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CONTENTS

Sectionȱ Pageȱ

STS-123 MISSION OVERVIEW................................................................................................ 1

TIMELINE OVERVIEW .............................................................................................................. 11

MISSION PROFILE................................................................................................................... 15

MISSION PRIORITIES ............................................................................................................. 17

MISSION PERSONNEL ............................................................................................................. 19

STS-123 ENDEAVOUR CREW .................................................................................................. 21

PAYLOAD OVERVIEW .............................................................................................................. 31

K IB O O V ER V IE W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
K IB O M I S SI ON C O N T ROL CEN T E R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 39
T S UK U BA SPACE CENT ER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 43
S P A C E S TA TION I N T EG RA TI O N A ND PROM OT ION CENT E R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
J A X A ’ S EXP ER IM E N T S D UR I N G TH E 1J /A S T AG E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
J A X A A ER O SP A C E OP E N L AB PR O GRA M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
D E X T R E: CAN A D IA N R O BO T I C S FOR TH E I NT E R N A TI O N A L SPA CE S T AT I ON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

RENDEZVOUS AND DOCKING .................................................................................................. 55

U N D O CK I NG , S E PA RA TI O N A N D D EP A RTU R E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

SPACEWALKS ......................................................................................................................... 59
E V A -1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
E V A -2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
E V A -3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
E V A - 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
E V A -5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

EXPERIMENTS ......................................................................................................................... 67
D E T A IL E D T ES T O B J E CT I VE S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . 67
S H OR T- D UR A T I O N R E S EA RC H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 68

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SPACE SHUTTLE CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT ..................................................................... 73
E N D E A VO U R’S U M BIL I CA L W EL L D I GI TA L C A M ERA NO W H A S FLASH CA PA BIL IT Y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

SHUTTLE REFERENCE DATA .................................................................................................... 77

LAUNCH AND LANDING ........................................................................................................... 91

L A U N CH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
A B OR T- T O- OR B IT ( AT O ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 91
T RA N SA TL A NT I C A B OR T L A N D I NG ( TAL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
R E T UR N -T O -L A U N CH - SI T E ( R TL S ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 91
A B OR T O N C E A RO U N D (A OA ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 91
L A N D I NG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ......................................................................................... 93

MEDIA ASSISTANCE ............................................................................................................... 105

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACTS .................................................................................................. 107

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STS-123 MISSION OVERVIEW

ȱ
ThisȱgraphicȱillustratesȱEndeavourȱdockedȱtoȱtheȱInternationalȱSpaceȱStationȱȱ
asȱtheȱshuttleȱroboticȱarmȱgrapplesȱaȱcomponentȱofȱtheȱKiboȱlaboratory.ȱ
ȱ
Theȱ firstȱ pressurizedȱ componentȱ ofȱ theȱ smallerȱ ofȱ twoȱ pressurizedȱ modulesȱ ofȱ Kibo,ȱ
Japaneseȱ Kiboȱ laboratory,ȱ aȱ Canadianȱ roboticȱ willȱ beȱ attachedȱ temporarilyȱ toȱ aȱ dockingȱ portȱ
deviceȱ calledȱ Dextreȱ andȱ fiveȱ spacewalksȱ areȱ onȱtheȱspaceȬfacingȱsideȱofȱHarmony.ȱ
majorȱelementsȱofȱSTSȬ123.ȱȱEndeavour’sȱ16Ȭdayȱ
flightȱ isȱ theȱ longestȱ shuttleȱ missionȱ toȱ theȱ Kiboȱ isȱ theȱ majorȱ Japaneseȱ contributionȱ toȱ theȱ
InternationalȱSpaceȱStationȱ(ISS).ȱ station,ȱandȱwillȱincreaseȱitsȱresearchȱcapabilityȱ
inȱ aȱ varietyȱ ofȱ disciplines.ȱ ȱ Theȱ name,ȱ whichȱ
TheȱKiboȱlaboratoryȱwillȱeventuallyȱbeȱberthedȱ meansȱ “hope,”ȱ wasȱ chosenȱ byȱ theȱ Japanȱ
toȱ theȱ leftȱ sideȱ ofȱ theȱ stationȇsȱ Harmonyȱȱ Aerospaceȱ Explorationȱ Agencyȱ (JAXA)ȱ inȱ aȱ
node.ȱ ȱ Theȱ Japaneseȱ Experimentȱ Logisticsȱ nationalȱcontest.ȱ
ModuleȬPressurizedȱ Sectionȱ(ELMȬPS),ȱ theȱ

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MISSION OVERVIEW 1
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ȱ
STSȬ123ȱcrewȱmembersȱareȱattiredȱinȱtrainingȱversionsȱofȱtheirȱshuttleȱlaunchȱandȱentryȱsuits.ȱȱȱ
FromȱtheȱleftȱareȱastronautsȱRickȱLinnehan,ȱRobertȱL.ȱBehnken,ȱbothȱmissionȱspecialists;ȱȱ
GregoryȱH.ȱJohnson,ȱpilot;ȱGarrettȱReisman,ȱmissionȱspecialist;ȱDominicȱGorie,ȱȱ
commander;ȱMikeȱForemanȱandȱJAXA’sȱTakaoȱDoi,ȱbothȱmissionȱspecialists.ȱ
ȱ
Dextre,ȱtheȱCanadianȱdevice,ȱwillȱworkȱwithȱtheȱ Onceȱ assembled,ȱ Dextreȱ willȱ lookȱ aȱ littleȱ likeȱ aȱ
station’sȱroboticȱarm,ȱCanadarm2.ȱȱDesignedȱforȱ humanȱ upperȱ torsoȱ stickȱ figure.ȱ ȱ Itȱ willȱ haveȱ
stationȱ maintenanceȱ andȱ service,ȱ Dextreȱ isȱ twoȱ arms,ȱ andȱ beȱ capableȱ ofȱ performingȱ
capableȱ ofȱ sensingȱ forcesȱ andȱ movementȱ ofȱ delicateȱtasksȱandȱusingȱtools.ȱȱItsȱfourȱcamerasȱ
objectsȱitȱisȱmanipulating.ȱȱItȱcanȱautomaticallyȱ willȱgiveȱcrewȱmembersȱinsideȱtheȱstationȱviewsȱ
compensateȱforȱthoseȱforcesȱandȱmovementsȱtoȱ ofȱ itsȱ activities.ȱ ȱ Dextreȱ willȱ beȱ ableȱ toȱ workȱ
ensureȱanȱobjectȱisȱmovedȱsmoothly.ȱ fromȱ theȱ endȱ ofȱ Canadarm2,ȱ orȱ fromȱ theȱ
orbitingȱlaboratory’sȱmobileȱbaseȱsystem.ȱ
Dextreȱ isȱ theȱ finalȱ elementȱ ofȱ theȱ Mobileȱ
ServicingȱSystem,ȱpartȱofȱCanada’sȱcontributionȱ TheȱSTSȬ123ȱmission,ȱalsoȱcalledȱassemblyȱflightȱ
toȱ theȱ station.ȱ ȱ Theȱ nameȱ wasȱ chosenȱ byȱ 1J/A,ȱ includesȱ representationȱ ofȱ allȱ fiveȱ stationȱ
Canadianȱstudentsȱinȱaȱnationalȱcontest.ȱȱDextreȱ partnerȱ interestsȱ —ȱ theȱ U.S.,ȱ Japan,ȱ Canada,ȱ
hadȱ beenȱ calledȱ theȱ Specialȱ Purposeȱ Dexterousȱ RussiaȱandȱtheȱEuropeanȱSpaceȱAgency.ȱ
Manipulator.ȱ

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MISSION OVERVIEW MARCH 2008
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Theȱ flightȱ includesȱ fiveȱ scheduledȱ spacewalks.ȱȱ
Threeȱ ofȱ themȱ willȱ includeȱ tasksȱ devotedȱ toȱ
assemblyȱ ofȱ Dextreȱ andȱ installationȱ ofȱ relatedȱ
equipment.ȱ
Spacewalkersȱ alsoȱ willȱ stowȱ theȱ Orbiterȱ Boomȱ
Sensorȱ Systemȱ (OBSS),ȱ theȱ extensionȱ ofȱ theȱ
shuttle’sȱ roboticȱ arm,ȱ ontoȱ theȱ station’sȱ mainȱ
trussȱduringȱtheȱfifthȱspacewalk.ȱ

Otherȱ spacewalkȱ activitiesȱ includeȱ workȱ toȱ
unberthȱ Kibo’sȱ ELMȬPS,ȱ installationȱ ofȱ spareȱ
partsȱ andȱ tools,ȱ installationȱ ofȱ aȱ materialsȱ
experiment,ȱ replacementȱ ofȱ aȱ circuitȬbreakerȱ
boxȱ andȱ demonstrationȱ ofȱ aȱ repairȱ procedureȱ
forȱ tilesȱ ofȱ theȱ shuttle’sȱ heatȱ shield.ȱȱ
Theȱ boomȱ sensorȱ systemȱ isȱ beingȱ leftȱ onȱ theȱ
stationȱ becauseȱ theȱ sizeȱ ofȱ theȱ largeȱ Japaneseȱ
pressurizedȱmoduleȱtoȱbeȱlaunchedȱonȱSTSȬ124ȱ
won’tȱallowȱitȱtoȱbeȱcarriedȱinȱDiscovery’sȱcargoȱ
bay.ȱȱTheȱOBSSȱwillȱbeȱreturnedȱtoȱEarthȱatȱtheȱ
endȱofȱthatȱmission.ȱ

ȱ
ThisȱgraphicȱdepictsȱtheȱlocationȱofȱtheȱSTSȬ123ȱpayloadȱhardware.ȱ

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MISSION OVERVIEW 3
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AstronautȱDominicȱGorie,ȱSTSȬ123ȱcommander,ȱdonsȱaȱtrainingȱversionȱofȱhisȱshuttleȱlaunchȱandȱ
entryȱsuitȱinȱpreparationȱforȱaȱpostȱinsertion/deȬorbitȱtrainingȱsessionȱatȱJohnsonȱSpaceȱCenterȱ(JSC).ȱ

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MISSION OVERVIEW MARCH 2008
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DominicȱGorieȱ(GORȬee),ȱ50,ȱaȱveteranȱofȱthreeȱ
spaceȱ flightsȱ andȱ aȱ retiredȱ Navyȱ captain,ȱ willȱ
commandȱEndeavour.ȱȱTheȱspacecraft’sȱ pilotȱ isȱ
Gregoryȱ H.ȱ Johnson,ȱ 45,ȱ anȱ Airȱ Forceȱ colonel.ȱȱ
STSȬ123ȱ missionȱ specialistsȱ areȱ Robertȱ L.ȱ
Behnkenȱ (BANKȬen),ȱ 37,ȱ anȱ Airȱ Forceȱ major;ȱ
Navyȱ Capt.ȱ Mikeȱ Foreman,ȱ 50;ȱ Japaneseȱ
astronautȱ Takaoȱ (tahȬcowe)ȱ Doiȱ (DOY),ȱ 53;ȱȱ
Rickȱ Linnehanȱ (LINȬehȬhan),ȱ 50,ȱ aȱ veteranȱ ofȱ
threeȱ shuttleȱ flights;ȱ andȱ Garrettȱ Reismanȱ
(REESȬman),ȱ39.ȱ

ȱ
AstronautsȱRobertȱL.ȱBehnkenȱ(left)ȱandȱJapanȱAerospaceȱExplorationȱAgency’sȱȱ
TakaoȱDoi,ȱbothȱSTSȬ123ȱmissionȱspecialists,ȱparticipateȱinȱaȱtrainingȱsessionȱȱ
inȱtheȱSpaceȱVehicleȱMockupȱFacilityȱatȱtheȱJSC.ȱ

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MISSION OVERVIEW
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Reismanȱ willȱ remainȱ aboardȱ theȱ stationȱ withȱ
Commanderȱ Peggyȱ Whitsonȱ andȱ fellowȱ Flightȱ
Engineerȱ Yuriȱ Malenchenkoȱ (malȱ ENȱ chenȱ ko).ȱȱ
Heȱ willȱ replaceȱ Leopoldȱ Eyhartsȱ (¬Ȭarts),ȱ aȱ
Frenchȱ Airȱ Forceȱ generalȱ andȱ Europeanȱ Spaceȱ
Agencyȱ astronautȱ whoȱ willȱ returnȱ toȱ Earthȱ onȱ
Endeavour.ȱ ȱ Eyhartsȱ wasȱ launchedȱ toȱ theȱ staȬ
tionȱaboardȱAtlantisȱonȱSTSȬ122.ȱ
Theȱ dayȱ afterȱ Endeavour’sȱ launchȱ fromȱ
Kennedyȱ Spaceȱ Centerȱ inȱ Florida,ȱ Gorie,ȱ
Johnsonȱ andȱ Doiȱ willȱ useȱ theȱ shuttle’sȱ roboticȱ
armȱ andȱ itsȱ OBSSȱ forȱ theȱ standardȱ surveyȱȱ
ofȱ Endeavour’sȱ heatȬresistantȱ reinforcedȱ
carbonȬcarbonȱ andȱ heatȱ shieldȱ tiles.ȱ ȱ Behnken,ȱ
Linnehanȱ andȱ Reismanȱ willȱ checkȱ outȱ theȱ
spacesuitsȱonȱEndeavour.ȱ
Flightȱ dayȱ 3ȱ isȱ dockingȱ day.ȱ ȱ Onceȱ Endeavourȱ
reachesȱaȱpointȱaboutȱ600ȱfeetȱbelowȱtheȱstation,ȱ
Gorieȱ willȱ flyȱ itȱ inȱ aȱ backȱ flip,ȱ soȱ stationȱ crewȱ
membersȱ canȱ photographȱ itsȱ heatȱ shield.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
digitalȱ imagesȱ willȱ beȱ sentȱ toȱ theȱ groundȱ forȱ
analysis.ȱ ȱ Gorieȱ thenȱ willȱ flyȱ Endeavourȱ toȱ aȱ
pointȱaheadȱofȱtheȱstationȱandȱmaneuverȱitȱtoȱaȱ
dockingȱ withȱ Pressurizedȱ Matingȱ Adapterȱ
No.ȱ2,ȱatȱtheȱforwardȱendȱofȱtheȱHarmonyȱnode.ȱ

ȱ
Thisȱgraphicȱdepictsȱtheȱrendezvousȱpitchȱmaneuverȱwhileȱcrewȱaboardȱtheȱȱ
ISSȱphotographȱtheȱorbiterȱforȱanalysisȱbyȱspecialistsȱonȱtheȱground.ȱ

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MISSION OVERVIEW MARCH 2008
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ȱ

ȱ
AstronautsȱGregoryȱH.ȱJohnsonȱ(background),ȱSTSȬ123ȱpilot,ȱandȱGarrettȱReisman,ȱȱ
Expeditionȱ16ȱflightȱengineer,ȱuseȱtheȱvirtualȱrealityȱlabȱatȱJSCȱtoȱtrainȱforȱsomeȱȱ
ofȱtheirȱdutiesȱaboardȱtheȱspaceȱshuttleȱandȱspaceȱstation.ȱ
ȱ
Reismanȱ willȱ becomeȱ aȱ stationȱ crewȱ memberȱ Eyhartsȱ willȱ operateȱ theȱ station’sȱ Canadarm2.ȱȱ
withȱtheȱexchangeȱofȱhisȱcustomȱSoyuzȱseatlinerȱ Tasksȱ includeȱ preparationȱ forȱ theȱ ELMȬPSȱ
withȱthatȱofȱEyharts,ȱwhoȱjoinsȱtheȱshuttleȱcrewȱ installationȱandȱworkȱonȱDextreȱassembly.ȱȱDoiȱ
forȱhisȱflightȱhome.ȱȱJohnsonȱandȱBehnkenȱwillȱ andȱGorieȱwillȱsubsequentlyȱinstallȱtheȱELMȬPSȱ
useȱ theȱ station’sȱ Canadarm2ȱ toȱ removeȱ theȱ onȱHarmonyȱwithȱtheȱshuttleȱarm.ȱ
palletȱ containingȱ Dextreȱ fromȱ theȱ payloadȱ bayȱ
andȱ attachȱ itȱ toȱ aȱ fixtureȱ onȱ theȱ station’sȱ mainȱ Flightȱ dayȱ 5ȱ includesȱ outfittingȱ ofȱ theȱ ELMȬPSȱ
truss.ȱ ȱ Aȱ reviewȱ ofȱ proceduresȱ forȱ theȱ firstȱ vestibule,ȱ ELMȬPSȱ entryȱ byȱ Doiȱ andȱ Linnehan,ȱ
spacewalkȱ willȱ windȱ upȱ theȱ Endeavourȱ crew’sȱ transferȱ ofȱ equipmentȱ andȱ suppliesȱ betweenȱ
workingȱday.ȱ shuttleȱ andȱ station,ȱ andȱ briefingsȱ onȱ stationȱ
activitiesȱ forȱ theȱ newȱ stationȱ crewȱ memberȱ
Flightȱ dayȱ 4ȱ focusesȱ onȱ theȱ firstȱ spacewalk,ȱ byȱ Reisman.ȱ ȱ Anȱ hourȬlongȱ procedureȱ reviewȱ
LinnehanȱandȱReisman.ȱȱForemanȱwillȱserveȱasȱ looksȱaheadȱtoȱtheȱsecondȱspacewalk.ȱ
intravehicularȱ officer,ȱ whileȱ Behnkenȱ andȱ

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ȱ
AstronautȱRickȱLinnehan,ȱSTSȬ123ȱmissionȱspecialist,ȱparticipatesȱinȱȱ
anȱExtravehicularȱMobilityȱUnitȱspacesuitȱfitȱcheckȱinȱtheȱSpaceȱStationȱȱ
AirlockȱTestȱArticleȱ(SSATA)ȱinȱtheȱCrewȱSystemsȱLaboratory.ȱȱAstronautȱȱ
RobertȱL.ȱBehnken,ȱmissionȱspecialist,ȱassistsȱLinnehan.ȱ

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Theȱ secondȱ spacewalk,ȱ withȱ Linnehanȱ andȱ
Foreman,ȱ isȱ scheduledȱ forȱ flightȱ dayȱ 6.ȱ ȱ Itȱ willȱ
focusȱ onȱ Dextreȱ andȱ includeȱ installationȱ ofȱ itsȱ
twoȱarms.ȱȱBehnkenȱwillȱprovideȱintravehicularȱ
supportȱ whileȱ Johnsonȱ andȱ Reismanȱ operateȱ
Canadarm2.ȱ
Flightȱdayȱ7ȱisȱfilledȱwithȱaȱvarietyȱofȱactivities,ȱ
includingȱworkȱwithȱtheȱnewȱJapaneseȱmoduleȱ
andȱ transferȱ operations.ȱ ȱ Theȱ standardȱ
spacewalkȱ proceduresȱ review,ȱ thisȱ oneȱ forȱ theȱ
thirdȱ spacewalk,ȱ comesȱ towardȱ theȱ endȱ ofȱ theȱ
crewȱday.ȱ
EVAȬ3,ȱ byȱ Linnehanȱ andȱ Behnken,ȱ willȱ occurȱ
onȱ flightȱ dayȱ 8,ȱ withȱ Foremanȱ providingȱ
intravehicularȱ support.ȱ ȱ Johnsonȱ andȱ Reismanȱ
willȱ runȱ Canadarm2ȱ toȱ helpȱ theȱ spacewalkersȱ
stowȱ replacementȱ gearȱ andȱ installȱ aȱ materialsȱ
experimentȱ andȱ aȱ Dextreȱ platformȱ forȱ spareȱ
parts.ȱ
Flightȱ dayȱ 9ȱ isȱ highlightedȱ byȱ roboticsȱ
operations,ȱ withȱ theȱ stationȱ armȱ manipulatingȱ
Dextre.ȱȱTheȱarmȱfirstȱwillȱmoveȱDextreȱfromȱitsȱ
palletȱ toȱ aȱ powerȱ andȱ dataȱ grappleȱ fixtureȱ onȱ
theȱ U.S.ȱ laboratoryȱ Destiny.ȱ ȱ Theȱ armȱ willȱ
returnȱ theȱ palletȱ toȱ Endeavour’sȱ payloadȱ bayȱ
andȱ thenȱ moveȱ Dextreȱ again,ȱ thisȱ timeȱ toȱ aȱ
positionȱwhereȱitȱwillȱbeȱprotectedȱduringȱaȱtileȱ
repairȱtestȱonȱspacewalkȱfour.ȱ
Flightȱ dayȱ 10ȱ includesȱ someȱ offȬdutyȱ timeȱ forȱ
shuttleȱ crewȱ membersȱ andȱ toolȱ configurationȱ
forȱ spacewalkȱ four,ȱ preparationsȱ forȱ theȱ tileȱ
repairȱ test,ȱ andȱ theȱ standardȱ dayȬbeforeȱ
spacewalkȱproceduresȱreview.ȱ

ȱ
Attiredȱinȱaȱtrainingȱversionȱofȱhisȱshuttleȱlaunchȱandȱentryȱsuit,ȱastronautȱMikeȱForeman,ȱȱ
STSȬ123ȱmissionȱspecialist,ȱtakesȱaȱmomentȱforȱaȱphotoȱduringȱaȱtrainingȱsessionȱinȱtheȱȱ
SpaceȱVehicleȱMockupȱFacility.ȱ

MARCH 2008
ȱ
MISSION OVERVIEW
 ȱ
ȱ
Onȱ flightȱ dayȱ 11,ȱ Behnkenȱ andȱ Foremanȱ areȱ
scheduledȱ toȱ doȱ EVAȬ4,ȱ withȱ intravehicularȱ
supportȱfromȱLinnehan.ȱȱTheȱspacewalkȱincludesȱ
theȱshuttleȱtileȱrepairȱtestȱandȱchangeȱoutȱofȱanȱISSȱ
circuitȱbreaker.ȱ
AnȱOBSSȱsurveyȱofȱEndeavour’sȱwingsȱandȱnoseȱ
capȱ byȱ Gorie,ȱ Johnsonȱ andȱ Doiȱ isȱ scheduledȱ forȱ
flightȱ dayȱ 12.ȱ ȱ Onceȱ again,ȱ spacewalkȱ toolsȱ
configurationȱ andȱ theȱ endȬofȬdayȱ proceduresȱ
reviewȱ forȱ theȱ flight’sȱ finalȱ spacewalkȱ areȱ alsoȱ
planned.ȱ
Duringȱ theȱ fifthȱ andȱ finalȱ spacewalkȱ onȱ flightȱȱ
dayȱ13,ȱBehnkenȱandȱForemanȱwillȱstowȱtheȱOBSSȱ
onȱ theȱ station’sȱ mainȱ truss.ȱ ȱ Withȱ Linnehanȱ asȱ
intravehicularȱ officer,ȱ they’llȱ alsoȱ releaseȱ launchȱ
locksȱ onȱ Harmony’sȱ leftȱ andȱ EarthȬfacingȱ
commonȱberthingȱmechanismsȱandȱperformȱotherȱ
tasksȱ includingȱ installationȱ ofȱ Trundleȱ Bearingȱ
Assemblyȱ5ȱinȱstarboard ȱSolarȱAlphaȱRotaryȱJointȱ
(SARJ)ȱandȱmoreȱSARJȱinspectionȱwork.ȱ
ThisȱimageȱshowsȱtheȱpressurizedȱKiboȱJapaneseȱExperimentȱLogisticsȱȱ
ModuleȱthatȱwillȱbeȱinstalledȱduringȱtheȱSTSȬ123ȱmission.ȱ
10
ȱ
MISSION OVERVIEW
Muchȱofȱflightȱdayȱ14’sȱmorningȱwillȱbeȱoffȬdutyȱ
timeȱforȱshuttleȱcrewȱmembers.ȱȱLaterȱthey’llȱalsoȱ
holdȱ theȱ jointȱ crewȱ newsȱ conference,ȱ wrapȱ upȱ
equipmentȱ andȱ logisticsȱ transfersȱ betweenȱ theȱ
stationȱ andȱ shuttleȱ andȱ checkȱ outȱ rendezvousȱ
tools.ȱ
Highlightingȱ flightȱ dayȱ 15ȱ areȱ crewȱ farewells,ȱ
hatchȱ closings,ȱ undocking,ȱ Endeavour’sȱ
flyȬaroundȱofȱtheȱstationȱwithȱpilotȱJohnsonȱatȱtheȱ
controls,ȱandȱdeparture.ȱ
Landingȱ preparations,ȱ includingȱ checkoutȱ ofȱ theȱ
flightȱ controlȱ systemȱ andȱ theȱ reactionȱ controlȱ
system,ȱ areȱ theȱ focusȱ ofȱ flightȱ dayȱ 16.ȱ ȱ Crewȱ
membersȱwillȱstowȱitemsȱinȱtheȱcabinȱandȱholdȱaȱ
deorbitȱbriefingȱjustȱbeforeȱbedtime.ȱ
Deorbitȱpreparations,ȱandȱlandingȱatȱtheȱKennedyȱ
Spaceȱ Centerȱ (KSC)ȱ onȱ flightȱ dayȱ 17ȱ windȱ upȱ
Endeavour’sȱ lengthyȱ andȱ demandingȱ STSȬ123ȱ
missionȱtoȱtheȱISS.ȱ
ȱ
MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ
TIMELINE OVERVIEW
ȱ
Flight Day 1
x Launchȱ
x PayloadȱBayȱDoorȱOpeningȱ
x KuȬbandȱAntennaȱDeploymentȱ
x ShuttleȱRoboticȱArmȱActivationȱandȱ
Checkoutȱ
x UmbilicalȱWellȱandȱHandheldȱExternalȱ
TankȱVideoȱandȱStillsȱDownlinkȱ
2
x EndeavourȱThermalȱProtectionȱSystemȱ
SurveyȱwithȱOBSSȱ
x ExtravehicularȱMobilityȱUnitȱCheckoutȱ
x CenterlineȱCameraȱInstallationȱ
x OrbiterȱDockingȱSystemȱRingȱExtensionȱ
x OrbitalȱManeuveringȱSystemȱPodȱSurveyȱ
x RendezvousȱToolsȱCheckoutȱ
3
x RendezvousȱwithȱtheȱISSȱ
x RendezvousȱPitchȱManeuverȱPhotographyȱ
byȱtheȱExpeditionȱ16ȱCrewȱ
x DockingȱtoȱHarmony/PressurizedȱMatingȱ
AdapterȬ2ȱ
x HatchȱOpeningȱandȱWelcomingȱ
x StationȬtoȬShuttleȱPowerȱTransferȱSystemȱ
(SSPTS)ȱActivationȱ
MARCH 2008
ȱ
TIMELINE OVERVIEW
x Canadarm2ȱGrappleȱofȱSpacelabȱPalletȱ
containingȱtheȱDextreȱSpecialȱPurposeȱ
DexterousȱManipulatorȱ(SPDM)ȱandȱ
transferȱandȱmateȱtoȱtheȱPayloadȱOrbitalȱ
ReplacementȱUnitȱAttachmentȱDeviceȱ
(POA)ȱonȱtheȱMobileȱBaseȱSystem.ȱ
x ReismanȱandȱEyhartsȱexchangeȱSoyuzȱ
seatliners;ȱReismanȱjoinsȱExpeditionȱ16,ȱ
EyhartsȱjoinsȱtheȱSTSȬ123ȱcrewȱ
x ExtravehicularȱActivityȱ(EVA)ȱ1ȱProcedureȱ
Reviewȱ
x EVAȱ1ȱCampoutȱbyȱLinnehanȱandȱReismanȱ
x EVAȱ1ȱbyȱLinnehanȱandȱReismanȱJapaneseȱ
ExperimentȱLogisticsȱModuleȬPressurizedȱ
Sectionȱ(ELMȬPS)ȱunberthȱpreparations,ȱ
OrbitalȱReplacementȱUnitȱandȱToolȱ
ChangeoutȱMechanismȱinstallationȱonȱeachȱ
ofȱDextre’sȱtwoȱarmsȱ
x JEMȱELMȬPSȱGrapple,ȱUnberthȱandȱ
InstallationȱonȱZenithȱPortȱofȱHarmonyȱ
x JEMȱELMȬPSȱIngressȱPreparationsȱ
x JEMȱELMȬPSȱIngressȱ
x Canadarm2ȱGrappleȱofȱOBSSȱandȱHandoffȱ
toȱShuttleȱRoboticȱArmȱ
x EVAȱ2ȱProcedureȱReviewȱ
x EVAȱ2ȱCampoutȱbyȱLinnehanȱandȱForemanȱ
11
 ȱ
ȱ
11
x EVAȱ2ȱbyȱLinnehanȱandȱForemanȱ(Dextreȱ x EVAȱ4ȱbyȱForemanȱandȱBehnkenȱ(TȬRADȱ
assembly)ȱ DTO,ȱRemoteȱPowerȱControlȱModuleȱ
replacementȱincludingȱtemporaryȱCMGȬ2ȱ
x DextreȱJointȱandȱBrakeȱTestsȱandȱ
shutdownȱandȱspinup)ȱ
Diagnosticsȱ
x RetrieveȱtheȱJEMȱTVȱElectronicsȱBoomȱfromȱ
x JEMȱELMȬPSȱOutfittingȱ
theȱELMȬPSȱ

12
x JEMȱELMȬPSȱRacksȱandȱSystemsȱOutfittingȱ
x OBSSȱInspectionȱofȱEndeavour’sȱHeatȱ
x DextreȱArmȱandȱBrakeȱTestsȱ Shieldȱ

x EVAȱ3ȱProcedureȱReviewȱ
x EVAȱ3ȱCampoutȱbyȱLinnehanȱandȱBehnkenȱ
8
x EVAȱ3ȱbyȱLinnehanȱandȱBehnkenȱ(Orbitalȱ
ReplacementȱUnitȱstowage,ȱMISSEȬ6ȱ
lightweightȱadapterȱplateȱassemblyȱ
installationȱandȱtransferȱofȱMISSEȬ6ȱ
experimentsȱtoȱColumbusȱandȱDextreȱspareȱ
partȱplatformȱandȱtoolȱhandlingȱassembly)ȱ
x DextreȱEndȱEffectorȱCheckoutȱandȱ
Calibrationȱ
x MobileȱTransporterȱMoveȱfromȱWorksiteȱ6ȱ
toȱWorksiteȱ4ȱ
x EVAȱ5ȱProcedureȱReviewȱ
x EVAȱ5ȱCampoutȱbyȱForemanȱandȱBehnkenȱ
13
x EVAȱ5ȱbyȱForemanȱandȱBehnkenȱ(OBSSȱ
stowȱonȱstationȱtruss,ȱrepairȱandȱ
replacementȱofȱDestinyȱLaboratoryȱ
micrometeoroidȱdebrisȱshields,ȱreleaseȱofȱ
launchȱlocksȱonȱHarmonyȱportȱandȱnadirȱ
CommonȱBerthingȱMechanisms)ȱ

x InstallationȱofȱTrundleȱBearingȱAssemblyȱ5ȱ
inȱstarboard SARJ ȱ
x CrewȱOffȱDutyȱPeriodsȱ
x SARJȱInspectionȱ
x Canadarm2ȱGrappleȱofȱDextreȱandȱTransferȱ
toȱPowerȱandȱDataȱGrappleȱFixtureȱonȱ 1
DestinyȱLaboratory;ȱDextre’sȱL.C.ȱArmsȱareȱ
x JointȱCrewȱNewsȱConferenceȱ
Stowedȱ
x CrewȱOffȱDutyȱPeriodsȱ
x TȬRADȱEVAȱHardwareȱPreparationȱ
x RendezvousȱToolsȱCheckoutȱ
10
x FinalȱTransfersȱ
x CrewȱOffȱDutyȱPeriodsȱ

x EVAȱ4ȱProcedureȱReviewȱ

x EVAȱ4ȱCampoutȱbyȱForemanȱandȱBehnkenȱ

12
ȱ
TIME INE OVERVIEW MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ
1 x EuropeanȱSpaceȱAgency’sȱ(ESA’s)ȱ
PAOȱEventȱ
x FinalȱFarewellsȱandȱHatchȱClosingȱ
x Eyharts’ȱRecumbentȱSeatȱSetȱUpȱ
x Undockingȱ
x CrewȱDeorbitȱBriefingȱ
x FlyaroundȱofȱtheȱISSȱ
x KuȬBandȱAntennaȱStowageȱ
x FinalȱSeparationȱ
1
1
x DeorbitȱPreparationsȱ
x FlightȱControlȱSystemȱCheckoutȱ
x PayloadȱBayȱDoorȱClosingȱ
x ReactionȱControlȱSystemȱHotȬFireȱTestȱ
x DeorbitȱBurnȱ
x CabinȱStowageȱ
x KSCȱLandingȱ

13
ȱ
TIME INE OVERVIEW MARCH 2008
 ȱ
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1
ȱ
TIME INE OVERVIEW MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ

MISSION PROFILE
ȱ
CREW Space Shuttle Main Engines:

