultingfromexhaust atmosphereinteractionswillbetakenbythe opticaltelescopeandallskyimagers.Thiswill revealthechemicalandphysicalmechanisms associatedwiththeinteractionbetweenthe chemicalspeciesinengineexhaustandthe spaceenvironment.Theimprovedmodelsof thisinteractionwillresultinenhancedspace eventcharacterizationaswellasthe determinationofsensorrequirementsfor effectiveplumeandcontaminationanalysisof otherspacecraft.

External Wireless Instrumentation System (EWIS)

WiththelaunchoftheP4element,NASAwill deployanewExternalWireless InstrumentationSystem(EWIS)forthefirst time.Thesystemconsistsofaccelerometers placedaroundtheoutboardtrusselementsof theintegratedtrussstructure.Thesystem allowsengineerstogatherrealtimedata duringdynamiceventsthatmightcausehigher vibrations(loads)onthetrusselements.For moreinformationontheEWIS,seepage50.

P3 AND P4 TO EXPAND STATION CAPABILITIES, PROVIDING A THIRD AND FOURTH SOLAR ARRAY
ThePortThree(P3)andPortFour(P4)Truss segmentsareslatedforlaunchtothe InternationalSpaceStationaboardSpace ShuttleAtlantisnoearlierthanAugust27,2006, fromKennedySpaceCenter,Fla.Thetrussis thenextmajoradditiontothe11segment integratedtrussstructurethatwilleventually spanmorethan300feettocarrypower,data andtemperaturecontrolfortheorbital outpostselectronics.

PAYLOADS OF OPPORTUNITY
Ram Burn Observation (RAMBO)
RamBurnObservationsisaDepartmentof Defenseexperimentthatobservesshuttle OrbitalManeuveringSystemengineburnsfor thepurposeofimprovingplumemodels.On manifestedmissions,sensorsonasatellitewill observeselectedrendezvousandorbitadjust burns.

Maui Analysis of Upper-Atmospheric Injections (MAUI)

MAUIwillobservethespaceshuttleexhaust plumesfromtheMauiSpaceSurveillanceSite

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 P3/P4 Specifications 45.3 ft long by 16 feet wide by 15.6 feet high 34,885 lbs Dimensions: Weight: MajorP3subsystemsincludetheSegmentto SegmentAttachSystem(SSAS),SolarAlpha RotaryJoint(SARJ),andUnpressurizedCargo CarrierAttachSystem(UCCAS).Theprimary functionsoftheP3trusssegmentaretoprovide mechanical,poweranddatainterfacesto payloadsattachedtothetwoUCCAS platforms;axialindexingforsolartracking,or rotatingofthearraystofollowthesun,viathe SARJ;movementandworksite accommodationsfortheMobileTransporter; accommodationsforammoniaservicingofthe outboardPVmodulesandtwo Multiplexer/Demuliplexers(MDMs)whichare basicallycomputers.TheP3alsoprovidesa passiveattachmentpointtotheP1segmentvia theSSASandpassthroughofpoweranddata toandfromtheoutboardsegments. TheUCCASwillallowplatformstobeattached toP3forthestorageofadditionalscience payloadsorspareOrbitalReplacementUnits. Ithasacapturelatchtogripandsecurea payload,aberthingtargettoalignpayloadsto themechanismandanUmbilicalMechanism Assembly,whichhasaconnectorthatprovides poweranddatatothepayload.

Theintegratedtrusssegmentsstartedwith Starboardzero(S0)asthecenterassignment andwerenumberedinascendingorder outwardtotheportandstarboardsides.At onetime,therewasanS2andP2planned,but thesewereeliminatedwhenthestationdesign wasscaledback.FromS0,thetrusssegments areP1,P3,P4,P5andP6andS1,S3,S4,S5,and S6.P6ispresentlyonorbitandattachedto segmentZ1.P6willbeeventuallyrelocated andattachedtoP5. TheprimarycargodeliveredonSTS 115/Mission12AistheIntegratedTruss SegmentP3/P4,whichmatestoP1and providesanattachmentpointforP5.These newsegmentsalsoprovideasecondsetofSolar ArrayWings(SAWs)andthefirstalphajoint. Thesegmentsalsosupportutilityrouting, powerdistribution,andatravelpathforthe MobileRemoteServiceBaseSystem(MBS). P3andP4willberemovedfromthespace shuttlepayloadbayusingtheshuttlearm (SRMSShuttleRemoteManipulatorSystem) anditwillbehandedofftothestationarm (SSRMSSpaceStationRemoteManipulator System),whereitwillbemaneuveredand attachedtoP1. TheP3primarystructureismadeofa hexagonalshapedaluminumstructureand includesfourbulkheadsandsixlongerons.The secondarystructureincludesbrackets,fittings, attachplatforms,EVAequipmentand miscellaneousmechanisms.

P3/P4shownattachedtotheISSatthe farrightofthispicture

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 MajorsubsystemsoftheP4Photovoltaic Module(PVM),includethePhotovoltaic Radiator(PVR),theAlphaJointInterface Structure(AJIS),andModifiedRocketdyne TrussAttachmentSystem(MRTAS).TheP4 PhotovoltaicModuleincludesallequipment outboardoftheSolarAlphaRotaryJoint(SARJ) outboardbulkhead,namelythetwo PhotovoltaicArrayAssemblies(PVAAs)and theIntegratedEquipmentAssembly(IEA). EachPVAAconsistsofaSolarArrayWing (SAW)andBetaGimbalAssembly(BGA).The PVRprovidesthermalcoolingfortheIEA.The AlphaJointInterfaceStructure(AJIS)provides thestructuraltransitionbetweenP3andP4 structures.P4containsthepassivesideofthe MRTAS,whichwillprovidethestructural attachmentforP5onP4. P3consistsoftheSolarAlphaRotaryJoint (SARJ),whichcontinuouslyrotatestokeepthe SolarArrayWings(SAW)onP4andP6 orientedtowardsthesunasthestationorbits theEarth.EachSAWisalsoorientedbythe BGA,whichcanchangethepitchofthewing. Eachwingmeasures115feetby38feetand extendsouttoeachsideoftheIntegrated EquipmentAssembly.Therearetwowingson P4. TheP3/P4integratedtrussstructureisthe primarypayloadfortheSTS115missionand containsseveraldiscreteelements:twoSolar ArrayWings(SAW),IntegratedEquipment Assembly(IEA),SolarAlphaRotaryJoint (SARJ),twoBetaGimbalAssemblies(BGA)and PhotovoltaicThermalControlSubsystem. Followingarespecificdetailsoneachofthe majorelements:

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 P4PhotovoltaicModule(powermodule) Electricalpoweristhemostcriticalresourcefor theISSbecauseitallowsastronautstolive comfortably,safelyoperatethestation,and performcomplexscientificexperiments.Since theonlyreadilyavailablesourceofenergyfor spacecraftissunlight,technologieswere developedtoefficientlyconvertsolarenergyto electricalpower.Onewaytodothisisbyusing largenumbersofsolarcellsassembledinto arraystoproducehighpowerlevels.Thecells aremadefrompurifiedcrystalingotsofsilicon thatdirectlyconvertlighttoelectricitythrough aprocesscalledphotovoltaics.Sincea spacecraftorbitingtheEarthisnotalwaysin directsunlight,energyhastobestored.Storing powerinrechargeablebatteriesprovidesa continuoussourceofelectricitywhilethe spacecraftisintheEarthsshadow. NASAandLockheedMartindevelopeda methodofmountingthesolararraysona blanketthatcanbefoldedlikeanaccordion fordeliverytospace.Onceinorbit,astronauts deploytheblanketstotheirfullsize.Gimbals areusedtorotatethearrayssothattheyface thesuntoprovidemaximumpowertothe SpaceStation.Thesolararraystrackthesunin twoaxes:betaandalpha.Thecompletepower system,consistingofU.S.andRussian hardware,willgenerate75to110kW (kilowatts)totalpower,aboutasmuchas55 houseswouldtypicallyuse. P4isthesecondoffourPVMsthatwill eventuallybebroughtuptotheInternational SpaceStation,toconvertsunlighttoelectricity. Thefirstone,namedP6,wasbroughtonorbit bytheSTS97crewinNovember2000.The primaryfunctionsoftheP4photovoltaic modulearetocollect,store,convertand distributeelectricalpowertoloadswithinthe

segmentandtootherISSsegments.TheP4 PVMconsistsoftwoBetaGimbal/PVArray assemblies,twoBetaGimbalTransition Structures,oneintegratedEquipmentAssembly andassociatedcablingandtubing.TheP4 PVMcomponentswereassembledbyBoeingin Tulsa,Okla.andLockheedMartinin Sunnyvale,Calif.priortofinalassemblyand testingbyBoeingatKennedySpaceCenter,Fla. Therearetwosolararraywings(SAW) designed,builtandtestedbyLockheedMartin inSunnyvale,Calif.ontheP4module,each deployedintheoppositedirection.EachSAW ismadeupoftwosolarblanketsmountedtoa commonmast.Priortodeployment,eachpanel isfoldedaccordionstyleintoaSolarArray BlanketBox(SABB)measuring20incheshigh and15feetinlength.Eachblanketisonly abouttwentyinchesthickwhileinthisstored position.Themastconsistsofinterlocking battensthatarestowedforlaunchinsideaMast CanisterAssembly(MCA)designed,builtand testedbyATKAble.Whendeployedbythe astronauts,theSAWdeployslikeanerectorset asitunfolds.Ithastwoarmslikeahuman torsowhenmountedonP4.Thesearmswillbe rotatedoutwardsbyastronautsduringplanned spacewalkssotheycanbefullydeployed. Becausetheseblanketswerestoredforsucha longtime,NASA,BoeingandLockheedMartin

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 conductedextensivetestingtoensurethey wouldunfoldproperlyonceonorbittoensure therewouldbenoproblemswiththeblankets stickingtogether.Thistestingwascompleted inJuly2003. Whenfullydeployed,theSAWextends115feet andspans38feetacrossandextendsoutto eachsideoftheIntegratedEquipment Assembly.SincethesecondSAWisdeployed intheoppositedirection,thetotalwingspanis over240feet. EachSolarArrayWingweighsover2,400 poundsandusenearly33,000(32,800perwing) solararraycells,eachmeasuring8cmsquare with4,100diodes.Theindividualcellswere madebySpectrolabandASEC.Thereare400 solararraycellstoastringandthereare82 stringsperwing.EachSAWiscapableof generatingnearly32.8Kilowatts(kW)ofdirect currentpower.TherearetwoSAWsontheP4 moduleyieldingatotalpowergeneration capabilityapproaching66kW,enoughpower tomeettheneedsof30averagehomes withoutairconditioning(basedonanaverage 2kWofpower.) P3consistsoftheSolarAlphaRotaryJoint (SARJ),whichcontinuouslyrotatestokeepthe solararraywingsonP4andP6oriented towardsthesunasthestationorbitstheearth. LocatedbetweenP3andP4,theSARJisa10 footdiameterrotaryjointthattracksthesunin thealphaaxisandturnstheentireP4module (andeventuallytheP6modulewhenitis relocated).TheSARJweighsapproximately 2,500pounds.TheSARJcanspin360degrees usingbearingassembliesandaservocontrol systemtoturn.Allofthepowerwillflow throughtheUtilityTransferAssembly(UTA)in theSARJ.Rollringassembliesallow transmissionofdataandpoweracrossthe rotatinginterfacesoitneverhastounwind. TheSARJwasdesigned,builtandtestedby LockheedMartininSunnyvale,Calif.,andits subcontractors. Thesolararraywingsarealsoorientedbythe BetaGimbalAssembly(BGA),whichcan changethepitchofthewingsbyspinningthe solararray.TheBGAmeasures3x3x3feet andprovidesastructurallinkbetweenthe IntegratedEquipmentAssembly(IEA).The BGAsmostvisualfunctionsaretodeployand retracttheSAWandrotateitaroundits