Commander:ȱ DominicȱGorieȱ SSMEȱ1:ȱ 2047ȱ

Pilot:ȱ GregoryȱH.ȱJohnsonȱ SSMEȱ2:ȱ 2044ȱ
MissionȱSpecialistȱ1:ȱ RobertȱL.ȱBehnkenȱ SSMEȱ3:ȱ 2054ȱ
MissionȱSpecialistȱ2:ȱ MikeȱForemanȱ ExternalȱTank:ȱ ETȬ126ȱ
MissionȱSpecialistȱ3:ȱ TakaoȱDoiȱ SRBȱSet:ȱ BIȬ133ȱ
MissionȱSpecialistȱ4:ȱ RickȱLinnehanȱ RSRMȱSet:ȱ 101ȱ
MissionȱSpecialistȱ5:ȱ GarrettȱReismanȱ(Up)ȱ
MissionȱSpecialistȱ5:ȱ LéopoldȱEyhartsȱ(Down)ȱ SHUTTLE ABORTS

LAUNCH Abort Landing Sites

Orbiter:ȱ Endeavourȱ(OVȬ105)ȱ RTLS:ȱ KennedyȱSpaceȱCenterȱShuttleȱ

LaunchȱSite:ȱ KennedyȱSpaceȱCenterȱ LandingȱFacilityȱ
LaunchȱPadȱ39Aȱ TAL:ȱ Primaryȱ–ȱZaragoza,ȱSpainȱ
LaunchȱDate:ȱ Marchȱ11,ȱ2008ȱ Alternatesȱ–ȱMoron,ȱSpainȱandȱ
LaunchȱTime:ȱ 2:28ȱa.m.ȱEDTȱ(Preferredȱ Istres,ȱFranceȱ
InȬPlaneȱlaunchȱtimeȱforȱ AOA:ȱ Primaryȱ–ȱKennedyȱSpaceȱCenterȱ
3/11)ȱ ShuttleȱLandingȱFacility;ȱȱ
LaunchȱWindow:ȱ 5ȱMinutesȱ Alternateȱ–ȱWhiteȱSandsȱSpaceȱ
Altitude:ȱ 122ȱNauticalȱMilesȱ Harborȱ
(140ȱMiles)ȱOrbitalȱ
Insertion;ȱ185ȱNMȱ LANDING
(213ȱMiles)ȱRendezvousȱ
LandingȱDate:ȱ Marchȱ26,ȱ2008ȱ
Inclination:ȱ 51.6ȱDegreesȱ
LandingȱTime:ȱ 8:35ȱp.m.ȱEDTȱ
Duration:ȱ 15ȱDaysȱ16ȱHoursȱ
PrimaryȱlandingȱSite:ȱ KennedyȱSpaceȱCenterȱ
48ȱMinutesȱ
ShuttleȱLandingȱFacilityȱ

VEHICLE DATA PAYLOADS

ShuttleȱLiftoffȱWeight:ȱ 4,521,086ȱ KiboȱLogisticsȱModule,ȱDextreȱRoboticsȱSystem
poundsȱ
Orbiter/PayloadȱLiftoffȱWeight:ȱ 269,767ȱ
poundsȱ
Orbiter/PayloadȱLandingȱWeight:ȱ 207,582ȱ
poundsȱ
SoftwareȱVersion:ȱ OIȬ32ȱ

MARCH 2008
ȱ
MISSION PROFILE 15
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1
ȱ
MISSION RO I E MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ

MISSION PRIORITIES
ȱ
1.ȱ DockȱEndeavourȱtoȱPressurizedȱMatingȱ 8.ȱ InstallȱumbilicalȱforȱkeepȬaliveȱpowerȱandȱ
AdapterȬ2ȱandȱdoȱstationȱsafetyȱbriefingsȱ stowȱOBSSȱonȱstationȱ
forȱallȱcrewȱmembersȱ
9.ȱ Transferȱwaterȱfromȱshuttleȱtoȱspaceȱstationȱ
2.ȱ ReplaceȱExpeditionȱ16ȱFlightȱEngineerȱ
LeopoldȱEyhartsȱwithȱExpeditionȱ16/17ȱ 10.ȱ Transferȱcriticalȱitemsȱ
FlightȱEngineerȱGarrettȱReismanȱandȱ
11.ȱ TransferȱEuropeanȱplantȱexperimentȱ
transferȱcrewȱrotationȱcargoȱ
(WAICO)ȱsamplesȱfromȱstationȱtoȱshuttleȱ
3.ȱ Transferȱremainingȱitemsȱonȱflightȱ incubatorȱ
ballastingȱplanȱ
12.ȱ TransferȱtwoȱdoubleȬcoldȱbagsȱwithȱHumanȱ
4.ȱ InstallȱtheȱELMȬPS,ȱtheȱsmallerȱofȱtwoȱ ResearchȱProgramȱ(HRP)ȱnutritionȱsamplesȱ
pressurizedȱmodulesȱofȱKibo,ȱtoȱaȱ andȱIMMUNOȱsamplesȱtoȱshuttleȱmidȬdeckȱ
temporaryȱpositionȱonȱaȱdockingȱportȱonȱtheȱ
13.ȱ AssembleȱandȱdeployȱSPDMȱDextreȱ
spaceȬfacingȱsideȱofȱHarmonyȱ
14.ȱ UseȱCanadarm2ȱtoȱberthȱSPDMȱDextreȱ
5.ȱ DoȱcriticalȱELMȬPSȱactivationȱ
palletȱ
6.ȱ Usingȱtheȱstation’sȱCanadarm2,ȱunberthȱtheȱ
15.ȱ TransferȱCanadarm2ȱyawȱjointȱfromȱ
SPDM,ȱorȱDextre,ȱonȱitsȱpalletȱandȱinstallȱitȱ
shuttleȱtoȱstationȱExternalȱStowageȱ
inȱaȱtemporaryȱpositionȱonȱtheȱstationȱ
PlatformȬ2ȱ(ESPȬ2)ȱ
7.ȱ DoȱMobileȱBaseȱSystemȱcheckoutȱtoȱensureȱ
16.ȱ Transferȱtwoȱdirectȱcurrentȱswitchingȱunitsȱ
theȱMBSȱcanȱprovideȱheaterȱpowerȱtoȱ
fromȱshuttleȱtoȱESPȬ2.ȱ
Dextreȱ

MARCH 2008
ȱ
MISSION PRIORITIES 17
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18
ȱ
MISSION RIORITIES MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ

MISSION PERSONNEL
ȱ
KEY CONSOLE POSITIONS FOR STS-123
ȱ Flt.ȱDirectorȱ CAPCOMȱ PAOȱ
Ascentȱ BryanȱLunneyȱ JimȱDuttonȱ KyleȱHerringȱ
KevinȱFordȱ(Weather)ȱ

Orbitȱ1ȱ(Lead)ȱ MikeȱMosesȱ TerryȱVirtsȱ JohnȱIraȱPettyȱ

(Lead)ȱ

Orbitȱ2ȱ RickȱLaBrodeȱ NickȱPatrickȱ KylieȱClemȱ

Planningȱ MattȱAbbottȱ AlvinȱDrewȱ BrandiȱDeanȱ

Entryȱ RichardȱJonesȱ JimȱDuttonȱ KyleȱHerringȱ

KevinȱFordȱ(Weather)ȱ

ShuttleȱTeamȱ4ȱ RichardȱJones/ȱ N/Aȱ N/Aȱ

TonyȱCeccacciȱ

ISSȱOrbitȱ1ȱ KwatsiȱAlibaruhoȱ ZachȱJonesȱ N/Aȱ

ISSȱOrbitȱ2ȱ(Lead)ȱ DanaȱWeigelȱ SteveȱRobinsonȱ N/Aȱ

ISSȱOrbitȱ3ȱ GingerȱKerrickȱ MarkȱVandeȱHeiȱ N/Aȱ

StationȱTeamȱ4ȱ HeatherȱRarickȱȱ BobȱDempseyȱ RonȱSpencerȱ

ȱ ȱ ȱ
Int.ȱPartnerȱFDȱ–ȱEmilyȱNelsonȱ(interfacesȱwithȱCanadianȱSpaceȱAgencyȱandȱJapanȱAerospaceȱ
ExplorationȱAgency)ȱ
HQȱPAOȱRepresentativeȱatȱKSCȱforȱLaunchȱ–ȱMichaelȱCurieȱ
JSCȱPAOȱRepresentativeȱatȱKSCȱforȱLaunchȱ–ȱRobȱLazaroȱ
KSCȱLaunchȱCommentatorȱ–ȱGeorgeȱDillerȱ
KSCȱLaunchȱDirectorȱ–ȱMikeȱLeinbachȱ
NASAȱLaunchȱTestȱDirectorȱ–ȱSteveȱPayne

MARCH 2008
ȱ
MISSION PERSONNEL 19
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20
ȱ
MISSION ERSONNE MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ

STS-123 ENDEAVOUR CREW

ȱ
Theȱ STSȬ123ȱ crewȱ patchȱ depictsȱ theȱ shuttleȱ inȱ
orbitȱ withȱ theȱ crewȱ namesȱ trailingȱ behind.ȱȱ
STSȱ123’sȱ majorȱ additionsȱ toȱ theȱ Internationalȱ
Spaceȱ Station:ȱ ȱ theȱ Kiboȱ Japaneseȱ ELMȬPSȱ andȱ
theȱCanadianȱSPDM,ȱknownȱasȱDextre,ȱareȱbothȱ
illustrated.ȱ ȱ Theȱ stationȱ isȱ shownȱ inȱ theȱ
configurationȱ thatȱ theȱ STSȬ123ȱ crewȱ willȱ
encounterȱuponȱarrival.ȱ

ȱ
ȱ

MARCH 2008
ȱ
CREW 21
 ȱ
ȱ

ȱ
TheseȱsevenȱastronautsȱtakeȱaȱbreakȱfromȱtrainingȱtoȱposeȱforȱtheȱSTSȬ123ȱcrewȱportrait.ȱȱFromȱȱ
theȱrightȱ(frontȱrow)ȱareȱastronautsȱDominicȱGorie,ȱcommander;ȱandȱGregoryȱH.ȱJohnson,ȱpilot.ȱȱ
Fromȱtheȱleftȱ(backȱrow)ȱareȱastronautsȱRickȱLinnehan,ȱRobertȱL.ȱBehnken,ȱGarrettȱReisman,ȱȱ
MikeȱForemanȱandȱJAXA’sȱTakaoȱDoi,ȱallȱmissionȱspecialists.ȱȱTheȱcrewȱmembersȱareȱȱ
wearingȱshuttleȱlaunchȱandȱentryȱsuitsȱthatȱareȱusedȱforȱtraining.ȱ
ȱ
Shortȱ biographicalȱ sketchesȱ ofȱ theȱ crewȱ followȱ
withȱdetailedȱbackgroundȱavailableȱat:ȱ

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

22
ȱ
CREW MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ
STS-123 CREW IO RA HIES

DominicȱGorieȱ
ȱ
RetiredȱNavyȱCapt.ȱDominicȱGorieȱwillȱleadȱtheȱ
crewȱ ofȱ STSȬ123ȱ onȱ theȱ 25thȱ shuttleȱ missionȱ toȱ
theȱInternationalȱSpaceȱStation.ȱȱGorieȱservedȱasȱ
theȱ pilotȱ ofȱ STSȬ91ȱ inȱ 1998ȱ andȱ STSȬ99ȱ inȱ 2000.ȱȱ
Heȱ wasȱ theȱ commanderȱ ofȱ STSȬ108ȱ inȱ 2001.ȱȱ
Makingȱ hisȱ fourthȱ spaceflight,ȱ heȱ hasȱ loggedȱ
moreȱ thanȱ 32ȱ daysȱ inȱ space.ȱ ȱ Heȱ hasȱ overallȱ
responsibilityȱ forȱ theȱ executionȱ ofȱ theȱ mission,ȱ
ȱ
orbiterȱ systemsȱ operationsȱ andȱ flightȱ
operations,ȱ includingȱ landing.ȱ ȱ Inȱ addition,ȱ
Gorieȱ willȱ flyȱ theȱ shuttleȱ inȱ aȱ procedureȱ calledȱ
theȱ rendezvousȱ pitchȱ maneuverȱ whileȱ
Endeavourȱ isȱ 600ȱ feetȱ belowȱ theȱ stationȱ toȱ
enableȱ theȱ stationȱ crewȱ toȱ photographȱ theȱ
shuttle’sȱ heatȱ shield.ȱ ȱ Heȱ thenȱ willȱ dockȱ
Endeavourȱtoȱtheȱstation.ȱ

MARCH 2008
ȱ
CREW 23
 ȱ
ȱ
GregoryȱH.ȱJohnsonȱ
ȱ
Airȱ Forceȱ Col.ȱ Gregoryȱ H.ȱ Johnsonȱ hasȱ moreȱ
thanȱ4,000ȱflightȱhoursȱinȱmoreȱthanȱ40ȱdifferentȱ
aircraft.ȱ ȱ Heȱ willȱ makeȱ hisȱ firstȱ journeyȱ intoȱ
spaceȱasȱtheȱpilotȱofȱEndeavourȱforȱtheȱSTSȬ123ȱ
mission.ȱ ȱ Selectedȱ byȱ NASAȱ inȱ 1998,ȱ Johnsonȱ
hasȱ servedȱ asȱ aȱ technicalȱ assistantȱ toȱ theȱ
directorȱ ofȱ flightȱ crewȱ operations.ȱ ȱ Heȱ hasȱ alsoȱ
2
ȱ
CREW
ȱ
workedȱinȱtheȱAstronautȱOffice’sȱspaceȱshuttle,ȱ
safetyȱ andȱ explorationȱ branches.ȱ ȱ Heȱ willȱ beȱ
responsibleȱ forȱ orbiterȱ systemsȱ operations,ȱ
shuttleȱ andȱ stationȱ roboticȱ armȱ operationsȱ andȱ
willȱhelpȱGorieȱinȱtheȱrendezvousȱandȱdockingȱ
withȱ theȱ station.ȱ ȱ Johnsonȱ willȱ undockȱ
Endeavourȱfromȱtheȱstation.ȱ
MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ

RobertȱL.ȱBehnkenȱ
ȱ
Airȱ Forceȱ Maj.ȱ Robertȱ L.ȱ Behnkenȱ willȱ beȱ
makingȱ hisȱ firstȱ spaceflightȱ asȱ missionȱ
specialistȱ1ȱforȱSTSȬ123.ȱȱHeȱholdsȱaȱdoctorateȱinȱ
mechanicalȱ engineeringȱ andȱ hasȱ loggedȱ moreȱ
thanȱ 1,000ȱ hoursȱ inȱ moreȱ thanȱ 25ȱ differentȱ
aircraft.ȱ ȱ Selectedȱ asȱ anȱ astronautȱ inȱ 2000,ȱ
Behnkenȱ hasȱ workedȱ inȱ theȱ Astronautȱ Officeȱ
ȱ
shuttleȱ operationsȱ branch,ȱ supportingȱ launchȱ
andȱ landingȱ activitiesȱ atȱ KSC.ȱ ȱ Duringȱ STSȬ123ȱ
heȱisȱdesignatedȱasȱEV2,ȱorȱspacewalkerȱ2,ȱandȱ
willȱ conductȱ threeȱ spacewalks.ȱ ȱ Heȱ alsoȱ willȱ
serveȱ asȱ anȱ intravehicularȱ coordinatorȱ andȱ
operatorȱofȱtheȱstationȱroboticȱarmȱforȱtheȱotherȱ
spacewalks.ȱ

MARCH 2008
ȱ
CREW 2
 ȱ
ȱ

MikeȱForemanȱ
ȱ
Navyȱ Capt.ȱ Mikeȱ Foremanȱ willȱ beȱ makingȱ hisȱ
firstȱ spaceflightȱ asȱ missionȱ specialistȱ 2ȱ forȱ
STSȬ123.ȱȱHeȱhasȱloggedȱmoreȱthanȱ5,000ȱhoursȱ
inȱ moreȱ thanȱ 50ȱ aircraft.ȱ ȱ Selectedȱ asȱ anȱ
astronautȱ inȱ 1998,ȱ Foremanȱ hasȱ workedȱ inȱ theȱ
AstronautȱOfficeȱspaceȱstationȱandȱspaceȱshuttleȱ
branches.ȱ ȱ Foremanȱ willȱ beȱ onȱ theȱ flightȱ deckȱ
ȱ
duringȱlaunchȱandȱlanding,ȱservingȱasȱtheȱflightȱ
engineerȱ toȱ assistȱ Gorieȱ andȱ Johnson.ȱ ȱ Heȱ isȱ
designatedȱ asȱ EV3ȱ andȱ willȱ conductȱ threeȱ
spacewalks.ȱ ȱ Heȱ alsoȱ willȱ serveȱ asȱ anȱ
intravehicularȱ coordinatorȱ forȱ theȱ otherȱ twoȱ
spacewalks.ȱ

2
ȱ
CREW MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ

TakaoȱDoiȱ
ȱ
JAXAȱ astronautȱ Takaoȱ Doiȱ willȱ beȱ makingȱ hisȱ
secondȱtripȱintoȱspaceȱasȱmissionȱspecialistȱ3ȱforȱ
STSȬ123.ȱ ȱ Doiȱ holdsȱ doctoratesȱ inȱ bothȱ
aerospaceȱ engineeringȱ andȱ astronomy.ȱ ȱ Heȱ
loggedȱmoreȱthanȱ376ȱhoursȱinȱspaceȱforȱSTSȬ87ȱ
inȱ 1997.ȱ ȱ Heȱ conductedȱ twoȱ spacewalks,ȱ
includingȱ theȱ manualȱ captureȱ ofȱ aȱ Spartanȱ
ȱ
satellite.ȱ ȱ Doiȱ wasȱ selectedȱ asȱ anȱ astronautȱ inȱ
1985ȱ withȱ theȱ Nationalȱ Spaceȱ Developmentȱ
Agencyȱ (NASDA),ȱ currentlyȱ knownȱ asȱ JAXA.ȱȱ
HeȱreportedȱtoȱJSCȱinȱ1995.ȱȱDuringȱSTSȬ123ȱDoiȱ
willȱleadȱtheȱingressȱandȱinitialȱsetupȱofȱtheȱfirstȱ
elementȱ ofȱ theȱ Kiboȱ Japaneseȱ Experimentȱ
Laboratory,ȱtheȱELMȬPS.ȱ

MARCH 2008
ȱ
CREW 2
 ȱ
ȱ
RickȱLinnehanȱ
ȱ
AstronautȱRickȱLinnehan,ȱaȱdoctorȱofȱveterinaryȱ
medicine,ȱwillȱbeȱmakingȱhisȱfourthȱspaceflightȱ
asȱ missionȱ specialistȱ 4ȱ forȱ theȱ STSȬ123ȱ mission.ȱȱ
SelectedȱbyȱNASAȱinȱ1992,ȱheȱhasȱloggedȱmoreȱ
thanȱ 43ȱ daysȱ inȱ space,ȱ includingȱ threeȱ
spacewalksȱ toȱ serviceȱ theȱ Hubbleȱ Spaceȱ
Telescopeȱ onȱ Servicingȱ Missionȱ 3B.ȱ ȱ Linnehanȱ
28
ȱ
CREW
ȱ
flewȱ onȱ STSȬ78ȱ inȱ 1996,ȱ STSȬ90ȱ inȱ 1998ȱ andȱ
STSȬ109ȱ inȱ 2002.ȱ ȱ Designatedȱ asȱ EV1ȱ forȱ theȱ
STSȬ123ȱ mission,ȱ heȱ willȱ overseeȱ theȱ planningȱ
andȱ choreographyȱ ofȱ allȱ fiveȱ spacewalks.ȱ ȱ Heȱ
willȱ conductȱ theȱ firstȱ threeȱ andȱ serveȱ asȱ anȱ
intravehicularȱ coordinatorȱ forȱ theȱ remainingȱ
two.ȱ
MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ

GarrettȱReismanȱ
ȱ
Astronautȱ Garrettȱ Reismanȱ willȱ beȱ makingȱ hisȱ
firstȱ spaceflightȱ forȱ STSȬ123.ȱ ȱ Heȱ holdsȱ aȱ
doctorateȱ inȱ mechanicalȱ engineering.ȱ ȱ Selectedȱ
byȱ NASAȱ inȱ 1998,ȱ Reismanȱ hasȱ workedȱ inȱ theȱ
Astronautȱ Officeȱ roboticsȱ andȱ advancedȱ
vehiclesȱ branches.ȱ ȱ Heȱ wasȱ partȱ ofȱ theȱȱ
NEEMOȱVȱmission,ȱlivingȱonȱtheȱbottomȱofȱtheȱ
seaȱinȱtheȱAquariusȱhabitatȱforȱtwoȱweeks.ȱȱHeȱ
ȱ
isȱdesignatedȱEV4ȱonȱSTSȬ123ȱandȱwillȱconductȱ
oneȱ spacewalk.ȱ ȱ Heȱ alsoȱ willȱ assistȱ withȱ
intravehicularȱ dutiesȱ duringȱ theȱ otherȱ
spacewalksȱandȱoperateȱtheȱstationȱroboticȱarm.ȱȱ
Heȱ willȱ serveȱ asȱ aȱ flightȱ engineerȱ duringȱ
Expeditionȱ 16ȱ andȱ theȱ transitionȱ toȱ Expeditionȱ
17ȱaboardȱstation.ȱȱHeȱisȱscheduledȱtoȱreturnȱonȱ
shuttleȱmissionȱSTSȬ124.ȱ

MARCH 2008
ȱ
CREW 2
 ȱ
ȱ
LeopoldȱEyhartsȱ
ȱ
Leopoldȱ Eyharts,ȱ aȱ Frenchȱ astronautȱ fromȱ theȱ
CenterȱNationalȱd’EtudesȱSpatialesȱ(CNES),ȱwillȱ
returnȱtoȱEarthȱonȱSTSȬ123.ȱȱHeȱwasȱselectedȱasȱ
anȱ astronautȱ byȱ CNESȱ inȱ 1990ȱ andȱ byȱ theȱ
Europeanȱ Spaceȱ Agencyȱ (ESA)ȱ inȱ 1992.ȱ ȱ Hisȱ
firstȱ missionȱ wasȱ toȱ theȱ Mirȱ Spaceȱ Stationȱ inȱ
1998,ȱ whereȱ heȱ supportedȱ theȱ CNESȱ scientificȱ
spaceȱ missionȱ“Pégase.”ȱ Heȱperformedȱvariousȱ
Frenchȱ experimentsȱ inȱ theȱ areasȱ ofȱ medicalȱ
ȱ
30
ȱ
CREW
ȱ
research,ȱ neuroscience,ȱ biology,ȱ fluidȱ physicsȱ
andȱ technology.ȱ ȱ Heȱ loggedȱ 20ȱ days,ȱ 18ȱ hoursȱ
andȱ20ȱminutesȱinȱspace.ȱȱInȱ1998,ȱESAȱassignedȱ
EyhartsȱtoȱtrainȱatȱNASA’sȱJSC.ȱȱHeȱlaunchedȱtoȱ
theȱ spaceȱ stationȱ onȱ theȱ STSȬ122ȱ missionȱ inȱ
February.ȱ ȱ Heȱ wasȱ aboardȱ stationȱ asȱ aȱ flightȱ
engineerȱ duringȱ Expeditionȱ 16ȱ forȱ theȱ
commissioningȱ ofȱ theȱ Europeanȱ Columbusȱ
laboratory.ȱ
MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ
PAYLOAD OVERVIEW
ȱ
KIBO OVERVIEW
Japan’s contribution to the
International Space Station Program
TheȱfirstȱcomponentȱofȱtheȱJapaneseȱexperimentȱ
module,ȱKibo,ȱwillȱflyȱtoȱtheȱInternationalȱSpaceȱ
Stationȱ (ISS)ȱ afterȱ 23ȱ yearsȱ ofȱ developmentȱ
effortsȱ byȱ theȱ Japanȱ Aerospaceȱ Explorationȱ
AgencyȬȱJAXA.ȱȱJapan’sȱroleȱinȱtheȱspaceȱstationȱ
programȱ isȱ toȱ developȱ andȱ contributeȱ theȱ
Japaneseȱ Experimentȱ Moduleȱ (JEM),ȱ logisticsȱ
vehicles,ȱ andȱ theȱ HȬIIȱ Transferȱ Vehicleȱ (HTV),ȱ
usingȱaccumulatedȱJapaneseȱtechnologies.ȱ
Onceȱinȱorbit,ȱtheȱKiboȱfacilitiesȱwillȱbeȱusedȱtoȱ
performȱ collaborativeȱ experimentsȱ byȱ allȱ theȱ
Thisȱisȱanȱartist’sȱconceptȱimageȱofȱKiboȱonceȱfullyȱassembledȱonȱtheȱspaceȱstation.ȱ
MARCH 2008
ȱ
PAYLOAD OVERVIEW
stationȱ partners.ȱ ȱ Inȱ addition,ȱ JAXAȱ plansȱ
educational,ȱ culturalȱ andȱ commercialȱ usesȱ ofȱ
theȱ Kiboȱ facilityȱ whichȱ willȱ provideȱ
opportunitiesȱ forȱ expandedȱ utilizationȱ ofȱ theȱ
spaceȱenvironment.ȱ
Kibo’sȱ contributionsȱ areȱ notȱ strictlyȱ limitedȱ toȱ
spaceȱutilizations.ȱȱTheȱactualȱdevelopmentȱandȱ
operationȱ ofȱ Kiboȱ hasȱ greatȱ significanceȱ inȱ theȱ
continuedȱ expansionȱ ofȱ Japan’sȱ accumulatedȱ
technologies.ȱ ȱ Acquisitionȱ ofȱ advancedȱ
technologiesȱ requiredȱ toȱ supportȱ humanȱ lifeȱ inȱ
spaceȱ enhancesȱ bothȱ theȱ levelȱ ofȱ Japan’sȱ
scientificȱ andȱ technologicalȱ skill,ȱ andȱ
contributesȱ toȱ otherȱ worldwideȱ spaceȱ
developmentȱ activitiesȱ inȱ theȱ futureȱ
exploration.ȱ
ȱ
31
 ȱ
ȱ
GraphicȱimagesȱofȱtheȱKiboȱPressurizedȱModuleȱinteriorȱ
ȱ
E M
Kiboȱ(keyȬboh)ȱmeansȱ“hope.”ȱItȱisȱJapan’sȱfirstȱ
humanȬratedȱ spaceȱ facility.ȱ ȱ Kiboȱ willȱ beȱ theȱ
largestȱexperimentȱmoduleȱonȱtheȱspaceȱstation,ȱ
accommodatingȱ 31ȱ racksȱ inȱ itsȱ pressurizedȱ
section,ȱ includingȱ experiment,ȱ stowage,ȱ andȱ
systemȱ racks.ȱ ȱ Kiboȱ isȱ equippedȱ withȱ externalȱ
facilitiesȱ thatȱ canȱ accommodateȱ 10ȱexposedȱ
experimentȱpayloads.ȱ
Kiboȱ isȱ aȱ complexȱ facilityȱ thatȱ enablesȱ severalȱ
kindsȱ ofȱ specializedȱ functions.ȱ ȱ Inȱ total,ȱ Kiboȱ
consistsȱ of:ȱ ȱ Pressurizedȱ Moduleȱ (PM)ȱ andȱ
Exposedȱ Facilityȱ (EF),ȱ aȱ logisticsȱ moduleȱ
attachedȱ toȱ bothȱ theȱ PMȱ andȱ EFȱ andȱ aȱ Remoteȱ
Manipulatorȱ Systemȱ –ȱ Japaneseȱ Experimentȱ
Moduleȱ Remoteȱ Manipulatorȱ Systemȱ
(JEMRMS.)ȱ
Toȱ makeȱ maximumȱ useȱ ofȱ itsȱ limitedȱ space,ȱ
Kiboȱ possessesȱ everyȱ functionȱ requiredȱ toȱ
performȱ experimentȱ activitiesȱ inȱ space:ȱ ȱ theȱ
pressurizedȱ andȱ exposedȱ sections,ȱ aȱ scientificȱ
32
ȱ
A OA OVERVIEW
ȱ
airlockȱ inȱ theȱ PM,ȱ andȱ aȱ remoteȱ manipulatorȱ
systemȱ thatȱ enablesȱ operationȱ ofȱ exposedȱ
experimentsȱ withoutȱ theȱ assistanceȱ ofȱ aȱ
spacewalkingȱcrew.ȱ
A
Theȱ Kiboȱ elementsȱ willȱ beȱ deliveredȱ toȱ theȱ
spaceȱ stationȱ byȱ threeȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ flights.ȱȱ
STSȬ123ȱ willȱ deliverȱ theȱ ELMȬPS,ȱ STSȬ124ȱ willȱ
deliverȱtheȱPMȱandȱJEMRMS,ȱandȱSTSȬ127ȱwillȱ
deliverȱ theȱ EFȱ andȱ theȱ Experimentȱ Logisticsȱ
Module–ExposedȱSectionȱ(ELMȬES).ȱ
Forȱ eachȱ ofȱ theȱ threeȱ missions,ȱ aȱ JAXAȱ
astronautȱ willȱ flyȱ toȱ theȱ stationȱ toȱ assistȱ withȱ
theȱ assembly,ȱ activation,ȱ andȱ checkoutȱ ofȱ theȱ
Kiboȱ component.ȱ ȱ Astronautȱ Takaoȱ Doiȱ isȱ
assignedȱ asȱ aȱ NASAȱ missionȱ specialistȱ forȱ theȱ
STSȬ123ȱ mission,ȱ astronautȱ Akihikoȱ Hoshideȱ isȱ
assignedȱasȱaȱmissionȱspecialistȱforȱtheȱSTSȬ124ȱ
mission,ȱ andȱ astronautȱ Koichiȱ Wakataȱ isȱ
assignedȱ asȱ aȱ spaceȱ stationȱ flightȱ engineerȱ forȱ
Expeditionȱ18.ȱ
MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ

Takao Doi Akihiko Koichi Wakata

JAXA astronaut Hoshide JAXA astronaut

STS-119 STS-127
(15A) (2J/A)

Launch of ELM-PS
Launch of PM and
JEMRMS Launch of EF and ELM-
ES
ȱ
ȱ

MARCH 2008
ȱ
PAYLOAD OVERVIEW 33
 ȱ
ȱ
T C experimentȱracksȱtoȱtheȱspaceȱstation.ȱȱOnceȱtheȱ
E M- S ELMȬPSȱ isȱ onȱ orbit,ȱ itȱ willȱ beȱ usedȱ asȱ aȱ Kiboȱ
stowageȱ compartment.ȱ ȱ Maintenanceȱ tools,ȱ
Kibo’sȱ ELMȬPSȱ willȱ beȱ launchedȱ toȱ theȱ spaceȱ experimentȱsamples,ȱandȱotherȱspareȱitemsȱwillȱ
stationȱ aboardȱ theȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ Endeavourȱ onȱ allȱbeȱstoredȱinsideȱtheȱELMȬPS.ȱȱTheȱvolumeȱofȱ
theȱ STSȬ123/1J/Aȱ mission,ȱ whichȱ isȱ theȱ firstȱ ofȱ theȱELMȬPSȱisȱlessȱthanȱthatȱofȱtheȱPM,ȱandȱupȱ
theȱthreeȱKiboȬrelatedȱISSȱassemblyȱflights.ȱȱTheȱ toȱeightȱracksȱcanȱbeȱhousedȱinȱtheȱELMȬPS.ȱ
ELMȬPSȱisȱaȱKiboȱstorageȱfacilityȱthatȱprovidesȱ
stowageȱ spaceȱ forȱ experimentȱ payloads,ȱ
samples,ȱ andȱ spareȱ items.ȱ ȱ Theȱ pressurizedȱ
interiorȱ ofȱ theȱ ELMȬPSȱ isȱ maintainedȱ atȱ oneȱ
atmosphere,ȱ thusȱ providingȱ aȱ shirtȬsleeveȱ
workingȱenvironment.ȱȱTheȱcrewȱwillȱbeȱableȱtoȱ
freelyȱmoveȱbetweenȱtheȱELMȬPSȱandȱtheȱmainȱ
experimentȱ module,ȱ calledȱ theȱ Pressurizedȱ
Module.ȱȱOnȱtheȱspaceȱstation,ȱKiboȱisȱtheȱonlyȱ
experimentȱ facilityȱ withȱ itsȱ ownȱ dedicatedȱ
storageȱfacility.ȱ

WhenȱtheȱELMȬPSȱisȱlaunchedȱaboardȱtheȱspaceȱ
shuttle,ȱitȱwillȱbeȱusedȱasȱaȱlogisticsȱmoduleȱforȱ ȱ
transportingȱ eightȱ Kiboȱ subsystemsȱ andȱ ELMȬPSȱstructuralȱlocationȱ

ELM-PS Exposed Facility Unit Common

Berthing
Mechanism
(CBM)
ij4.4m

4.2m
CBM Hatch (for PM)

ȱ
ELMȬPSȱStructureȱ

3
ȱ
A OA OVERVIEW MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ

ȱ
ELMȬPSȱ
ȱ
TheȱELMȬPSȱwillȱbeȱattachedȱtoȱtheȱzenithȱportȱ
ELM-PS Specifications
onȱ topȱ ofȱ theȱ Harmonyȱ Nodeȱ 2ȱ moduleȱ onȱ
Shape: indrica STSȬ123’sȱ fourthȱ flightȱ day.ȱ ȱ Theȱ ELMȬPSȱ willȱ
remainȱ attachedȱ toȱ theȱ Harmonyȱ moduleȱ untilȱ
Outer Diameter: eters feet
theȱ Kiboȱ PMȱ isȱ deliveredȱ toȱ theȱ ISSȱ onȱ theȱ
Inner Diameter: eters feet followingȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ mission,ȱ STSȬ124.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
finalȱlocationȱ ofȱtheȱ ELMȬPSȱ willȱ beȱ onȱtheȱtopȱ
Length: eters feet portȱofȱtheȱPM.ȱ
Mass: 18,490 pounds
E M- S C
Number of Racks: racks
Theȱ ELMȬPSȱ willȱ carryȱ fiveȱ Kiboȱ subsystemȱ
Power Required: kW D racks,ȱ twoȱ experimentȱ racks,ȱ andȱ oneȱ stowageȱ
rackȱ whenȱ transportedȱ toȱ theȱ spaceȱ stationȱ onȱ
Environment
theȱSTSȬ123ȱmission.ȱȱThisȱincludesȱsomeȱofȱtheȱ
*Temperature: to de rees Kiboȱ subsystemȱ racks,ȱ whichȱ mustȱ beȱ installedȱ
e sius to inȱ theȱ PMȱ beforeȱ activationȱ afterȱ itsȱ launchȱ onȱ
de rees Fahrenheit theȱSTSȬ124ȱmission.ȱ
*Humidity: to
Withȱ theȱ exceptionȱ ofȱ theȱ Interȱ Orbitȱ
Design Life: More than ears Communicationȱ Systemȱ (ICS)ȱ –PMȱ rack,ȱ theȱ
subsystemȱ racksȱ shownȱ belowȱ (markedȱ inȱ redȱ
outline)ȱareȱcrucialȱtoȱtheȱactivationȱofȱtheȱPM.ȱ

MARCH 2008
ȱ
A OA OVERVIEW 3
 ȱ
ȱ
Theȱ racksȱ markedȱ inȱ blueȱ outlineȱ houseȱ theȱ 2ȱ Gȱ conditions.ȱ ȱ Inȱ theȱ RYUTAIȱ Rack,ȱ fluidȱ
JAXAȱ experiments.ȱ ȱ Inȱ theȱ SAIBOȱ Rack,ȱ physicsȱ phenomena,ȱ solutionȱ crystallization,ȱ
cultivationȱ ofȱ animalȱ cells,ȱ plants,ȱ andȱ otherȱ andȱ proteinȱ crystallizationȱ experimentsȱ willȱ beȱ
microorganismsȱ willȱ beȱ performedȱ inȱ bothȱ monitoredȱandȱanalyzed.ȱ
microgravityȱandȱsimulatedȱgravityȱ—ȱ0.1ȱGȱtoȱ

nter- r it o unication S ste

Data Mana e ent S ste
S-PM Rack
DMS Rack

Port

E eri ent
Rack
SA
E eri ent Rack R TA
For ard

Air Li ht Work Station

out et WS Rack
Air

Aft
out et

JEM Re ote Air Air

Mani u ator S ste in et in et
JEMRMS Rack

Star oard
E ectrica Po er
Pressuri ed Section S ste EPS
Resu Rack PSRR Rack
ȱ
ImageȱaboveȱshowsȱrackȱlocationsȱinȱtheȱELMȬPSȱasȱseenȱfromȱtheȱPMȱside.ȱȱSubsystemȱȱ
racksȱareȱmarkedȱinȱredȱoutline,ȱexperimentȱracksȱinȱblue,ȱandȱaȱstowageȱrackȱinȱgreen.ȱ
ȱ

3
ȱ
A OA OVERVIEW MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ
M

PressurizedȱModuleȱandȱJapaneseȱExperimentȱ
ModuleȱRemoteȱManipulatorȱSystemȱ
(JEMRMS)ȱtoȱbeȱlaunchedȱonȱtheȱSTSȬ124/1Jȱ
Missionȱ

TheȱPressurizedȱModuleȱ(PM)ȱisȱ11.2ȱmeters,ȱorȱ
36.7ȱfeetȱinȱlength,ȱandȱ4.4ȱmeters,ȱorȱ14.4ȱfeetȱinȱ
diameter.ȱȱTheȱpressurizedȱinteriorȱofȱtheȱPMȱisȱ
maintainedȱ atȱ oneȱ atmosphereȱ toȱ provideȱ aȱ
shirtȬsleeveȱ workingȱ environment.ȱ ȱ Theȱ ISSȱ
crewȱ willȱ conductȱ uniqueȱ microgravityȱ
experimentsȱwithinȱtheȱPMȱlaboratory.ȱȱTheȱPMȱ
willȱholdȱ23ȱracks,ȱ10ȱofȱwhichȱareȱInternationalȱ
Standardȱ Payloadȱ Racksȱ designedȱ forȱ
experimentȱpayloads.ȱȱTheȱPMȱwillȱbeȱdeliveredȱ
toȱtheȱISSȱaboardȱtheȱspaceȱshuttleȱDiscoveryȱonȱ
theȱSTSȬ124/1Jȱmission.ȱ
ȱ
ExposedȱFacilityȱandȱExperimentȱLogisticsȱ
ModuleȬExposedȱSectionȱtoȱbeȱlaunchedȱonȱ
theȱSTSȱ127/2J/AȱMissionȱ
Theȱ EFȱ providesȱ aȱ multipurposeȱ platformȱ
whereȱ tenȱ scienceȱ experimentȱ andȱ systemȱ
payloadsȱ canȱ beȱ deployedȱ andȱ operatedȱ inȱ theȱ
unpressurizedȱ environmentȱ ofȱ space.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
experimentȱpayloadsȱattachedȱtoȱtheȱEFȱwillȱbeȱ
exchangedȱusingȱ theȱ JEMRMS.ȱ ȱ Theȱ EFȱ willȱ beȱ
deliveredȱ toȱ theȱ ISSȱ aboardȱ theȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ
EndeavourȱonȱtheȱSTSȬ127/2J/Aȱmission.ȱ

ȱ
ȱ
Kibo’sȱ roboticȱ arm,ȱ orȱ JEMRMS,ȱ servesȱ asȱ anȱ
extensionȱ ofȱ theȱ humanȱ handȱ andȱ armȱ inȱ Theȱ ELMȬESȱ isȱ attachedȱ toȱ theȱ endȱ ofȱ theȱ EFȱ
manipulatingȱ experimentsȱ onȱ theȱ EF.ȱ ȱ Theȱ andȱprovidesȱaȱstorageȱspaceȱforȱEFȱexperimentȱ
JEMRMSȱisȱcomposedȱofȱtheȱMainȱArmȱandȱtheȱ payloadsȱandȱsamples.ȱȱUpȱtoȱthreeȱexperimentȱ
Smallȱ Fineȱ Arm,ȱ whichȱ bothȱ haveȱ sixȱ payloadsȱ canȱ beȱ storedȱ onȱ theȱ ELMȬES.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
articulatingȱ joints.ȱ ȱ Theȱ Mainȱ Armȱ isȱ usedȱ forȱ ELMȬESȱ willȱ beȱ launched,ȱ alongȱ withȱ theȱ EFȱ
exchangingȱ EFȱ payloadsȱ andȱ forȱ movingȱ largeȱ andȱICSȬEF,ȱtoȱtheȱISSȱaboardȱtheȱspaceȱshuttleȱ
items.ȱ ȱ Theȱ Smallȱ Fineȱ Arm,ȱ whichȱ attachesȱ toȱ EndeavourȱonȱtheȱSTSȬ127/2J/Aȱmission.ȱ
theȱ endȱ ofȱ theȱ Mainȱ Arm,ȱ isȱ usedȱ forȱ moreȱ
delicateȱ tasks.ȱ ȱ Theȱ crewȱ willȱ operateȱ theseȱ
roboticȱarmsȱfromȱtheȱJEMRMSȱConsoleȱlocatedȱ
inȱ theȱ PM.ȱ ȱ Theȱ JEMRMSȱ willȱ beȱ launched,ȱ
alongȱwithȱtheȱPM,ȱtoȱtheȱISSȱaboardȱtheȱspaceȱ
shuttleȱDiscoveryȱonȱtheȱSTSȬ124/1Jȱmission.ȱ
ȱ

MARCH 2008
ȱ
A OA OVERVIEW 3
 ȱ
ȱ
Kiboȱ willȱ beȱ capableȱ ofȱ independentȱ
communicationsȱ withȱ Tsukubaȱ Spaceȱ Centerȱ
(TKSC)ȱonceȱtheȱICSȱisȱinstalledȱinȱbothȱtheȱPMȱ
andȱ EF,ȱ andȱ fullyȱ activated.ȱ ȱ Throughȱ JAXA’sȱ
Dataȱ Relayȱ Testȱ Satelliteȱ (DRTS),ȱ commandsȱ
andȱ voiceȱ areȱ uplinkedȱ fromȱ theȱ groundȱ toȱ
Kibo,ȱandȱexperimentȱdata,ȱimageȱdataȱorȱvoiceȱ
areȱ downlinkedȱ fromȱ Kiboȱ toȱ theȱ groundȱ forȱ
scientificȱ payloadȱ operations.ȱ ȱ Theȱ ICSȬEFȱ hasȱ
S-PM Rack
38
ȱ
A OA OVERVIEW
anȱantennaȱandȱaȱpointingȱmechanismȱthatȱwillȱ
beȱusedȱtoȱcommunicateȱwithȱtheȱDRTS.ȱ
TheȱICSȬEFȱwillȱbeȱlaunched,ȱalongȱwithȱtheȱEFȱ
andȱELMȬES,ȱtoȱtheȱISSȱaboardȱtheȱspaceȱshuttleȱ
Endeavourȱ onȱ theȱ STSȬ127/2J/Aȱ mission,ȱ whileȱ
theȱ InterȬOrbitȱ Communicationȱ Systemȱ ȬPMȱ
Rackȱ willȱ beȱ deliveredȱ toȱ theȱ ISSȱ onȱ
STSȬ123/1J/Aȱ andȱ installedȱ inȱ theȱ PMȱ duringȱ
STSȬ124/1J.ȱ
S-EF Su s ste S-EF
ȱ
MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ
I O MISSION CONTRO CENTER
Afterȱ theȱ Kiboȱ elementȱ componentsȱ areȱ fullyȱ
assembledȱ andȱ activatedȱ aboardȱ theȱ ISS,ȱ
fullȬscaleȱexperimentȱoperationsȱwillȱbegin.ȱ
Kiboȱ operationsȱ willȱ beȱ jointlyȱ monitoredȱ andȱ
controlledȱ fromȱ theȱ Spaceȱ Stationȱ Integrationȱ
andȱ Promotionȱ Centerȱ atȱ Tsukuba,ȱ inȱ Japan,ȱ
andȱtheȱMissionȱControlȱCenterȱatȱNASA’sȱJSCȱ
inȱHouston,ȱwhereȱtheȱoverallȱoperationsȱofȱtheȱ
spaceȱstationȱareȱcontrolled.ȱ
A A C T
Theȱ JAXAȱ Flightȱ Controlȱ Teamȱ (JFCT)ȱ consistsȱ
ofȱ flightȱ directorsȱ andȱ moreȱ thanȱ 50ȱ flightȱ
controllersȱ assignedȱ toȱ 10ȱ technicalȱ disciplinesȱ
requiredȱtoȱsupportȱKiboȱflightȱoperations.ȱȱTheȱ
KiboȱMissionȱControlȱRoomȱ
MARCH 2008
ȱ
A OA OVERVIEW
flightȱ directorȱ overseesȱ andȱ directsȱ theȱ team,ȱ
andȱ theȱ flightȱ controllersȱ possessȱ specializedȱ
expertiseȱ onȱ allȱ Kiboȱ systems.ȱ ȱ Theȱ teamȱ willȱ
monitorȱandȱcontrolȱKiboȱaroundȱtheȱclockȱinȱaȱ
threeȬshiftȱperȱdayȱschedule.ȱ
Onceȱ operational,ȱ theȱ JFCTȱ willȱ monitorȱ theȱ
statusȱ ofȱ commandȱ uplinks,ȱ dataȱ downlinks,ȱ
systemȱpayloadsȱandȱexperimentsȱaboardȱKibo.ȱȱ
Theȱ JFCTȱ willȱ haveȱ theȱ capabilityȱ toȱ makeȱ
realȬtimeȱ changesȱ toȱ operations,ȱ andȱ canȱ
communicateȱ directlyȱ withȱ theȱ crewȱ aboardȱ
Kiboȱ andȱ theȱ variousȱ internationalȱ partnerȱ
missionȱ controlȱ centersȱ locatedȱ aroundȱ theȱ
world.ȱȱTheȱteamȱwillȱtroubleshootȱproblemsȱorȱ
anomaliesȱ thatȱ mayȱ occurȱ aboardȱ theȱ Kiboȱ
duringȱflightȱoperations.ȱ
ȱ
3
 ȱ
ȱ
Theȱ JFCTȱ organizesȱ andȱ conductsȱ missionȬ
specificȱtrainingȱthatȱaccuratelyȱsimulatesȱactualȱ
Kiboȱflightȱoperations.ȱȱTheȱteamȱisȱresponsibleȱ
forȱ theȱ preparationȱ andȱ evaluationȱ ofȱ allȱ plansȱ
andȱ proceduresȱ thatȱ willȱ beȱ performedȱ byȱ theȱ
crewȱ aboardȱ Kibo,ȱ andȱ byȱ controllersȱ onȱ theȱ
ground.ȱ ȱ Inȱ addition,ȱ theȱ JFCTȱ regularlyȱ
conductsȱ contingencyȱ trainingȱ forȱ allȱ certifiedȱ
flightȱ controllers,ȱ andȱ candidateȱ flightȱ
controllers.ȱ
TheȱrolesȱofȱtheȱrespectiveȱsectionsȱofȱJFCTȱareȱ
asȱfollows:ȱ
A A
JAXAȱ Flightȱ Directorȱ (JȬFLIGHT)ȱ isȱ theȱ leaderȱ
ofȱ theȱ JFCT.ȱ ȱ JȬFLIGHTȱ willȱ directȱ theȱ overallȱ
operationȱ ofȱ Kibo,ȱ includingȱ operationsȱ
planning,ȱ systemȱ andȱ experimentȱ operations,ȱ
andȱ otherȱ tasksȱ performedȱ byȱ theȱ crewȱ aboardȱ
Kibo.ȱ
Theȱ flightȱ controllersȱ assignedȱ toȱ eachȱ controlȱ
sectionȱmustȱensureȱthatȱtheȱJȬFLIGHTȱisȱgivenȱ
theȱ currentȱ statusȱ ofȱ everyȱ detailȱ ofȱ Kiboȱ
operations.ȱ
Mayumiȱ Matsuuraȱ willȱ serveȱ asȱ theȱ leadȱ
JȬFLIGHTȱ forȱ theȱ STSȬ123/1J/Aȱ mission,ȱ andȱ
willȱ directȱ theȱ ELMȬPSȱ relatedȱ operationsȱ
duringȱtheȱ1J/Aȱstage.ȱ
ȱ
LeadȱJȬFLIGHTȱforȱSTSȬ123ȱ
MayumiȱMatsuuraȱ
ȱ
0 A OA OVERVIEW
C N S E
ICS C
Controlȱ andȱ Networkȱ Systems,ȱ Electricalȱ
Power,ȱ andȱ ICSȱ Communicationȱ officerȱ
(CANSEI)ȱ isȱ responsibleȱ forȱ Kibo’sȱ flightȱ
control,ȱ networkȱ systems,ȱ electricalȱ powerȱ andȱ
ICSȱcommunications.ȱȱCANSEIȱwillȱmonitorȱtheȱ
controlȱ statusȱ ofȱ onȬboardȱ computers,ȱ networkȱ
systems,ȱ andȱ electricalȱ powerȱ systemsȱ throughȱ
dataȱ downlinkedȱ fromȱ Kiboȱ onȱ aȱ realȬtimeȱ
basis.ȱ
T
FluidȱandȱThermalȱofficerȱ(FLAT)ȱisȱresponsibleȱ
forȱ monitoringȱ theȱ statusȱ ofȱ theȱ Environmentalȱ
Controlȱ andȱ Lifeȱ Supportȱ Systemȱ andȱ theȱ
Thermalȱ Controlȱ Systemȱ whichȱ regulateȱ theȱ
heatȱ generatedȱ byȱ theȱ equipmentȱ aboardȱ Kibo.ȱȱ
Theseȱ systemsȱ willȱ beȱ monitoredȱ throughȱ
telemetryȱ dataȱ downlinkedȱ fromȱ Kiboȱ onȱ aȱ
realȬtimeȱbasis.ȱ
R
Kiboȱ Roboticsȱ officerȱ (KIBOTT)ȱ isȱ responsibleȱ
forȱtheȱoverallȱoperationȱofȱKibo’sȱroboticȱarms,ȱ
scientificȱ airlock,ȱ andȱ otherȱ associatedȱ
mechanisms.ȱ ȱ Duringȱ roboticȱ armȱ andȱ airlockȱ
operations,ȱ KIBOTTȱ willȱ prepareȱ andȱ monitorȱ
theȱrelatedȱsystemsȱnecessaryȱforȱtheȱflightȱcrewȱ
toȱperformȱtheȱappropriateȱtasksȱaboardȱKibo.ȱ
OperationsȱPlannerȱ(JȬPLAN)ȱisȱresponsibleȱforȱ
planningȱ theȱ actualȱ flightȱ operations.ȱ ȱ Whenȱ
Kiboȱ isȱ inȱ aȱ flightȱ operationsȱ status,ȱ JȬPLANȱ
willȱ monitorȱ theȱ statusȱ andȱ progressȱ ofȱ Kiboȱ
operationsȱ and,ȱ ifȱ necessary,ȱ willȱ amendȱ orȱ
modifyȱtheȱoperationȱplansȱasȱrequired.ȱ
MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ
S E I Thisȱ includesȱ theȱ operationsȱ controlȱ systemsȱ
I andȱtheȱoperationsȱnetworkȱsystems.ȱ
Systemȱ Elementȱ Investigationȱ andȱ Integrationȱ EM C
officerȱ(SENIN)ȱisȱresponsibleȱforȱKibo’sȱsystemȱ
elements.ȱȱSENINȱwillȱmonitorȱandȱensureȱthatȱ JEMȱ Communicatorȱ (JȬCOM)ȱ isȱ responsibleȱ forȱ
eachȱKiboȱsystemȱisȱrunningȱsmoothlyȱandȱwillȱ voiceȱ communicationsȱ withȱ theȱ crewȱ aboardȱ
integrateȱ allȱ systemsȱ informationȱ providedȱ byȱ Kibo.ȱ ȱ JȬCOMȱ willȱ communicateȱ allȱ essentialȱ
eachȱflightȱcontrolȱsection.ȱ informationȱ toȱ theȱ crewȱ forȱ operatingȱ Kiboȱ
systemsȱ andȱ experiments,ȱ and/orȱ respondȱ toȱ
T C KiboȬspecificȱ inquiriesȱ fromȱ theȱ crew.ȱ ȱ JAXAȱ
Astronautȱ Naokoȱ Yamazakiȱ (whoȱ isȱ alsoȱ
TsukubaȱGroundȱControllerȱ(TSUKUBAȱGC)ȱisȱ
assignedȱ asȱ theȱ Crewȱ Supportȱ Astronautȱ forȱ
responsibleȱ forȱ theȱ overallȱ operationȱ andȱ
STSȬ123ȱ Missionȱ Specialistȱ Takaoȱ Doi)ȱ willȱ
maintenanceȱ ofȱ theȱ groundȱ supportȱ facilitiesȱ
serveȱ asȱ aȱ JȬCOMȱ officerȱ duringȱ theȱ STSȬ123ȱ
thatȱ areȱ essentialȱ forȱ Kiboȱ flightȱ operations.ȱȱ
mission.

ȱ
JAXAȱastronautȱNaokoȱYamazakiȱwillȱserveȱasȱaȱJȬCOMȱofficerȱduringȱtheȱSTSȬ123ȱmission.

MARCH 2008
ȱ
A OA OVERVIEW 1
 ȱ
ȱ
Astronaut Related Intravehicle Activity
and Equipment Support
AstronautȱRelatedȱIntravehicularȱActivityȱ(IVA)ȱ
andȱEquipmentȱSupportȱ(ARIES)ȱisȱresponsibleȱ
forȱ IntraȬVehicularȱ Activityȱ (IVA)ȱ operationsȱ
aboardȱKibo.ȱȱARIESȱwillȱmanageȱtheȱtoolsȱandȱ
otherȱIVAȬrelatedȱsupportȱequipmentȱonȱKibo.ȱ
JEM Payload officer
JEMȱ Payloadȱ Officerȱ (JEMȱ PAYLOADS)ȱ isȱ
responsibleȱ forȱ Kibo’sȱ experimentȱ payloadȱ
operations,ȱ andȱ willȱ coordinateȱ payloadȱ
activitiesȱwithȱtheȱPrimaryȱInvestigatorsȱofȱeachȱ
respectiveȱexperiment.ȱ
JAXA Extravehicular Activity
JAXAȱ Extravehicularȱ Activityȱ (JAXAȱ EVA)ȱ isȱ
responsibleȱ forȱ KiboȬrelatedȱ EVAȱ operationsȱ
andȱ willȱ provideȱ technicalȱ supportȱ toȱ theȱȱ
Screen Screen
CANSEI
J-COM J-FLIGHT
KIBOTT ARIES
JEMȱMissionȱControlȱRoomȱ
42
ȱ
PAYLOAD OVERVIEW
crewȱ membersȱ whoȱ performȱ KiboȬrelatedȱ
spacewalks.ȱ
Note:ȱ Theȱ JAXAȱ EVAȱ consoleȱ willȱ notȱ beȱ
locatedȱ inȱ theȱ Spaceȱ Stationȱ Operationsȱ
Facilityȱ atȱ theȱ Tsukubaȱ Spaceȱ Center.ȱȱ
Instead,ȱtheȱJAXAȱEVAȱflightȱcontrollersȱ
willȱbeȱstationedȱatȱtheȱNASAȱJSC.ȱ
JEM Engineering Team
TheȱJEMȱEngineeringȱTeamȱ(JET)ȱisȱresponsibleȱ
forȱ providingȱ technicalȱ evaluationȱ ofȱ realȬtimeȱ
dataȱ andȱ preȬȱ andȱ postȬflightȱ analysis.ȱ ȱ JETȱ
consistsȱ ofȱ theȱ JETȱ leadȱ andȱ electricalȱ
subsystem,ȱfluidȱsubsystemȱ andȱIVAȱengineersȱ
whoȱ areȱ membersȱ ofȱ theȱ JEMȱ Developmentȱ
Projectȱ Team.ȱ ȱ JETȱ engineersȱ alsoȱ workȱ inȱ theȱ
NASAȱMissionȱEvaluationȱRoomȱatȱNASAȱ JSCȱ
inȱ orderȱ toȱ performȱ jointȱ troubleshootingȱ andȱ
anomalyȱresolution.ȱ
Screen
FLAT
JEM TSUKUBA
SENIN PAYLOAD GC
J-PLAN
ȱ
MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ
TSUKUBA SPACE CENTER

TsukubaȱSpaceȱCenterȱ(TKSC)ȱisȱJAXA’sȱlargestȱ
spaceȱ developmentȱ andȱ utilizationȱ researchȱ
complex.ȱ ȱ Asȱ Japan’sȱ primaryȱ siteȱ forȱ humanȱ
spaceflightȱ researchȱ andȱ operations,ȱ TKSCȱ
operatesȱ theȱ followingȱ facilitiesȱ inȱ supportȱ ofȱ
theȱKiboȱmission.ȱ

S E

ȱ Theȱ followingȱ activitiesȱ areȱ conductedȱ inȱ theȱ

SpaceȱExperimentȱLaboratoryȱ(SEL)ȱbuilding:ȱ

x Developmentȱ ofȱ technologiesȱ requiredȱ forȱ

spaceȱexperimentsȱ

x PreparationȱofȱKiboȱexperimentȱprogramsȱ

x Experimentȱdataȱanalysisȱandȱsupportȱ

S S T

Comprehensiveȱ Kiboȱ systemȱ testsȱ wereȱ

conductedȱ inȱ thisȱ building.ȱ ȱ Theȱ mainȱ purposeȱ
ofȱ theȱ testsȱ wasȱ toȱ verifyȱ function,ȱ physicalȱ
interfaceȱ andȱ performanceȱ ofȱ theȱ entireȱ Kiboȱ
systemȱ includingȱ allȱ theȱ associatedȱ elements:ȱȱ
PM,ȱ EF,ȱ ELMȬPSȱ andȱ ELMȬESȱ andȱ JEMȬRMS.ȱȱ
Inȱ addition,ȱsubsystems,ȱ payloads,ȱandȱ groundȱ
supportȱ equipmentȱ wereȱ allȱ testedȱ inȱ thisȱ
building.ȱ ȱ Onceȱ Kiboȱ operationsȱ beginȱ aboardȱ
theȱ ISS,ȱ engineeringȱ supportȱ willȱ beȱ providedȱ
fromȱthisȱbuilding.ȱ
ȱ

MARCH 2008
ȱ
A OA OVERVIEW 3
 ȱ
ȱ
A T
Theȱ followingȱ activitiesȱ areȱ conductedȱ inȱ theȱ
AstronautȱTrainingȱFacilityȱ(ATF)ȱbuilding:ȱ
x JAXAȱastronautȱcandidateȱtrainingȱ
x Astronautȱtrainingȱandȱhealthȱcareȱ
ThisȱbuildingȱisȱaȱprimaryȱsiteȱforȱJapan’sȱspaceȱ
medicineȱresearch.ȱ
ȱ
A OA OVERVIEW
W E T
Theȱ Weightlessȱ Environmentȱ Testȱ Buildingȱ
(WET)ȱ facilityȱ providesȱ aȱ simulatedȱ weightlessȱ
environment,ȱ usingȱ waterȱ buoyancy,ȱ forȱ
astronautȱtraining.ȱȱDesignȱverificationȱtestsȱonȱ
variousȱ Kiboȱ components,ȱandȱdevelopmentȱ ofȱ
preliminaryȱ spacewalkȱ procedures,ȱ wereȱ
conductedȱinȱthisȱfacility.ȱ
MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ
S S I C

ȱ
ȱ

ȱ
ȱ

MARCH 2008
ȱ
A OA OVERVIEW
 ȱ
ȱ

ȱ
ȱ

ȱ
A OA OVERVIEW MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ
S ACE STATION INTE RATION AN
ROMOTION CENTER
Theȱ Spaceȱ Stationȱ Integrationȱ andȱ Promotionȱ
Centerȱ isȱ responsibleȱ forȱ controllingȱ Kiboȱ
operations.ȱ ȱ Atȱ theȱ center,ȱ operationȱ ofȱ Kiboȱ
systemsȱandȱpayloadsȱareȱsupervisedȱandȱKiboȱ
operationȱ plansȱ areȱ preparedȱ inȱ cooperationȱ
withȱ NASA’sȱ Missionȱ Controlȱ Centerȱ andȱ
PayloadȱOperationȱIntegrationȱCenter.ȱ
Theȱcenterȱisȱresponsibleȱforȱtheȱfollowing:ȱ
x MonitoringȱandȱcontrollingȱKiboȱoperatingȱ
systemsȱ
x MonitoringȱandȱcontrollingȱJapaneseȱ
experimentsȱonboardȱKiboȱ
x Implementingȱoperationȱplansȱ
x Supportingȱlaunchȱpreparationȱ
Theȱcenterȱconsistsȱofȱtheȱfollowingȱsections:ȱ
M C R 1 A STA E
Theȱ Missionȱ Controlȱ Roomȱ (MCR)ȱ providesȱ
realȬtimeȱKiboȱsupportȱonȱaȱ24Ȭhourȱbasis.ȱȱThisȱ
includesȱ monitoringȱ theȱ healthȱ andȱ statusȱ ofȱ
Kibo’sȱ operatingȱ systems,ȱ payloads,ȱ sendingȱ
commands,ȱandȱrealȬtimeȱoperationalȱplanning.ȱ
O A
Theȱ Userȱ Operationsȱ Areaȱ (UOA)ȱ distributesȱ
theȱ statusȱ ofȱ Japaneseȱ experimentsȱ andȱ
providesȱ collectedȱ dataȱ toȱ theȱ respectiveȱ usersȱ
thatȱareȱresponsibleȱforȱtheȱexperimentsȱandȱtheȱ
subsequentȱanalysis.ȱ
O R
Theȱ Operationsȱ Planningȱ Roomȱ (OPR)ȱ isȱ
responsibleȱ forȱ theȱ planningȱ ofȱ onȱ orbitȱ andȱ
groundȱ operationsȱ basedȱ onȱ theȱ powerȱ
MARCH 2008
ȱ
A OA OVERVIEW
distribution,ȱ crewȱ resources,ȱ andȱ dataȱ
transmissionȱ capacity.ȱ ȱ Ifȱ theȱ baselineȱ plansȱ
needȱ toȱ beȱ changed,ȱ adjustmentsȱ willȱ beȱ
conductedȱ inȱ tandemȱ withȱ theȱ MCR,ȱ theȱ Userȱ
OperationsȱAreaȱandȱNASA.ȱ
O R R
Theȱ Operationsȱ Rehearsalȱ Roomȱ (ORR)ȱ
providesȱ trainingȱ forȱ flightȱ controllers,ȱ andȱ
conductsȱ integratedȱ rehearsalsȱ andȱ jointȱ
simulationsȱwithȱNASA.ȱ
E S R
TheȱEngineeringȱSupportȱRoomȱ(ESR)ȱprovidesȱ
engineeringȱ supportȱ forȱ Kiboȱ operations.ȱ ȱ Inȱ
thisȱ room,ȱ theȱ JEMȱ Engineeringȱ Teamȱ (JET)ȱ
monitorsȱtheȱdataȱdownlinkedȱtoȱtheȱMCRȱfromȱ
Kibo,ȱ andȱ providesȱ engineeringȱ supportȱ asȱ
required.ȱ
A A S E ERIMENTS RIN THE
CE WA RESIST WA
Supportedȱ byȱ NASAȱ andȱ ESA,ȱ JAXA’sȱ lifeȱ
scienceȱexperimentȱwillȱbeȱperformedȱonȱboardȱ
theȱISSȱ duringȱ theȱ1J/AȱStage.ȱȱTheȱ experimentȱ
combinesȱ twoȱ researchȱ themesȱ entitledȱ CELLȱ
WALLȱandȱRESISTȱWALL.ȱ
Seedsȱ ofȱ thaleȱ cress,ȱ orȱ “mouseȬearȱ cress”ȱ —ȱ
Arabidopsisȱthalianaȱ—ȱwillȱbeȱlaunchedȱtoȱtheȱ
ISSȱ onȱ theȱ STSȬ123ȱ mission.ȱ ȱ Usingȱ ESA’sȱ
cultivationȱ chamber,ȱ “Europeanȱ Modularȱ
Cultivationȱ System:ȱ ȱ EMCS”ȱ locatedȱ inȱ theȱ
Columbusȱ module,ȱ halfȱ ofȱ theȱ seedsȱ willȱ beȱ
grownȱ inȱ aȱ microgravityȱ conditionȱ andȱ theȱ
otherȱ halfȱ willȱ beȱ grownȱ inȱ anȱ artificialȱ 1Gȱ
gravityȱ condition.ȱȱTheȱ stemsȱofȱtheȱthaleȱ cressȱ
willȱ beȱ collectedȱ intoȱ sampleȱ collectionȱ tubesȱ
 ȱ
ȱ
whenȱtheȱstemsȱhaveȱgrownȱtoȱ10ȱcmȱinȱheight,ȱ
approximatelyȱ 43ȱ daysȱ afterȱ initiationȱ ofȱ
incubation,ȱ andȱ then,ȱ willȱ beȱ returnedȱ toȱ theȱ
groundȱonȱtheȱSTSȬ124ȱmission.ȱ

Theȱ goalȱ ofȱ thisȱ researchȱ isȱ toȱ uncoverȱ theȱ

molecularȱ mechanismȱ inȱ plantsȱ thatȱ areȱ
assumedȱ toȱ beȱ regulatedȱ byȱ earth’sȱ
gravitationalȱ force,ȱ and/orȱ verifyȱ theȱ gravityȱ
resistanceȱ mechanism,ȱ whichȱ isȱ assumedȱ toȱ beȱ
anȱ essentialȱ responseȱ forȱ plantsȱ toȱ developȱ
againstȱtheȱforceȱofȱgravityȱonȱearth.ȱ
ȱ

ȱ
Sampleȱcollectionȱtubeȱ

A A AEROS ACE O EN A RO RAM

JAXAȱhasȱbeenȱconductingȱtheȱAerospaceȱOpenȱ
LabȱProgramȱsinceȱJuneȱ2004.ȱȱThisȱprogramȱisȱ
ȱȱ ȱ
oneȱ ofȱ JAXA’sȱ spaceȱ developmentȱ supportȱ
Thaleȱcress,ȱa.k.aȱmouseȬ”earȱcress”ȱ measures,ȱ aimingȱ forȱestablishingȱ aȱfoundationȱ
forȱ easierȱ accessȱ toȱ theȱ currentȱ orȱ futureȱ spaceȱ
developmentȱ programs.ȱ ȱ Currently,ȱ 25ȱ jointȱ
researchȱ projectsȱ areȱ ongoingȱ asȱ partȱ ofȱ theȱ
program.ȱ