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 longitudinalaxis.TheBGAconsistofthree majorcomponentsallmountedonaplatform: theBearing,MotorandRollRingModule (BMRRM),theElectronicControlUnit(ECU) andtheBetaGimbalTransitionStructure.The BGAwasdesignedbyBoeingRocketdynein CanogaPark,Calif.,whichhassincebeen acquiredbyPrattandWhitney.TheSequential ShuntUnit(SSU)thatservestomanageand distributethepowergeneratedfromthearrays isalsomountedoneachBGAPlatform.The SSUwasdesignedbySpaceSystemsLoral. BoththeSARJandBGAarepointing mechanisms.Theycanfollowanangletarget, rotatingintwoaxestoalwayspointthesurface ofthearraysatthetarget,thesunGround controllerscontinuouslyupdatethetarget informationsothejointskeeprotating,moving thearraysmovingcontinuouslyasthestation orbitstheEarthevery90minutes.The movementoftherotationisataratethat maintainsconstantcontactofthearrayswith thesunasthestationcirclesEarth.TheSARJ mechanismwillmovemuchmorethanthe BGA.TheBGAwillmoveaboutfourorfive degreesperday,whereastheSARJwillrotate 360degreeseveryorbitorabout4degreesper minute.TheSARJwillbethefirstonetobe installedonstation.Itisuniquebecauseit rotatestheentiretrusselement,allowingitto rotateinthealphaaxisrotation,arotationthat movesthearrayinthedirectionofthestations travel.ThestationhasbeenusingtheP6BGA tomoveasanalphajoint.Eventually,theSARJ willprovideprimaryrotationwithBGAdoing minormovementsandwillbetestedonthis flight,butwontbeactivateduntilassembly missionSTS116.

P4 Integrated Equipment Assembly (IEA)

TheIEAhasmanycomponents:12Battery Subassemblyorbitalreplacementunits(ORUs), sixBatteryCharge/DischargeUnits(BCDU) ORUs,twoDirectCurrentSwitchingUnits (DCSUs),twoDirectCurrenttoDirectCurrent ConverterUnits(DDCUs),twoPhotovoltaic ControllerUnits(PVCUs).Itintegratesthe ThermalControlSubsystemthatconsistsofone PhotovoltaicRadiator(PVR)ORUandtwo PumpFlowControlSubassembly(PFCS) ORUsusedtotransferanddissipateheat generatedbytheIEAORUboxes.Inaddition, theIEAprovidesaccommodationforammonia servicingoftheoutboardPVmodulesaswell aspassthroughofpower,datatoandfromthe outboardtrusselements.Thestructural transitionbetweentheP3andP4segmentsis providedbytheAlphaJointInterfaceStructure. TheIntegratedEquipmentAssemblymeasures 16x16x16feet,weighsnearly17,000pounds andisdesignedtoconditionandstorethe electricalpowercollectedbythephotovoltaic arraysforuseonboardtheStation. TheIEAintegratestheenergystorage subsystem,theelectricaldistribution equipment,thethermalcontrolsystem,and structuralframework.TheIEAconsistsofthree majorelements: 1. Thepowersystemelectronicsconsistingof theDirectCurrentSwitchingUnit(DCSU) usedforprimarypowerdistribution;the DirectCurrenttoDirectCurrentConverter Unit(DDCU)usedtoproduceregulated secondarypower;theBattery Charge/DischargeUnit(BCDU)usedto controlthecharginganddischargingofthe storagebatteries;andthebatteriesusedto storepower.

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 2. ThePhotovoltaicThermalControlSystem (PVTCS)consistingof:thecoldplate subassemblyusedtotransferheatfroman electronicboxtothecoolant;thePump FlowControlSubassembly(PFCS)usedto pumpandcontroltheflowofammonia coolant;andthePhotovoltaicRadiator (PVR)usedtodissipatetheheatintodeep space.Ammoniahassignificantlygreater heattransferpropertiesthanotherchemical coolants. 3. ThecomputersusedtocontroltheP4 moduleORUsconsistingoftwo PhotovoltaicControllerUnit(PVCU) Multiplexer/Demultiplexers(MDMs). PowerreceivedfromeachPVAAisfeddirectly intotheappropriateDirectCurrentSwitching Unit(DCSU).TheDCSUisahighpower, multipathremotelycontrolledunitthatisused forprimaryandsecondarypowerdistribution, protectionandfaultisolationwithintheIEA.It alsodistributesprimarypowertotheISS. Duringperiodsofisolation,orsunlight,the DCSUroutesprimarypowerdirectlytotheISS fromitsPVAAandalsoroutespowertothe powerstoragesystemforbatterycharging. Duringperiodsofeclipse,theDCSUroutes powerfromthepowerstoragesystemtothe ISS.TheDCSUmeasures28by40by12and weighs238pounds. PrimarypowerfromtheDCSUisalso distributedtotheDirectCurrenttoDirect CurrentConverterUnit(DDCU).TheDDCUis apowerprocessingsystemthatconditionsthe coarselyregulatedpowerfromthePVAAto 123+/2VDC.Ithasamaximumpoweroutput of6.25kW.ThispowerisusedforallP4 operationsemployingsecondarypower.By transmittingpowerathighervoltagesand steppingitdowntolowervoltageswherethe poweristobeused,muchlikemunicipal powersystems,thestationcanusesmaller wirestotransmitthiselectricalpowerandthus reducelaunchloads.Theconvertersalso isolatethesecondarysystemfromtheprimary systemandmaintainuniformpowerquality throughoutthestation.TheDDCUmeasures 27.25by23by12andweighs129pounds. PrimarypowerfromtheDCSUisalso distributedtothethreepowerstoragesystems locatedwithineachchanneloftheIEA.The powerstoragesystemconsistsofaBattery Charge/DischargeUnit(BCDU)andtwo BatterySubassemblyORUs. TheBCDUservesadualfunctionofcharging thebatteriesduringsolarcollectionperiods, andprovidingconditionedbatterypowertothe primarypowerbusses(viatheDCSU)during eclipseperiods.TheBCDUhasabattery chargingcapabilityof8.4kWandadischarge capabilityof6.6kW.TheBCDUalsoincludes provisionsforbatterystatusmonitoringand protectionfrompowercircuitfaults.The PVCUcommandstheBCDU.TheBCDU measures28by40by12andweighs235 pounds. EachBatterySubassemblyORUconsistsof38 lightweightNickelHydrogencellsand associatedelectricalandmechanicalequipment. TwobatterySubassemblyORUsconnectedin seriesarecapableofstoringatotalof8kWof electricalpower.ThispowerisfedtotheISS viatheBCDUandDCSUrespectively.The batterieshaveadesignlifeof6.5yearsandcan exceed38,000charge/dischargecyclesdownto a35%levelofcharge.Eachbatterymeasures 41by37by19andweighs372pounds. BecauseofdelaysinlaunchingtheP3/P4 elements,thebatterieswerereplacedinMarch 2005forthelowerdeckandAugust2005forthe upperdeck.

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 InordertomaintaintheIEAelectronicsatsafe operatingtemperaturesintheharshspace environment,theyareconditionedbythe PhotovoltaicThermalControlSystem(PVTCS). ThePVTCSconsistofammoniacoolant,eleven coldplates,twoPumpFlowControl Subassemblies(PFCS)andonePhotovoltaic Radiator(PVR). Thecoldplatesubassembliesareanintegral partofIEAstructuralframework.Heatis transferredfromtheIEAorbitalreplacement unit(ORU)electronicboxestothecoldplates viafineinterweavingfinslocatedonboththe coldplateandtheelectronicboxes.Thefinsadd lateralstructuralstiffnesstothecoldplatesin additiontoincreasingtheavailableheat transferarea. ThePFCSistheheartofthethermalsystem.It consistsofallthepumpingcapacity,valvesand controlsrequiredtopumptheheattransfer fluidtotheheatexchangesandradiator,and regulatethetemperatureofthethermalcontrol systemammoniacoolant.ThePVTCSis designedtodissipate6,000Wattsofheatper orbitonaverageandiscommandedbytheIEA computer.EachPFCSconsumes275Watts duringnormaloperationsandmeasures approximately40x29x19inches,weighing235 pounds. ThePVRtheradiatorisdeployableonorbit andcomprisedoftwoseparateflowpaths throughsevenpanels.Eachflowpathis independentandisconnectedtooneofthetwo PFCSsontheIEA.Intotal,thePVRcanreject upto14kWofheatintodeepspace.ThePVR weighs1,633poundsandwhendeployed measures44x12x7feet.

P3/P4 Facts in brief:

Manufacturer:Boeing Dimensions:45.3feetlongby16feetwideby 15.6feethigh

Weight:34,885lbs Structure:Primarilyaluminum Majorcomponents:TheP3primarystructure ismadeofahexagonalshapedaluminum structureandincludesfourbulkheadsandsix

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 longerons.Thesecondarystructureincludes brackets,fittings,attachplatforms,EVA equipmentandmiscellaneousmechanisms. TheP4Photovoltaicmoduleincludesall equipmentoutboardoftheSolarAlphaRotary Joint(SARJ)outboardbulkhead,namelythe twoPhotovoltaicArrayassembliesandthe IntegratedEquipmentAssembly(IEA). Purpose:Tocarrypower,dataand environmentalservicesalongtheintegrated trussstructure.Also,toprovideactivethermal protectiontoelectricalcomponentsthroughout thestationandtoallowtheconnectionof platformstostorespareparts. Construction:P3wasdesignedbytheBoeing designteamatHuntingtonBeach,Calif.Boeing (nowPrattandWhitney)RocketdynePower andPropulsioninCanogaPark,Calif.designed P4.AssemblyofP3andP4inTulsa,Okla. startedin1997.P3wasdeliveredtotheSpace StationProcessingFacilityatKennedySpace CenteronNovember17,1999andP4was deliveredonJuly29,2000.P3andP4were handedofftoNASAonSeptember26,2002. MajorSubcontractors:LockheedMartin, Honeywell,HamiltonSundstrand,Prattand WhitneyRocketdyne Installation:P3/P4istobeinstalledduring STS115totheP1trussviatheSegmentto SegmentAttachmentSystem(SSAS).

P3/P4SRMSunberthandSSRMShandoffoperationsisshownabove.