Developmentȱ ofȱ clothingȱ forȱ astronautsȱ aboardȱ

spacecraft,ȱ knownȱ asȱ “crewȱ cabinȱ clothing,”ȱ isȱ
oneȱofȱtheȱresearchȱthemes.ȱȱThisȱresearchȱisȱrunȱ
byȱ theȱ “NearȬFutureȱ SpaceȬLivingȱ Unit”ȱ groupȱ
ledȱ byȱ Prof.ȱ Yoshikoȱ Tayaȱ ofȱ Japanȱ Women’sȱ
University.ȱ
ȱ
PCCȱandȱECȱ(PlantȱCultivationȱChamberȱȱ
andȱExperimentȱContainer)ȱ

ȱ
8 A OA OVERVIEW MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ
Theȱ groupȱ hasȱ developedȱ clothingȱ materialsȱ
withȱtheȱfollowingȱpropertiesȱrequiredȱforȱcrewȱ
cabinȱclothing:ȱ

x Heatȱinsulationȱ

x WaterȬabsorptionȱ

x Quickȱevaporationȱ

x Antibacterialȱ

x Odorȱeliminationȱ

x Antistaticȱ

x Antifoulingȱ

x Softȱandȱcomfortableȱtoȱskinȱ

ȱ Inȱ additionȱ toȱ thoseȱ properties,ȱ nonȬsewingȱ

Shirtȱwithȱshortȱsleevesȱ
Theȱ goalȱ ofȱ thisȱ researchȱ groupȱ isȱ toȱ developȱ
crewȱ cabinȱ clothingȱ thatȱ meetsȱ theȱ safetyȱ
requirementsȱ forȱ spaceflight,ȱ andȱ thatȱ ensuresȱ
theȱfollowingȱfunctions:ȱ
x Thermalȱcomfortȱ
technologyȱ hasȱ givenȱ theȱ clothingȱ softnessȱ andȱ
wearableȱ comfort.ȱ ȱ Cuttingȱ technologyȱ hasȱ
improvedȱ theȱ wayȱ theȱ clothingȱ fitsȱ andȱ movesȱ
asȱtheȱcrewȱworksȱinȱspace.ȱ
Theȱ groupȱ hasȱ alsoȱ developedȱ aȱ hookȱ &ȱ loopȱ
fastenerȱ withȱ fireȱ retardantȱ propertiesȱ andȱ
fabricatedȱwithȱsoftȱtouchȱmaterials.ȱ

x Cleanlinessȱ

x Mobilityȱ

x Beautifulȱclothingȱcontourȱ

x Lightweightȱandȱcompactȱdesignȱ

Clothingȱdevelopedȱbyȱthisȱresearchȱgroupȱwillȱ
beȱ launchedȱ aboardȱ STSȬ123.ȱ ȱ Duringȱ theȱ
mission,ȱ JAXAȱ astronautȱ Takaoȱ Doiȱ willȱ wearȱ
theȱ variousȱ clothingȱ typesȱ developedȱ byȱ theȱ
groupȱtoȱevaluateȱtheȱcomfortȱandȱfunctionalityȱ
ofȱtheȱclothing.ȱ
ȱ
Shortsȱ

MARCH 2008
ȱ
A OA OVERVIEW
 ȱ
ȱ
E TRE CANA IAN RO OTICS OR
THE INTERNATIONA S ACE STATION
Dextreȱ isȱ theȱ thirdȱ andȱ finalȱ componentȱ ofȱ theȱ
MobileȱServicingȱSystemȱdevelopedȱbyȱCanadaȱ
forȱ theȱ ISS.ȱ ȱ Theȱ twoȬarmedȱ Specialȱ Purposeȱ
Dexterousȱ Manipulator,ȱ knownȱ asȱ “Dextre,”ȱ
complementsȱ theȱ mobileȱ baseȱ andȱ theȱ roboticȱ
armȱ Canadarm2ȱ alreadyȱ installedȱ andȱ
operatingȱonȱtheȱstation.ȱȱTheseȱmakeȱtheȱMSSȱaȱ
vitalȱ toolȱ forȱ externalȱ stationȱ maintenance.ȱȱ
Withȱ advancedȱ stabilizationȱ andȱ handlingȱ
capabilities,ȱ Dextreȱ canȱ performȱ delicateȱ
humanȬscaleȱ tasksȱ suchȱ asȱ removingȱ andȱ
replacingȱsmallȱexteriorȱcomponents.ȱȱOperatedȱ
byȱcrewȱmembersȱinsideȱtheȱstationȱorȱbyȱflightȱ
controllersȱ onȱ theȱ ground,ȱ itȱ alsoȱ isȱ equippedȱ
withȱ lights,ȱ videoȱ equipment,ȱ aȱ stowageȱ
platform,ȱandȱthreeȱroboticȱtools.ȱ

ȱ
TheȱSpecialȱPurposeȱDexterousȱManipulatorȱcanȱperformȱdelicateȱhumanȬȱ
scaleȱtasksȱsuchȱasȱremovingȱandȱreplacingȱsmallȱexteriorȱcomponents.ȱ

ȱ
0 A OA OVERVIEW MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ
TheȱtechnologyȱbehindȱDextreȱevolvedȱfromȱitsȱ
famousȱ predecessorȱ Canadarm2.ȱ ȱ Dextreȱ isȱ theȱ
world’sȱ firstȱ onȬorbitȱ servicingȱ robotȱ withȱ anȱ
operationalȱ mission,ȱ andȱ itȱ laysȱ theȱ foundationȱ
forȱ futureȱ satelliteȱ servicingȱ andȱ spaceȱ
explorationȱcapabilities.ȱ
W C
Whileȱ oneȱ armȱ isȱ usedȱ toȱ anchorȱ andȱ stabilizeȱ
theȱ system,ȱ theȱ otherȱ canȱ performȱ fineȱ
manipulationȱ tasksȱ suchȱ asȱ removingȱ andȱ
replacingȱ stationȱ components,ȱ openingȱ andȱ
closingȱ covers,ȱ andȱ deployingȱ orȱ retractingȱ
mechanisms.ȱ ȱ Dextreȱ canȱ eitherȱ beȱ attachedȱ toȱ
theȱendȱofȱCanadarm2ȱorȱrideȱindependentlyȱonȱ
theȱ Mobileȱ Baseȱ System.ȱ ȱ Toȱ grabȱ objects,ȱ
DextreȱhasȱspecialȱgrippersȱwithȱbuiltȬinȱsocketȱ
wrench,ȱ camera,ȱ andȱ lights.ȱ ȱ Theȱ twoȱ pan/tiltȱ
camerasȱ belowȱ itsȱ rotatingȱ torsoȱ provideȱ
operatorsȱ withȱ additionalȱ viewsȱ ofȱ theȱ workȱ
area.ȱ
Currently,ȱ astronautsȱ executeȱ manyȱ tasksȱ thatȱ
canȱ onlyȱ beȱ performedȱ duringȱ long,ȱ arduous,ȱ
andȱ potentiallyȱ dangerousȱ spacewalks.ȱȱ
Deliveryȱ ofȱ thisȱ elementȱ increasesȱ crewȱ safetyȱ
andȱreducesȱtheȱamountȱofȱtimeȱthatȱastronautsȱ
mustȱ spendȱ outsideȱ theȱ stationȱ forȱ routineȱ
maintenance.ȱȱTheyȱshouldȱthereforeȱhaveȱmoreȱ
timeȱforȱscientificȱactivities.ȱ
Someȱ ofȱ theȱ manyȱ tasksȱ Dextreȱ willȱ performȱ
include:ȱ
x Installingȱ andȱ removingȱ smallȱ payloadsȱ
suchȱ asȱ batteries,ȱ powerȱ switchingȱ units,ȱ
andȱcomputersȱ
x Providingȱpowerȱtoȱpayloadsȱ
x Manipulating,ȱ installing,ȱ andȱ removingȱ
scientificȱpayloadsȱ
MARCH 2008
ȱ
A OA OVERVIEW
AȱtypicalȱtaskȱforȱDextreȱwouldȱbeȱtoȱreplaceȱaȱ
depletedȱ batteryȱ (100ȱ kg,ȱ 220ȱ pounds)ȱ andȱ
engageȱallȱtheȱconnectors.ȱȱThisȱinvolvesȱboltingȱ
andȱ unbolting,ȱ asȱ wellȱ asȱ millimetreȬlevelȱ
positioningȱ accuracyȱ forȱ aligningȱ andȱ insertingȱ
theȱnewȱbattery.ȱ
I R
S
Thisȱkindȱofȱtaskȱdemandsȱhighȱprecisionȱandȱaȱ
gentleȱ touch.ȱ ȱ Toȱ achieveȱ this,ȱ Dextreȱ hasȱ aȱ
uniqueȱ technology:ȱ ȱ preciseȱ sensingȱ ofȱ theȱ
forcesȱ andȱ torqueȱ inȱ itsȱ gripȱ withȱ automaticȱ
compensationȱ toȱ ensureȱ theȱ payloadȱ glidesȱ
smoothlyȱintoȱitsȱmountingȱfixture.ȱȱDextreȱcanȱ
pivotȱ atȱ theȱ waist,ȱ andȱ itsȱ shouldersȱ supportȱ
twoȱidenticalȱarmsȱwithȱsevenȱoffsetȱjointsȱthatȱ
allowȱ forȱ greatȱ freedomȱ ofȱ movement.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
waistȱ jointȱ allowsȱ theȱ operatorȱ toȱ changeȱ theȱ
positionȱ ofȱ theȱ tools,ȱ cameras,ȱ andȱ temporaryȱ
stowageȱ onȱtheȱ lowerȱ bodyȱ withȱ respectȱ toȱ theȱ
armsȱonȱtheȱupperȱbody.ȱȱDextreȱisȱdesignedȱtoȱ
moveȱ onlyȱ oneȱ armȱ atȱ aȱ timeȱ forȱ severalȱ
reasons:ȱ ȱ toȱ maintainȱ stability,ȱ toȱ harmonizeȱ
activitiesȱ withȱ Canadarmȱ onȱ theȱ shuttleȱ andȱ
Canadarm2ȱonȱ theȱstationȱandȱ toȱminimizeȱtheȱ
possibilityȱofȱselfȬcollision.ȱ
Atȱtheȱendȱofȱeachȱarmȱisȱanȱorbitalȱreplacementȱ
unit/toolȱ changeoutȱ mechanism,ȱ orȱ OTCMȱ —
parallelȱjawsȱthatȱholdȱaȱpayloadȱorȱtoolȱwithȱaȱ
viceȬlikeȱ grip.ȱ ȱ Eachȱ OTCMȱ hasȱ aȱ retractableȱ
motorizedȱsocketȱwrenchȱtoȱturnȱboltsȱandȱmateȱ
orȱdetachȱmechanisms,ȱasȱwellȱasȱaȱcameraȱandȱ
lightsȱ forȱ closeȬupȱ viewing.ȱ ȱ Aȱ retractableȱ
umbilicalȱ connectorȱ canȱ provideȱ power,ȱ data,ȱ
andȱvideoȱconnectionȱfeedȬthroughȱtoȱpayloads.ȱ
Fromȱ aȱ workstationȱ aboardȱ theȱ station,ȱ
astronautsȱ canȱ operateȱallȱ theȱMobileȱ Servicingȱ
Systemȱ components,ȱ namelyȱ Canadarm2,ȱ theȱ
mobileȱ base,ȱ andȱ Dextre.ȱ ȱ Toȱ prepareȱ forȱ
1
 ȱ
ȱ
operatingȱ eachȱ component,ȱ astronautsȱ andȱ
cosmonautsȱ undergoȱ rigorousȱ trainingȱ atȱ theȱ
Canadianȱ Spaceȱ Agency’sȱ Operationsȱ
Engineeringȱ Trainingȱ Facilityȱ atȱ theȱ Johnȱ H.ȱ
ChapmanȱSpaceȱCentreȱinȱLongueuil,ȱQuebec.ȱ
C C
I S S astronautȱ Chrisȱ Hadfieldȱ inȱ 2001.ȱ ȱ Theȱ mobileȱ
Renownedȱ forȱ itsȱ expertiseȱ inȱ spaceȱ robotics,ȱ
Canada’sȱ contributionȱ toȱ theȱ ISSȱ ȱ aȱ uniqueȱ
collaborativeȱ projectȱ withȱ theȱ Unitedȱ States,ȱ
Japan,ȱ Russiaȱ andȱ severalȱ Europeanȱ nationsȱ ȱ
isȱtheȱMobileȱServicingȱSystem.ȱȱCombiningȱtwoȱ
roboticȱ elementsȱ andȱ aȱ mobileȱ platform,ȱ theyȱ
areȱ designedȱ toȱ workȱ togetherȱ orȱ
independently.ȱ ȱ Theȱ firstȱ element,ȱ Canadarm2,ȱ
whoseȱ technicalȱ nameȱ isȱ theȱ Spaceȱ Stationȱ
Remoteȱ Manipulatorȱ System,ȱ wasȱ deliveredȱ
andȱ installedȱ byȱ Canadianȱ Spaceȱ Agencyȱ
baseȱ systemȱ wasȱ addedȱ toȱ theȱ stationȱ inȱ 2002.ȱȱ
Dextreȱ launchesȱ aboardȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ
EndeavourȱonȱflightȱSTSȬ123.ȱ

ȱ
ThisȱimageȱillustratesȱDextreȱworkingȱatȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱstation’sȱCanadarm2.ȱ

ȱ
2 A OA OVERVIEW MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ

ȱ
Dextreȱcanȱpivotȱatȱtheȱwaistȱandȱitsȱshouldersȱsupportȱtwoȱidenticalȱarmsȱȱ
withȱsevenȱoffsetȱjointsȱthatȱallowȱforȱgreatȱfreedomȱofȱmovement.ȱ

S A ASS A
eters feet ki o ra s
ounds
( eters
feet i i eters
A inch
A ( ) eters feet ( )
( ) ki o ra s i i eters
ounds A ( inch
ȱ )
A ne tons
ound force
A atts

ȱ
Forȱmoreȱinformation,ȱvisit:ȱ

http://www.space.gc.ca

MARCH 2008
ȱ
A OA OVERVIEW 3
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Thisȱpageȱintentionallyȱleftȱblank.ȱ

54
ȱ
PAYLOAD OVERVIEW MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ

REN E VO S AN OC IN
ȱ

ȱ
BackdroppedȱbyȱaȱblueȱandȱwhiteȱEarth,ȱspaceȱshuttleȱEndeavourȱapproachesȱtheȱInternationalȱ
SpaceȱStationȱduringȱSTSȬ118ȱrendezvousȱandȱdockingȱoperations.ȱȱAȱRussianȱspacecraft,ȱȱ
dockedȱtoȱtheȱstation,ȱcanȱbeȱseenȱinȱtheȱrightȱforeground.ȱ
ȱ
Rendezvousȱ beginsȱ withȱ aȱ preciselyȱ timedȱ Asȱ Endeavourȱ movesȱ closerȱ toȱ theȱ station,ȱ theȱ
launchȱ ofȱ theȱ shuttleȱ onȱ theȱ correctȱ trajectoryȱ shuttle’sȱ rendezvousȱ radarȱ systemȱ andȱ
forȱ itsȱ chaseȱ ofȱ theȱ Internationalȱ Spaceȱ Station.ȱȱ trajectoryȱ controlȱ sensorȱ willȱ giveȱ theȱ crewȱ
Aȱ seriesȱ ofȱ engineȱ firingsȱ overȱ theȱ nextȱȱ rangeȱ andȱ closingȬrateȱ data.ȱ ȱ Severalȱ smallȱ
twoȱdaysȱwillȱbringȱEndeavourȱtoȱaȱpointȱaboutȱ correctionȱ burnsȱ willȱ placeȱ Endeavourȱ aboutȱ
50,000ȱfeetȱbehindȱtheȱstation.ȱ 1,000ȱfeetȱbelowȱtheȱstation.ȱ

Onceȱ there,ȱ Endeavourȱ willȱ startȱ itsȱ finalȱ
approach.ȱȱAboutȱ2.5ȱhoursȱbeforeȱdocking,ȱtheȱ
shuttle’sȱjetsȱwillȱbeȱfiredȱduringȱwhatȱisȱcalledȱ
theȱ terminalȱ initiationȱ burn.ȱ ȱ Endeavourȱ willȱ
coverȱ theȱ finalȱ milesȱ toȱ theȱ stationȱ duringȱ theȱ
nextȱorbit.ȱ
Commanderȱ Dominicȱ Gorie,ȱ withȱ helpȱ fromȱ
Pilotȱ Gregoryȱ H.ȱ Johnsonȱ andȱ otherȱ crewȱ
members,ȱ willȱ manuallyȱ flyȱ theȱ shuttleȱ forȱ theȱ
remainderȱofȱtheȱapproachȱandȱdocking.ȱ

MARCH 2008
ȱ
REN E VO S OC IN
 ȱ
ȱ
GorieȱwillȱstopȱEndeavourȱaboutȱ600ȱfeetȱbelowȱ
theȱstation.ȱȱOnceȱheȱdeterminesȱthereȱisȱproperȱ
lighting,ȱheȱwillȱmaneuverȱtheȱshuttleȱthroughȱaȱ
nineȬminuteȱ backȱ flipȱ calledȱ theȱ Rendezvousȱ
Pitchȱ Maneuver.ȱ ȱ Thatȱ allowsȱ theȱ stationȱ crewȱ
toȱ takeȱ asȱ manyȱ asȱ 300ȱ digitalȱ picturesȱ ofȱ theȱ
shuttle’sȱheatȱshield.ȱ
Stationȱ crewȱ membersȱ willȱ useȱ digitalȱ camerasȱ
withȱ400ȱmmȱandȱ800ȱmmȱlensesȱtoȱphotographȱ
Endeavour’sȱ upperȱ andȱ bottomȱ surfacesȱ
throughȱ windowsȱ ofȱ theȱ Zvezdaȱ Serviceȱ
Module.ȱ ȱ Theȱ 400ȱ mmȱ lensȱ providesȱ upȱ toȱ
3ȱinchȱ resolutionȱ andȱ theȱ 800ȱ mmȱ lensȱ upȱ toȱ
1ȱinchȱresolution.ȱ
ThisȱimageȱillustratesȱspaceȱshuttleȱEndeavourȱdockingȱwithȱtheȱInternationalȱSpaceȱStation.ȱ
ȱ
REN E VO S
Theȱ photographyȱ isȱ oneȱ ofȱ severalȱ techniquesȱ
usedȱtoȱinspectȱtheȱshuttle’sȱthermalȱprotectionȱ
systemȱ forȱ possibleȱ damage.ȱ ȱ Areasȱ ofȱ specialȱ
interestȱincludeȱtheȱtiles,ȱtheȱreinforcedȱcarbonȬ
carbonȱ ofȱ theȱ noseȱ andȱ leadingȱ edgesȱ ofȱ theȱ
wings,ȱlandingȱgearȱdoorsȱandȱtheȱelevonȱcove.ȱ
Theȱ photosȱ willȱ beȱ downlinkedȱ throughȱ theȱ
station’sȱ KuȬbandȱ communicationsȱ systemȱ forȱ
analysisȱ byȱ systemsȱ engineersȱ andȱ missionȱ
managers.ȱ
WhenȱEndeavourȱcompletesȱitsȱbackȱflip,ȱitȱwillȱ
beȱ backȱ whereȱ itȱ started,ȱ withȱ itsȱ payloadȱ bayȱ
facingȱtheȱstation.ȱ
ȱ
OC IN MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ
Gorieȱ thenȱ willȱ flyȱ Endeavourȱ throughȱ aȱ
quarterȱ circleȱ toȱ aȱ positionȱ aboutȱ 400ȱ feetȱ
directlyȱinȱfrontȱofȱtheȱstation.ȱȱFromȱthatȱpointȱ
heȱ willȱ beginȱ theȱ finalȱ approachȱ toȱ dockȱ atȱ theȱ
Pressurizedȱ Matingȱ Adaptorȱ 2ȱ atȱ theȱ forwardȱ
endȱofȱtheȱHarmonyȱmodule.ȱ
Theȱ shuttleȱ crewȱ membersȱ operateȱ laptopȱ
computersȱprocessingȱtheȱnavigationalȱdata,ȱtheȱ
laserȱ rangeȱ systemsȱ andȱ Endeavour’sȱ dockingȱ
mechanism.ȱ
Usingȱaȱvideoȱcameraȱmountedȱinȱtheȱcenterȱofȱ
theȱOrbiterȱDockingȱ System,ȱGorieȱwillȱ lineȱ upȱ
theȱ dockingȱ portsȱ ofȱ theȱ twoȱ spacecraft.ȱ ȱ Ifȱ
necessary,ȱheȱwillȱpauseȱ30ȱfeetȱfromȱtheȱstationȱ
toȱ ensureȱ properȱ alignmentȱ ofȱ theȱ dockingȱ
mechanisms.ȱ
second,ȱ whileȱ bothȱ Endeavourȱ andȱ theȱ stationȱ
areȱmovingȱatȱaboutȱ17,500ȱmph.ȱȱHeȱwillȱkeepȱ
theȱdockingȱ mechanismsȱ alignedȱ toȱ aȱ toleranceȱ
ofȱthreeȱinches.ȱ
Whenȱ Endeavourȱ makesȱ contactȱ withȱ theȱ
station,ȱ preliminaryȱ latchesȱ willȱ automaticallyȱ
attachȱtheȱtwoȱspacecraft.ȱȱTheȱshuttle’sȱsteeringȱ
jetsȱ willȱ beȱ deactivatedȱ toȱ reduceȱ theȱ forcesȱ
actingȱatȱtheȱdockingȱinterface.ȱȱShockȱabsorberȱ
springsȱinȱtheȱdockingȱmechanismȱwillȱdampenȱ
anyȱ relativeȱ motionȱ betweenȱ theȱ shuttleȱ andȱ
station.ȱ
Onceȱ motionȱ betweenȱ theȱ shuttleȱ andȱ theȱ
stationȱhasȱbeenȱstopped,ȱtheȱdockingȱringȱwillȱ
beȱ retractedȱ toȱ closeȱ aȱ finalȱ setȱ ofȱ latchesȱ
betweenȱtheȱtwoȱvehicles.ȱ

Heȱwillȱmaintainȱtheȱshuttle’sȱspeedȱrelativeȱtoȱ
theȱ stationȱ atȱ aboutȱ oneȬtenthȱ ofȱ aȱ footȱ perȱ

ȱ
BackdroppedȱbyȱEarth,ȱtheȱInternationalȱSpaceȱStationȱisȱseenȱfromȱspaceȱȱ
shuttleȱAtlantisȱasȱtheȱtwoȱspacecraftȱbeginȱseparationȱandȱtheȱȱ
STSȬ122ȱmissionȱnearsȱitsȱcompletion.ȱ

MARCH 2008
ȱ
REN E VO S OC IN
 ȱ
ȱ
N OC IN SE ARATION AN
E ART RE
Atȱ undocking,ȱ hooksȱ andȱ latchesȱ willȱ beȱ
openedȱandȱspringsȱwillȱpushȱEndeavourȱawayȱ
fromȱtheȱstation.ȱȱTheȱshuttle’sȱsteeringȱjetsȱwillȱ
beȱ shutȱ offȱ toȱ avoidȱ anyȱ inadvertentȱ firingsȱ
duringȱtheȱinitialȱseparation.ȱ
Onceȱ Endeavourȱ isȱ aboutȱ twoȱ feetȱ fromȱ theȱ
stationȱandȱtheȱdockingȱdevicesȱareȱclearȱofȱoneȱ
another,ȱ Johnsonȱ willȱ turnȱ theȱ steeringȱ jetsȱ onȱ
andȱ willȱ manuallyȱ flyȱ Endeavourȱ inȱ aȱ tightȱ
corridorȱ asȱ theȱ shuttleȱ movesȱ awayȱ fromȱ theȱ
station.ȱ
Endeavourȱ willȱ moveȱ awayȱ aboutȱ 450ȱ feet.ȱȱ
Then,ȱ ifȱ propellantȱ andȱ timeȱ permit,ȱ Johnsonȱ
willȱ beginȱ toȱ flyȱ theȱ shuttleȱ aroundȱ theȱ stationȱ
andȱ itsȱ newȱ laboratory.ȱ ȱ Onceȱ Endeavourȱ
completesȱ 1.5ȱ revolutionsȱ ofȱ theȱ station,ȱ
Johnsonȱ willȱ fireȱ Endeavour’sȱ jetsȱ toȱ leaveȱ theȱ
area.ȱ

ȱ
ThisȱimageȱdepictsȱspaceȱshuttleȱEndeavourȱundockingȱȱ
fromȱtheȱstationȱfollowingȱtheȱSTSȬ123ȱmission.ȱ

ȱ
8 REN E VO S OC IN MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ

SPACEWALKS
ȱ
FiveȱspacewalksȱperformedȱbyȱfourȱofȱSTSȬ123’sȱ
astronautsȱ willȱ helpȱ installȱ theȱ Japaneseȱ
ELMȬPSȱandȱassembleȱDextre,ȱtheȱSPDM.ȱ
Spacewalkersȱ alsoȱ willȱ demonstrateȱ aȱ spaceȱ
shuttleȱ heatȱ shieldȱ repairȱ technique,ȱ usingȱ theȱ
TileȱRepairȱAblatorȱDispenserȱ(TȬRAD),ȱsimilarȱ
toȱaȱcaulkȱgun.ȱȱForemanȱandȱBehnkenȱwillȱuseȱ
theȱ TȬRADȱ toȱ mixȱ aȱ gooȬlikeȱ substanceȱ knownȱ
asȱ STAȬ54ȱ andȱ extrudeȱ itȱ intoȱ holesȱ inȱ severalȱ
demonstrationȱ tiles.ȱ ȱ Theyȱ willȱ smoothȱ theȱ
materialȱ byȱ tampingȱ itȱ withȱ foamȬtippedȱ tools.ȱȱ
Theȱ repairedȱ samplesȱ willȱ beȱ stowedȱ inȱ
Endeavour’sȱ cargoȱ bayȱ forȱ returnȱ toȱ Earth,ȱ
whereȱtheyȱwillȱundergoȱextensiveȱtesting.ȱ
STSȬ123’sȱ spacewalksȱ willȱ occurȱ onȱ flightȱ daysȱ
4,ȱ6,ȱ8,ȱ11,ȱandȱ13.ȱ

ȱ
Thisȱimageȱillustratesȱtheȱstation’sȱroboticȱarmȱgrapplingȱtheȱOrbiterȱBoomȱSensorȱSystemȱinȱ
preparationȱforȱitsȱtemporaryȱstowageȱonȱtheȱstation’sȱS1ȱtruss.ȱ

MARCH 2008
ȱ
SPACEWALKS 59
 ȱ
ȱ
Veteranȱ Rickȱ Linnehanȱ isȱ theȱ mission’sȱ leadȱ
spacewalker.ȱ ȱ Heȱ conductedȱ threeȱ spacewalksȱ
inȱ Marchȱ 2002ȱ duringȱ STSȬ109,ȱ theȱ fourthȱ
Hubbleȱ Spaceȱ Telescopeȱ servicingȱ mission.ȱȱ
Linnehanȱwillȱconductȱtheȱfirstȱthreeȱexcursionsȱ
withȱ threeȱ differentȱ firstȬtimeȱ spacewalkersȱ —ȱ
Garrettȱ Reisman,ȱ Mikeȱ Foremanȱ andȱȱ
RobertȱL.ȱBehnken.ȱ
Behnkenȱ andȱ Foremanȱ willȱ performȱ theȱ twoȱ
finalȱ spacewalks,ȱ includingȱ theȱ heatȱ shieldȱ
repairȱdemonstration.ȱ
Theȱ spacewalkersȱ willȱ beȱ identifiableȱ byȱ
variousȱmarkingsȱonȱtheirȱspacesuits.ȱȱLinnehanȱ
willȱ wearȱ theȱ suitȱ bearingȱ solidȱ redȱ stripes.ȱȱ
Reismanȱ willȱ wearȱ anȱ allȬwhiteȱ spacesuit.ȱȱ
Foreman’sȱsuitȱwillȱbeȱdistinguishedȱbyȱbrokenȱ
horizontalȱ redȱ stripes,ȱ andȱ Behnken’sȱ suitȱ willȱ
beȱmarkedȱwithȱaȱdiagonalȱcandyȱcaneȱstripe.ȱ
Eachȱ spacewalkȱ willȱ startȱ fromȱ theȱ station’sȱ
Questȱ airlock.ȱ ȱ Theȱ astronautsȱ willȱ prepareȱ byȱ
usingȱ theȱ campoutȱ prebreatheȱ protocol,ȱ
spendingȱtheȱnightȱbeforeȱtheȱspacewalkȱinȱtheȱ
airlock.ȱ ȱ Theȱ prebreatheȱ exerciseȱ purgesȱ
nitrogenȱ fromȱ theȱ astronauts’ȱ systemsȱ toȱ
preventȱdecompressionȱsickness,ȱalsoȱknownȱasȱ
“theȱbends.”ȱ

ȱ
ThisȱimageȱdepictsȱtheȱKiboȱJapaneseȱExperimentȱModuleȱthatȱwillȱbeȱinstalledȱȱ
onȱtheȱInternationalȱSpaceȱStationȱduringȱtheȱSTSȬ123ȱmission.ȱ

ȱ
0 S ACEWA S MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ

ȱ
MissionȱSpecialistsȱRickȱLinnehanȱandȱGarrettȱReismanȱwillȱȱ
conductȱtheȱfirstȱofȱtheȱmission’sȱfiveȱscheduledȱspacewalks.ȱ
ȱ
Duringȱ theȱ campout,ȱ theȱ spacewalkingȱ crewȱ EVA-1
membersȱisolateȱthemselvesȱinȱtheȱairlock.ȱȱTheȱ
airlock’sȱairȱpressureȱisȱloweredȱtoȱ10.2ȱpoundsȱ EV1:ȱȱLinnehanȱ
perȱsquareȱinchȱ(psi)ȱwhileȱtheȱstationȱisȱkeptȱatȱ
EV4:ȱȱReismanȱ
14.7ȱpsi,ȱorȱnearȱseaȬlevelȱpressure.ȱȱWhenȱtheyȱ
wakeȱ up,ȱ theȱ astronautsȱ donȱ oxygenȱ masks,ȱ IV:ȱȱForemanȱ
andȱ theȱ airlock’sȱ pressureȱ isȱ raisedȱ toȱ 14.7ȱ psiȱ
forȱ anȱ hour.ȱ ȱ Afterȱ breakfast,ȱ theȱ pressureȱ isȱ Behnkenȱ andȱ Eyhartsȱ willȱ operateȱ theȱ station’sȱ
loweredȱbackȱtoȱ10.2ȱpsiȱforȱanȱadditionalȱhourȱ roboticȱarmȱ
asȱ theȱ astronautsȱ donȱ theirȱ spacesuits.ȱ ȱ Anȱ
Duration:ȱȱ6.5ȱhoursȱ
additionalȱ30ȱminutesȱinȱtheȱsuitsȱcompletesȱtheȱ
protocol.ȱ ȱ Theȱ campoutȱ procedureȱ enablesȱ
spacewalksȱ toȱ beginȱ earlierȱ inȱ theȱ crew’sȱ dayȱ
thanȱbeforeȱtheȱprotocolȱwasȱadopted.ȱ

MARCH 2008
ȱ
S ACEWA S 1
 ȱ
ȱ
EVAȱOperations:ȱ x InstallȱbothȱtheȱOrbitalȱReplacementȱȱ
Unitȱ(ORU)ȱtoolȱchangeȱoutȱmechanismsȱonȱ
x Prepareȱ theȱ ELMȬPS for un erthin fro Dextre.ȱ
a oad a

x OpenȱtheȱCenterlineȱBerthingȱCameraȱ EVA-2
SystemȱonȱtopȱofȱtheȱHarmonyȱmodule.ȱȱ EV1:ȱȱLinnehanȱ
Theȱsystemȱprovidesȱliveȱvideoȱtoȱassistȱ
withȱdockingȱspacecraftȱandȱmodulesȱ EV3:ȱȱForemanȱ
togetherȱ
IV:ȱȱBehnkenȱ
x RemoveȱPassiveȱCommonȱBerthingȱ
Mechanism,ȱtheȱroundȱflangeȱwhichȱcanȱ Duration:ȱȱ7ȱhoursȱ
attachȱtoȱanotherȱspacecraftȱorȱmodule.ȱȱ EVAȱOperations:ȱ
DisconnectȱtheȱlaunchȬthroughȬ
activationȱcablesȱ Assembleȱ Dextre,ȱ removingȱ coversȱ andȱ
installingȱarmȱcomponents.ȱ

ȱ
MissionȱspecialistsȱRickȱLinnehanȱandȱMikeȱForemanȱȱ
willȱconductȱtheȱsecondȱspacewalkȱonȱflightȱdayȱ6.ȱ

ȱ
2 S ACEWA S MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ
EVA-3 2.ȱ InstallȱtheȱCameraȱLightȱPanȱTiltȱ
Assemblyȱ(CLPA)ȱ
EV1:ȱȱLinnehanȱ
3.ȱ Removeȱtheȱcoverȱ
EV2:ȱȱBehnkenȱ
x PrepareȱtheȱSpacelabȱLogisticsȱPalletȱforȱ
IV:ȱȱForemanȱ
landingȱ
Duration:ȱȱ6.5ȱhoursȱ
x MoveȱtheȱMISSEȱ6ȱexperimentȱtoȱtheȱ
EVAȱOperations:ȱ Columbusȱmoduleȱ

x OutfitȱDextreȱ x TransferȱaȱspareȱCanadarm2ȱyawȱjointȱ

1.ȱ InstallȱtheȱORUȱandȱtoolȱplatform/toolȱ x TransferȱtwoȱspareȱDirectȱCurrentȱ

holderȱassemblyȱ SwitchingȱUnitsȱ

ȱ
MissionȱspecialistsȱRickȱLinnehanȱandȱRobertȱBehnkenȱwillȱconductȱȱ
theȱmission’sȱthirdȱspacewalkȱscheduledȱforȱflightȱdayȱ8.ȱ

MARCH 2008
ȱ
S ACEWA S 3
 ȱ
ȱ
EVA- EVAȱOperations:ȱ

EV2:ȱȱBehnkenȱ x ReplaceȱaȱfailedȱRemoteȱPowerȱControllerȱ
Moduleȱonȱtheȱstation’sȱtrussȱ
EV3:ȱȱForemanȱ
x TȬRADȱDetailedȱTestȱObjectiveȱ(DTO)ȱ848,ȱ
IV:ȱȱLinnehanȱ theȱheatȱshieldȱrepairȱdemonstrationȱ

Duration:ȱȱ6.5ȱhoursȱ

MissionȱspecialistsȱRobertȱBehnkenȱandȱMikeȱForemanȱwillȱconductȱȱ
theȱmission’sȱfinalȱtwoȱspacewalksȱonȱflightȱdaysȱ11ȱandȱ13.ȱ

ȱ
S ACEWA S MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ
EVA- x InstallȱELMȬPSȱtrunnionȱcoversȱ

EV2:ȱȱBehnkenȱ x ReinstallȱTrundleȱBearingȱAssemblyȱNo.ȱ5ȱ
inȱtheȱstarboardȱSARJȱ
EV3:ȱȱForemanȱ
x ReleaseȱlaunchȱlocksȱonȱHarmony’sȱportȱ
IV:ȱȱLinnehanȱ andȱnadirȱCommonȱBerthingȱMechanismsȱ

Duration:ȱȱ6.5ȱhoursȱ x Removeȱadditionalȱcoversȱfromȱtheȱ
starboardȱSARJȱandȱperformȱinspections,ȱ
EVAȱOperations:ȱ
captureȱdigitalȱphotographyȱandȱperformȱ
x TransferȱtheȱOBSSȱtoȱaȱtemporaryȱstowageȱ debrisȱcollectionȱ
locationȱonȱtheȱS1ȱtruss.ȱ
ȱ

MARCH 2008
ȱ
S ACEWA S
 ȱ
ȱ

Thisȱpageȱintentionallyȱleftȱblank.ȱ

ȱ
S ACEWA S MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ
EXPERIMENTS
ȱ
DETAILED TEST OBJECTIVES
Detailedȱ Testȱ Objectivesȱ (DTOs)ȱ areȱ aimedȱ atȱ
testing,ȱ evaluatingȱ orȱ documentingȱ spaceȱ
shuttleȱ systemsȱ orȱ hardware,ȱ orȱ proposedȱ
improvementsȱ toȱ theȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ orȱ spaceȱ
stationȱhardware,ȱsystemsȱandȱoperations.ȱ
DTO 848 Tile Repair Ablator Dispenser
Theȱ primaryȱ purposeȱ ofȱ theȱ detailedȱ testȱ
objectiveȱ isȱ toȱ evaluateȱ theȱ Shuttleȱ Tileȱ
AblatorȬ54ȱ (STAȬ54)ȱ materialȱ andȱ aȱ tileȱ repairȱ
ablatorȱ dispenserȱ inȱ aȱ microgravityȱ andȱ
vacuumȱ environmentȱ forȱ theirȱ useȱ asȱ aȱ spaceȱ
shuttleȱ thermalȱ protectionȱ systemȱ repairȱ
technique.ȱ
Spacewalkersȱ Robertȱ Behnkenȱ andȱ Mikeȱ
Foremanȱonȱflightȱdayȱ11ȱwillȱsetȱupȱforȱtheȱtestȱ
onȱtheȱoutsideȱofȱtheȱDestinyȱlab.ȱ
Theȱ Tileȱ Repairȱ Ablatorȱ Dispenserȱ (TȬRAD)ȱ isȱ
similarȱtoȱaȱcaulkȬgun.ȱȱBothȱspacewalkersȱwillȱ
useȱ theȱ TȬRADȱ toȱ mixȱ andȱ extrudeȱ theȱ STAȬ54ȱ
materialȱ intoȱ holesȱ inȱ severalȱ demonstrationȱ
tiles.ȱȱTheȱspacewalkersȱwillȱwatchȱforȱswellingȱ
ofȱtheȱmaterialȱandȱworkȱitȱinȱuntilȱitȱisȱsmoothȱ
byȱ tampingȱ theȱ materialȱ withȱ foamȬtippedȱ
tools.ȱ
Theȱ repairedȱsamplesȱandȱtoolsȱwillȱ beȱstowedȱ
inȱ Endeavour’sȱ cargoȱ bayȱ forȱ returnȱ toȱ Earth.ȱȱ
Theȱ samplesȱ willȱ undergoȱ extensiveȱ testingȱ onȱ
theȱground.ȱ
DTO 853 In-Flight Evaluation for Areas
of CO 2 Concentration
Theȱ purposeȱ ofȱ theȱ DTOȱ isȱ toȱ evaluateȱ carbonȱ
dioxideȱ(CO2)ȱlevelsȱatȱspecificȱtimesȱduringȱtheȱ
missionȱ andȱ inȱ shuttleȱ areasȱ thatȱ haveȱ theȱ
MARCH 2008
ȱ
EXPERIMENTS
potentialȱtoȱcontainȱelevatedȱlevels.ȱȱTheȱDTOȱisȱ
beingȱ carriedȱ outȱ overȱ fourȱ missions:ȱ ȱ STSȬ118,ȱ
STSȬ120,ȱ STSȬ122ȱ andȱ STSȬ123.ȱ ȱ Duringȱ theȱ
missions,ȱ theȱ dataȱ willȱ beȱ collectedȱ overȱ aȱ
periodȱofȱfiveȱdays,ȱduringȱsimilarȱtimeȱperiodsȱ
andȱinȱsimilarȱlocations.ȱ
Theȱ CO2ȱ levelsȱ willȱ beȱ recordedȱ usingȱ theȱ
Carbonȱ Dioxideȱ Monitorȱ (CDM)ȱ –ȱ aȱ portableȱ
handheldȱ deviceȱ designedȱ toȱ monitorȱ andȱ
quantifyȱCO2ȱconcentrations.ȱ
Theȱ testȱ wasȱ promptedȱ byȱ theȱ STSȬ121ȱ andȱ
STSȬ115ȱ missionȱ crewsȱ whoȱ reportedȱ
experiencingȱ stuffinessȱ andȱ headachesȱ whileȱ
sleepingȱ inȱ theȱ middeckȱ area.ȱ ȱ Theȱ symptomsȱ
areȱbelievedȱtoȱmostȱlikelyȱresultȱfromȱexposureȱ
toȱhighȱlevelsȱofȱCO2.ȱ
Forȱ theȱ reportedȱ timesȱ duringȱ STSȬ121ȱ andȱ
STSȬ115,ȱ theȱ CO2ȱ levelsȱ withinȱ theȱ crewȱ
module,ȱ asȱ indicatedȱ byȱ theȱ vehicleȱ
instrumentation,ȱ wereȱ withinȱ theȱ acceptableȱ
range.ȱ ȱ Additionally,ȱ forȱ theȱ courseȱ ofȱ theȱ
dockedȱ phase,ȱ theȱ CO2ȱ levelsȱ inȱ theȱ shuttleȱ
trackedȱwellȱwithȱtheȱlevelsȱinȱtheȱstation.ȱȱTheȱ
stationȱcrewȱdidȱnotȱreportȱanyȱsymptoms.ȱ
Dataȱ samplingȱ locationsȱ forȱ theȱ testȱ areȱ
dependentȱ uponȱ crewȱ sleepȱ locationsȱ andȱhighȱ
activityȱlocationsȱbecauseȱtheȱpostȬsleepȱactivityȱ
periodȱ andȱ highȱ activityȱ periodsȱ areȱ theȱ timesȱ
whenȱCO2ȱsymptomsȱwereȱreportedȱbyȱtheȱtwoȱ
crews.ȱ
Duringȱ theȱ upcomingȱ fourȱ missions,ȱ theȱ crewsȱ
willȱplaceȱtheȱCDMȱinȱtheȱmiddeckȱbeforeȱtheyȱ
goȱ toȱ sleepȱ soȱ thatȱ groundȱ controllersȱȱ
canȱ monitorȱ CO2ȱ levelsȱ continuously.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
informationȱ willȱ beȱ usedȱ toȱ identifyȱ CO2ȱ “hotȱ
spots”ȱwithinȱtheȱshuttle.ȱ
67
 ȱ
ȱ
Asȱ aȱ result,ȱ engineeringȱ evaluationsȱ willȱ beȱ
madeȱ toȱ fineȬtuneȱ airȱ exchangeȱ analyses,ȱ toȱ
determineȱ ifȱ anyȱ configurationȱ changesȱ areȱ
necessaryȱtoȱoptimizeȱairflowȱandȱtoȱdetermineȱ
ifȱ operationalȱ improvementsȱ areȱ neededȱ orȱ ifȱ
crewȱ exposureȱ timeȱ inȱ identifiedȱ areasȱ shouldȱ
beȱlimited.ȱ
CDMȱ technologyȱ wasȱ successfullyȱ usedȱ toȱ
determineȱ theȱ existenceȱ ofȱ CO2ȱ pocketsȱ onȱ theȱ
spaceȱ station.ȱ ȱ Theȱ kitȱ thatȱ willȱ beȱ usedȱ onȱ theȱ
shuttleȱwillȱincludeȱtheȱCDM,ȱfiltersȱandȱseveralȱ
batteryȱ packs.ȱ ȱ Theȱ CDMȱ isȱ capableȱ ofȱ
monitoringȱ CO2ȱ inȱ aȱ localizedȱ areaȱ forȱ eitherȱ
longȱ orȱ shortȱ durationsȱ ofȱ time,ȱ dependingȱ onȱ
theȱoperatingȱmode.ȱ
TO 80 C
I
TheȱpurposeȱofȱthisȱDTOȱisȱtoȱdemonstrateȱtheȱ
capabilityȱ toȱ performȱ aȱ manuallyȱ controlledȱ
landingȱ inȱ theȱ presenceȱ ofȱ aȱ crosswind.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
testingȱisȱdoneȱinȱtwoȱsteps.ȱ
1.ȱ PreȬlaunch:ȱ ȱ Ensureȱ planningȱ willȱ allowȱ
selectionȱ ofȱ aȱ runwayȱ withȱ Microwaveȱ
Scanningȱ Beamȱ Landingȱ Systemȱ support,ȱ
whichȱ isȱ aȱ setȱ ofȱ dualȱ transmittersȱ locatedȱ
besideȱ theȱ runwayȱ providingȱ precisionȱ
navigationȱ vertically,ȱ horizontallyȱ andȱ
longitudinallyȱ withȱ respectȱ toȱ theȱ runway.ȱȱ
Thisȱ precisionȱ navigationȱ subsystemȱ helpsȱ
provideȱ aȱ higherȱ probabilityȱ ofȱ aȱ moreȱ
preciseȱ landingȱ withȱ aȱ crosswindȱ ofȱ 10ȱ toȱ
15ȱknotsȱasȱlateȱinȱtheȱflightȱasȱpossible.ȱ
2.ȱ Entry:ȱ ȱ Thisȱ testȱ requiresȱ thatȱ theȱ crewȱ
performȱ aȱ manuallyȱ controlledȱ landingȱ inȱ
theȱ presenceȱ ofȱ aȱ 90Ȭdegreeȱ crosswindȱ
componentȱofȱ10ȱtoȱ15ȱknotsȱsteadyȱstate.ȱ
Duringȱaȱcrosswindȱlanding,ȱtheȱdragȱchuteȱwillȱ
beȱ deployedȱ afterȱ noseȱ gearȱ touchdownȱ whenȱ
ȱ
8 E ERIMENTS
theȱ vehicleȱ isȱ stableȱ andȱ trackingȱ theȱ runwayȱ
centerline.ȱ
SHORT- RATION RESEARCH
Theȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ andȱ Internationalȱ Spaceȱ
Stationȱ haveȱ anȱ integratedȱ researchȱ programȱ
thatȱoptimizesȱuseȱofȱshuttleȱcrewȱmembersȱandȱ
longȬdurationȱ spaceȱ stationȱ crewȱ membersȱ toȱ
addressȱ researchȱ questionsȱ inȱ aȱ varietyȱ ofȱ
disciplines.ȱ
Forȱinformationȱonȱscienceȱonȱtheȱstation:ȱ
// / / /
/
orȱ
// - /
Detailedȱinformationȱisȱlocatedȱat:ȱ
// / / /
/ /
ValidationȱofȱProceduresȱforȱMonitoringȱCrewȱ
Memberȱ Immuneȱ Functionȱ (Integratedȱ
Immune)ȱ willȱ assessȱ theȱ clinicalȱ risksȱ resultingȱ
fromȱ theȱ adverseȱ effectsȱ ofȱ spaceflightȱ onȱ theȱ
humanȱ immuneȱ systemȱ andȱ willȱ validateȱ aȱ
flightȬcompatibleȱ immuneȱ monitoringȱ strategy.ȱȱ
Researchersȱ willȱ collectȱ andȱ analyzeȱ blood,ȱ
urineȱ andȱ salivaȱ samplesȱ fromȱ crewȱ membersȱ
before,ȱ duringȱ andȱ afterȱ spaceflightȱ toȱ monitorȱ
changesȱinȱtheirȱimmuneȱsystems.ȱ
Mauiȱ Analysisȱ ofȱ Upperȱ Atmosphericȱ
Injectionsȱ (MAUI)ȱ willȱ observeȱ theȱ spaceȱ
shuttleȱ engineȱ exhaustȱ plumesȱ fromȱ theȱȱ
Mauiȱ Spaceȱ Surveillanceȱ Siteȱ inȱ Hawaii.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
observationsȱ willȱ occurȱ whenȱ theȱ shuttleȱ firesȱ
itsȱenginesȱatȱnightȱorȱtwilight.ȱȱAȱtelescopeȱandȱ
allȬskyȱimagersȱwillȱtakeȱimagesȱandȱdataȱwhileȱ
theȱshuttleȱfliesȱoverȱtheȱMauiȱsite.ȱȱTheȱimagesȱ
willȱ beȱ analyzedȱ toȱ betterȱ understandȱ theȱ
MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ
interactionȱ betweenȱ theȱ spacecraftȱ plumeȱ andȱ
theȱupperȱatmosphere.ȱ
Testȱ ofȱ Midodrineȱ asȱ aȱ Countermeasureȱ
Againstȱ PostȬFlightȱ Orthostaticȱ Hypotensionȱ
(Midodrine)ȱ isȱ aȱ testȱ ofȱ theȱ abilityȱ ofȱ theȱ drugȱ
midodrineȱtoȱreduceȱtheȱincidenceȱorȱseverityȱofȱ
orthostaticȱhypotension.ȱȱIfȱsuccessful,ȱtheȱdrugȱ
willȱ beȱ employedȱ asȱ aȱ countermeasureȱ toȱ theȱ
dizzinessȱ causedȱ byȱ theȱ bloodȬpressureȱ
decreaseȱthatȱmanyȱastronautsȱexperienceȱuponȱ
returningȱtoȱtheȱEarth’sȱgravity.ȱ
Bioavailablityȱ andȱ Performanceȱ Effectsȱ ofȱ
Promethazineȱ duringȱ Spaceflightȱ (PMZ)ȱ willȱ
examineȱtheȱperformanceȬimpactingȱsideȬeffectsȱ
ofȱ promethazineȱ andȱ itsȱ bioavailabilityȱ –ȱ theȱ
degreeȱ toȱ whichȱ aȱ drugȱ canȱ beȱ absorbedȱ andȱ
usedȱ byȱ theȱ partsȱ ofȱ theȱ bodyȱ onȱ whichȱ itȱ isȱ
intendedȱ toȱ haveȱ anȱ effect.ȱ ȱ Promethazineȱ isȱ aȱ
medicationȱ takenȱ byȱ astronautsȱ toȱ preventȱ
motionȱsickness.ȱ
SleepȬWakeȱ Actigraphyȱ andȱ Lightȱ Exposureȱ
duringȱ Spaceflightȱ Ȭȱ Shortȱ (SleepȬShort)ȱ willȱ
examineȱ theȱ effectsȱ ofȱ spaceflightȱ onȱ theȱ
sleepȬwakeȱ cyclesȱ ofȱ theȱ astronautsȱ duringȱ
shuttleȱ missions.ȱ ȱ Advancingȱ stateȬofȬtheȬartȱ
technologyȱ forȱ monitoring,ȱ diagnosingȱ andȱ
assessingȱ treatmentȱ ofȱ sleepȱ patternsȱ isȱ vitalȱ toȱ
treatingȱinsomniaȱonȱEarthȱandȱinȱspace.ȱ
Rigidizableȱ Inflatableȱ GetȬAwayȬSpecialȱ
Experimentȱ (RIGEX)ȱ operatesȱ inȱ theȱ spaceȱ
shuttleȱ cargoȱ bayȱ andȱ isȱ designedȱ toȱ testȱ andȱ
collectȱ dataȱ onȱ inflatedȱ andȱ rigidȱ structuresȱ inȱ
space.ȱ ȱ Inflatableȱ tubesȱ willȱ beȱ heatedȱ andȱ
cooledȱ toȱ formȱ structurallyȱ stiffȱ tubes.ȱ ȱ Itȱ willȱ
operateȱ inȱ theȱ U.S.ȱ Departmentȱ ofȱ Defense’sȱ
(DoD)ȱ Canisterȱ forȱ Allȱ Payloadȱ Ejections,ȱ alsoȱ
knownȱasȱCAPE.ȱ
MARCH 2008
ȱ
E ERIMENTS
S R ISS STS-123
Nutritionalȱ Statusȱ Assessmentȱ (Nutrition)ȱ isȱ
NASA’sȱ mostȱcomprehensiveȱinȬflightȱstudyȱtoȱ
dateȱ ofȱ humanȱ physiologicȱ changesȱ duringȱ
longȬdurationȱ spaceflight;ȱ thisȱ includesȱ
measuresȱ ofȱ boneȱ metabolism,ȱ oxidativeȱ
damage,ȱnutritionalȱassessmentsȱandȱhormonalȱ
changes.ȱ ȱ Thisȱ studyȱ willȱ impactȱ bothȱ theȱ
definitionȱ ofȱ nutritionalȱ requirementsȱ andȱ
developmentȱ ofȱ foodȱ systemsȱ forȱ futureȱ spaceȱ
explorationȱ missionsȱ toȱ theȱ moonȱ andȱ Mars.ȱȱ
Theȱexperimentȱalsoȱwillȱhelpȱtoȱunderstandȱtheȱ
impactȱ ofȱ countermeasuresȱ –ȱ exerciseȱ andȱ
pharmaceuticalsȱ –ȱ onȱ nutritionalȱ statusȱ andȱ
nutrientȱrequirementsȱforȱastronauts.ȱ
Neuroendocrineȱ andȱ Immuneȱ Responsesȱ inȱ
HumansȱDuringȱandȱAfterȱLongȱTermȱStayȱatȱ
ISSȱ (Immuno)ȱ providedȱ anȱ understandingȱ forȱ
theȱ developmentȱ ofȱ pharmacologicalȱ toolsȱ toȱ
counterȱ unwantedȱ immunologicalȱ sideȱ effectsȱ
duringȱ longȬdurationȱ missionsȱ inȱ space.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
aimȱ ofȱ thisȱ experimentȱ wasȱ toȱ determineȱ
changesȱ inȱ stressȱ andȱ immuneȱ responses,ȱ
duringȱ andȱ afterȱ aȱ stayȱ onȱ theȱ spaceȱ station.ȱȱ
Thisȱexperimentȱwillȱhelpȱbetterȱunderstandȱtheȱ
couplingȱbetweenȱstressȱandȱtheȱfunctioningȱofȱ
theȱimmuneȱsystem.ȱ
Wavingȱ andȱ Coilingȱ ofȱ Arabidopsisȱ Rootsȱ atȱ
Differentȱ gȬlevelsȱ (WAICO)lȱ studiedȱ theȱ
interactionȱ ofȱ circumnutationȱ (theȱ successiveȱ
bowingȱorȱbendingȱinȱdifferentȱdirectionsȱofȱtheȱ
growingȱ tipȱ ofȱ theȱ stemsȱ andȱ roots)ȱ andȱ
gravitropismȱ (aȱ tendencyȱ toȱ growȱ towardȱ orȱ
awayȱ fromȱ gravity)ȱ inȱ microgravityȱ andȱ 1Ȭgȱ ofȱ
Arabidopsisȱ thalianaȱ (commonlyȱ knownȱ asȱ thaleȱ
cress).ȱ ȱ Thisȱ experimentȱ flewȱ onȱ STSȬ122ȱ andȱ
wasȱsponsoredȱbyȱtheȱEuropeanȱSpaceȱAgency.ȱ
 ȱ
ȱ
Aȱ Comprehensiveȱ Characterizationȱ ofȱ
Microorganismsȱ andȱ Allergensȱ inȱ Spacecraftȱ
(SWAB)ȱ usedȱ advancedȱ molecularȱ techniquesȱ
toȱcomprehensivelyȱevaluateȱmicrobesȱonȱboardȱ
theȱ spaceȱ station,ȱ includingȱ pathogensȱ
(organismsȱthatȱmayȱcauseȱdisease).ȱȱItȱtrackedȱ
changesȱ inȱ theȱ microbialȱ communityȱ asȱ
spacecraftȱ visitȱ theȱ stationȱ andȱ newȱ stationȱ
modulesȱ areȱ added.ȱ ȱ Thisȱ studyȱ allowedȱ anȱ
assessmentȱ ofȱ theȱ riskȱ ofȱ microbesȱ toȱ theȱ crewȱ
andȱtheȱspacecraft.ȱ
E ISS
Theȱ Reverseȱ Geneticȱ Approachȱ toȱ Exploringȱ
GenesȱResponsibleȱforȱCellȱWallȱDynamicsȱinȱ
Supportingȱ Tissuesȱ ofȱ Arabidopsisȱ Underȱ
Microgravityȱ Conditionsȱ andȱ Roleȱ ofȱ
MicrotubuleȬMembraneȬCellȱWallȱContinuumȱ
inȱ Gravityȱ Resistanceȱ inȱ Plantsȱ (CWRW)ȱ isȱ aȱ
pairȱ ofȱ investigationsȱ thatȱ willȱ exploreȱ theȱ
molecularȱ mechanismȱ byȱ whichȱ theȱ cellȱ wallȱ
(rigidȱ outermostȱ layer)ȱ constructionȱ inȱ
Arabidopsisȱ thalianaȱ (aȱ smallȱ plantȱ ofȱ theȱ
mustardȱ family)ȱ isȱ regulatedȱ byȱ gravity.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
secondȱ willȱ determineȱ theȱ importanceȱ ofȱ theȱ
structuralȱ connectionsȱ betweenȱ microtubule,ȱ
plasmaȱ membrane,ȱ cellȱ wallȱ asȱ theȱ mechanismȱ
ofȱ gravityȱ resistance.ȱ ȱ Theȱ resultsȱ ofȱ theseȱ
investigationsȱ willȱ supportȱ futureȱ plansȱ toȱ
cultivateȱ plantsȱ onȱ longȬdurationȱ explorationȱ
missions.ȱ
BCATȬ4ȱ (Binaryȱ Colloidalȱ Alloyȱ TestȬ4)ȱ isȱ aȱ
followȬonȱexperimentȱtoȱBCATȬ3.ȱȱBCATȬ4ȱwillȱ
studyȱ tenȱ colloidalȱ samples.ȱ ȱ Sevenȱ ofȱ theseȱ
samplesȱ willȱ determineȱ phaseȱ separationȱ ratesȱ
andȱaddȱneededȱpointsȱtoȱtheȱphaseȱdiagramȱofȱ
aȱmodelȱcriticalȱfluidȱsystemȱinitiallyȱstudiedȱinȱ
BCATȬ3.ȱȱThreeȱofȱtheseȱsamplesȱwillȱuseȱmodelȱ
hardȬspheresȱtoȱexploreȱseededȱcolloidalȱcrystalȱ
ȱ
ȱ
0 E ERIMENTS
nucleationȱ andȱ theȱ effectsȱ ofȱ polydispersity,ȱ
providingȱinsightȱintoȱhowȱnatureȱbringsȱorderȱ
outȱofȱdisorder.ȱ
LabȬonȬaȬChipȱ Applicationȱ DevelopmentȬ
Portableȱ Testȱ Systemȱ (LOCADȬPTS)ȱ isȱ aȱ
handheldȱ deviceȱ forȱ rapidȱ detectionȱ ofȱ
biologicalȱ andȱ chemicalȱ substancesȱ aboardȱ theȱ
spaceȱ station.ȱ ȱ Astronautsȱ willȱ swabȱ surfacesȱ
withinȱ theȱ cabin,ȱ addȱ swabȱ materialȱ toȱ theȱ
LOCADȬPTS,ȱ andȱ withinȱ 15ȱ minutesȱ obtainȱ
resultsȱ onȱ aȱ displayȱ screen.ȱ ȱ Theȱ study’sȱ
purposeȱ isȱ toȱ effectivelyȱ provideȱ anȱ earlyȱ
warningȱ systemȱ toȱ enableȱ crewȱ membersȱ toȱ
takeȱ remedialȱ measuresȱ ifȱ necessaryȱ toȱ protectȱ
theȱhealthȱandȱsafetyȱofȱthoseȱonȱtheȱstation.ȱ
Testȱ ofȱ Midodrineȱ asȱ aȱ Countermeasureȱ
AgainstȱPostȬFlightȱOrthostaticȱHypotensionȱ–ȱ
Longȱ (MidodrineȬLong)ȱ isȱ aȱ testȱ ofȱ theȱ abilityȱ
ofȱ theȱ drugȱ midodrineȱ toȱ reduceȱ theȱ incidenceȱ
orȱ severityȱ ofȱ orthostaticȱ hypotension.ȱ ȱ Ifȱ
successful,ȱ itȱ willȱ beȱ employedȱ asȱ aȱ
countermeasureȱ toȱ theȱ dizzinessȱ causedȱ byȱ theȱ
bloodȬpressureȱ decreaseȱ thatȱ manyȱ astronautsȱ
experienceȱ uponȱ returningȱ toȱ theȱ Earth’sȱ
gravity.ȱ
Materialsȱ Internationalȱ Spaceȱ Stationȱ
ExperimentȬȱ6Aȱandȱ6Bȱ(MISSEȬ6Aȱandȱ6B)ȱisȱ
aȱtestȱbedȱforȱmaterialsȱandȱcoatingsȱattachedȱtoȱ
theȱ outsideȱ ofȱ theȱ stationȱ beingȱ evaluatedȱ forȱ
theȱ effectsȱ ofȱ atomicȱ oxygen,ȱ directȱ sunlight,ȱ
radiation,ȱ andȱ extremesȱofȱheatȱ andȱ cold.ȱȱThisȱ
experimentȱallowsȱtheȱdevelopmentȱandȱtestingȱ
ofȱ newȱ materialsȱ toȱ betterȱ withstandȱ theȱ rigorsȱ
ofȱ spaceȱ environments.ȱ ȱ Resultsȱ willȱ provideȱ aȱ
betterȱ understandingȱ ofȱ theȱ durabilityȱ ofȱ
variousȱmaterialsȱwhenȱtheyȱareȱexposedȱtoȱtheȱ
spaceȱ environmentȱ withȱ applicationsȱ inȱ theȱ
designȱofȱfutureȱspacecraft.ȱ
MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ
A E A Ryutaiȱ Experimentȱ Rackȱ (Ryutai)ȱ meansȱ
Saiboȱ Experimentȱ Rackȱ (Saibo)ȱ meansȱ “livingȱ
cell”ȱandȱisȱaȱJAXAȱmultipurposeȱpayloadȱrackȱ
systemȱ thatȱ transports,ȱ storesȱ andȱ supportsȱ
subȬrackȱfacilitiesȱaboardȱtheȱstation.ȱȱSaiboȱwillȱ
supportȱ theȱ followingȱ JAXAȱ subȬrackȱ facilities:ȱȱ
CleanȱBenchȱ(CB)ȱandȱCellȱBiologyȱExperimentȱ
Facilityȱ (CBEF)ȱ byȱ providingȱ structuralȱ
interfaces,ȱ power,ȱ data,ȱ cooling,ȱ waterȱ andȱ
otherȱ itemsȱ neededȱ toȱ operateȱ scienceȱ
experimentsȱinȱmicrogravityȱaboardȱtheȱstation.ȱ
“fluid”ȱ andȱ isȱ aȱ JAXAȱ multipurposeȱ payloadȱ
rackȱsystemȱthatȱtransports,ȱstoresȱandȱsupportsȱ
subȬrackȱ facilitiesȱ aboardȱ theȱ station.ȱ ȱ Ryutaiȱ
willȱ supportȱ theȱ followingȱ JAXAȱ subȬrackȱ
facilities:ȱ ȱ Fluidȱ Physicsȱ Experimentȱ Facilityȱ
(FPEF);ȱ Solutionȱ Crystallizationȱ Observationȱ
Facilityȱ (SCOF);ȱ Proteinȱ Crystallizationȱ
Researchȱ Facilityȱ (PCRF)ȱ andȱ theȱ Imageȱ
Processingȱ Unitȱ (IPU)ȱ byȱ providingȱ structuralȱ
interfaces,ȱ power,ȱ data,ȱ cooling,ȱ waterȱ andȱ
otherȱ itemsȱ neededȱ toȱ operateȱ scienceȱ
experimentsȱinȱmicrogravityȱaboardȱtheȱstation.ȱ

MARCH 2008
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2 E ERIMENTS MARCH 2008
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ȱ

SPACE SHUTTLE CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

ȱ
ENDEAVOUR’S UMBILICAL WELL
DIGITAL CAMERA NOW HAS FLASH
CAPABILITY
AȱlightingȱsystemȱderivedȱfromȱanȱoffȬtheȬshelfȱ
flashȱ hasȱ beenȱ addedȱ toȱ theȱ digitalȱ cameraȱ
mountedȱ insideȱ oneȱ ofȱ theȱ orbiter’sȱ umbilicalȱ
wellsȱtoȱcaptureȱ23ȱilluminatedȱphotographsȱofȱ
theȱ tankȱ asȱ itȱ fallsȱ awayȱ fromȱ theȱ shuttleȱ afterȱ
theȱ mainȱ enginesȱ shutȱ downȱ 8.5ȱ minutesȱ
followingȱlaunch.ȱ
NASA’sȱ JSCȱ Engineeringȱ Directorateȱ designedȱ
andȱ assembledȱ theȱ Digitalȱ Umbilicalȱ Cameraȱ
Flashȱ Module,ȱ whichȱ consistsȱ ofȱ twoȱ modifiedȱ
Nikonȱ SB800ȱ flashȱ units,ȱ aȱ chargingȱ powerȱ
systemȱ andȱ thermostaticallyȱ controlledȱ heatersȱ
—ȱallȱmountedȱinsideȱaȱsingleȱsealedȱaluminumȱ
housingȱ measuringȱ 5ȱ xȱ 9ȱ xȱ 13ȱ inches.ȱ ȱ Aȱ slightȱ
modificationȱ wasȱ madeȱ byȱ Nikonȱ toȱ itsȱ
commercialȬoffȬtheȬshelfȱ flashȱ units,ȱ whichȱ
involvedȱ gluingȱ theȱ internalȱ reflectorȱ inȱ theȱ
optimumȱpositionȱtoȱfocusȱandȱprojectȱtheȱlight.ȱ

ȱ
Sheddingȱnewȱlightȱonȱspaceȱshuttleȱexternalȱfuelȱtanksȱtakesȱonȱaȱnewȱmeaningȱȱ
beginningȱwithȱEndeavour’sȱlaunchȱonȱtheȱSTSȬ123ȱmission.ȱ