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P3/P4SSRMSmaneuverandinstallationisshownabove

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Additional drawings to use

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EXTERNAL WIRELESS INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEM (EWIS)

WiththelaunchoftheP4element,NASAwill deployanewExternalWireless InstrumentationSystem(EWIS)forthefirst time.Thesystemconsistsofaccelerometers placedaroundtheoutboardtrusselementsof theintegratedtrussstructure.Thesystemis currentlyinstalledonP4andP5andwillalso beinstalledontheS4andS6trussstructures laterthisyearatKennedySpaceCenter,Fla. ThesixquartersizeaccelerometersonP4 measureaccelerationsinalldirections,thex,y andzaxisorientations. Thevibrationdataseenbytheaccelerometers willbecomparedwiththeirloadsmodelsso theycanbefurtherrefinedbyengineerswith actualonorbitdatatobetterpredictthe durabilityofthestationsintegratedtruss structure.NASAandBoeingengineerswilluse thesemeasurements,usingrefinedmodels,to analyticallyextendthe15yeardesignlifeofthe trusselements.EWISwillalsogiveengineersa betterunderstandingoftheactualresponseof thetrusssystemonorbit. Thespacestationhas33hardwired accelerometerscurrentlyinstalledonthe inboardtrusselements(13onS0,fouronS1,six onP1,fiveonS3andfiveonP3).Thedatafrom theseaccelerometersistransferredthroughthe stationCommandandDataHandlingSystem wherethedataisrelayedtothegroundfor engineerstoanalyze.Thewirelesssystemwas createdbecausetherewasnoeasywayto hardwiretheaccelerometersintotheoutboard trusselements,outsideoftheSolarAlpha RotaryJoint. Thewirelesssystemusesaspreadspectrum radiosystemthattransmitsat900MHz,similar

toanoldercordlessphone.InternationalSpace StationpowerissuppliedtotheRemoteSensor Unit(RSU)ontheP4trusselement,which containsthememoryforthemeasurements, computercontrolsandtheradiotransmitter. ThedatawillbecollectedassoonasP4is poweredupandwillbestoredintheRSU. Whenrequested,ittransmitsthedatatoa briefcasesizedNetworkControlUnit(NCU), whichwillbelocatedintheavionicstworack inDestiny. InadditiontotheNCU,twoeightinchlong antennaswillbeinstalledontheaftendcone onthenadirsideofDestiny.Thespacewalkto installtheseantennasisconsideredagetahead taskforthismission,butmorethanlikelywill beinstalledonassemblySTS118in2007.The NCUwillbeinstalledonstationassembly STS117.EWISisexpectedtobefully operationaluponcompletionofSTS119. Thenewsystemwasdesignedandtestedby NASAandBoeingengineers,withwork beginninginMay2003.Itallowsengineersto gatherrealtimedataduringdynamicevents thatmightcausehighervibrations(loads)on thetrusselements,suchasdockingoperations withthespaceshuttleorprogressvehicles, SARJrotationsorduringthrusterfiringsduring reboosts.Thedataisexpectedtoberetrieved severaltimesamonth. NASAandBoeingengineersbelievethese measurementswillallowsomeofthe conservatismanduncertaintytoberemoved fromtheirmodels.Engineersalsobelievethis datawillbehelpfulinbetterunderstandingthe kindsofloadsexertedonfuturelargestructure explorationvehicles.

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EXPERIMENTS

EXPERIMENTAL PAYLOADS
Therearetwoexperimentalpayloadsthatwill becarriedtothestationonSTS115.Currently, thecrewtimelinedoesnotsupportperforming theexperiments.Thereforetheexperiments willbeleftforthestationcrewtoperform. However,shouldanextradaybeaddedtothe mission,theshuttlecrewwillperformthe experiments.

Yeast-GAP
Thisexperimentwillstudyhowindividual genesrespondtomicrogravityconditions.The resultscouldhelpscientistsunderstandhow mammaliancellswillrespondwhentheyare growninmicrogravityaswellasimprove culturingtechniquesofmammaliancellson Earth. TheexperimentconsistsoffourGAPsthatwill beloadedontheshuttleforsortieoperations. Onorbit,theGAPswillbemanuallyactivated usingasmallhandcrank,whichwillintroduce freshgrowthmediumintothecultures. Following24hoursofpassiveambient incubation,thecrewwillmanuallyterminate growthusingthehandcrank Currentlythetimelinedoesnotsupport schedulingYeastGAP.Itistobetransferredto thestationtobeperformedbythestationcrew. However,ifanadditionaldayisaddedtothe missionthentheexperimentmaybescheduled.

Effect of Spaceflight on Microbial Gene Expression & Virulence (MICROBE)

TheobjectiveoftheMICROBEpayloadisto characterizetheeffectsofspaceonthevirulence andphysiologyofthreecommonmicrobes previouslyisolatedfromthespaceshuttle environmentandtofacilitatedevelopmentof effectiveantimicrobials/therapeuticsand effectivesystemsformaintainingwater potability. Theexperimentconsistsof12GroupActivation Packs(GAPs)thatwillbeloadedontheshuttle forsortieoperations.Onorbit,theGAPswill bemanuallyactivatedusingasmallhand crank,whichwillintroducefreshgrowth mediumintothecultures.Followingabout24 hoursofpassiveambientincubation,thecrew willmanuallyterminategrowthusingthehand crank. Currentlythetimelinedoesnotsupport schedulingMICROBE.Ifanextradayisadded tothemissiontheneightofthe12GAPsmaybe scheduleddependingontherequiredactivities onthatday.TheremainingfourGAPsrequire activationaslateaspossibleinthemission. SchedulingthefourGAPsisdependentonthe postundocktimeline.

DETAILED TEST OBJECTIVES

DetailedTestObjectives(DTOs)areaimedat testing,evaluatingordocumentingspace shuttlesystemsorhardware,orproposed improvementstothespaceshuttleorspace stationhardware,systemsandoperations. StationDetailedTestObjectives(SDTOs)are aimedattesting,evaluatingordocumenting spacestationsystemsorhardwareorproposed improvementstothestationhardware,systems andoperations.

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 SuchexperimentsassignedtoSTS115arelisted below. fanwillnotbeactivatedinpostinsertionand willremaindeactivatedformostofthemission. Itwillhoweverbeactivatedfordockingand undockingtoprovidecoolingtothepowered dockingavionicsandtopreventcondensation ontheOrbiterDockingSystemhatchwindow. Thefanwillalsobeactivatedtoprovidegood airflowwhenthecrewisworkingintheairlock, suchasduringcheckoutofthespacesuits. Whiledocked,sufficientaircirculationwillbe achievedthroughuseofthelabforward intermodularventilationfansothatcarbon dioxide(CO2)levelsonboththestationand shuttlecanbecontrolledduringthedaybythe spacestation.Arealtimecallmayinstructthe crewtoreplacelithiumhydroxideonthe middecktosupplementthecarbondioxide removalprovidedbythestation.Acceptable flowratethroughtheIMVfanandproperCO2 levelsontheshuttlethroughoutthedocked timeframemustbeconfirmedonorbittoprove thiscryogenicreductionmethodasuccess.

DTO 805 Crosswind Landing Performance (If Opportunity)

ThepurposeofthisDTOistodemonstratethe capabilitytoperformamanuallycontrolled landinginthepresenceofacrosswind.The testingisdoneintwosteps. 1. Prelaunch:Prelaunchplanningmustallow selectionofarunwaywithMicrowave ScanningBeamLandingSystem(MSBLS) support.MSBLSisasetofdual transmitterslocatedbesidetherunway providingprecisionnavigationvertically, horizontallyandlongitudinallywithrespect totherunway.Thisprecisionnavigation subsystemhelpsprovideahigher probabilityofamorepreciselandingwitha crosswindof10to15knotsaslateinthe flightaspossible. 2. Entry:Thistestrequiresthatthecrew performamanuallycontrolledlandingin thepresenceofa90degreecrosswind componentof10to15knotssteadystate. Duringacrosswindlanding,thedragchutewill bedeployedafternosegeartouchdownwhen thevehicleisstableandtrackingtherunway centerline.

SDTO 13005-U ISS Structural Life Validation and Extension

TheoverallpurposeofthisSDTOisto guaranteesafetyofthestationstructureand crew.Specificobjectivesaretoaccurately determinestructurallifeusageoftheP3/P4 truss,toexpandstationoperationsandto increasethelifeofthestructure.This reconstructionrequiresactualoreducated estimatesofinput(forcingfunction)andactual output(onorbitsensormeasurements)ofthe stationresponse.Measurementoftheforce input(i.e.,thrusterfiringsequences,videoof crewactivity,etc.)andstationresponsewillaid reconstructionofstationloadsandstructural lifeusageoverthelifeofthestation,andthus allowinglifeextensionofthestructure.This willbeperformedduringP3/P4installation operations.

STATION DEVELOPMENT TEST OBJECTIVE (SDTO)

SDTO 12004-U: Shuttle Booster Fan Bypass
ThepurposeofthisSDTOistoincreaseshuttle onorbitcryogenicmarginbybypassingand deactivatingtheshuttleboosterfanairlock fanwheneverpossibleonorbit.Thebooster

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SDTO 15003-U Microgravity Environment Definition

Thestationsmicrogravityinstrumentationwill beusedtomeasurethemicrogravity environmentandenablepredictionof acceptablemicrogravityexperimenttimesfor similarstationstructuralconfigurations.The measurementswillbeperformedbefore experimentationtimestoassurestation operationsareconsistentwiththemicrogravity requirements.Measurementswillbemadefor specificexpectedattitudesanddynamic disturbancesinthecaseofSTS115to characterizetheSolarArrayRotationJoint checkout.

onehourafterwakeup,andat24,36,and48 hourspostdose.

SDBI 1493 Monitoring Latent Virus Reactivation and Shedding in Astronauts

TheobjectiveofthisSDBIistodeterminethe frequencyofinducedreactivationoflatent viruses,latentvirusshedding,andclinical diseaseafterexposuretothephysical, physiological,andpsychologicalstressors associatedwithspaceflight. Inducedalterationsintheimmuneresponse willbecomeincreasinglyimportantonlong durationmissions,withonefocusbeingthe potentialforreactivationanddisseminationor sheddingoflatentviruses.Anexampleofa latentvirusisherpessimplextype1,which infects70to80percentofadults.Its manifestationisclassicallyassociatedwiththe presenceofcoldsores,pharyngitis,and tonsillitis.Herpessimplextype1isusually acquiredthroughcontactwiththesaliva,skin, ormucousmembranesofaninfected individual.However,manyrecurrencesare asymptomatic,resultinginsheddingofthe virus.

Short Duration Bioastronautics Investigation (SDBI) SDBI 1490B Bioavailability and Performance Effects of Promethazine (PMZ) During Spaceflight
ThisinvestigatestheeffectsofPromethazine,an antihistaminethatcanbeusedasamedication formotionsickness.Allparticipantswilldon theActiwatchactivitymonitor,awristwatch likedevicethattracksbodymotion,assoonas possibleonorbit.TheywillweartheActiwatch andrecordsleeptimesthroughoutthemission. BeforethefirstPromethazine(PMZ)dose, participatingcrewmemberswillcollectasaliva sample;thereafter,salivasampleswillbe collectedandaStanfordSleepinessScore completedat1,2,4,8,24,36and48hourspost PMZ.Thisprotocolwillberepeatedeachtime PMZistaken.Participantswhodonottake PMZwillweartheActiwatchandrecordsleep timesthroughoutthemission.However,ifa participantelectstotakePMZbeforesleep, salivasampleswillbecollectedbeforethedose, justbeforesleep,immediatelyuponwakeup,

SDBI 1634 Sleep-Wake Actigraphy and Light Exposure during Spaceflight

Participatingcrewmemberswilldonthe Actiwatchactivitymonitorassoonaspossible uponenteringorbitandwillwearit continuouslythroughoutthemissionontheir nondominantwristsoutsideoftheir clothing/sleeve.TheActiwatchwatchcanbe temporarilyremovedforactivitiessuchas spacewalks.Subjectswillalsocompleteashort logwithin15minutesoffinalawakeningevery morninginflight.

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SHUTTLE REFERENCE DATA

SHUTTLE ABORT MODES

RSLS Aborts
Theseoccurwhentheonboardshuttle computersdetectaproblemandcommanda haltinthelaunchsequenceaftertakingover fromthegroundlaunchsequencerandbefore solidrocketboosterignition.

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

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

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

Return to Launch Site

TheRTLSabortmodeisdesignedtoallowthe returnoftheorbiter,crewandpayloadtothe launchsite,KennedySpaceCenter, approximately25minutesafterliftoff.

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 headsupattitude,pointingtowardthelaunch site.Atthistime,thevehicleisstillmoving awayfromthelaunchsite,butthespaceshuttle mainenginesarenowthrustingtonullthe downrangevelocity.Inaddition,excessorbital maneuveringsystemandreactioncontrol systempropellantsaredumpedbycontinuous orbitalmaneuveringsystemandreaction controlsystemenginethrustingstoimprovethe orbiterweightandcenterofgravityforthe glidephaseandlanding. Thevehiclewillreachthedesiredmainengine cutoffpointwithlessthan2percentexcess propellantremainingintheexternaltank.At mainenginecutoffminus20seconds,apitch downmaneuver(calledpoweredpitchdown) takesthematedvehicletotherequiredexternal tankseparationattitudeandpitchrate.After mainenginecutoffhasbeencommanded,the externaltankseparationsequencebegins, includingareactioncontrolsystemmaneuver thatensuresthattheorbiterdoesnotrecontact theexternaltankandthattheorbiterhas achievedthenecessarypitchattitudetobegin theglidephaseoftheRTLS. Afterthereactioncontrolsystemmaneuverhas beencompleted,theglidephaseoftheRTLS begins.Fromthenon,theRTLSishandled similarlytoanormalentry. afterthelastRTLSopportunity,makingit imperativetolandasquicklyaspossible. InaTALabort,thevehiclecontinuesona ballistictrajectoryacrosstheAtlanticOceanto landatapredeterminedrunway.Landing occursabout45minutesafterlaunch.The landingsiteisselectednearthenormalascent groundtrackoftheorbitertomakethemost efficientuseofspaceshuttlemainengine propellant.Thelandingsitealsomusthavethe necessaryrunwaylength,weatherconditions andU.S.StateDepartmentapproval.Thethree landingsitesthathavebeenidentifiedfora launchareZaragoza,Spain;Moron,Spain;and Istres,France. ToselecttheTALabortmode,thecrewmust placetheabortrotaryswitchintheTAL/AOA positionanddepresstheabortpushbutton beforemainenginecutoff.(Depressingitafter mainenginecutoffselectstheAOAabort mode.)TheTALabortmodebeginssending commandstosteerthevehicletowardtheplane ofthelandingsite.Italsorollsthevehicle headsupbeforemainenginecutoffandsends commandstobeginanorbitalmaneuvering systempropellantdump(byburningthe propellantsthroughtheorbitalmaneuvering systemenginesandthereactioncontrolsystem engines).Thisdumpisnecessarytoincrease vehicleperformance(bydecreasingweight),to placethecenterofgravityintheproperplace forvehiclecontrolandtodecreasethevehicles landingweight.TALishandledlikeanormal entry.

Transoceanic Abort Landing

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

Abort to Orbit
AnATOisanabortmodeusedtoboostthe orbitertoasafeorbitalaltitudewhen performancehasbeenlostanditisimpossible toreachtheplannedorbitalaltitude.Ifaspace

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

Abort Once Around

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

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

Contingency Aborts
Contingencyabortsarecausedbylossofmore thanonemainengineorfailuresinother systems.Lossofonemainenginewhile anotherisstuckatalowthrustsettingmayalso necessitateacontingencyabort.Suchanabort

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 displaysanddisplayinformation,todetermine theabortregion. Whichabortmodeisselecteddependsonthe causeandtimingofthefailurecausingthe abortandwhichmodeissafestorimproves missionsuccess.Iftheproblemisaspace shuttlemainenginefailure,theflightcrewand MissionControlCenterselectthebestoption availableatthetimeamainenginefails. Iftheproblemisasystemfailurethat jeopardizesthevehicle,thefastestabortmode thatresultsintheearliestvehiclelandingis chosen.RTLSandTALarethequickestoptions (35minutes),whereasanAOArequiresabout 90minutes.Whichoftheseisselecteddepends onthetimeofthefailurewiththreegoodspace shuttlemainengines. Theflightcrewselectstheabortmodeby positioninganabortmodeswitchand depressinganabortpushbutton.

(STS-55) March 22, 1993

ThecountdownforColumbiaslaunchwas haltedbyonboardcomputersatT3seconds followingaproblemwithpurgepressure readingsintheoxidizerpreburneronmain engineNo.2Columbiasthreemainengines werereplacedonthelaunchpad,andtheflight wasrescheduledbehindDiscoveryslaunchon STS56.Columbiafinallylaunchedon April26,1993.

(STS-51) Aug. 12, 1993

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

SHUTTLE ABORT HISTORY

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

(STS-68) Aug. 18, 1994

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

(STS-51 F) July 12, 1985

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

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 NASAmanagerssetOct.2asthedatefor Endeavourssecondlaunchattempt. undersideoftheshuttle.Theenginesshut downjustbeforetheshuttle,travelingatabout 17,000mph(28,000kilometersperhour), reachesorbit. Themainengineoperatesatgreater temperatureextremesthananymechanical systemincommonusetoday.Thefuel, liquefiedhydrogenat423degreesFahrenheit (253degreesCelsius),isthesecondcoldest liquidonEarth.Whenitandtheliquidoxygen arecombusted,thetemperatureinthemain combustionchamberis6,000degrees Fahrenheit(3,316degreesCelsius),hotterthan theboilingpointofiron. Themainenginesuseastagedcombustion cyclesothatallpropellantsenteringtheengines areusedtoproducethrustorpowermore efficientlythananypreviousrocketengine.In astagedcombustioncycle,propellantsarefirst burnedpartiallyathighpressureandrelatively lowtemperaturethenburnedcompletelyat hightemperatureandpressureinthemain combustionchamber.Therapidmixingofthe propellantsundertheseconditionsisso completethat99percentofthefuelisburned. Atnormaloperatinglevel,theenginesgenerate 490,847poundsofthrust(measuredina vacuum).Fullpoweris512,900poundsof thrust;minimumpoweris316,100poundsof thrust. Theenginecanbethrottledbyvaryingthe outputofthepreburners,thusvaryingthe speedofthehighpressureturbopumpsand, therefore,theflowofthepropellant. Atabout26secondsintolaunch,themain enginesarethrottleddownto316,000pounds ofthrusttokeepthedynamicpressureonthe vehiclebelowaspecifiedlevelabout 580poundspersquarefootormaxq.Then,the

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

AfteranRSLSabortonJuly12,1985, ChallengerwaslaunchedonJuly29,1985.Five minutesand45secondsafterlaunch,asensor problemresultedintheshutdownofcenter engineNo.1,resultinginasafeaborttoorbit andsuccessfulcompletionofthemission.

SPACE SHUTTLE MAIN ENGINES

Developedinthe1970sbyNASAsMarshall SpaceFlightCenterinHuntsville,Ala.,the spaceshuttlemainengineisthemostadvanced liquidfueledrocketengineeverbuilt.Every spaceshuttlemainengineistestedandproven flightworthyatNASAsStennisSpaceCenter insouthMississippi,beforeinstallationonan orbiter.Itsmainfeaturesincludevariable thrust,highperformancereusability,high redundancyandafullyintegratedengine controller. Theshuttlesthreemainenginesaremounted ontheorbiteraftfuselageinatriangular pattern.Spacedsothattheyaremovable duringlaunch,theenginesareusedin conjunctionwiththesolidrocketboostersto steertheshuttlevehicle. Eachofthesepowerfulmainenginesis14feet (4.2meters)long,weighsabout7,000pounds (3,150kilograms)andis7.5feet(2.25meters)in diameterattheendofitsnozzle. Theenginesoperateforabout8minutes duringliftoffandascentburningmorethan 500,000gallons(1.9millionliters)ofsupercold liquidhydrogenandliquidoxygenpropellants storedinthehugeexternaltankattachedtothe

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 enginesarethrottledbackuptonormal operatinglevelatabout60seconds.This reducesstressonthevehicle. Themainenginesarethrottleddownagainat aboutsevenminutes,40secondsintothe missiontomaintainthreegsthreetimesthe Earthsgravitationalpullagainreducing stressonthecrewandthevehicle.This accelerationlevelisaboutonethirdthe accelerationexperiencedonpreviouscrewed spacevehicles. About10secondsbeforemainenginecutoffor MECO,thecutoffsequencebegins;aboutthree secondslaterthemainenginesarecommanded tobeginthrottlingat10percentthrustper secondto65percentthrust.Thisisheldfor about6.7seconds,andtheenginesareshut down. Theengineperformancehasthehighestthrust foritsweightofanyengineyetdeveloped.In fact,onespaceshuttlemainenginegenerates sufficientthrusttomaintaintheflightof2 747airplanes. Thespaceshuttlemainengineisalsothefirst rocketenginetouseabuiltinelectronicdigital controller,orcomputer.Thecontrollerwill acceptcommandsfromtheorbiterforengine start,changeinthrottle,shutdown,and monitorengineoperation.Intheeventofa failure,thecontrollerautomaticallycorrectsthe problemorsafelyshutsdowntheengine. NASAcontinuestoincreasethereliabilityand safetyofshuttleflightsthroughaseriesof enhancementstothespaceshuttlemain engines.Theenginesweremodifiedin1988, 1995,1998and2001.Modificationsincludenew highpressurefuelandoxidizerturbopumps thatreducemaintenanceandoperatingcostsof theengine,atwoductpowerheadthatreduces pressureandturbulenceintheengine,anda singlecoilheatexchangerthatlowersthe numberofpostflightinspectionsrequired. Anothermodificationincorporatesalarge throatmaincombustionchamberthatimproves theenginesreliabilitybyreducingpressure andtemperatureinthechamber. Aftertheorbiterlands,theenginesareremoved andreturnedtoaprocessingfacilityat KennedySpaceCenter,Fla.,wheretheyare recheckedandreadiedforthenextflight.Some componentsarereturnedtothemainengines primecontractor,Pratt&WhitneyRocketDyne, WestPalmBeach,Fla.,forregularmaintenance. Themainenginesaredesignedtooperatefor 7.5accumulatedhours.