MARCH 2008
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CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT 73
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ȱ
Theȱ flashȱ moduleȱ willȱ provideȱ lightȱ toȱ enableȱ
photographyȱofȱtheȱexternalȱtankȱasȱitȱseparatesȱ
fromȱ theȱ shuttleȱ duringȱ darknessȱ orȱ heavyȱ
shadowing.ȱ ȱ Theȱ flashȱ module,ȱ installedȱ inȱ theȱ
leftȱ sideȱ orbiterȱ externalȱ tankȱ umbilicalȱ well,ȱ
beginsȱ flashingȱ whenȱ signalsȱ areȱ sentȱ fromȱ theȱ
previouslyȱ flownȱ digitalȱ umbilicalȱ cameraȱ
installedȱ inȱ theȱ rightȱ sideȱ orbiterȱ externalȱ tankȱ
umbilicalȱwell.ȱ
Theȱ tankȱ separatesȱ 19ȱ secondsȱ afterȱ theȱ threeȱ
mainȱ enginesȱ areȱ shutdown,ȱ andȱ theȱ digitalȱ
cameraȱ andȱ newȱ flashȱ startȱ takingȱ photosȱ fourȱ
secondsȱ later.ȱ ȱ Bothȱ flashȱ unitsȱ dischargeȱ
simultaneouslyȱinȱsyncȱwithȱtheȱdigitalȱcamera,ȱ
onceȱ everyȱ twoȱ secondsȱ duringȱ aȱ 46Ȭsecondȱ
period.ȱ ȱ Theȱ lightȱ fromȱ theȱ flashȱ willȱ provideȱ
adequateȱ lightingȱ forȱ photographsȱ outȱ toȱ theȱ
requiredȱdistanceȱofȱ130ȱfeet.ȱȱAtȱthatȱdistance,ȱ
theȱ tipȱ ofȱ theȱ externalȱ tankȱ willȱ haveȱ movedȱ
intoȱtheȱfieldȱofȱview,ȱandȱtheȱcameraȱisȱcapableȱ
ofȱ detectingȱ damageȱ toȱ theȱ tankȱ insulationȱ asȱ
smallȱasȱ1ȱtoȱ2ȱinchesȱinȱdiameter.ȱ
Theȱ digitalȱ umbilicalȱ cameraȱ systemȱ fulfilledȱ aȱ
recommendationȱ fromȱ theȱ Columbiaȱ Accidentȱ
Investigationȱ Boardȱ toȱ provideȱ aȱ capabilityȱ toȱ
downlinkȱhighȱresolutionȱimagesȱofȱtheȱexternalȱ
tank.ȱ ȱ Theȱ digitalȱ umbilicalȱ cameraȱ takesȱ aȱ
sequenceȱofȱdigitalȱstillȱphotographsȱasȱtheȱtankȱ
separatesȱ fromȱ theȱ shuttle.ȱ ȱ Theȱ imagesȱ areȱ
storedȱ inȱ cameraȱ memoryȱ andȱ areȱ retrievedȱ
throughȱ130ȱfeetȱofȱfirewireȱcableȱfromȱaȱlaptopȱ
computerȱonȱtheȱshuttle’sȱflightȱdeckȱsetȱupȱbyȱ
theȱcrewȱonȱtheȱfirstȱdayȱofȱtheȱmission.ȱ
Theȱ digitalȱ imagesȱ ofȱ theȱ tank’sȱ exteriorȱ
conditionȱ areȱ transmittedȱ toȱ theȱ Missionȱ
ȱ
CONTIN O S IM ROVEMENT
ControlȱCenterȱ(MCC)ȱinȱHouston,ȱandȱExternalȱ
Tankȱ Projectȱ Officeȱ inȱ Huntsville,ȱ Ala.,ȱ forȱ
analysis.ȱ ȱ Thoughȱ thereȱ currentlyȱ isȱ noȱ
requirementȱforȱlightedȱimageryȱofȱtheȱexternalȱ
tank,ȱitȱisȱhighlyȱdesirableȱforȱimageryȱanalysisȱ
expertsȱ toȱ reviewȱ andȱ correlateȱ anyȱ foamȱ lossȱ
seenȱ duringȱ launchȱ byȱ groundȱ camerasȱ andȱ
thoseȱlocatedȱonȱtheȱtankȱitselfȱandȱonȱtheȱsolidȱ
rocketȱboosters.ȱ
Prototypeȱ andȱ qualificationȱ unitsȱ wereȱ testedȱ
overȱ theȱ operationalȱ rangeȱ ofȱ 15ȱ toȱ 130ȱ feet.ȱȱ
Johnsonȱ imageryȱ expertsȱ thenȱ verifiedȱ thatȱ theȱ
designȱprovidedȱsufficientȱlightȱoutputȱtoȱmeetȱ
resolutionȱ requirementsȱ andȱ determinedȱ
optimalȱ cameraȱ apertureȱ settingsȱ forȱ dayȱ orȱ
night.ȱ ȱ Theȱ design,ȱ fabricationȱ andȱ certificationȱ
ofȱfourȱflightȱunitsȱcostȱaboutȱ$1.2ȱmillion.ȱ
Theȱ newȱ umbilicalȱ wellȱ flashȱ willȱ flyȱ onȱ
remainingȱshuttleȱmissionsȱandȱwillȱflashȱonȱallȱ
picturesȱ—ȱdayȱorȱnight.ȱȱTheȱcameraȱwillȱhaveȱ
differentȱsettingsȱforȱdayȱorȱnightȱphotography.ȱȱ
Theseȱ settingsȱ canȱ beȱ changedȱ remotelyȱ fromȱ
theȱ laptopȱ computerȱ inȱ theȱ crewȱ cabinȱ beforeȱ
launchȱ ifȱ theȱ dateȱ slipsȱ suchȱ thatȱ theȱ tankȱ
separationȱwouldȱoccurȱinȱdayȱorȱnight,ȱorȱviceȱ
versa.ȱ
Theȱcameraȱandȱflashȱunitȱareȱinstalledȱafterȱtheȱ
shuttleȱ isȱ matedȱ toȱ itsȱ tankȱ inȱ KSC’sȱ Vehicleȱ
Assemblyȱ Building.ȱ ȱ Afterȱ installation,ȱ theȱ
camera,ȱflashȱandȱimageȱtransmissionȱareȱtestedȱ
toȱensureȱtheȱsystemȱisȱworkingȱproperly.ȱ
Expectationsȱareȱthatȱtheȱflashȱwillȱbeȱvisibleȱinȱ
theȱ externalȱ tankȱ feedlineȱ cameraȱ viewȱ asȱ theȱ
tankȱ fallsȱ awayȱ fromȱ theȱ shuttleȱ afterȱ
separation.ȱ
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ȱ
OrbiterȱUmbilicalȱCamerasȱandȱFlashȱ