SPACE SHUTTLE SOLID ROCKET BOOSTERS

ThetwoSRBsprovidethemainthrusttoliftthe spaceshuttleoffthepadanduptoanaltitude ofabout150,000feet,or24nauticalmiles (28statutemiles).Inaddition,thetwoSRBs carrytheentireweightoftheexternaltankand orbiterandtransmittheweightloadthrough theirstructuretothemobilelauncherplatform. Eachboosterhasathrust(sealevel)ofabout 3,300,000poundsatlaunch.Theyareignited afterthethreespaceshuttlemainengines thrustlevelisverified.ThetwoSRBsprovide 71.4percentofthethrustatliftoffandduring firststageascent.Seventyfivesecondsafter SRBseparation,SRBapogeeoccursatan altitudeofabout220,000feet,or35nautical miles(40statutemiles).SRBimpactoccursin theoceanabout122nauticalmiles(140statute miles)downrange. TheSRBsarethelargestsolidpropellant motorseverflownandthefirstdesignedfor

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 reuse.Eachis149.16feetlongand12.17feetin diameter. EachSRBweighsabout1,300,000poundsat launch.Thepropellantforeachsolidrocket motorweighsabout1,100,000pounds.The inertweightofeachSRBisabout 192,000pounds. Primaryelementsofeachboosterarethemotor (includingcase,propellant,igniterandnozzle), structure,separationsystems,operationalflight instrumentation,recoveryavionics, pyrotechnics,decelerationsystem,thrustvector controlsystemandrangesafetydestruct system. Eachboosterisattachedtotheexternaltankat theSRBsaftframebytwolateralswaybraces andadiagonalattachment.Theforwardendof eachSRBisattachedtotheexternaltankatthe forwardendoftheSRBsforwardskirt.Onthe launchpad,eachboosteralsoisattachedtothe mobilelauncherplatformattheaftskirtbyfour boltsandnutsthatareseveredbysmall explosivesatliftoff. DuringthedowntimefollowingtheChallenger accident,detailedstructuralanalyseswere performedoncriticalstructuralelementsofthe SRB.Analyseswereprimarilyfocusedinareas whereanomalieshadbeennotedduring postflightinspectionofrecoveredhardware. Oneoftheareaswastheattachringwherethe SRBsareconnectedtotheexternaltank.Areas ofdistresswerenotedinsomeofthefasteners wheretheringattachestotheSRBmotorcase. Thissituationwasattributedtothehighloads encounteredduringwaterimpact.Tocorrect thesituationandensurehigherstrength marginsduringascent,theattachringwas redesignedtoencirclethemotorcase completely(360degrees). Previously,theattachringformedaCand encircledthemotorcase270degrees. Additionally,specialstructuraltestsweredone ontheaftskirt.Duringthistestprogram,an anomalyoccurredinacriticalweldbetweenthe holddownpostandskinoftheskirt.A redesignwasimplementedtoadd reinforcementbracketsandfittingsintheaft ringoftheskirt. Thesetwomodificationsaddedabout 450poundstotheweightofeachSRB. ThepropellantmixtureineachSRBmotor consistsofanammoniumperchlorate(oxidizer, 69.6percentbyweight),aluminum(fuel, 16percent),ironoxide(acatalyst,0.4percent),a polymer(abinderthatholdsthemixture together,12.04percent),andanepoxycuring agent(1.96percent).Thepropellantisan 11pointstarshapedperforationintheforward motorsegmentandadoubletruncatedcone perforationineachoftheaftsegmentsandaft closure.Thisconfigurationprovideshigh thrustatignitionandthenreducesthethrustby aboutathird50secondsafterliftofftoprevent overstressingthevehicleduringmaximum dynamicpressure. TheSRBsareusedasmatchedpairsandeachis madeupoffoursolidrocketmotorsegments. Thepairsarematchedbyloadingeachofthe fourmotorsegmentsinpairsfromthesame batchesofpropellantingredientstominimize anythrustimbalance.Thesegmentedcasing designassuresmaximumflexibilityin fabricationandeaseoftransportationand handling.Eachsegmentisshippedtothe launchsiteonaheavydutyrailcarwitha speciallybuiltcover. Thenozzleexpansionratioofeachbooster beginningwiththeSTS8missionis7to79.

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 Thenozzleisgimbaledforthrustvector (direction)control.EachSRBhasitsown redundantauxiliarypowerunitsandhydraulic pumps.Theallaxisgimbalingcapabilityis 8degrees.Eachnozzlehasacarbonclothliner thaterodesandcharsduringfiring.Thenozzle isaconvergentdivergent,movabledesignin whichanaftpivotpointflexiblebearingisthe gimbalmechanism. Theconeshapedaftskirtreactstheaftloads betweentheSRBandthemobilelauncher platform.Thefouraftseparationmotorsare mountedontheskirt.Theaftsectioncontains avionics,athrustvectorcontrolsystemthat consistsoftwoauxiliarypowerunitsand hydraulicpumps,hydraulicsystemsanda nozzleextensionjettisonsystem. Theforwardsectionofeachboostercontains avionics,asequencer,forwardseparation motors,anoseconeseparationsystem,drogue andmainparachutes,arecoverybeacon,a recoverylight,aparachutecameraonselected flightsandarangesafetysystem. EachSRBhastwointegratedelectronic assemblies,oneforwardandoneaft.After burnout,theforwardassemblyinitiatesthe releaseofthenosecapandfrustum,atransition piecebetweenthenoseconeandsolidrocket motor,andturnsontherecoveryaids.Theaft assembly,mountedintheexternaltank/SRB attachring,connectswiththeforwardassembly andtheorbiteravionicssystemsforSRB ignitioncommandsandnozzlethrustvector control.Eachintegratedelectronicassembly hasamultiplexer/demultiplexer,whichsends orreceivesmorethanonemessage,signalor unitofinformationonasinglecommunication channel. Eightboosterseparationmotors(fourinthe nosefrustumandfourintheaftskirt)ofeach SRBthrustfor1.02secondsatSRBseparation fromtheexternaltank.Eachsolidrocket separationmotoris31.1incheslongand 12.8inchesindiameter. LocationaidsareprovidedforeachSRB, frustum/droguechutesandmainparachutes. Theseincludeatransmitter,antenna, strobe/converter,batteryandsaltwaterswitch electronics.Thelocationaidsaredesignedfora minimumoperatinglifeof72hoursandwhen refurbishedareconsideredusableupto 20times.Theflashinglightisanexception.It hasanoperatinglifeof280hours.Thebattery isusedonlyonce. TheSRBnosecapsandnozzleextensionsare notrecovered. TherecoverycrewretrievestheSRBs, frustum/droguechutes,andmainparachutes. Thenozzlesareplugged,thesolidrocket motorsaredewatered,andtheSRBsaretowed backtothelaunchsite.Eachboosteris removedfromthewater,anditscomponents aredisassembledandwashedwithfreshand deionizedwatertolimitsaltwatercorrosion. Themotorsegments,igniterandnozzleare shippedbacktoATKThiokolfor refurbishment. EachSRBincorporatesarangesafetysystem thatincludesabatterypowersource, receiver/decoder,antennasandordnance.

Hold-Down Posts
Eachsolidrocketboosterhasfourholddown poststhatfitintocorrespondingsupportposts onthemobilelauncherplatform.Holddown boltsholdtheSRBandlauncherplatformposts together.Eachbolthasanutateachend,but

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 onlythetopnutisfrangible.Thetopnut containstwoNASAstandarddetonators (NSDs),whichareignitedatsolidrocketmotor ignitioncommands. WhenthetwoNSDsareignitedateachhold down,theholddownbolttravelsdownward becauseofthereleaseoftensioninthebolt (pretensionedbeforelaunch),NSDgaspressure andgravity.Theboltisstoppedbythestud decelerationstand,whichcontainssand.The SRBboltis28incheslongand3.5inchesin diameter.Thefrangiblenutiscapturedina blastcontainer. Thesolidrocketmotorignitioncommandsare issuedbytheorbiterscomputersthroughthe mastereventscontrollerstotheholddown pyrotechnicinitiatorcontrollersonthemobile launcherplatform.Theyprovidetheignitionto theholddownNSDs.Thelaunchprocessing systemmonitorstheSRBholddownPICsfor lowvoltageduringthelast16secondsbefore launch.PIClowvoltagewillinitiatealaunch hold. SRB.APICsinglechannelcapacitordischarge devicecontrolsthefiringofeachpyrotechnic device.Threesignalsmustbepresent simultaneouslyforthePICtogeneratethepyro firingoutput.Thesesignalsarm,fire1and fire2originateintheorbitergeneralpurpose computersandaretransmittedtotheMECs. TheMECsreformatthemto28voltdcsignals forthePICs.ThearmsignalchargesthePIC capacitorto40voltsdc(minimumof20volts dc). Thefire2commandscausetheredundant NSDstofirethroughathinbarriersealdowna flametunnel.Thisignitesapyrobooster charge,whichisretainedinthesafeandarm devicebehindaperforatedplate.Thebooster chargeignitesthepropellantintheigniter initiator;andcombustionproductsofthis propellantignitethesolidrocketmotor initiator,whichfiresdownthelengthofthe solidrocketmotorignitingthesolidrocket motorpropellant. TheGPClaunchsequencealsocontrolscertain criticalmainpropulsionsystemvalvesand monitorstheenginereadyindicationsfromthe SSMEs.TheMPSstartcommandsareissuedby theonboardcomputersatTminus6.6seconds (staggeredstartenginethree,enginetwo, engineoneallaboutwithin0.25ofasecond), andthesequencemonitorsthethrustbuildup ofeachengine.AllthreeSSMEsmustreachthe required90percentthrustwithinthreeseconds; otherwise,anorderlyshutdowniscommanded andsafingfunctionsareinitiated. Normalthrustbuilduptotherequired90 percentthrustlevelwillresultintheSSMEs beingcommandedtotheliftoffpositionat Tminusthreesecondsaswellasthefire1 commandbeingissuedtoarmtheSRBs.At Tminusthreeseconds,thevehiclebase

SRB Ignition
SRBignitioncanoccuronlywhenamanual lockpinfromeachSRBsafeandarmdevicehas beenremoved.Thegroundcrewremovesthe pinduringprelaunchactivities.AtTminus fiveminutes,theSRBsafeandarmdeviceis rotatedtothearmposition.Thesolidrocket motorignitioncommandsareissuedwhenthe threeSSMEsareatorabove90percentrated thrust,noSSMEfailand/orSRBignitionPIC lowvoltageisindicatedandtherearenoholds fromtheLPS. Thesolidrocketmotorignitioncommandsare sentbytheorbitercomputersthroughthe MECstothesafeandarmdeviceNSDsineach

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 bendingloadmodesareallowedtoinitialize (movementof25.5inchesmeasuredatthetipof theexternaltank,withmovementtowardsthe externaltank). AtTminuszero,thetwoSRBsareignited undercommandofthefouronboard computers;separationofthefourexplosive boltsoneachSRBisinitiated(eachboltis28 incheslongand3.5inchesindiameter);thetwo T0umbilicals(oneoneachsideofthe spacecraft)areretracted;theonboardmaster timingunit,eventtimerandmissionevent timersarestarted;thethreeSSMEsareat 100percent;andthegroundlaunchsequenceis terminated. Thesolidrocketmotorthrustprofileistailored toreducethrustduringthemaximumdynamic pressureregion. hydraulicpump,hydraulicreservoirand hydraulicfluidmanifoldassembly.TheAPUs arefueledbyhydrazineandgenerate mechanicalshaftpowertoahydraulicpump thatproduceshydraulicpressurefortheSRB hydraulicsystem.ThetwoseparateHPUsand twohydraulicsystemsarelocatedontheaft endofeachSRBbetweentheSRBnozzleand aftskirt.TheHPUcomponentsaremountedon theaftskirtbetweentherockandtiltactuators. ThetwosystemsoperatefromTminus 28secondsuntilSRBseparationfromthe orbiterandexternaltank.Thetwoindependent hydraulicsystemsareconnectedtotherock andtiltservoactuators. TheAPUcontrollerelectronicsarelocatedin theSRBaftintegratedelectronicassemblieson theaftexternaltankattachrings. TheAPUsandtheirfuelsystemsareisolated fromeachother.Eachfuelsupplymodule (tank)contains22poundsofhydrazine.The fueltankispressurizedwithgaseousnitrogen at400psi,whichprovidestheforcetoexpel (positiveexpulsion)thefuelfromthetankto thefueldistributionline,maintainingapositive fuelsupplytotheAPUthroughoutits operation. ThefuelisolationvalveisopenedatAPU startuptoallowfueltoflowtotheAPUfuel pumpandcontrolvalvesandthentothegas generator.Thegasgeneratorscatalyticaction decomposesthefuelandcreatesahotgas.It feedsthehotgasexhaustproducttotheAPU twostagegasturbine.Fuelflowsprimarily throughthestartupbypasslineuntiltheAPU speedissuchthatthefuelpumpoutletpressure isgreaterthanthebypasslines.Thenallthe fuelissuppliedtothefuelpump.

Electrical Power Distribution

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

Hydraulic Power Units

Therearetwoselfcontained,independent HPUsoneachSRB.EachHPUconsistsofan auxiliarypowerunit,fuelsupplymodule,

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 TheAPUturbineassemblyprovides mechanicalpowertotheAPUgearbox.The gearboxdrivestheAPUfuelpump,hydraulic pumpandlubeoilpump.TheAPUlubeoil pumplubricatesthegearbox.Theturbine exhaustofeachAPUflowsovertheexteriorof thegasgenerator,coolingit,andisthen directedoverboardthroughanexhaustduct. WhentheAPUspeedreaches100percent,the APUprimarycontrolvalvecloses,andtheAPU speediscontrolledbytheAPUcontroller electronics.Iftheprimarycontrolvalvelogic failstotheopenstate,thesecondarycontrol valveassumescontroloftheAPUat112 percentspeed. EachHPUonanSRBisconnectedtoboth servoactuatorsonthatSRB.OneHPUservesas theprimaryhydraulicsourceforthe servoactuator,andtheotherHPUservesasthe secondaryhydraulicsfortheservoactuator. Eachservoactuatorhasaswitchingvalvethat allowsthesecondaryhydraulicstopowerthe actuatoriftheprimaryhydraulicpressure dropsbelow2,050psi.Aswitchcontactonthe switchingvalvewillclosewhenthevalveisin thesecondaryposition.Whenthevalveis closed,asignalissenttotheAPUcontroller thatinhibitsthe100percentAPUspeedcontrol logicandenablesthe112percentAPUspeed controllogic.The100percentAPUspeed enablesoneAPU/HPUtosupplysufficient operatinghydraulicpressuretoboth servoactuatorsofthatSRB. TheAPU100percentspeedcorrespondsto 72,000rpm,110percentto79,200rpm,and 112percentto80,640rpm. Thehydraulicpumpspeedis3,600rpmand supplieshydraulicpressureof3,050,plusor minus50,psi.Ahighpressurereliefvalve providesoverpressureprotectiontothe hydraulicsystemandrelievesat3,750psi. TheAPUs/HPUsandhydraulicsystemsare reusablefor20missions.

Thrust Vector Control

EachSRBhastwohydraulicgimbal servoactuators:oneforrockandonefortilt. Theservoactuatorsprovidetheforceand controltogimbalthenozzleforthrustvector control. Thespaceshuttleascentthrustvectorcontrol portionoftheflightcontrolsystemdirectsthe thrustofthethreeshuttlemainenginesandthe twoSRBnozzlestocontrolshuttleattitudeand trajectoryduringliftoffandascent.Commands fromtheguidancesystemaretransmittedtothe ATVCdrivers,whichtransmitsignals proportionaltothecommandstoeach servoactuatorofthemainenginesandSRBs. Fourindependentflightcontrolsystem channelsandfourATVCchannelscontrolsix mainengineandfourSRBATVCdrivers,with eachdrivercontrollingonehydraulicporton eachmainandSRBservoactuator. EachSRBservoactuatorconsistsoffour independent,twostageservovalvesthat receivesignalsfromthedrivers.Each servovalvecontrolsonepowerspoolineach actuator,whichpositionsanactuatorramand thenozzletocontrolthedirectionofthrust. Thefourservovalvesineachactuatorprovidea forcesummedmajorityvotingarrangementto positionthepowerspool.Withfouridentical commandstothefourservovalves,theactuator forcesumactionpreventsasingleerroneous commandfromaffectingpowerrammotion.If theerroneouscommandpersistsformorethan apredeterminedtime,differentialpressure

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 sensingactivatesaselectorvalvetoisolateand removethedefectiveservovalvehydraulic pressure,permittingtheremainingchannels andservovalvestocontroltheactuatorram spool. Failuremonitorsareprovidedforeachchannel toindicatewhichchannelhasbeenbypassed. Anisolationvalveoneachchannelprovidesthe capabilityofresettingafailedorbypassed channel. Eachactuatorramisequippedwithtransducers forpositionfeedbacktothethrustvector controlsystem.Withineachservoactuatorram isasplashdownloadreliefassemblytocushion thenozzleatwatersplashdownandprevent damagetothenozzleflexiblebearing. processedintheredundancymanagement middlevalueselectandtheheadendchamber pressureofbothSRBsislessthanorequalto 50psi.Abackupcueisthetimeelapsedfrom boosterignition. Theseparationsequenceisinitiated, commandingthethrustvectorcontrolactuators tothenullpositionandputtingthemain propulsionsystemintoasecondstage configuration(0.8secondfromsequence initialization),whichensuresthethrustofeach SRBislessthan100,000pounds.Orbiteryaw attitudeisheldforfourseconds,andSRBthrust dropstolessthan60,000pounds. TheSRBsseparatefromtheexternaltank within30millisecondsoftheordnancefiring command. Theforwardattachmentpointconsistsofaball (SRB)andsocket(ET)heldtogetherbyonebolt. TheboltcontainsoneNSDpressurecartridgeat eachend.Theforwardattachmentpointalso carriestherangesafetysystemcrossstrap wiringconnectingeachSRBRSSandtheET RSSwitheachother. Theaftattachmentpointsconsistofthree separatestruts:upper,diagonalandlower. EachstrutcontainsoneboltwithanNSD pressurecartridgeateachend.Theupperstrut alsocarriestheumbilicalinterfacebetweenits SRBandtheexternaltankandontotheorbiter. Therearefourboosterseparationmotorson eachendofeachSRB.TheBSMsseparatethe SRBsfromtheexternaltank.Thesolidrocket motorsineachclusteroffourareignitedby firingredundantNSDpressurecartridgesinto redundantconfineddetonatingfusemanifolds. Theseparationcommandsissuedfromthe orbiterbytheSRBseparationsequenceinitiate

SRB Rate Gyro Assemblies

EachSRBcontainstwoRGAs,witheachRGA containingonepitchandoneyawgyro.These provideanoutputproportionaltoangularrates aboutthepitchandyawaxestotheorbiter computersandguidance,navigationand controlsystemduringfirststageascentflightin conjunctionwiththeorbiterrollrategyrosuntil SRBseparation.AtSRBseparation,a switchoverismadefromtheSRBRGAstothe orbiterRGAs. TheSRBRGAratespassthroughtheorbiter flightaftmultiplexers/demultiplexerstothe orbiterGPCs.TheRGAratesarethenmid valueselectedinredundancymanagementto provideSRBpitchandyawratestotheuser software.TheRGAsaredesignedfor 20missions.

SRB Separation
SRBseparationisinitiatedwhenthethreesolid rocketmotorchamberpressuretransducersare

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 theredundantNSDpressurecartridgeineach boltandignitetheBSMstoeffectaclean separation. metalalloyusedfortheshuttlescurrenttank. Thetanksstructuraldesignhasalsobeen improved,makingit30percentstrongerand 5percentlessdense. TheSLWT,likethestandardtank,is manufacturedatMichoudAssembly,near NewOrleans,byLockheedMartin. The154footlongexternaltankisthelargest singlecomponentofthespaceshuttle.Itstands tallerthana15storybuildingandhasa diameterofabout27feet.Theexternaltank holdsover530,000gallonsofliquidhydrogen andliquidoxygenintwoseparatetanks.The hydrogen(fuel)andliquidoxygen(oxidizer) areusedaspropellantsfortheshuttlesthree mainengines.

SPACE SHUTTLE SUPER LIGHT WEIGHT TANK (SLWT)

Thesuperlightweightexternaltank(SLWT) madeitsfirstshuttleflightJune2,1998,on missionSTS91.TheSLWTis7,500pounds lighterthanthestandardexternaltank.The lighterweighttankallowstheshuttletodeliver InternationalSpaceStationelements(suchas theservicemodule)intotheproperorbit. TheSLWTisthesamesizeastheprevious design.Buttheliquidhydrogentankandthe liquidoxygentankaremadeofaluminum lithium,alighter,strongermaterialthanthe

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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

A/L AA AAA ABC AC ACBM ACO ACS ACSM ACU ADO ADSEP ADVASC ADVASCGC AEA AFD AJIS AKA APAS APCU APDS APFR APM APPCM APS AR ARCU ARIS ARS ASCR ATA ATCS ATU AUAI AVU AVV BA BBC Airlock AntennaAssembly AvionicsAirAssembly AudioBusCoupler AssemblyComplete ActiveCommonBerthingMechanism AssemblyandCheckoutOfficer AtmosphereControlandSupply AttitudeControlSystemModing ArmComputerUnit AdaptationDataOverlay AdvancedSeparation AdvancedAstroculture AdvancedAstrocultureGrowthChamber AntennaElectronicsAssembly AftFlightDeck AlphaJointInterfaceStructure ActiveKeelAssembly AndrogynousPeripheralAttachmentSystem AssemblyPowerConverterUnit AndrogynousPeripheralDockingSystem ArticulatingPortableFootRestraint AttachedPressurizedModule ArmPitchPlaneChangeMode AutomatedPayloadSwitch AtmosphereRevitalization AmericantoRussianConverterUnit ActiveRackIsolationSystem AirRevitalizationSystem AssuredSafeCrewReturn AmmoniaTankAssembly ActiveThermalControlSystem AudioTerminalUnit AssembleContingencySystem/UHFAudioInterface ArtificialVisionUnit AccumulatorVentValve BearingAssembly BusBoltController

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 BC BCDU BCU BDU BG BGA BGDTS BGHS BIT BITE BMRRM BONEMAC BRS BSP BTS C&C C&DH C&M C&T C&W C/Acode C/L CA CAS CBM CBOSS CCAA CCASE CCD CCMS CCS CCTV CDDT CDRA CDS CETA CEU CFA CGBA CHeCS CHX BusController BatteryCharge/DischargeUnit BackupControllerUnit BackupDriveUnit BetaGimbal BetaGimbalAssembly BetaGimbalDeploymentTransitionStructure BetaGimbalHousingSubassembly BuiltInTest BuiltInTestEquipment BearingMotorandRollRingModule BoneMarrowMacrophagesinSpace BottomRightSide BasebandSignalProcessor BoltTightSwitch CommandandControl CommandandDataHandling ControlandMonitor CommunicationandTracking CautionandWarning Coarse/Acquisitioncode CrewLock ControlAttitude CommonAttachSystem CommonBerthingMechanism CellularBiotechnologyOperatingScienceSystem CommonCabinAirAssembly CommercialCassetteExperiment CursorControlDevice ConcentricCableManagementSystem CommunicationandControlSystem ClosedCircuitTelevision CommonDisplayDevelopmentTeam CarbonDioxideRemovalAssembly CommandandDataSoftware CrewandEquipmentTranslationAid ControlElectronicsUnit CircularFanAssembly CommercialGenericBioprocessingApparatus CrewHealthCareSystem CondensingHeatExchanger