MARCH 2008
ȱ
CONTIN O S IM ROVEMENT
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CONTIN O S IM ROVEMENT MARCH 2008
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ȱ
SHUTTLE REFERENCE DATA
ȱ
SHUTTLE ABORT MODES
Redundant Sequence Launch Sequencer
(RSLS) Aborts
Theseȱ occurȱ whenȱ theȱ onȬboardȱ shuttleȱ
computersȱ detectȱ aȱ problemȱ andȱ commandȱ aȱ
haltȱ inȱ theȱ launchȱ sequenceȱ afterȱ takingȱ overȱ
fromȱ theȱ groundȱ launchȱ sequencerȱ andȱ beforeȱ
solidȱrocketȱboosterȱignition.ȱ
Ascent Aborts
Selectionȱofȱanȱascentȱabortȱmodeȱmayȱ becomeȱ
necessaryȱifȱthereȱisȱaȱfailureȱthatȱaffectsȱvehicleȱ
performance,ȱ suchȱ asȱ theȱ failureȱ ofȱ aȱ spaceȱ
shuttleȱ mainȱ engineȱ orȱ anȱ orbitalȱ maneuveringȱ
systemȱ engine.ȱ ȱ Otherȱ failuresȱ requiringȱ earlyȱ
terminationȱ ofȱ aȱ flight,ȱ suchȱ asȱ aȱ cabinȱ leak,ȱ
mightȱ alsoȱ requireȱ theȱ selectionȱ ofȱ anȱ abortȱ
mode.ȱȱThereȱareȱtwoȱbasicȱtypesȱofȱascentȱabortȱ
modesȱforȱspaceȱshuttleȱmissions:ȱȱintactȱabortsȱ
andȱ contingencyȱ aborts.ȱ ȱ Intactȱ abortsȱ areȱ
designedȱtoȱprovideȱaȱsafeȱreturnȱofȱtheȱorbiterȱ
toȱ aȱ plannedȱ landingȱ site.ȱ ȱ Contingencyȱ abortsȱ
areȱ designedȱ toȱ permitȱ flightȱ crewȱ survivalȱ
followingȱ moreȱ severeȱ failuresȱ whenȱ anȱ intactȱ
abortȱ isȱ notȱ possible.ȱ ȱ Aȱ contingencyȱ abortȱ
wouldȱgenerallyȱresultȱinȱaȱditchȱoperation.ȱ
Intact Aborts
Thereȱ areȱ fourȱ typesȱ ofȱ intactȱ aborts:ȱ ȱ abortȱ toȱ
orbitȱ (ATO),ȱ abortȱ onceȱ aroundȱ (AOA),ȱ
transoceanicȱabortȱlandingȱ(TAL)ȱandȱreturnȱtoȱ
launchȱsiteȱ(RTLS).ȱ
Return to Launch Site
Theȱ RTLSȱ abortȱ modeȱ isȱ designedȱ toȱ allowȱ theȱ
returnȱ ofȱ theȱ orbiter,ȱ crew,ȱ andȱ payloadȱ toȱ theȱ
launchȱ site,ȱ Kennedyȱ Spaceȱ Center,ȱ
approximatelyȱ25ȱminutesȱafterȱliftoff.ȱ
MARCH 2008
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SHUTTLE REFERENCE DATA
Theȱ RTLSȱ profileȱ isȱ designedȱ toȱ accommodateȱ
theȱ lossȱ ofȱ thrustȱ fromȱ oneȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ mainȱ
engineȱ betweenȱ liftoffȱ andȱ approximatelyȱ
fourȱminutesȱ 20ȱ seconds,ȱ afterȱ whichȱ notȱ
enoughȱ mainȱ propulsionȱ systemȱ propellantȱ
remainsȱ toȱ returnȱ toȱ theȱ launchȱ site.ȱ ȱ Anȱ RTLSȱ
canȱbeȱconsideredȱtoȱconsistȱofȱthreeȱstagesȱ—ȱaȱ
poweredȱ stage,ȱ duringȱ whichȱ theȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ
mainȱ enginesȱ areȱ stillȱ thrusting;ȱ anȱ externalȱ
tankȱ separationȱ phase;ȱ andȱ theȱ glideȱ phase,ȱ
duringȱ whichȱ theȱ orbiterȱ glidesȱ toȱ aȱ landingȱ atȱ
theȱKennedyȱSpaceȱCenter.ȱȱTheȱpoweredȱRTLSȱ
phaseȱ beginsȱ withȱ theȱ crewȱ selectionȱ ofȱ theȱ
RTLSȱ abort,ȱ afterȱ solidȱ rocketȱ boosterȱ
separation.ȱȱTheȱcrewȱselectsȱtheȱabortȱmodeȱbyȱ
positioningȱtheȱabortȱrotaryȱswitchȱtoȱRTLSȱandȱ
depressingȱ theȱ abortȱ pushȱ button.ȱ ȱ Theȱ timeȱ atȱ
whichȱ theȱ RTLSȱ isȱ selectedȱ dependsȱ onȱ theȱ
reasonȱ forȱ theȱ abort.ȱ Forȱ example,ȱ aȱ
threeȬengineȱ RTLSȱ isȱ selectedȱ atȱ theȱ lastȱ
moment,ȱ aboutȱ 3ȱ minutes,ȱ 34ȱ secondsȱ intoȱ theȱ
mission;ȱ whereasȱ anȱ RTLSȱ chosenȱ dueȱ toȱ anȱ
engineȱ outȱ atȱ liftoffȱ isȱ selectedȱ atȱ theȱ earliestȱ
time,ȱ aboutȱ 2ȱ minutes,ȱ 20ȱsecondsȱ intoȱ theȱ
missionȱ(afterȱsolidȱrocketȱboosterȱseparation).ȱ
Afterȱ RTLSȱ isȱ selected,ȱ theȱ vehicleȱ continuesȱ
downrangeȱtoȱdissipateȱexcessȱmainȱpropulsionȱ
systemȱ propellant.ȱ ȱ Theȱ goalȱ isȱ toȱ leaveȱ onlyȱ
enoughȱ mainȱ propulsionȱ systemȱ propellantȱ toȱ
beȱ ableȱ toȱ turnȱ theȱ vehicleȱ around,ȱ flyȱ backȱ
towardȱ theȱKennedyȱSpaceȱ Centerȱ andȱachieveȱ
theȱproperȱmainȱengineȱcutoffȱconditionsȱsoȱtheȱ
vehicleȱ canȱ glideȱ toȱ theȱ Kennedyȱ Spaceȱ Centerȱ
afterȱ externalȱ tankȱ separation.ȱ ȱ Duringȱ theȱ
downrangeȱ phase,ȱ aȱ pitchȬaroundȱ maneuverȱ isȱ
initiatedȱ (theȱ timeȱ dependsȱ inȱ partȱ onȱ theȱ timeȱ
ofȱaȱspaceȱshuttleȱmainȱengineȱfailure)ȱtoȱorientȱ
theȱ orbiter/externalȱ tankȱ configurationȱ toȱ aȱ
headsȬupȱ attitude,ȱ pointingȱ towardȱ theȱ launchȱ
77
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ȱ
site.ȱ ȱ Atȱ thisȱ time,ȱ theȱ vehicleȱ isȱ stillȱ movingȱ
awayȱfromȱtheȱlaunchȱsite,ȱbutȱtheȱspaceȱshuttleȱ
mainȱ enginesȱ areȱ nowȱ thrustingȱ toȱ nullȱ theȱ
downrangeȱvelocity.ȱȱInȱaddition,ȱexcessȱorbitalȱ
maneuveringȱ systemȱ andȱ reactionȱ controlȱ
systemȱ propellantsȱ areȱ dumpedȱ byȱ continuousȱ
orbitalȱ maneuveringȱ systemȱ andȱ reactionȱ
controlȱsystemȱengineȱthrustingsȱtoȱimproveȱtheȱ
orbiterȱ weightȱ andȱ centerȱ ofȱ gravityȱ forȱ theȱ
glideȱphaseȱandȱlanding.ȱ
Theȱvehicleȱ willȱ reachȱtheȱ desiredȱ mainȱengineȱ
cutoffȱ pointȱ withȱ lessȱ thanȱ 2ȱ percentȱ excessȱ
propellantȱ remainingȱ inȱ theȱ externalȱ tank.ȱ ȱ Atȱ
mainȱ engineȱ cutoffȱ minusȱ 20ȱ seconds,ȱ aȱ pitchȱ
downȱ maneuverȱ (calledȱ poweredȱ pitchȬdown)ȱ
takesȱtheȱmatedȱvehicleȱtoȱtheȱrequiredȱexternalȱ
tankȱ separationȱ attitudeȱ andȱ pitchȱ rate.ȱ ȱ Afterȱ
mainȱ engineȱ cutoffȱ hasȱ beenȱ commanded,ȱ theȱ
externalȱ tankȱ separationȱ sequenceȱ begins,ȱ
includingȱ aȱ reactionȱ controlȱ systemȱ maneuverȱ
thatȱ ensuresȱ thatȱ theȱ orbiterȱ doesȱ notȱ recontactȱ
theȱ externalȱ tankȱ andȱ thatȱ theȱ orbiterȱ hasȱ
achievedȱ theȱ necessaryȱ pitchȱ attitudeȱ toȱ beginȱ
theȱglideȱphaseȱofȱtheȱRTLS.ȱ
Afterȱtheȱreactionȱcontrolȱsystemȱmaneuverȱhasȱ
beenȱ completed,ȱ theȱ glideȱ phaseȱ ofȱ theȱ RTLSȱ
begins.ȱ ȱ Fromȱ thenȱ on,ȱ theȱ RTLSȱ isȱ handledȱ
similarlyȱtoȱaȱnormalȱentry.ȱ
T A
Theȱ TALȱ abortȱ modeȱ wasȱ developedȱ toȱ
improveȱ theȱ optionsȱ availableȱ whenȱ aȱ spaceȱ
shuttleȱ mainȱ engineȱ failsȱ afterȱ theȱ lastȱ RTLSȱ
opportunityȱ butȱ beforeȱ theȱ firstȱ timeȱ thatȱ anȱ
AOAȱcanȱbeȱaccomplishedȱwithȱonlyȱtwoȱspaceȱ
shuttleȱ mainȱ enginesȱ orȱ whenȱ aȱ majorȱ orbiterȱ
systemȱ failure,ȱ forȱ example,ȱ aȱ largeȱ cabinȱ
pressureȱ leakȱ orȱ coolingȱ systemȱ failure,ȱ occursȱ
afterȱ theȱ lastȱ RTLSȱ opportunity,ȱ makingȱ itȱ
imperativeȱtoȱlandȱasȱquicklyȱasȱpossible.ȱ
ȱ
8 SH TT E RE ERENCE ATA
Inȱ aȱ TALȱ abort,ȱ theȱ vehicleȱ continuesȱ onȱ aȱ
ballisticȱ trajectoryȱ acrossȱ theȱ Atlanticȱ Oceanȱ toȱ
landȱ atȱ aȱ predeterminedȱ runway.ȱ ȱ Landingȱ
occursȱ aboutȱ 45ȱ minutesȱ afterȱ launch.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
landingȱ siteȱ isȱ selectedȱ nearȱ theȱ normalȱ ascentȱ
groundȱ trackȱ ofȱ theȱ orbiterȱ toȱ makeȱ theȱ mostȱ
efficientȱ useȱ ofȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ mainȱ engineȱ
propellant.ȱȱTheȱlandingȱsiteȱalsoȱmustȱhaveȱtheȱ
necessaryȱ runwayȱ length,ȱ weatherȱ conditionsȱ
andȱU.S.ȱStateȱDepartmentȱapproval.ȱȱTheȱthreeȱ
landingȱ sitesȱ thatȱ haveȱ beenȱ identifiedȱ forȱ aȱ
launchȱareȱZaragoza,ȱSpain;ȱMoron,ȱSpain;ȱandȱ
Istres,ȱFrance.ȱ
Toȱ selectȱ theȱ TALȱ abortȱ mode,ȱ theȱ crewȱ mustȱ
placeȱ theȱ abortȱ rotaryȱ switchȱ inȱ theȱ TAL/AOAȱ
positionȱ andȱ depressȱ theȱ abortȱ pushȱ buttonȱ
beforeȱ mainȱ engineȱ cutoffȱ (Depressingȱ itȱ afterȱ
mainȱ engineȱ cutoffȱ selectsȱ theȱ AOAȱ abortȱ
mode).ȱ ȱ Theȱ TALȱ abortȱ modeȱ beginsȱ sendingȱ
commandsȱtoȱsteerȱtheȱvehicleȱtowardȱtheȱplaneȱ
ofȱ theȱ landingȱ site.ȱ ȱ Itȱ alsoȱ rollsȱ theȱ vehicleȱ
headsȱ upȱ beforeȱ mainȱ engineȱ cutoffȱ andȱ sendsȱ
commandsȱ toȱ beginȱ anȱ orbitalȱ maneuveringȱ
systemȱ propellantȱ dumpȱ (byȱ burningȱ theȱ
propellantsȱ throughȱ theȱ orbitalȱ maneuveringȱ
systemȱenginesȱandȱtheȱreactionȱcontrolȱsystemȱ
engines).ȱ ȱ Thisȱ dumpȱ isȱ necessaryȱ toȱ increaseȱ
vehicleȱ performanceȱ (byȱ decreasingȱ weight)ȱ toȱ
placeȱ theȱ centerȱ ofȱ gravityȱ inȱ theȱ properȱ placeȱ
forȱvehicleȱcontrolȱandȱtoȱdecreaseȱtheȱvehicle’sȱ
landingȱ weight.ȱ ȱ TALȱ isȱ handledȱ likeȱ aȱ normalȱ
entry.ȱ
A O
Anȱ ATOȱ isȱ anȱ abortȱ modeȱ usedȱ toȱ boostȱ theȱ
orbiterȱ toȱ aȱ safeȱ orbitalȱ altitudeȱ whenȱ
performanceȱ hasȱ beenȱ lostȱ andȱ itȱ isȱ impossibleȱ
toȱreachȱtheȱplannedȱorbitalȱaltitude.ȱȱIfȱaȱspaceȱ
shuttleȱmainȱengineȱfailsȱinȱaȱregionȱthatȱresultsȱ
inȱ aȱ mainȱ engineȱ cutoffȱ underȱ speed,ȱ theȱ
Missionȱ Controlȱ Centerȱ willȱ determineȱ thatȱ anȱ
MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ
abortȱ modeȱ isȱ necessaryȱ andȱ willȱ informȱ theȱ
crew.ȱȱTheȱorbitalȱmaneuveringȱsystemȱenginesȱ
wouldȱbeȱusedȱtoȱplaceȱtheȱorbiterȱinȱaȱcircularȱ
orbit.ȱ
A O A inȱ aȱ safeȱ runwayȱ landing.ȱ ȱ However,ȱ inȱ mostȱ
TheȱAOAȱabortȱmodeȱisȱusedȱinȱcasesȱinȱwhichȱ
vehicleȱ performanceȱ hasȱ beenȱ lostȱ toȱ suchȱ anȱ
extentȱ thatȱ eitherȱ itȱ isȱ impossibleȱ toȱ achieveȱ aȱ
viableȱorbitȱorȱnotȱenoughȱorbitalȱmaneuveringȱ
systemȱpropellantȱisȱavailableȱtoȱaccomplishȱtheȱ
orbitalȱ maneuveringȱ systemȱ thrustingȱ
maneuverȱ toȱ placeȱ theȱ orbiterȱ onȱ orbitȱ andȱ theȱ
deorbitȱ thrustingȱ maneuver.ȱ ȱ Inȱ addition,ȱ anȱ
AOAȱisȱusedȱinȱcasesȱinȱwhichȱaȱmajorȱsystemsȱ
problemȱ (cabinȱ leak,ȱ lossȱ ofȱ cooling)ȱ makesȱ itȱ
necessaryȱ toȱ landȱ quickly.ȱ ȱ Inȱ theȱ AOAȱ abortȱ
mode,ȱ oneȱ orbitalȱ maneuveringȱ systemȱ
thrustingȱ sequenceȱ isȱ madeȱ toȱ adjustȱ theȱ
postȬmainȱ engineȱ cutoffȱ orbitȱ soȱ aȱ secondȱ
orbitalȱmaneuveringȱsystemȱthrustingȱsequenceȱ
willȱresultȱinȱtheȱvehicleȱdeorbitingȱandȱlandingȱ
atȱ theȱ AOAȱ landingȱ siteȱ (Whiteȱ Sands,ȱ N.M.;ȱ
EdwardsȱAirȱForceȱBase,ȱCalif.;ȱorȱtheȱKennedyȱ
SpaceȱCenter,ȱFla).ȱȱThus,ȱanȱAOAȱresultsȱinȱtheȱ
orbiterȱ circlingȱ theȱ Earthȱ onceȱ andȱ landingȱ
aboutȱ90ȱminutesȱafterȱliftoff.ȱ
Afterȱ theȱ deorbitȱ thrustingȱ sequenceȱ hasȱ beenȱ
executed,ȱtheȱflightȱcrewȱfliesȱtoȱaȱlandingȱatȱtheȱ
plannedȱ siteȱ muchȱ asȱ itȱ wouldȱ forȱ aȱ nominalȱ
entry.ȱ
C A
Contingencyȱ abortsȱ areȱ causedȱ byȱ lossȱ ofȱ moreȱ
thanȱ oneȱ mainȱ engineȱ orȱ failuresȱ inȱ otherȱ
systems.ȱ ȱ Lossȱ ofȱ oneȱ mainȱ engineȱ whileȱ
anotherȱisȱstuckȱatȱaȱlowȱthrustȱsettingȱalsoȱmayȱ
necessitateȱ aȱ contingencyȱ abort.ȱ ȱ Suchȱ anȱ abortȱ
wouldȱ maintainȱ orbiterȱ integrityȱ forȱ inȬflightȱ
crewȱescapeȱifȱaȱlandingȱcannotȱbeȱachievedȱatȱaȱ
suitableȱlandingȱfield.ȱ
MARCH 2008
ȱ
SH TT E RE ERENCE ATA
Contingencyȱabortsȱdueȱtoȱsystemȱfailuresȱotherȱ
thanȱ thoseȱ involvingȱ theȱ mainȱ enginesȱ wouldȱ
normallyȱresultȱinȱanȱintactȱrecoveryȱofȱvehicleȱ
andȱ crew.ȱȱLossȱ ofȱ moreȱ thanȱ oneȱ mainȱ engineȱ
may,ȱ dependingȱ onȱ engineȱ failureȱ times,ȱ resultȱ
threeȬengineȬoutȱ casesȱ duringȱ ascent,ȱ theȱ
orbiterȱ wouldȱ haveȱ toȱ beȱ ditched.ȱ ȱ Theȱ inflightȱ
crewȱ escapeȱ systemȱ wouldȱ beȱ usedȱ beforeȱ
ditchingȱtheȱorbiter.ȱ
A
Thereȱ isȱ aȱ definiteȱ orderȱ ofȱ preferenceȱ forȱ theȱ
variousȱabortȱmodes.ȱȱTheȱtypeȱofȱfailureȱandȱtheȱ
timeȱofȱtheȱfailureȱdetermineȱwhichȱtypeȱofȱabortȱ
isȱ selected.ȱ ȱ Inȱ casesȱ whereȱ performanceȱ lossȱ isȱ
theȱ onlyȱ factor,ȱ theȱ preferredȱ modesȱ areȱ ATO,ȱ
AOA,ȱTALȱ andȱ RTLS,ȱ inȱthatȱorder.ȱȱTheȱmodeȱ
chosenȱisȱtheȱhighestȱoneȱthatȱcanȱbeȱcompletedȱ
withȱtheȱremainingȱvehicleȱperformance.ȱ
Inȱ theȱ caseȱ ofȱ someȱ supportȱ systemȱ failures,ȱ
suchȱasȱcabinȱleaksȱorȱvehicleȱcoolingȱproblems,ȱ
theȱ preferredȱ modeȱ mightȱ beȱ theȱ oneȱ thatȱ willȱ
endȱ theȱ missionȱ mostȱ quickly.ȱ ȱ Inȱ theseȱ cases,ȱ
TALȱ orȱ RTLSȱ mightȱ beȱ preferableȱ toȱ AOAȱ orȱ
ATO.ȱ ȱ Aȱ contingencyȱ abortȱ isȱ neverȱ chosenȱ ifȱ
anotherȱabortȱoptionȱexists.ȱ
Missionȱ Controlȱ Houstonȱ isȱ primeȱ forȱ callingȱ
theseȱ abortsȱ becauseȱ itȱ hasȱ aȱ moreȱ preciseȱ
knowledgeȱ ofȱ theȱ orbiter’sȱ positionȱ thanȱ theȱ
crewȱcanȱobtainȱfromȱonȬboardȱsystems.ȱȱBeforeȱ
mainȱ engineȱ cutoff,ȱ Missionȱ Controlȱ makesȱ
periodicȱ callsȱ toȱ theȱ crewȱ toȱ identifyȱ whichȱ
abortȱ modeȱ isȱ (orȱ isȱ not)ȱ available.ȱ ȱ Ifȱ groundȱ
communicationsȱ areȱ lost,ȱ theȱ flightȱ crewȱ hasȱ
onȬboardȱmethods,ȱsuchȱasȱcueȱcards,ȱdedicatedȱ
displaysȱandȱdisplayȱinformation,ȱtoȱdetermineȱ
theȱabortȱregion.ȱȱWhichȱabortȱmodeȱisȱselectedȱ
dependsȱonȱtheȱcauseȱandȱtimingȱofȱtheȱfailureȱ
causingȱ theȱ abortȱ andȱ whichȱ modeȱ isȱ safestȱ orȱ
 ȱ
ȱ
improvesȱ missionȱ success.ȱ ȱ Ifȱ theȱ problemȱ isȱ aȱ
spaceȱ shuttleȱ mainȱ engineȱ failure,ȱ theȱ flightȱ
crewȱandȱMissionȱControlȱCenterȱselectȱtheȱbestȱ
optionȱavailableȱatȱtheȱtimeȱaȱmainȱengineȱfails.ȱ
Ifȱ theȱ problemȱ isȱ aȱ systemȱ failureȱ thatȱ
jeopardizesȱ theȱ vehicle,ȱ theȱ fastestȱ abortȱ modeȱ
thatȱ resultsȱ inȱ theȱ earliestȱ vehicleȱ landingȱ isȱ
chosen.ȱȱRTLSȱandȱTALȱareȱtheȱquickestȱoptionsȱ
(35ȱminutes),ȱ whereasȱ anȱ AOAȱ requiresȱ aboutȱ
90ȱminutes.ȱȱWhichȱofȱtheseȱisȱselectedȱdependsȱ
onȱtheȱtimeȱofȱtheȱfailureȱwithȱthreeȱgoodȱspaceȱ
shuttleȱmainȱengines.ȱ
Theȱ flightȱ crewȱ selectsȱ theȱ abortȱ modeȱ byȱ
positioningȱ anȱ abortȱ modeȱ switchȱ andȱ
depressingȱanȱabortȱpushȱbutton.ȱ
SH TT E A ORT HISTOR
RS S A H onȬboardȱ computersȱ detectedȱ higherȱ thanȱ
STS- 1 2 1 8
Theȱ countdownȱ forȱ theȱ secondȱ launchȱ attemptȱ
forȱ Discovery’sȱ maidenȱ flightȱ endedȱ atȱ TȬ4ȱ
secondsȱwhenȱtheȱorbiter’sȱcomputersȱ detectedȱ
aȱ sluggishȱ valveȱ inȱ mainȱ engineȱ No.ȱ 3.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
mainȱ engineȱ wasȱ replacedȱ andȱ Discoveryȱ wasȱ
finallyȱlaunchedȱonȱAug.ȱ30,ȱ1984.ȱ
STS- 1 12 1 8
Theȱ countdownȱ forȱ Challenger’sȱ launchȱ wasȱ
haltedȱ atȱ TȬ3ȱ secondsȱ whenȱ onȬboardȱ
computersȱ detectedȱ aȱ problemȱ withȱ aȱ coolantȱ
valveȱ onȱ mainȱ engineȱ No.ȱ 2.ȱ ȱ Theȱ valveȱ wasȱ
replacedȱ andȱ Challengerȱ wasȱ launchedȱ onȱ
Julyȱ29,ȱ1985.ȱ
STS- M 22 1 3 A
Theȱ countdownȱ forȱ Columbia’sȱ launchȱ wasȱ
haltedȱ byȱ onȬboardȱ computersȱ atȱ TȬ3ȱ secondsȱ
followingȱ aȱ problemȱ withȱ purgeȱ pressureȱ
readingsȱ inȱ theȱ oxidizerȱ preburnerȱ onȱ mainȱ
80
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SH TT E RE ERENCE ATA
engineȱ No.ȱ 2.ȱ ȱ Columbia’sȱ threeȱ mainȱ enginesȱ
wereȱreplacedȱonȱtheȱlaunchȱpad,ȱandȱtheȱflightȱ
wasȱrescheduledȱbehindȱDiscovery’sȱlaunchȱonȱ
STSȬ56.ȱ Columbiaȱ finallyȱ launchedȱ onȱ
Aprilȱ26,ȱ1993.ȱ
STS- 1 A 12 1 3
Theȱ countdownȱ forȱ Discovery’sȱ thirdȱ launchȱ
attemptȱ endedȱ atȱ theȱ TȬ3ȱ secondȱ markȱ whenȱ
onboardȱcomputersȱdetectedȱtheȱfailureȱofȱoneȱofȱ
fourȱsensorsȱinȱmainȱengineȱNo.ȱ2ȱwhichȱmonitorȱ
theȱ flowȱ ofȱ hydrogenȱ fuelȱ toȱ theȱ engine.ȱ ȱ Allȱ ofȱ
Discovery’sȱmainȱenginesȱwereȱorderedȱreplacedȱ
onȱtheȱlaunchȱpad,ȱdelayingȱtheȱshuttle’sȱfourthȱ
launchȱattemptȱuntilȱSept.ȱ12,ȱ1993.ȱ
STS- 8 A 18 1
Theȱ countdownȱ forȱ Endeavour’sȱ firstȱ launchȱ
attemptȱ endedȱ 1.9ȱ secondsȱ beforeȱ liftoffȱ whenȱ
acceptableȱ readingsȱ inȱ oneȱ channelȱ ofȱ aȱ sensorȱ
monitoringȱ theȱ dischargeȱ temperatureȱ ofȱ theȱ
highȱ pressureȱ oxidizerȱ turbopumpȱ inȱ mainȱ
engineȱNo.ȱ3.ȱȱAȱtestȱfiringȱofȱtheȱengineȱatȱtheȱ
Stennisȱ Spaceȱ Centerȱ inȱ Mississippiȱ onȱ
Septemberȱ2ndȱconfirmedȱthatȱaȱslightȱdriftȱinȱaȱ
fuelȱ flowȱ meterȱ inȱ theȱ engineȱ causedȱ aȱ slightȱ
increaseȱ inȱ theȱ turbopump’sȱ temperature.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
testȱfiringȱalsoȱconfirmedȱaȱslightlyȱslowerȱstartȱ
forȱ mainȱ engineȱ No.ȱ 3ȱ duringȱ theȱ padȱ abort,ȱ
whichȱ couldȱ haveȱ contributedȱ toȱ theȱ higherȱ
temperatures.ȱ ȱ Afterȱ Endeavourȱ wasȱ broughtȱ
backȱ toȱ theȱ Vehicleȱ Assemblyȱ Buildingȱ toȱ beȱ
outfittedȱ withȱ threeȱ replacementȱ engines,ȱ
NASAȱ managersȱ setȱ Oct.ȱ 2ȱ asȱ theȱ dateȱ forȱ
Endeavour’sȱsecondȱlaunchȱattempt.ȱ
O H
STS- 1 2 1 8
Afterȱ anȱ RSLSȱ abortȱ onȱ Julyȱ 12,ȱ 1985,ȱ
Challengerȱ wasȱ launchedȱ onȱ Julyȱ 29,ȱ 1985.ȱȱȱ
MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ
Fiveȱ minutesȱ andȱ 45ȱ secondsȱ afterȱ launch,ȱ aȱ
sensorȱ problemȱ resultedȱ inȱ theȱ shutdownȱ ofȱ
centerȱengineȱNo.ȱ1,ȱresultingȱinȱaȱsafeȱ“abortȱtoȱ
orbit”ȱandȱsuccessfulȱcompletionȱofȱtheȱmission.ȱ
S ACE SH TT E MAIN EN INES
Developedȱ inȱ theȱ 1970sȱ byȱ NASA’sȱ Marshallȱ
SpaceȱFlightȱCenterȱinȱHuntsville,ȱAla.,ȱtheȱspaceȱ
shuttleȱ mainȱ engineȱ isȱ theȱ mostȱ advancedȱ
liquidȬfueledȱ rocketȱ engineȱ everȱ built.ȱ ȱ Everyȱ
spaceȱ shuttleȱ mainȱ engineȱ isȱ testedȱ andȱ provenȱ
flightȬworthyȱatȱNASA’sȱStennisȱSpaceȱCenterȱinȱ
southȱ Mississippi,ȱ beforeȱ installationȱ onȱ anȱ
orbiter.ȱȱItsȱmainȱfeaturesȱincludeȱvariableȱthrust,ȱ
highȱ performanceȱ reusability,ȱ highȱ redundancyȱ
andȱaȱfullyȱintegratedȱengineȱcontroller.ȱ
Theȱ shuttle’sȱ threeȱ mainȱ enginesȱ areȱ mountedȱ
onȱ theȱ orbiterȱ aftȱ fuselageȱ inȱ aȱ triangularȱ
pattern.ȱ ȱ Spacedȱ soȱ thatȱ theyȱ areȱ movableȱ
duringȱ launch,ȱ theȱ enginesȱ areȱ usedȱ —ȱ inȱ
conjunctionȱwithȱtheȱsolidȱrocketȱboostersȱ—ȱtoȱ
steerȱtheȱshuttleȱvehicle.ȱ
Eachȱ ofȱ theseȱ powerfulȱ mainȱ enginesȱ isȱ 14ȱ feetȱ
(4.2ȱ meters)ȱ long,ȱ weighsȱ aboutȱ 7,000ȱ poundsȱ
(3,150ȱkilograms)ȱandȱisȱ7.5ȱfeetȱ(2.25ȱmeters)ȱinȱ
diameterȱatȱtheȱendȱofȱitsȱnozzle.ȱ
Theȱ enginesȱ operateȱ forȱ aboutȱ 8Ȭ1/2ȱ minutesȱ
duringȱ liftoffȱ andȱ ascentȱ —ȱ burningȱ moreȱ thanȱ
500,000ȱgallonsȱ(1.9ȱmillionȱliters)ȱofȱsuperȬcoldȱ
liquidȱhydrogenȱandȱliquidȱoxygenȱpropellantsȱ
storedȱinȱtheȱhugeȱexternalȱtankȱattachedȱtoȱtheȱ
undersideȱ ofȱ theȱ shuttle.ȱ ȱ Theȱ enginesȱ shutȱ
downȱjustȱbeforeȱtheȱshuttle,ȱtravelingȱatȱaboutȱ
17,000ȱ mphȱ (28,000ȱ kilometersȱ perȱ hour),ȱ
reachesȱorbit.ȱ
Theȱ mainȱ engineȱ operatesȱ atȱ greaterȱ
temperatureȱ extremesȱ thanȱ anyȱ mechanicalȱ
systemȱ inȱ commonȱ useȱ today.ȱ ȱ Theȱ fuel,ȱ
liquefiedȱ hydrogenȱ atȱ Ȭ423ȱ degreesȱ Fahrenheitȱȱ
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SH TT E RE ERENCE ATA
(Ȭ253ȱ degreesȱ Celsius),ȱ isȱ theȱ secondȱ coldestȱ
liquidȱonȱEarth.ȱȱWhenȱitȱandȱtheȱliquidȱoxygenȱ
areȱ combusted,ȱ theȱ temperatureȱ inȱ theȱ mainȱ
combustionȱ chamberȱ isȱ 6,000ȱ degreesȱ
Fahrenheitȱ (3,316ȱ degreesȱ Celsius),ȱ hotterȱ thanȱ
theȱboilingȱpointȱofȱiron.ȱ
Theȱ mainȱ enginesȱ useȱ aȱ stagedȱ combustionȱ
cycleȱsoȱthatȱallȱpropellantsȱenteringȱtheȱenginesȱ
areȱ usedȱ toȱ produceȱ thrustȱ orȱ powerȱ —ȱ moreȱ
efficientlyȱ thanȱanyȱ previousȱrocketȱ engine.ȱȱInȱ
aȱstagedȱcombustionȱcycle,ȱpropellantsȱareȱfirstȱ
burnedȱpartiallyȱatȱhighȱpressureȱandȱrelativelyȱ
lowȱ temperatureȱ —ȱ thenȱ burnedȱ completelyȱ atȱ
highȱ temperatureȱ andȱ pressureȱ inȱ theȱ mainȱ
combustionȱ chamber.ȱ ȱ Theȱ rapidȱ mixingȱ ofȱ theȱ
propellantsȱ underȱ theseȱ conditionsȱ isȱ soȱ
completeȱthatȱ99ȱpercentȱofȱtheȱfuelȱisȱburned.ȱ
Atȱ normalȱ operatingȱ level,ȱ eachȱ engineȱ
generatesȱ 490,847ȱ poundsȱ ofȱ thrustȱ (measuredȱ
inȱaȱvacuum).ȱȱFullȱpowerȱisȱ512,900ȱpoundsȱofȱ
thrust;ȱ minimumȱ powerȱ isȱ 316,100ȱ poundsȱ ofȱ
thrust.ȱ
Theȱ engineȱ canȱ beȱ throttledȱ byȱ varyingȱ theȱ
outputȱ ofȱ theȱ preȬburners,ȱ thusȱ varyingȱ theȱ
speedȱ ofȱ theȱ highȬpressureȱ turbopumpsȱ and,ȱ
therefore,ȱtheȱflowȱofȱtheȱpropellant.ȱ
Atȱ aboutȱ 26ȱ secondsȱ intoȱ launch,ȱ theȱ mainȱ
enginesȱ areȱ throttledȱ downȱ toȱ 316,000ȱ poundsȱ
ofȱ thrustȱ toȱ keepȱ theȱ dynamicȱ pressureȱ onȱ theȱ
vehicleȱ belowȱ aȱ specifiedȱ levelȱ —ȱ aboutȱ
580ȱpoundsȱperȱsquareȱfootȱorȱmaxȱq.ȱȱThen,ȱtheȱ
enginesȱ areȱ throttledȱ backȱ upȱ toȱ normalȱ
operatingȱ levelȱ atȱ aboutȱ 60ȱ seconds.ȱ ȱ Thisȱ
reducesȱstressȱonȱtheȱvehicle.ȱȱTheȱmainȱenginesȱ
areȱ throttledȱ downȱ againȱ atȱ aboutȱ sevenȱ
minutes,ȱ 40ȱ secondsȱ intoȱ theȱ missionȱ toȱ
maintainȱ threeȱg’sȱ —ȱ threeȱ timesȱ theȱ Earth’sȱ
gravitationalȱ pullȱ —ȱ againȱ reducingȱ stressȱ onȱ
theȱ crewȱ andȱ theȱ vehicle.ȱ ȱ Thisȱ accelerationȱ
81
 ȱ
ȱ
levelȱ isȱ aboutȱ oneȬthirdȱ theȱ accelerationȱ
experiencedȱonȱpreviousȱcrewedȱspaceȱvehicles.ȱ
Aboutȱ10ȱsecondsȱbeforeȱmainȱengineȱcutoffȱorȱ
MECO,ȱ theȱ cutoffȱ sequenceȱ begins;ȱ aboutȱ
threeȱsecondsȱ laterȱ theȱ mainȱ enginesȱ areȱ
commandedȱ toȱ beginȱ throttlingȱ atȱ 10ȱ percentȱ
thrustȱ perȱ secondȱ toȱ 65ȱ percentȱ thrust.ȱ ȱ Thisȱ isȱ
heldȱforȱaboutȱ6.7ȱseconds,ȱandȱtheȱenginesȱareȱ
shutȱdown.ȱ
Theȱ engineȱ performanceȱ hasȱ theȱ highestȱ thrustȱ
forȱ itsȱ weightȱ ofȱ anyȱ engineȱ yetȱ developed.ȱ ȱ Inȱ
fact,ȱ oneȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ mainȱ engineȱ generatesȱ
sufficientȱ thrustȱ toȱ maintainȱ theȱ flightȱ ofȱȱ
2Ȭ1/2ȱ747ȱairplanes.ȱ
Theȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ mainȱ engineȱ isȱ alsoȱ theȱ firstȱ
rocketȱengineȱtoȱuseȱaȱbuiltȬinȱelectronicȱdigitalȱ
controller,ȱ orȱ computer.ȱ ȱ Theȱ controllerȱ willȱ
acceptȱ commandsȱ fromȱ theȱ orbiterȱ forȱ engineȱ
start,ȱ changeȱ inȱ throttle,ȱ shutdown,ȱ andȱ
monitorȱ engineȱ operation.ȱ ȱ Inȱ theȱ eventȱ ofȱ aȱ
failure,ȱtheȱcontrollerȱautomaticallyȱcorrectsȱtheȱ
problemȱorȱsafelyȱshutsȱdownȱtheȱengine.ȱ
NASAȱ continuesȱ toȱ increaseȱ theȱ reliabilityȱ andȱ
safetyȱ ofȱ shuttleȱ flightsȱ throughȱ aȱ seriesȱ ofȱ
enhancementsȱ toȱ theȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ mainȱ
engines.ȱ ȱ Theȱ enginesȱ wereȱ modifiedȱ inȱ 1988,ȱ
1995,ȱ 1998,ȱ andȱ 2001.ȱ ȱ Modificationsȱ includeȱ
newȱ highȬpressureȱ fuelȱ andȱ oxidizerȱ
turbopumpsȱ thatȱ reduceȱ maintenanceȱ andȱ
operatingȱ costsȱ ofȱ theȱ engine,ȱ aȱ twoȬductȱ
powerheadȱ thatȱ reducesȱ pressureȱ andȱ
turbulenceȱinȱtheȱ engine,ȱandȱ aȱsingleȬcoilȱheatȱ
exchangerȱthatȱlowersȱtheȱnumberȱofȱpostȱflightȱ
inspectionsȱ required.ȱ ȱ Anotherȱ modificationȱ
incorporatesȱ aȱ largeȬthroatȱ mainȱ combustionȱ
chamberȱ thatȱ improvesȱ theȱ engine’sȱ reliabilityȱ
byȱ reducingȱ pressureȱ andȱ temperatureȱ inȱ theȱ
chamber.ȱ
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SH TT E RE ERENCE ATA
Afterȱtheȱorbiterȱlands,ȱtheȱenginesȱareȱremovedȱ
andȱ returnedȱ toȱ aȱ processingȱ facilityȱ atȱ
Kennedyȱ Spaceȱ Center,ȱ Fla.,ȱ whereȱ theyȱ areȱ
recheckedȱandȱreadiedȱforȱtheȱnextȱflight.ȱȱSomeȱ
componentsȱ areȱ returnedȱ toȱ theȱ mainȱ engine’sȱ
primeȱcontractor,ȱPrattȱ&ȱWhitneyȱRocketDyne,ȱ
WestȱPalmȱBeach,ȱFla.,ȱforȱregularȱmaintenance.ȱȱ
Theȱ mainȱ enginesȱ areȱ designedȱ toȱ operateȱ forȱ
7.5ȱaccumulatedȱhours.ȱ
S ACE SH TT E SO I ROC ET
OOSTERS
TheȱtwoȱSRBsȱprovideȱtheȱmainȱthrustȱtoȱliftȱtheȱ
spaceȱ shuttleȱ offȱ theȱ padȱ andȱ upȱ toȱ anȱ altitudeȱ
ofȱ aboutȱ 150,000ȱ feet,ȱ orȱ 24ȱ nauticalȱ milesȱ
(28ȱstatuteȱ miles).ȱ ȱ Inȱ addition,ȱ theȱ twoȱ SRBsȱ
carryȱtheȱentireȱweightȱofȱtheȱexternalȱtankȱandȱ
orbiterȱ andȱ transmitȱ theȱ weightȱ loadȱ throughȱ
theirȱstructureȱtoȱtheȱmobileȱlauncherȱplatform.ȱ
Eachȱ boosterȱ hasȱ aȱ thrustȱ (seaȱ level)ȱ ofȱ aboutȱ
3,300,000ȱ poundsȱ atȱ launch.ȱ ȱ Theyȱ areȱ ignitedȱ
afterȱ theȱ threeȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ mainȱ engines’ȱ
thrustȱ levelȱ isȱ verified.ȱ ȱ Theȱ twoȱ SRBsȱ provideȱ
71.4ȱ percentȱ ofȱ theȱ thrustȱ atȱ liftoffȱ andȱ duringȱ
firstȬstageȱ ascent.ȱ ȱ SeventyȬfiveȱ secondsȱ afterȱ
SRBȱ separation,ȱ SRBȱ apogeeȱ occursȱ atȱ anȱ
altitudeȱ ofȱ aboutȱ 220,000ȱ feet,ȱ orȱ 35ȱ nauticalȱ
milesȱ (40ȱ statuteȱ miles).ȱ ȱ SRBȱ impactȱ occursȱ inȱ
theȱ oceanȱ aboutȱ 122ȱ nauticalȱ milesȱ (140ȱ statuteȱ
miles)ȱdownrange.ȱ
Theȱ SRBsȱ areȱ theȱ largestȱ solidȬpropellantȱ
motorsȱ everȱ flownȱ andȱ theȱ firstȱ designedȱ forȱ
reuse.ȱȱEachȱisȱ149.16ȱfeetȱlongȱandȱ12.17ȱfeetȱinȱ
diameter.ȱ Eachȱ SRBȱ weighsȱ aboutȱ
1,300,000ȱpoundsȱatȱlaunch.ȱȱTheȱpropellantȱforȱ
eachȱ solidȱ rocketȱ motorȱ weighsȱ aboutȱ
1,100,000ȱpounds.ȱȱTheȱinertȱweightȱofȱeachȱSRBȱ
isȱaboutȱ192,000ȱpounds.ȱ
MARCH 2008
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ȱ
Primaryȱelementsȱofȱeachȱboosterȱareȱtheȱmotorȱ
(includingȱcase,ȱpropellant,ȱigniterȱandȱnozzle),ȱ
structure,ȱ separationȱ systems,ȱ operationalȱ
flightȱinstrumentation,ȱ recoveryȱ avionics,ȱ
pyrotechnics,ȱdecelerationȱsystem,ȱthrustȱvectorȱ
controlȱ systemȱ andȱ rangeȱ safetyȱ destructȱ
system.ȱ
Eachȱboosterȱisȱattachedȱtoȱtheȱexternalȱtankȱatȱ
theȱ SRB’sȱ aftȱ frameȱ byȱ twoȱ lateralȱ swayȱ bracesȱ
andȱaȱdiagonalȱattachment.ȱȱTheȱforwardȱendȱofȱ
eachȱSRBȱisȱattachedȱtoȱtheȱexternalȱtankȱatȱtheȱ
forwardȱendȱofȱtheȱSRB’sȱforwardȱskirt.ȱȱOnȱtheȱ
launchȱpad,ȱeachȱboosterȱalsoȱisȱattachedȱtoȱtheȱ
mobileȱlauncherȱplatformȱatȱtheȱaftȱskirtȱbyȱfourȱ
boltsȱ andȱ nutsȱ thatȱ areȱ severedȱ byȱ smallȱ
explosivesȱatȱliftoff.ȱ
DuringȱtheȱdowntimeȱfollowingȱtheȱChallengerȱ
accident,ȱ detailedȱ structuralȱ analysesȱ wereȱ
performedȱonȱcriticalȱstructuralȱelementsȱofȱtheȱ
SRB.ȱȱAnalysesȱwereȱprimarilyȱfocusedȱinȱareasȱ
whereȱ anomaliesȱ hadȱ beenȱ notedȱ duringȱ
postflightȱinspectionȱofȱrecoveredȱhardware.ȱ
Oneȱofȱtheȱareasȱwasȱtheȱattachȱringȱwhereȱtheȱ
SRBsȱareȱconnectedȱtoȱtheȱexternalȱtank.ȱȱAreasȱ
ofȱ distressȱ wereȱ notedȱ inȱ someȱ ofȱ theȱ fastenersȱ
whereȱ theȱ ringȱ attachesȱtoȱ theȱ SRBȱ motorȱ case.ȱȱ
Thisȱ situationȱ wasȱ attributedȱ toȱ theȱ highȱ loadsȱ
encounteredȱ duringȱ waterȱ impact.ȱ ȱ Toȱ correctȱ
theȱsituationȱandȱensureȱhigherȱstrengthȱmarginsȱ
duringȱascent,ȱtheȱattachȱringȱwasȱredesignedȱtoȱ
encircleȱtheȱmotorȱcaseȱcompletelyȱ(360ȱdegrees).ȱ
Previously,ȱ theȱ attachȱ ringȱ formedȱ aȱ Cȱ andȱ
encircledȱtheȱmotorȱcaseȱ270ȱdegrees.ȱ
Additionally,ȱspecialȱstructuralȱtestsȱwereȱdoneȱ
onȱ theȱ aftȱ skirt.ȱ ȱ Duringȱ thisȱ testȱ program,ȱ anȱ
anomalyȱoccurredȱinȱaȱcriticalȱweldȱbetweenȱtheȱ
holdȬdownȱ postȱ andȱ skinȱ ofȱ theȱ skirt.ȱ ȱ Aȱ
redesignȱ wasȱ implementedȱ toȱ addȱ
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SH TT E RE ERENCE ATA
reinforcementȱ bracketsȱ andȱ fittingsȱ inȱ theȱ aftȱ
ringȱofȱtheȱskirt.ȱ
Theseȱ twoȱ modificationsȱ addedȱ aboutȱ
450ȱpoundsȱtoȱtheȱweightȱofȱeachȱSRB.ȱ
Theȱ propellantȱ mixtureȱ inȱ eachȱ SRBȱ motorȱ
consistsȱofȱanȱammoniumȱperchlorateȱ(oxidizer,ȱ
69.6ȱ percentȱ byȱ weight),ȱ aluminumȱ (fuel,ȱ
16ȱpercent),ȱironȱoxideȱ(aȱcatalyst,ȱ0.4ȱpercent),ȱaȱ
polymerȱ (aȱ binderȱ thatȱ holdsȱ theȱ mixtureȱ
together,ȱ 12.04ȱ percent),ȱ andȱ anȱ epoxyȱ curingȱ
agentȱ (1.96ȱ percent).ȱ ȱ Theȱ propellantȱ isȱ anȱ
11ȬpointȱstarȬshapedȱperforationȱinȱtheȱforwardȱ
motorȱ segmentȱ andȱ aȱ doubleȬtruncatedȬconeȱ
perforationȱ inȱ eachȱ ofȱ theȱ aftȱ segmentsȱ andȱ aftȱ
closure.ȱ ȱ Thisȱ configurationȱ providesȱ highȱ
thrustȱatȱignitionȱandȱthenȱreducesȱtheȱthrustȱbyȱ
aboutȱaȱthirdȱ50ȱsecondsȱafterȱliftoffȱtoȱpreventȱ
overstressingȱ theȱ vehicleȱ duringȱ maximumȱ
dynamicȱpressure.ȱ
TheȱSRBsȱareȱusedȱasȱmatchedȱpairsȱandȱeachȱisȱ
madeȱ upȱ ofȱ fourȱ solidȱ rocketȱ motorȱ segments.ȱȱ
Theȱ pairsȱ areȱ matchedȱ byȱ loadingȱ eachȱ ofȱ theȱ
fourȱ motorȱ segmentsȱ inȱ pairsȱ fromȱ theȱ sameȱ
batchesȱ ofȱ propellantȱ ingredientsȱ toȱ minimizeȱ
anyȱ thrustȱ imbalance.ȱ ȱ Theȱ segmentedȬcasingȱ
designȱ assuresȱ maximumȱ flexibilityȱ inȱ
fabricationȱ andȱ easeȱ ofȱ transportationȱ andȱ
handling.ȱ ȱ Eachȱ segmentȱ isȱ shippedȱ toȱ theȱ
launchȱ siteȱ onȱ aȱ heavyȬdutyȱ railȱ carȱ withȱ aȱ
speciallyȱbuiltȱcover.ȱ
Theȱ nozzleȱ expansionȱ ratioȱ ofȱ eachȱ boosterȱ
beginningȱ withȱ theȱ STSȬ8ȱ missionȱ isȱ 7ȬtoȬ79.ȱȱ
Theȱ nozzleȱ isȱ gimbaledȱ forȱ thrustȱ vectorȱ
(direction)ȱ control.ȱ ȱ Eachȱ SRBȱ hasȱ itsȱ ownȱ
redundantȱauxiliaryȱpowerȱunitsȱandȱhydraulicȱ
pumps.ȱ ȱ Theȱ allȬaxisȱ gimbalingȱ capabilityȱ isȱ
8ȱdegrees.ȱȱEachȱnozzleȱhasȱaȱcarbonȱclothȱlinerȱ
thatȱerodesȱandȱcharsȱduringȱfiring.ȱȱTheȱnozzleȱ
isȱ aȱ convergentȬdivergent,ȱ movableȱ designȱ inȱ
83
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ȱ
whichȱ anȱ aftȱ pivotȬpointȱ flexibleȱ bearingȱ isȱ theȱ
gimbalȱmechanism.ȱ
Theȱ coneȬshapedȱ aftȱ skirtȱ reactsȱ theȱ aftȱ loadsȱ
betweenȱ theȱ SRBȱ andȱ theȱ mobileȱ launcherȱ
platform.ȱ ȱ Theȱ fourȱ aftȱ separationȱ motorsȱ areȱ
mountedȱ onȱ theȱ skirt.ȱ ȱ Theȱ aftȱ sectionȱ containsȱ
avionics,ȱ aȱ thrustȱ vectorȱ controlȱ systemȱ thatȱ
consistsȱ ofȱ twoȱ auxiliaryȱ powerȱ unitsȱ andȱ
hydraulicȱ pumps,ȱ hydraulicȱ systemsȱ andȱ aȱ
nozzleȱextensionȱjettisonȱsystem.ȱ
Theȱ forwardȱ sectionȱ ofȱ eachȱ boosterȱ containsȱ
avionics,ȱ aȱ sequencer,ȱ forwardȱ separationȱ
motors,ȱ aȱ noseȱ coneȱ separationȱ system,ȱ drogueȱ
andȱ mainȱ parachutes,ȱ aȱ recoveryȱ beacon,ȱ aȱ
recoveryȱ light,ȱ aȱ parachuteȱ cameraȱ onȱ selectedȱ
flightsȱandȱaȱrangeȱsafetyȱsystem.ȱ
Eachȱ SRBȱ hasȱ twoȱ integratedȱ electronicȱ
assemblies,ȱ oneȱ forwardȱ andȱ oneȱ aft.ȱ ȱ Afterȱ
burnout,ȱ theȱ forwardȱ assemblyȱ initiatesȱ theȱ
releaseȱofȱtheȱnoseȱcapȱandȱfrustum,ȱaȱtransitionȱ
pieceȱ betweenȱ theȱ noseȱ coneȱ andȱ solidȱ rocketȱ
motor,ȱandȱturnsȱonȱtheȱrecoveryȱaids.ȱȱTheȱaftȱ
assembly,ȱ mountedȱ inȱ theȱ externalȱ tank/SRBȱ
attachȱring,ȱconnectsȱwithȱtheȱforwardȱassemblyȱ
andȱ theȱ orbiterȱ avionicsȱ systemsȱ forȱ SRBȱ
ignitionȱ commandsȱ andȱ nozzleȱ thrustȱ vectorȱ
control.ȱ ȱ Eachȱ integratedȱ electronicȱ assemblyȱ
hasȱ aȱ multiplexer/demultiplexer,ȱ whichȱ sendsȱ
orȱ receivesȱ moreȱ thanȱ oneȱ message,ȱ signalȱ orȱ
unitȱ ofȱ informationȱ onȱ aȱ singleȱ communicationȱ
channel.ȱ
Eightȱ boosterȱ separationȱ motorsȱ (fourȱ inȱ theȱ
noseȱ frustumȱ andȱ fourȱ inȱ theȱ aftȱ skirt)ȱ ofȱ eachȱ
SRBȱ thrustȱ forȱ 1.02ȱ secondsȱ atȱ SRBȱ separationȱ
fromȱ theȱ externalȱ tank.ȱ ȱ Eachȱ solidȱ rocketȱ
separationȱ motorȱ isȱ 31.1ȱ inchesȱ longȱ andȱ
12.8ȱinchesȱinȱdiameter.ȱ
Locationȱ aidsȱ areȱ providedȱ forȱ eachȱ SRB,ȱ
frustum/drogueȱ chutesȱ andȱ mainȱ parachutes.ȱȱ
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SH TT E RE ERENCE ATA
Theseȱ includeȱ aȱ transmitter,ȱ antenna,ȱ
strobe/converter,ȱ batteryȱ andȱ saltȬwaterȱ switchȱ
electronics.ȱȱTheȱlocationȱaidsȱareȱdesignedȱforȱaȱ
minimumȱ operatingȱ lifeȱ ofȱ 72ȱ hoursȱ andȱ whenȱ
refurbishedȱ areȱ consideredȱ usableȱ upȱ toȱ
20ȱtimes.ȱȱTheȱflashingȱlightȱisȱanȱexception.ȱȱItȱ
hasȱanȱoperatingȱlifeȱofȱ280ȱhours.ȱȱTheȱbatteryȱ
isȱusedȱonlyȱonce.ȱ
Theȱ SRBȱ noseȱ capsȱ andȱ nozzleȱ extensionsȱ areȱ
notȱrecovered.ȱ
Theȱ recoveryȱ crewȱ retrievesȱ theȱ SRBs,ȱ
frustum/drogueȱ chutes,ȱ andȱ mainȱ parachutes.ȱȱ
Theȱ nozzlesȱ areȱ plugged,ȱ theȱ solidȱ rocketȱ
motorsȱareȱdewatered,ȱandȱtheȱSRBsȱareȱtowedȱ
backȱ toȱ theȱ launchȱ site.ȱ ȱ Eachȱ boosterȱ isȱ
removedȱ fromȱ theȱ water,ȱ andȱ itsȱ componentsȱ
areȱ disassembledȱ andȱ washedȱ withȱ freshȱ andȱ
deionizedȱ waterȱ toȱ limitȱ saltȬwaterȱ corrosion.ȱȱ
Theȱ motorȱ segments,ȱ igniterȱ andȱ nozzleȱ areȱ
shippedȱ backȱ toȱ ATKȱ Thiokolȱ forȱ
refurbishment.ȱ
Eachȱ SRBȱ incorporatesȱ aȱ rangeȱ safetyȱ systemȱ
thatȱ includesȱ aȱ batteryȱ powerȱ source,ȱ
receiver/decoder,ȱantennasȱandȱordnance.ȱ
H -
Eachȱ solidȱ rocketȱ boosterȱ hasȱ fourȱ holdȬdownȱ
postsȱ thatȱ fitȱ intoȱ correspondingȱ supportȱ postsȱ
onȱ theȱ mobileȱ launcherȱ platform.ȱ ȱ HoldȬdownȱ
boltsȱholdȱtheȱSRBȱandȱlauncherȱplatformȱpostsȱ
together.ȱ ȱ Eachȱ boltȱ hasȱ aȱ nutȱ atȱ eachȱ end,ȱ butȱ
onlyȱ theȱ topȱ nutȱ isȱ frangible.ȱ ȱ Theȱ topȱ nutȱ
containsȱ twoȱ NASAȱ standardȱ detonatorsȱ
(NSDs),ȱwhichȱareȱignitedȱatȱsolidȱrocketȱmotorȱ
ignitionȱcommands.ȱ
Whenȱ theȱ twoȱ NSDsȱ areȱ ignitedȱ atȱ eachȱ holdȬ
down,ȱ theȱ holdȬdownȱ boltȱ travelsȱ downwardȱ
becauseȱ ofȱ theȱ releaseȱ ofȱ tensionȱ inȱ theȱ boltȱ
(pretensionedȱbeforeȱlaunch),ȱNSDȱgasȱpressureȱ
MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ
andȱ gravity.ȱ ȱ Theȱ boltȱ isȱ stoppedȱ byȱ theȱ studȱ
decelerationȱ stand,ȱ whichȱ containsȱ sand.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
SRBȱ boltȱ isȱ 28ȱ inchesȱ longȱ andȱ 3.5ȱ inchesȱ inȱ
diameter.ȱ ȱ Theȱ frangibleȱ nutȱ isȱ capturedȱ inȱ aȱ
blastȱcontainer.ȱ
Theȱ solidȱ rocketȱ motorȱ ignitionȱ commandsȱ areȱ
issuedȱ byȱ theȱ orbiter’sȱ computersȱ throughȱ theȱ
masterȱ eventsȱ controllersȱ toȱ theȱ holdȬdownȱ
pyrotechnicȱ initiatorȱ controllersȱ onȱ theȱ mobileȱ
launcherȱplatform.ȱȱTheyȱprovideȱtheȱignitionȱtoȱ
theȱ holdȬdownȱ NSDs.ȱ ȱ Theȱ launchȱ processingȱ
systemȱ monitorsȱ theȱ SRBȱ holdȬdownȱ PICsȱ forȱ
lowȱ voltageȱ duringȱ theȱ lastȱ 16ȱ secondsȱ beforeȱ
launch.ȱ ȱ PICȱ lowȱ voltageȱ willȱ initiateȱ aȱ launchȱ
hold.ȱ
SR I
SRBȱ ignitionȱ canȱ occurȱ onlyȱ whenȱ aȱ manualȱ
lockȱpinȱfromȱeachȱSRBȱsafeȱandȱarmȱdeviceȱhasȱ
beenȱ removed.ȱ ȱ Theȱ groundȱ crewȱ removesȱ theȱ
pinȱ duringȱ prelaunchȱ activities.ȱ ȱ Atȱ Tȱ minusȱ
fiveȱ minutes,ȱ theȱ SRBȱ safeȱ andȱ armȱ deviceȱ isȱ
rotatedȱ toȱ theȱ armȱ position.ȱ ȱ Theȱ solidȱ rocketȱ
motorȱ ignitionȱ commandsȱ areȱ issuedȱ whenȱ theȱ
threeȱ SSMEsȱ areȱ atȱ orȱ aboveȱ 90ȱ percentȱ ratedȱ
thrust,ȱ noȱ SSMEȱ failȱ and/orȱ SRBȱ ignitionȱ PICȱ
lowȱvoltageȱisȱindicatedȱandȱthereȱareȱnoȱholdsȱ
fromȱtheȱLPS.ȱ
Theȱ solidȱ rocketȱ motorȱ ignitionȱ commandsȱ areȱ
sentȱ byȱ theȱ orbiterȱ computersȱ throughȱ theȱ
MECsȱtoȱtheȱsafeȱandȱarmȱdeviceȱNSDsȱinȱeachȱ
SRB.ȱȱAȱPICȱsingleȬchannelȱcapacitorȱdischargeȱ
deviceȱ controlsȱ theȱ firingȱ ofȱ eachȱ pyrotechnicȱ
device.ȱ Threeȱ signalsȱ mustȱ beȱ presentȱ
simultaneouslyȱforȱtheȱPICȱtoȱgenerateȱtheȱpyroȱ
firingȱ output.ȱ ȱ Theseȱ signalsȱ —ȱ arm,ȱ fireȱ 1ȱ andȱ
fireȱ2ȱ—ȱoriginateȱinȱtheȱorbiterȱgeneralȬpurposeȱ
computersȱ andȱ areȱ transmittedȱ toȱ theȱ MECs.ȱȱ
Theȱ MECsȱ reformatȱ themȱ toȱ 28Ȭvoltȱ dcȱ signalsȱ
forȱ theȱ PICs.ȱ ȱ Theȱ armȱ signalȱ chargesȱ theȱ
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SH TT E RE ERENCE ATA
PICȱcapacitorȱ toȱ 40ȱ voltsȱ dcȱ (minimumȱ ofȱ
20ȱvoltsȱdc).ȱ
Theȱ fireȱ 2ȱ commandsȱ causeȱ theȱ redundantȱ
NSDsȱtoȱfireȱthroughȱaȱthinȱbarrierȱsealȱdownȱaȱ
flameȱ tunnel.ȱ ȱ Thisȱ ignitesȱ aȱ pyroȱ boosterȱ
charge,ȱ whichȱ isȱ retainedȱ inȱ theȱ safeȱ andȱ armȱ
deviceȱ behindȱ aȱ perforatedȱ plate.ȱ ȱ Theȱ boosterȱ
chargeȱ ignitesȱ theȱ propellantȱ inȱ theȱ igniterȱ
initiator;ȱ andȱ combustionȱ productsȱ ofȱ thisȱ
propellantȱ igniteȱ theȱ solidȱ rocketȱ motorȱ
initiator,ȱ whichȱ firesȱ downȱ theȱ lengthȱ ofȱ theȱ
solidȱ rocketȱ motorȱ ignitingȱ theȱ solidȱ rocketȱ
motorȱpropellant.ȱ
Theȱ GPCȱ launchȱ sequenceȱ alsoȱ controlsȱ certainȱ
criticalȱ mainȱ propulsionȱ systemȱ valvesȱ andȱ
monitorsȱtheȱengineȬreadyȱindicationsȱfromȱtheȱ
SSMEs.ȱȱTheȱMPSȱstartȱcommandsȱareȱissuedȱbyȱ
theȱonȬboardȱcomputersȱatȱTȱminusȱ6.6ȱsecondsȱ
(staggeredȱ startȱ —ȱ engineȱ three,ȱ engineȱ two,ȱ
engineȱoneȱ—ȱallȱaboutȱwithinȱ0.25ȱofȱaȱsecond),ȱ
andȱ theȱ sequenceȱ monitorsȱ theȱ thrustȱ buildupȱ
ofȱeachȱengine.ȱȱAllȱthreeȱSSMEsȱmustȱreachȱtheȱ
requiredȱ90ȱpercentȱthrustȱwithinȱthreeȱseconds;ȱ
otherwise,ȱanȱorderlyȱshutdownȱisȱcommandedȱ
andȱsafingȱfunctionsȱareȱinitiated.ȱ
Normalȱ thrustȱ buildupȱ toȱ theȱ requiredȱ 90ȱ
percentȱ thrustȱ levelȱ willȱ resultȱ inȱ theȱ SSMEsȱ
beingȱ commandedȱ toȱ theȱ liftoffȱ positionȱ atȱ
Tȱminusȱ threeȱ secondsȱ asȱ wellȱ asȱ theȱ fireȱ 1ȱ
commandȱ beingȱ issuedȱ toȱ armȱ theȱ SRBs.ȱ ȱ Atȱ
Tȱminusȱ threeȱ seconds,ȱ theȱ vehicleȱ baseȱ
bendingȱ loadȱ modesȱ areȱ allowedȱ toȱ initializeȱ
(movementȱofȱ25.5ȱinchesȱmeasuredȱatȱtheȱtipȱofȱ
theȱ externalȱ tank,ȱ withȱ movementȱ towardsȱ theȱ
externalȱtank).ȱ
Atȱ Tȱ minusȱ zero,ȱ theȱ twoȱ SRBsȱ areȱ ignitedȱ
underȱ commandȱ ofȱ theȱ fourȱ onȬboardȱ
computers;ȱ separationȱ ofȱ theȱ fourȱ explosiveȱ
boltsȱ onȱ eachȱ SRBȱ isȱ initiatedȱ (eachȱ boltȱ isȱ
8
 ȱ
ȱ
28ȱinchesȱ longȱ andȱ 3.5ȱ inchesȱ inȱ diameter);ȱ theȱ
twoȱ TȬ0ȱ umbilicalsȱ (oneȱ onȱ eachȱ sideȱ ofȱ theȱ
spacecraft)ȱ areȱ retracted;ȱ theȱ onȬboardȱ masterȱ
timingȱ unit,ȱ eventȱ timerȱ andȱ missionȱ eventȱ
timersȱ areȱ started;ȱ theȱ threeȱ SSMEsȱ areȱ atȱ
100ȱpercent;ȱandȱtheȱgroundȱlaunchȱsequenceȱisȱ
terminated.ȱ
Theȱsolidȱrocketȱmotorȱthrustȱprofileȱisȱtailoredȱ
toȱreduceȱthrustȱduringȱtheȱmaximumȱdynamicȱ
pressureȱregion.ȱ
E fromȱ eachȱ other.ȱ ȱ Eachȱ fuelȱ supplyȱ moduleȱ
Electricalȱ powerȱ distributionȱ inȱ eachȱ SRBȱ
consistsȱofȱorbiterȬsuppliedȱmainȱdcȱbusȱpowerȱ
toȱeachȱSRBȱviaȱSRBȱbusesȱA,ȱBȱandȱC.ȱȱOrbiterȱ
mainȱ dcȱbusesȱA,ȱBȱandȱCȱsupplyȱmainȱ dcȱ busȱ
powerȱtoȱcorrespondingȱSRBȱbusesȱA,ȱBȱandȱC.ȱȱ
Inȱ addition,ȱ orbiterȱ mainȱ dcȱ busȱ Cȱ suppliesȱ
backupȱ powerȱ toȱ SRBȱ busesȱ Aȱ andȱ B,ȱ andȱ
orbiterȱ busȱ Bȱ suppliesȱ backupȱ powerȱ toȱ SRBȱ
busȱC.ȱ Thisȱ electricalȱ powerȱ distributionȱ
arrangementȱ allowsȱ allȱ SRBȱ busesȱ toȱ remainȱ
poweredȱinȱtheȱeventȱoneȱorbiterȱmainȱbusȱfails.ȱ
Theȱ nominalȱ dcȱ voltageȱ isȱ 28ȱ voltsȱ dc,ȱ withȱ anȱ
upperȱ limitȱ ofȱ 32ȱ voltsȱ dcȱ andȱ aȱ lowerȱ limitȱ ofȱ
24ȱvoltsȱdc.ȱ
H speedȱisȱsuchȱthatȱtheȱfuelȱpumpȱoutletȱpressureȱ
Thereȱ areȱ twoȱ selfȬcontained,ȱ independentȱ
HPUsȱ onȱ eachȱ SRB.ȱ ȱ Eachȱ HPUȱ consistsȱ ofȱ anȱ
auxiliaryȱ powerȱ unit,ȱ fuelȱ supplyȱ module,ȱ
hydraulicȱ pump,ȱ hydraulicȱ reservoirȱ andȱ
hydraulicȱ fluidȱ manifoldȱ assembly.ȱ ȱ Theȱ APUsȱ
areȱ fueledȱ byȱ hydrazineȱ andȱ generateȱ
mechanicalȱ shaftȱ powerȱ toȱ aȱ hydraulicȱ pumpȱ
thatȱ producesȱ hydraulicȱ pressureȱ forȱ theȱ SRBȱ
hydraulicȱsystem.ȱȱTheȱtwoȱseparateȱHPUsȱandȱ
twoȱ hydraulicȱ systemsȱ areȱ locatedȱ onȱ theȱ aftȱ
endȱ ofȱ eachȱ SRBȱ betweenȱ theȱ SRBȱ nozzleȱ andȱ
aftȱskirt.ȱȱTheȱHPUȱcomponentsȱareȱmountedȱonȱ
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SH TT E RE ERENCE ATA
theȱaftȱskirtȱbetweenȱtheȱrockȱandȱtiltȱactuators.ȱȱ
Theȱ twoȱ systemsȱ operateȱ fromȱ Tȱ minusȱ
28ȱsecondsȱ untilȱ SRBȱ separationȱ fromȱ theȱ
orbiterȱandȱexternalȱtank.ȱȱTheȱtwoȱindependentȱ
hydraulicȱsystemsȱareȱconnectedȱtoȱtheȱrockȱandȱ
tiltȱservoactuators.ȱ
Theȱ APUȱ controllerȱ electronicsȱ areȱ locatedȱ inȱ
theȱ SRBȱ aftȱ integratedȱ electronicȱ assembliesȱ onȱ
theȱaftȱexternalȱtankȱattachȱrings.ȱ
Theȱ APUsȱ andȱ theirȱ fuelȱ systemsȱ areȱ isolatedȱ
(tank)ȱ containsȱ 22ȱ poundsȱ ofȱ hydrazine.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
fuelȱ tankȱ isȱ pressurizedȱ withȱ gaseousȱ nitrogenȱ
atȱ 400ȱ psi,ȱ whichȱ providesȱ theȱ forceȱ toȱ expelȱ
(positiveȱ expulsion)ȱ theȱ fuelȱ fromȱ theȱ tankȱ toȱ
theȱfuelȱdistributionȱline,ȱmaintainingȱaȱpositiveȱ
fuelȱ supplyȱ toȱ theȱ APUȱ throughoutȱ itsȱ
operation.ȱ
Theȱ fuelȱ isolationȱ valveȱ isȱ openedȱ atȱ APUȱ
startupȱ toȱ allowȱ fuelȱ toȱ flowȱ toȱ theȱ APUȱ fuelȱ
pumpȱ andȱ controlȱ valvesȱ andȱ thenȱ toȱ theȱ gasȱ
generator.ȱ ȱ Theȱ gasȱ generator’sȱ catalyticȱ actionȱ
decomposesȱ theȱ fuelȱ andȱ createsȱ aȱ hotȱ gas.ȱ ȱ Itȱ
feedsȱ theȱ hotȱ gasȱ exhaustȱ productȱ toȱ theȱ APUȱ
twoȬstageȱ gasȱ turbine.ȱ ȱ Fuelȱ flowsȱ primarilyȱ
throughȱ theȱ startupȱ bypassȱ lineȱ untilȱ theȱ APUȱ
isȱ greaterȱ thanȱ theȱ bypassȱ line’s.ȱ ȱ Thenȱ allȱ theȱ
fuelȱisȱsuppliedȱtoȱtheȱfuelȱpump.ȱ
Theȱ APUȱ turbineȱ assemblyȱ providesȱ
mechanicalȱ powerȱ toȱ theȱ APUȱ gearbox.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
gearboxȱ drivesȱ theȱ APUȱ fuelȱ pump,ȱ hydraulicȱ
pumpȱ andȱ lubeȱ oilȱ pump.ȱ ȱ Theȱ APUȱ lubeȱ oilȱ
pumpȱ lubricatesȱ theȱ gearbox.ȱ ȱ Theȱ turbineȱ
exhaustȱofȱeachȱAPUȱflowsȱoverȱtheȱexteriorȱofȱ
theȱ gasȱ generator,ȱ coolingȱ it,ȱ andȱ isȱ thenȱ
directedȱoverboardȱthroughȱanȱexhaustȱduct.ȱ
Whenȱ theȱ APUȱ speedȱ reachesȱ 100ȱ percent,ȱ theȱ
APUȱ primaryȱ controlȱ valveȱ closes,ȱ andȱ theȱȱ
MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ
APUȱspeedȱisȱcontrolledȱbyȱtheȱAPUȱcontrollerȱ
electronics.ȱ ȱ Ifȱ theȱ primaryȱ controlȱ valveȱ logicȱ
failsȱ toȱ theȱ openȱ state,ȱ theȱ secondaryȱ controlȱ
valveȱ assumesȱ controlȱ ofȱ theȱ APUȱ atȱ
112ȱpercentȱ speed.ȱ ȱ Eachȱ HPUȱ onȱ anȱ SRBȱ isȱ
connectedȱ toȱ bothȱ servoactuatorsȱ onȱ thatȱ SRB.ȱȱ
Oneȱ HPUȱ servesȱ asȱ theȱ primaryȱ hydraulicȱ
sourceȱforȱtheȱservoactuator,ȱandȱtheȱotherȱHPUȱ
servesȱ asȱ theȱ secondaryȱ hydraulicsȱ forȱ theȱ
servoactuator.ȱ Eachȱ servoactuatorȱ hasȱ aȱ
switchingȱ valveȱ thatȱ allowsȱ theȱ secondaryȱ
hydraulicsȱtoȱpowerȱtheȱactuatorȱifȱtheȱprimaryȱ
hydraulicȱ pressureȱ dropsȱ belowȱ 2,050ȱ psi.ȱ ȱ Aȱ
switchȱcontactȱonȱtheȱswitchingȱvalveȱwillȱcloseȱ
whenȱ theȱ valveȱ isȱ inȱ theȱ secondaryȱ position.ȱȱ
Whenȱtheȱvalveȱisȱclosed,ȱaȱsignalȱisȱsentȱtoȱtheȱ
APUȱ controllerȱ thatȱ inhibitsȱ theȱ 100ȱ percentȱ
APUȱ speedȱ controlȱ logicȱ andȱ enablesȱ theȱ
112ȱpercentȱ APUȱ speedȱ controlȱ logic.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
100ȱpercentȱ APUȱ speedȱ enablesȱ oneȱ APU/HPUȱ
toȱ supplyȱ sufficientȱ operatingȱ hydraulicȱ
pressureȱtoȱbothȱservoactuatorsȱofȱthatȱSRB.ȱ
Theȱ APUȱ 100ȱ percentȱ speedȱ correspondsȱ toȱ
72,000ȱ rpm,ȱ 110ȱ percentȱ toȱ 79,200ȱ rpm,ȱ andȱ
112ȱpercentȱtoȱ80,640ȱrpm.ȱ
Theȱ hydraulicȱ pumpȱ speedȱ isȱ 3,600ȱ rpmȱ andȱ
suppliesȱ hydraulicȱ pressureȱ ofȱ 3,050,ȱ plusȱ orȱ
minusȱ 50,ȱ psi.ȱ ȱ Aȱ highȬpressureȱ reliefȱ valveȱ
providesȱ overpressureȱ protectionȱ toȱ theȱ
hydraulicȱsystemȱandȱrelievesȱatȱ3,750ȱpsi.ȱ
Theȱ APUs/HPUsȱ andȱ hydraulicȱ systemsȱ areȱ
reusableȱforȱ20ȱmissions.ȱ
T V C toȱ indicateȱ whichȱ channelȱ hasȱ beenȱ bypassed.ȱȱ
Eachȱ SRBȱ hasȱ twoȱ hydraulicȱ gimbalȱ
servoactuators:ȱ ȱ oneȱ forȱ rockȱ andȱ oneȱ forȱ tilt.ȱȱ
Theȱ servoactuatorsȱ provideȱ theȱ forceȱ andȱ
controlȱ toȱ gimbalȱ theȱ nozzleȱ forȱ thrustȱ vectorȱ
control.ȱ
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SH TT E RE ERENCE ATA
Theȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ ascentȱ thrustȱ vectorȱ controlȱ
portionȱ ofȱ theȱ flightȱ controlȱ systemȱ directsȱ theȱ
thrustȱofȱtheȱthreeȱshuttleȱmainȱenginesȱandȱtheȱ
twoȱSRBȱnozzlesȱtoȱcontrolȱshuttleȱattitudeȱandȱ
trajectoryȱduringȱliftoffȱandȱascent.ȱȱCommandsȱ
fromȱtheȱguidanceȱsystemȱareȱtransmittedȱtoȱtheȱ
ATVCȱ drivers,ȱ whichȱ transmitȱ signalsȱ
proportionalȱ toȱ theȱ commandsȱ toȱ eachȱ
servoactuatorȱ ofȱ theȱ mainȱ enginesȱ andȱ SRBs.ȱȱ
Fourȱ independentȱ flightȱ controlȱ systemȱ
channelsȱ andȱ fourȱ ATVCȱ channelsȱ controlȱ sixȱ
mainȱengineȱandȱfourȱSRBȱATVCȱdrivers,ȱwithȱ
eachȱ driverȱ controllingȱ oneȱ hydraulicȱ portȱ onȱ
eachȱmainȱandȱSRBȱservoactuator.ȱ
Eachȱ SRBȱ servoactuatorȱ consistsȱ ofȱ fourȱ
independent,ȱ twoȬstageȱ servovalvesȱ thatȱ
receiveȱ signalsȱ fromȱ theȱ drivers.ȱ ȱ Eachȱ
servovalveȱ controlsȱ oneȱ powerȱ spoolȱ inȱ eachȱ
actuator,ȱ whichȱ positionsȱ anȱ actuatorȱ ramȱ andȱ
theȱnozzleȱtoȱcontrolȱtheȱdirectionȱofȱthrust.ȱ
Theȱfourȱservovalvesȱinȱeachȱactuatorȱprovideȱaȱ
forceȬsummedȱ majorityȱ votingȱ arrangementȱ toȱ
positionȱ theȱ powerȱ spool.ȱ ȱ Withȱ fourȱ identicalȱ
commandsȱ toȱ theȱ fourȱ servovalves,ȱ theȱ actuatorȱ
forceȬsumȱ actionȱ preventsȱ aȱ singleȱ erroneousȱ
commandȱ fromȱ affectingȱpowerȱramȱmotion.ȱȱIfȱ
theȱerroneousȱcommandȱpersistsȱforȱmoreȱthanȱaȱ
predeterminedȱ time,ȱ differentialȱ pressureȱ
sensingȱ activatesȱ aȱ selectorȱ valveȱ toȱ isolateȱ andȱ
removeȱ theȱ defectiveȱ servovalveȱ hydraulicȱ
pressure,ȱpermittingȱtheȱremainingȱchannelsȱandȱ
servovalvesȱtoȱcontrolȱtheȱactuatorȱramȱspool.ȱ
Failureȱ monitorsȱ areȱ providedȱ forȱ eachȱ channelȱ
Anȱisolationȱvalveȱonȱeachȱchannelȱprovidesȱtheȱ
capabilityȱ ofȱ resettingȱ aȱ failedȱ orȱ bypassedȱ
channel.ȱ
Eachȱactuatorȱramȱisȱequippedȱwithȱtransducersȱ
forȱ positionȱ feedbackȱ toȱ theȱ thrustȱ vectorȱ
controlȱsystem.ȱȱWithinȱeachȱservoactuatorȱramȱ
8
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ȱ
isȱaȱsplashdownȱloadȱreliefȱassemblyȱtoȱcushionȱ
theȱ nozzleȱ atȱ waterȱ splashdownȱ andȱ preventȱ
damageȱtoȱtheȱnozzleȱflexibleȱbearing.ȱ
Theȱ SRBsȱ separateȱ fromȱ theȱ externalȱ tankȱ
withinȱ 30ȱ millisecondsȱ ofȱ theȱ ordnanceȱ firingȱ
command.ȱ