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 CID CIOB CLA CLPA CMG CMGTA CO2 COAS COR COTS CP CPCGH CR CRES CRIM CRIMM CRPCM CSA CSACP CSCI CSM CTB CVIU CVT CVV CWC DAIU DAP DC dc DCP DCSU DDCU DDCUCP DDCUE DDCUHP DDCUI DFL DLA DMCU DMSR CircuitInterruptDevice CargoIntegrationandOperationsBranch CameraandLightAssembly CameraLightandPan/TiltAssembly ControlMomentGyroscope ControlMomentGyroscopeThrusterAssist CarbonDioxide CrewOpticalAlignmentSight CommunicationOutageRecorder CommercialOffTheShelf ColdPlate CommercialProteinCrystalGrowthHigh ChangeRequest CorrosionResistantSteel CommercialRefrigeratorIncubatorModule CommercialRefrigeratorIncubatorModuleModified CanadianRemotePowerControllerModule ComputerSystemsArchitecture CompoundSpecificAnalyzerCombustionProducts ComputerSoftwareConfigurationItem CargoSystemsManual CargoTransferBag CommonVideoInterfaceUnit CurrentValueTable CarbonDioxideVentValve ContingencyWaterCollection DockedAudioInterfaceUnit DigitalAutopilot DockingCompartment directcurrent DisplayandControlPanel DirectCurrentSwitchingUnit DCtoDCConverterUnit DCtoDCConverterUnitColdPlate ExternalDDCU DCtoDCConverterUnitHeatPipe InternalDDCU DataFormatLoad DriveLockingAssembly DockingMechanismControlUnit DataManagementSystemRussian

August 2006

ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS

69

 dp/dt DPA DPS DTO DTV E/L EStop EACP EAIU EAS EATCS ECLSS ECU ED EDDA EEATCS EET EETCS EFGF EGIL EIA EMPEV EMU EOA EPCE EPG EPS ER ESA ESP ESSMDM ESU ETCS ETI ETRS ETSD ETVCG EUE EV EVCPDS EVA deltapressure/deltatime DigitalPreassembly DataProcessingSystem DevelopmentTestObjective DigitalTelevision EquipmentLock EmergencyStop EMUAudioControlPanel EMUAudioInterfaceUnit EarlyAmmoniaServicer ExternalActiveThermalControlSubsystem EnvironmentalControlandLifeSupportSystem ElectronicsControlUnit EngagementDrive ExternalManeuveringUnitDon/DoffAssembly EarlyExternalActiveThermalControlSystem ExperimentElapsedTime EarlyExternalThermalControlSystem ElectricalFlightreleasableGrappleFixture ElectricalGenerationandIntegratedLightingSystemsEngineer ElectricalInterfaceAssembly EmergencyManualPressureEqualizationValue ExtravehicularMobilityUnit EVAOhmmeterAssembly ElectricalPowerConsumingEquipment ElectricalPowerGenerator ElectricalPowerSystem EdgeRouter ExternalSamplingAdapter ExternalStowagePlatform EnhancedSpaceStationMultiplexer/Demultiplexer EndStopUnit ExternalThermalControlSsytem ElapsedTimeIndicator EVATemporaryRailStop EVAToolStorageDevice ExternalTelevisionCamerasGroup ExperimentUniqueEquipment Extravehicular ExtravehicularChargedParticleDirectionalSpectrometer ExtravehicularActivity

August 2006

ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS

70

 EVR EVSU EXPRESS EXT EWIS FAWG FC FCC FCT FCV FD FDA FDIR FDS FET FGB FHRC FI FPU FQDC FRD FRGF FSE FSS FWCI GAS GC GCA GFE GFI GLONASS GN&C GNC GPC GPRV GPS GUI H2 HAB HC ExtravehicularRobotics ExternalVideoSwitchingUnit EXpeditethePRocessingofExperimentstotheSpaceStation ExperimentalTerminal ExternalWirelessInstrumentationSystem FlightAssignmentWorkingGroup FirmwareController FlatControllerCircuit FlightControlTeam FlowControlValve FlightDay FaultDetectionAnnunciation Failure,Detection,IsolationandRecovery FireDetectionandSuppression FieldEffectTransistor FunctionalCargoBlock(ZaryaModuleofISS) FlexHoseRotaryCoupler FaultIsolator FluidPumpingUnit FluidQuickDisconnectCoupling FlightRequirementsDocument FlightReleasableGrappleFixture FlightSupportEquipment FluidSystemServicer FirmwareConfigurationItem GetAwaySpecial GrowthCell GrowthCellAssembly GovernmentFurnishedEquipment GroundFaultInterrupter GLObalNavigationalSatelliteSystem Guidance,NavigationandControl GuidanceNavigationComputer GeneralPurposeComputer GasPressureregulatingValve GlobalPositioningSystem GraphicalUserInterface Hydrogen HabitatModule HandController

August 2006

ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS

71

 HCA HCOR HDR HDRL HEPA HGA HHL HP HPGT HRF HRFPUFDK HRFRes HRFM HRM HRS I/F I/O IAC IAS IATCS ICC IDA IDRD IEA IFHX IFM IMCA IMCS IMU IMV INCO INSTM INT INTSYS IOC IOCU IP IRU ISA ISL ISO HollowCathodeAssembly HighRateCommunicationOutageRecorder HighDataRate HighDateRateLink HighEfficiencyParticulateAir HighGainAntenna HandheldLidar HeatPipe HighPressureGasTank HumanResearchFacility HumanResearchFacilityPuffDataKit HumanResearchFacilityResupply HighRateFrameMultiplexer HighRateModem HandReactionSwitch Interface Input/Output InternalAudioController InternalAudioSubsystem InternalActiveThermalControlSystem IntegratedCargoCarrier IntegratedDiodeAssembly IncrementDefinitionRequirementsDocument IntegratedEquipmentAssembly InterfaceHeatExchanger InflightMaintenance IntegratedMotorControlAssembly IntegratedMissionControlSystem ImpedanceMatchingUnit IntermoduleVentilation InstrumentationandCommunicationOfficer Instrumentation Internal InternalSystems Input/OutputController Input/OutputControllerUnit InternationalPartner InFlightRefillUnit InternalSamplingAdapter IntegratedStationLAN InventoryandStowageOfficer

August 2006

ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS

72

 ISPR ISS ISSSH IT ITCS ITS IUA IV IVA IVSU IWIS JEM JEU kW LA Lab LAN LB LBRWS LCA LCC LCD LDI LDR LDU LED LEE LEU LFDP LGA LLA LMC LON LT LTA LTL LTU LVLH MA InternationalStandardPayloadRack InternationalSpaceStation InternationalSpaceStationSystemsHandbook IntegratedTruss InternalThermalControlSystem IntegratedTrussSegment InterfaceUmbilicalAssembly Intravehicular IntravehicularActivity InternalVideoSwitchUnit InternalWirelessInstrumentationSystem JapaneseExperimentModule JointElectronicUnit Kilowatt LaunchAft Laboratory LocalAreaNetwork LocalBus RWSLocalBus LabCradleAssembly LaunchCommitCriteria LiquidCrystalDisplay LocalDataInterface LowDataRate LinearDriveUnit LightEmittingDiode LatchingEndEffector LEEElectronicUnit LoadFaultDetectionProtection LowGainAntenna LowLevelAnalog LightweightMultipurposeCarrier LaunchOnNeed LowTemperature LaunchtoActivation LowTemperatureLoop LoadTransferUnit LocalVerticalLocalHorizontal MechanicalAssembly

August 2006

ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS

73

 MAM MBE MBM MBS MBSU MC MCA MCAS MCC MCCH MCCM MCDS MCS MCU MDA MDL MDM MEDOPS MEPS MEPSI MER MET METOX MFCV MHS MILA MIP MISSE MLI MM/OD MMT MOD MPEV MPLM MPM MRL MRS MSD MSFC MSG MSS MT ManualAugmentedRole MetalBellowsExpander ManualBerthingMechanism MobileRemoteServiceBaseSystem MainBusSwitchingUnit MidcourseCorrection MajorConstituentAnalyzer MBSCommonAttachSystem MissionControlCenter MissionControlCenterHouston MissionControlCenterMoscow MultifunctionCRTDisplaySystem MotionControlSystem MBSComputerUnit MotorDriveAssembly MiddeckLocker Multiplexer/Demultiplexer MedicalOperations MicroencapsulationElectrostaticProcessingSystem MicroElectromechanicalSystembasedPicoSatelliteInspector MissionEvaluationRoom MissionElapsedTime MetalOxide ManualFlowControlValve MCUHostSoftware ModeIndicatingLightAssembly MissionIntegrationPlan MaterialsInternationalSpaceStationExperiment MultiLayerInsulation Micrometeoroid/OrbitalDebris MissionManagementTeam MissionOperationsDirectorate ManualPressureEqualizationValve MultipurposeLogisticsModule ManipulatorPositioningMechanism ManipulatorRetentionLatch MobileRemoteServicer MassStorageDevice MarshallSpaceFlightCenter MicrogravityScienceGlovebox MobileServicingSystem MobileTransporter

August 2006

ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS

74

 MTCL MTL MTS MTSAS MTWsN N2 n.mi. NASA NCC NCG NCS NCU NET NIA NiH2 NIV NSI NSTS NTA O2 OCA OCAD OCJM OCPM OCS ODIN ODS OI OIU OIV OMI OMS OPCGA OPP Ops OPSLAN ORBT ORCA ORU OSE OSO MobileTransporterCaptureLatch ModerateTemperatureLoop ModuletoTrussSegment ModuletoTrussSegmentAttachmentSystem MovetoWorksiteNumber Nitrogen nauticalmile NationalAeronauticsandSpaceAdministration NominalCorrectiveCombinationburn NonCondensableGas NodeControlSoftware NetworkControlUnit NoEarlierThan NitrogenInterfaceAssembly NickelHydrogen NitrogenIntroductionValve NASAStandardInitiator NationalSpaceTransportationSystem NitrogenTankAssembly Oxygen OrbitalCommunicationsAdapter OperationalControlAgreementDocument OperatorCommandedJointPositionMode OperatorCommandedPORMode OperationsandControlSoftware OrbitalDesignIntegrationSystem OrbiterDockingSystem OperationalIncrement OrbiterInterfaceUnit OxygenIsolationValve OnOrbitMaintainableItem OrbitalManeuveringSystem ObservableProteinCrystalGrowthApparatus OSVS Operations OperationsLocalAreaNetwork OptimizedRBarTargetingTechnique OxygenRechargeCompressorAssembly OrbitalReplacementUnit OrbiterSupportEquipment OperationsSupportOfficer

August 2006

ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS

75

 OSVS OTD OV P P&S Pcode P/L P/TV P3/P4 PAS PBA PC PCA PCAM PCBM PCC PCGSTES PCMCIA PCP PCR PCS PCT PCU PCVP PDGF PDI PDIP PDRS PDTA PDU PEHG PFCS PFE PFMC PGBAS PGSC PGT PHALCON PJAM PLB PM OrbiterSpaceVisionSystem ORUTransferDevice OrbiterVehicle Port PointingandSupport PrecisionCode Payload Photo/Television Port3/Port4 PayloadAttachSystem PortableBreathingApparatus PersonalComputer PressureControlAssembly ProteinCrystallizationApparatusforMicrogravity PassiveCommonBerthingMechanism PowerConverterController ProteinCrystalGrowthSingleThermalEnclosureSystem PersonalComputerMemoryCardInternationalAdapter PressureControlPanel PortableComputerReceptacle PortableComputerSystem PostContactThrusting PlasmaConnectorUnit PumpandControlValvePackage PowerandDataGrappleFixture PayloadDataInterface PayloadDataInterfacePanel PayloadDeploymentandRetrievalSystem PowerDataTransferAssembly PowerDriveUnit PayloadEthernetHubGateway PumpFlowControlSubassembly PortableFireExtinguisher Pump/FanMotorController PlantGenericBioprocessingApparatusStowage PortableGeneralSupportComputer PistolGripTool Power,Heating,Articulation,Lighting,andControlOfficer PrestoredJointPositionAutosequenceMode PayloadBay PumpModule

August 2006

ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS

76

 PMA PMCU PMDIS PMP POA POR POST PP PPA PPAM ppO2 PPRV PPT PRD PRLA ProxOps PSN PSP PTB PTCS PTR PTU PV PVCA PVCE PVCU PVM PVR PVRGF PVTCS PWP PWR PYR QD R/F RACU RAIU RAM RAMV RBB RBI PressurizedMatingAdapter PowerManagementControlUnit PerceptualMotorDeficitsInSpace PayloadMountingPanel Payload/ORUAccommodation PointofReference PowerONSelfTest PlanningPeriod PumpPackageAssembly PrestoredPORAutosequenceMode partialpressureofoxygen PositivePressureReliefValve Precipitate PayloadRetentionDevice PayloadRetentionLatchAssembly ProximityOperations PowerSourceNode PayloadSignalProcessor PayloadTrainingBuffer PassiveThermalControlSystem PortThermalRadiator Pan/TiltUnit Photovoltaic PhotovoltaicControllerApplication PhotovoltaicControllerElement PhotovoltaicControllerUnit PhotovoltaicModule PhotovoltaicRadiator PhotovoltaicRadiatorGrappleFixture PhotovoltaicThermalControlSystem PortableWorkPlatform PortableWaterReservoir PitchYawRoll QuickDisconnect Refrigerator/Freezer RussiantoAmericanConverterUnit RussianAudioInterfaceUnit RandomAccessMemory RheostatAirMixValve RightBlanketBox RemoteBusIsolator

August 2006

ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS

77

 RBVM RCC RCS RDA RF RFCA RFG RGA RHC RHX RIC RJMC RMS ROS RPC RPCM RPDA RPM RPOP RS RSC RSP RSR RSTS RSU RT RTBox RTAS RTD RTL RWS S S&M SA SABB SAGE SARJ SARJ_C SARJ_M SASA RadiatorBeamValveModule ReinforcedCarbonCarbon ReactionControlSystem RetainerDoorAssembly RadioFrequency RackFlowControlAssembly RadioFrequencyGroup RateGyroAssemblies RotationalHandController RegenerativeHeatExchanger RackInterfaceController RotaryJointMotorController RemoteManipulatorSystem RussianOrbitalSegment RemotePowerController RemotePowerControllerModule RemotePowerDistributionAssembly RbarPitchManeuver RendezvousandProximityOperationsProgram RussianSegment RMSSideviewCamera ResupplyStowagePlatform ResupplyStowageRack RackStandaloneTemperatureSensor RollerSuspensionUnit RemoteSensingUnit RemoteTerminal ReactionTimeBox RocketdyneTrussAttachmentSystem ResistiveThermalDevice ReadytoLatch RoboticWorkstation Starboard StructuresandMechanisms SolarArray SolarArrayBlanketBox SpaceArabidoposisGenomicsExperiment SolarAlphaRotaryJoint SARJController SARJManager SbandAntennaSupportAssembly

August 2006

ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS

78

 SAW SCA SCI SCU SD SDO SDS SEM SEPS SFCA SFU SGANT SHOSS SHOT SIGI SJRM SLDP SLP SM SMCC SMDP SOC SOV SPCE SPD SPDA SPDM SPG SRMS SSAS SSBA SSC SSMDM SSOR SSP SSRMS SSSH SSSR SSU STCR STES STR SolarArrayWing SwitchgearControllerAssembly SignalConditioningInterface ServiceandCoolingUmbilical SmokeDetector SolenoidDriverOutput SampleDeliverySystem ShuntElectronicsModule SecondaryElectricalPowerSubsystem SystemFlowControlAssembly SquibFiringUnit SpacetoGroundAntenna SpacehabOceaneeringSpaceSystem SpaceHardwareOptimizationTechnology SpaceIntegratedGlobalPositioningSystem/InertialNavigationSystem SingleJointRateMode SpacelabDataProcessing SpacelabLogisticsPallet ServiceModule ShuttleMissionControlCenter ServiceModuleDebrisPanel StateofCharge ShutoffValve ServicingPerformanceandCheckoutEquipment SpoolPositioningDevice SecondaryPowerDistributionAssembly SpecialPurposeDexterousManipulator SinglePointGround ShuttleRemoteManipulatorSystem SegmenttoSegmentAttachSystem SpaceStationBufferAmplifier StationSupportComputer SpaceStationMultiplexer/Demultiplexer SpacetoSpaceOrbiterRatio StandardSwitchPanel SpaceStationRemoteManipulatorSystem SpaceShuttleSystemsHandbook SpacetoSpaceStationRadio SequentialShuntUnit StarboardThermalControlRadiator SingleThermalEnclosureSystem StarboardThermalRadiator

August 2006

ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS

79

 SVS TA TAA TAH TBA TC TCCS TCCV TCS TD TDRS TDRSS TEA TFR THC THOR TI TORF TORU TORVA TPL TRAC TRC TRRJ TSP TTCR TUS TVIS TWMV UCCAS UDG UF UHF UIA UIP ULF UMA UOP USL USOS SpaceVisionSystem ThrusterAssist TriaxialAccelerometerAssembly TrayActuationHandle TrundleBearingAssembly TerminalComputer TraceContaminantControlSubassembly TemperatureControlandCheckValve TrajectoryControlSensor TranslationDrive TrackingandDataRelaySatellite TrackingandDataRelaySatelliteSystem TorqueEquilibriumAttitude TranslationFootRestraint TemperatureandHumidityControl ThermalOperationsandResourcesOfficer TerminalPhaseInitiation TwiceOrbitalRateFlyaround TeleoperatorControlMode TwiceOrbitalRate+Rbarto+VbarApproach TransferPriorityList TestofReactionandAdaptionCapabilities TransmitterReceiverController ThermalRadiatorRotaryJoint TwistedShieldedPair TrailingThermalControlRadiator TrailingUmbilicalSystem TreadmillVibrationIsolationSystem ThreeWayMixingValve UnpressurizedCargoCarrierAttachSystem UserDataGeneration UtilizationFlight UltrahighFrequency UmbilicalInterfaceAssembly UtilityInterfacePanel UtilizationLogisticsFlight UmbilicalMechanismAssembly UtilityOutletPanel U.S.Laboratory UnitedStatesOnOrbitSegment

August 2006

ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS

80

 UTA VAJ VBSP VCP VDS VDU VES VGS VRCV VRIV VRS VRV VSC VSSA W/S WETA WHS WIF WRM WS WVA XPOP ZCGSS ZSR UtilityTransferAssembly VacuumAccessJumper VideoBasebandSignalProcessor VideoCameraPort VideoDistributionSystem VideoDistributionUnit VacuumExhaustSystem VideoGraphicsSoftware Vent/ReliefControlValve Vent/ReliefIsolationValve VESResourceSystem Vent/ReliefValve VideoSignalConverter VideoStanchionSupportAssembly Worksite WVSExternalTransceiverAssembly WorkstationHostSoftware WorksiteInterface WaterRecoveryManagement WaterSeparator WaterVentAssembly XaxisPointingOutofPlane ZeoliteCrystalGrowthSampleStowage ZerogStowageRack

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ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS

81

MEDIA ASSISTANCE

NASA TELEVISION TRANSMISSION

NASATelevisioniscarriedonanMPEG2 digitalsignalaccessedviasatelliteAMC6,at72 degreeswestlongitude,transponder17C,4040 MHz,verticalpolarization.ForthoseinAlaska orHawaii,NASATelevisionwillbeseenon AMC7,at137degreeswestlongitude, transponder18C,at4060MHz,horizontal polarization.Inbothinstances,aDigitalVideo Broadcast(DVB)compliantIntegratedReceiver Decoder(IRD)(withmodulationofQPSK/DBV, datarateof36.86andFEC)willbeneededfor reception.TheNASATelevisionscheduleand linkstostreamingvideoareavailableat: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv NASATVsdigitalconversionwillrequire membersofthebroadcastmediatoupgrade withanaddressableIntegratedReceiver Decoder,orIRD,toparticipateinlivenews eventsandinterviews,pressbriefingsand receiveNASAsVideoFilenewsfeedsona dedicatedMediaServiceschannel.NASA missioncoveragewillaironadigitalNASA PublicServices(FreetoAir)channel,for whichonlyabasicIRDwillbeneeded.The schedulefortelevisiontransmissionsfromthe orbiterandformissionbriefingswillbe availableduringthemissionatKennedySpace Center,Fla.;MarshallSpaceFlightCenter, Huntsville,Ala.;DrydenFlightResearch Center,Edwards,Calif.;JohnsonSpaceCenter,

Houston;andNASAHeadquarters, Washington.Thetelevisionschedulewillbe updatedtoreflectchangesdictatedbymission operations.

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

Briefings
Amissionpressbriefingschedulewillbeissued beforelaunch.TheupdatedNASAtelevision schedulewillindicatewhenmissionbriefings areplanned.

Internet Information
Informationonsafetyenhancementsmade sincetheColumbiaAccidentisavailableat: www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/system/index.html InformationonothercurrentNASAactivitiesis availableat: http://www.nasa.gov/home Resourcesforeducatorscanbefoundatthe followingaddress: http://education.nasa.gov

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PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACTS

HEADQUARTERS WASHINGTON, DC
AllardBeutel PublicAffairsSpecialist SpaceOperations 2023584769 KatherineTrinidad PublicAffairsSpecialist SpaceOperations 2023583749 GreyHautaluoma PublicAffairsSpecialist SpaceOperations 2023580668 MelissaMathews PublicAffairsSpecialist InternationalPartners 2023581272

LynnetteMadison PublicAffairsSpecialist Engineering 2814835111 RobNavias ProgramandMissionOperationsLead 2814835111

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER FLORIDA

BruceBuckingham NewsChief 3218612468 JessicaRye PublicAffairsSpecialist SpaceShuttle 3218672468 TracyYoung PublicAffairsSpecialist InternationalSpaceStation 3218672468

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER HOUSTON, TEXAS

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

MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA

DomAmatore PublicAffairsManager 2565440034 JuneMalone PublicAffairsSpecialist SpaceShuttlePropulsion 2565440034

August 2006

MEDIA CONTACTS

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STENNIS SPACE CENTER MISSISSIPPI

LindaTheobald PublicAffairsSpecialist 2286883249 PaulFoerman NewsChief 2286881880 RebeccaStrecker PublicAffairsSpecialist 2286883346

GLENN RESEARCH CENTER CLEVELAND, OHIO

LoriRachul NewsChief 2164338806 KatherineMartin PublicAffairsSpecialist 2164332406

LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER HAMPTON, VIRGINIA

H.KeithHenry Deputy,OfficeofPublicAffairs 7578646120

AMES RESEARCH CENTER MOFFETT FIELD, CALIFORNIA

MikeMewhinney NewsChief 6506043937 JonasDino PublicAffairsSpecialist 6506045612

UNITED SPACE ALLIANCE

MikeCurie SpaceFlightOperationsContract 2814839251 3218613805 KariFluegel HoustonOperations 2812806959 TracyYates FloridaOperations 3218613956

DRYDEN FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER CALIFORNIA

AlanBrown NewsChief 6612762665 LeslieWilliams PublicAffairsSpecialist 6612763893

BOEING
EdMemi MediaRelations BoeingNASASystems 2812264029

August 2006

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84