SR R A Theȱforwardȱattachmentȱpointȱconsistsȱofȱaȱballȱ
(SRB)ȱandȱsocketȱ(ET)ȱheldȱtogetherȱbyȱoneȱbolt.ȱȱ
Eachȱ SRBȱ containsȱ twoȱ RGAs,ȱ withȱ eachȱ RGAȱ
TheȱboltȱcontainsȱoneȱNSDȱpressureȱcartridgeȱatȱ
containingȱ oneȱ pitchȱ andȱ oneȱ yawȱ gyro.ȱ ȱ Theseȱ
eachȱ end.ȱ ȱ Theȱ forwardȱ attachmentȱ pointȱ alsoȱ
provideȱanȱoutputȱproportionalȱtoȱangularȱratesȱ
carriesȱ theȱ rangeȱ safetyȱ systemȱ crossȬstrapȱ
aboutȱ theȱ pitchȱ andȱ yawȱ axesȱ toȱ theȱ orbiterȱ
wiringȱ connectingȱ eachȱ SRBȱ RSSȱ andȱ theȱ ETȱ
computersȱandȱguidance,ȱnavigationȱandȱcontrolȱ
RSSȱwithȱeachȱother.ȱ
systemȱ duringȱ firstȬstageȱ ascentȱ flightȱ inȱ
conjunctionȱwithȱtheȱorbiterȱrollȱrateȱgyrosȱuntilȱ Theȱ aftȱ attachmentȱ pointsȱ consistȱ ofȱ threeȱ
SRBȱseparation.ȱȱAtȱSRBȱseparation,ȱaȱswitchoverȱ separateȱ struts:ȱ ȱ upper,ȱ diagonal,ȱ andȱ lower.ȱȱ
isȱmadeȱfromȱtheȱSRBȱRGAsȱtoȱtheȱorbiterȱRGAs.ȱ Eachȱ strutȱ containsȱ oneȱ boltȱ withȱ anȱ NSDȱ
pressureȱcartridgeȱatȱeachȱend.ȱȱTheȱupperȱstrutȱ
Theȱ SRBȱ RGAȱ ratesȱ passȱ throughȱ theȱ orbiterȱ
alsoȱ carriesȱ theȱ umbilicalȱ interfaceȱ betweenȱ itsȱ
flightȱ aftȱ multiplexers/demultiplexersȱ toȱ theȱ
SRBȱandȱtheȱexternalȱtankȱandȱonȱtoȱtheȱorbiter.ȱ
orbiterȱ GPCs.ȱ Theȱ RGAȱ ratesȱ areȱ thenȱ
midȬvalueȬselectedȱinȱredundancyȱmanagementȱ Thereȱ areȱ fourȱ boosterȱ separationȱ motorsȱ onȱ
toȱprovideȱSRBȱpitchȱandȱyawȱratesȱtoȱtheȱuserȱ eachȱ endȱ ofȱ eachȱ SRB.ȱ ȱ Theȱ BSMsȱ separateȱ theȱ
software.ȱ ȱ Theȱ RGAsȱ areȱ designedȱ forȱ SRBsȱ fromȱ theȱ externalȱ tank.ȱ ȱ Theȱ solidȱ rocketȱ
20ȱmissions.ȱ motorsȱ inȱ eachȱ clusterȱ ofȱ fourȱ areȱ ignitedȱ byȱ
firingȱ redundantȱ NSDȱ pressureȱ cartridgesȱ intoȱ
SR S redundantȱconfinedȱdetonatingȱfuseȱmanifolds.ȱ
SRBȱseparationȱisȱinitiatedȱwhenȱtheȱthreeȱsolidȱ
Theȱ separationȱ commandsȱ issuedȱ fromȱ theȱ
rocketȱmotorȱchamberȱpressureȱtransducersȱareȱ
orbiterȱ byȱ theȱ SRBȱ separationȱ sequenceȱ initiateȱ
processedȱ inȱ theȱ redundancyȱ managementȱ
theȱ redundantȱ NSDȱ pressureȱ cartridgeȱ inȱ eachȱ
middleȱ valueȱ selectȱ andȱ theȱ headȬendȱ chamberȱ
boltȱ andȱ igniteȱ theȱ BSMsȱ toȱ effectȱ aȱ cleanȱ
pressureȱ ofȱ bothȱ SRBsȱ isȱ lessȱ thanȱ orȱ equalȱ toȱ
separation.ȱ
50ȱpsi.ȱ ȱ Aȱ backupȱ cueȱ isȱ theȱ timeȱ elapsedȱ fromȱ
boosterȱignition.ȱ S ACE SH TT E S ER I HT WEI HT
Theȱ separationȱ sequenceȱ isȱ initiated,ȱ TAN S WT
commandingȱtheȱthrustȱvectorȱcontrolȱactuatorsȱ
Theȱ superȱ lightweightȱ externalȱ tankȱ (SLWT)ȱ
toȱ theȱ nullȱ positionȱ andȱ puttingȱ theȱ mainȱ
madeȱ itsȱ firstȱ shuttleȱ flightȱ Juneȱ 2,ȱ 1998,ȱ onȱ
propulsionȱ systemȱ intoȱ aȱ secondȬstageȱ
missionȱ STSȬ91.ȱ ȱ Theȱ SLWTȱ isȱ 7,500ȱ poundsȱ
configurationȱ (0.8ȱsecondȱ fromȱ sequenceȱ
lighterȱ thanȱ theȱ standardȱ externalȱ tank.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
initialization),ȱwhichȱensuresȱtheȱthrustȱofȱeachȱ
lighterȱweightȱtankȱallowsȱtheȱshuttleȱtoȱdeliverȱ
SRBȱ isȱ lessȱ thanȱ 100,000ȱ pounds.ȱ ȱ Orbiterȱ yawȱ
Internationalȱ Spaceȱ Stationȱ elementsȱ (suchȱ asȱ
attitudeȱisȱheldȱforȱfourȱseconds,ȱandȱSRBȱthrustȱ
theȱserviceȱmodule)ȱintoȱtheȱproperȱorbit.ȱ
dropsȱtoȱlessȱthanȱ60,000ȱpounds.ȱ

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

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0 SH TT E RE ERENCE ATA MARCH 2008
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LAUNCH AND LANDING
ȱ
LAUNCH
Asȱ withȱ allȱ previousȱ spaceȱ shuttleȱ launches,ȱ
Atlantisȱhasȱseveralȱoptionsȱtoȱabortȱitsȱascentȱifȱ
neededȱdueȱtoȱengineȱfailuresȱorȱotherȱsystemsȱ
problems.ȱ ȱ Shuttleȱ launchȱ abortȱ philosophyȱ isȱ
intendedȱtoȱfacilitateȱsafeȱrecoveryȱofȱtheȱflightȱ
crewȱ andȱ intactȱ recoveryȱ ofȱ theȱ orbiterȱ andȱ itsȱ
payload.ȱ
Abortȱmodesȱinclude:ȱ
ABORT-TO-ORBIT (ATO)
Thisȱ modeȱ isȱ usedȱ ifȱ there’sȱ aȱ partialȱ lossȱ ofȱ
mainȱ engineȱ thrustȱ lateȱ enoughȱ toȱ permitȱ
reachingȱaȱminimalȱ105ȱbyȱ85ȱnauticalȱmileȱorbitȱ
withȱ theȱ orbitalȱ maneuveringȱ systemȱ engines.ȱȱ
Theȱ enginesȱ boostȱ theȱ shuttleȱ toȱ aȱ safeȱ orbitalȱ
altitudeȱ whenȱ itȱ isȱ impossibleȱ toȱ reachȱ theȱ
plannedȱorbitalȱaltitude.ȱ
TRANSATLANTIC ABORT LANDING
(TAL)
Theȱ lossȱ ofȱ oneȱ orȱ moreȱ mainȱ enginesȱ midwayȱ
throughȱ poweredȱ flightȱ wouldȱ forceȱ aȱ landingȱ
atȱ eitherȱ Zaragoza,ȱ Spain;ȱ Moron,ȱ Spain;ȱ orȱ
Istres,ȱ France.ȱ ȱ Forȱ launchȱ toȱ proceed,ȱ weatherȱ
conditionsȱ mustȱ beȱ acceptableȱ atȱ oneȱ ofȱ theseȱ
TALȱsites.ȱ
MARCH 2008
ȱ
LAUNCH & LANDING
RETURN-TO-LAUNCH-SITE (RTLS)
Ifȱ oneȱ orȱ moreȱ enginesȱ shutsȱ downȱ earlyȱ andȱ
there’sȱ notȱ enoughȱ energyȱ toȱ reachȱ Zaragoza,ȱ
theȱ shuttleȱ wouldȱ pitchȱ aroundȱ towardȱ
Kennedyȱ untilȱ withinȱ glidingȱ distanceȱ ofȱ theȱ
Shuttleȱ Landingȱ Facility.ȱ ȱ Forȱ launchȱ toȱ
proceed,ȱweatherȱconditionsȱmustȱbeȱforecastȱtoȱ
beȱ acceptableȱ forȱ aȱ possibleȱ RTLSȱ landingȱ atȱ
KSCȱaboutȱ20ȱminutesȱafterȱliftoff.ȱ
ABORT ONCE AROUND (AOA)
Anȱ AOAȱ isȱ selectedȱ ifȱ theȱ vehicleȱ cannotȱ
achieveȱ aȱ viableȱ orbitȱ orȱ willȱ notȱ haveȱ enoughȱ
propellantȱ toȱ performȱ aȱ deorbitȱ burn,ȱ butȱ hasȱ
enoughȱenergyȱtoȱcircleȱtheȱEarthȱonceȱandȱlandȱ
aboutȱ90ȱminutesȱafterȱliftoff.ȱ
LANDING
Theȱ primaryȱ landingȱ siteȱ forȱ Atlantisȱ onȱ
STSȬ122ȱ isȱ theȱ Kennedyȱ Spaceȱ Center’sȱ Shuttleȱ
Landingȱ Facility.ȱ ȱ Alternateȱ landingȱ sitesȱ thatȱ
couldȱ beȱ usedȱ ifȱ neededȱ becauseȱ ofȱ weatherȱ
conditionsȱ orȱ systemsȱ failuresȱ areȱ atȱ Edwardsȱ
Airȱ Forceȱ Base,ȱ Calif.,ȱ andȱ Whiteȱ Sandsȱ Spaceȱ
Harbor,ȱN.M.ȱ
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ACRON MS AN A REVIATIONS
ȱ
A/Gȱ AlignmentȱGuidesȱ
A/Lȱ Airlockȱ
AAAȱ AvionicsȱAirȱAssemblyȱ
ABCȱ AudioȱBusȱControllerȱ
ACBMȱ ActiveȱCommonȱBerthingȱMechanismȱ
ACDUȱ AirlockȱControlȱandȱDisplayȱUnitȱ
ACOȱ AssemblyȱCheckoutȱOfficerȱ
ACSȱ AtmosphereȱControlȱandȱSupplyȱ
ACUȱ ArmȱControlȱUnitȱ
ADSȱ AudioȱDistributionȱSystemȱ
AEȱ ApproachȱEllipsoidȱ
AEPȱ AirlockȱElectronicsȱPackageȱ
AIȱ ApproachȱInitiationȱ
AJISȱ AlphaȱJointȱInterfaceȱStructureȱ
AMȱ AtmosphereȱMonitoringȱ
AMOSȱ AirȱForceȱMauiȱOpticalȱandȱSupercomputingȱSiteȱ
AOHȱ AssemblyȱOperationsȱHandbookȱ
APASȱ AndrogynousȱPeripheralȱAttachmentȱ
APCUȱ AssemblyȱPowerȱConverterȱUnitȱ
APEȱ AntennaȱPointingȱElectronicsȱ
ȱ AudioȱPointingȱEquipmentȱ
APFRȱ ArticulatingȱPortableȱFootȱRestraintȱ
APMȱ AntennaȱPointingȱMechanismȱ
APSȱ AutomatedȱPayloadȱSwitchȱ
APVȱ AutomatedȱProcedureȱViewerȱ
ARȱ AtmosphereȱRevitalizationȱ
ARCUȱ AmericanȬtoȬRussianȱConverterȱUnitȱ
ARSȱ AtmosphereȱRevitalizationȱSystemȱ
ASWȱ ApplicationȱSoftwareȱ
ATAȱ AmmoniaȱTankȱAssemblyȱ
ATCSȱ ActiveȱThermalȱControlȱSystemȱ
ATUȱ AudioȱTerminalȱUnitȱ

BADȱ BroadcastȱAncillaryȱDataȱ
BCȱ BusȱControllerȱ
BCDUȱ BatteryȱCharge/DischargeȱUnitȱ
ȱ BerthingȱMechanismȱControlȱandȱDisplayȱUnitȱ
BEPȱ BerthingȱMechanismȱElectronicsȱPackageȱ
BGAȱ BetaȱGimbalȱAssemblyȱ

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ACRON MS A REVIATIONS 3
 ȱ
ȱ
BICȱ BusȱInterfaceȱControllerȱ
BITȱ BuiltȬInȱTestȱ
BMȱ BerthingȱMechanismȱ
BOSȱ BICȱOperationsȱSoftwareȱ
BSSȱ BasicȱSoftwareȱ
BSTSȱ BasicȱStandardȱSupportȱSoftwareȱ

C&Cȱ CommandȱandȱControlȱ
C&DHȱ CommandȱandȱDataȱHandlingȱ
C&Tȱ CommunicationȱandȱTrackingȱ
C&Wȱ CautionȱandȱWarningȱ
C/Lȱ CrewȱLockȱ
C/Oȱ Checkoutȱ
CAMȱ CollisionȱAvoidanceȱManeuverȱ
CAPEȱ CanisterȱforȱAllȱPayloadȱEjectionsȱ
CASȱ CommonȱAttachȱSystemȱ
CBȱ ControlȱBusȱ
CBCSȱ CenterlineȱBerthingȱCameraȱSystemȱ
CBMȱ CommonȱBerthingȱMechanismȱ
CCAȱ CircuitȱCardȱAssemblyȱ
CCAAȱ CommonȱCabinȱAirȱAssemblyȱ
CCHAȱ CrewȱCommunicationȱHeadsetȱAssemblyȱ
CCPȱ CameraȱControlȱPanelȱ
CCTȱ CommunicationȱConfigurationȱTableȱ
CCTVȱ ClosedȬCircuitȱTelevisionȱ
CDRȱ Commanderȱ
CDRAȱ CarbonȱDioxideȱRemovalȱAssemblyȱ
CETAȱ CrewȱEquipmentȱTranslationȱAidȱ
CHeCSȱ CrewȱHealthȱCareȱSystemȱ
CHXȱ CabinȱHeatȱExchangerȱ
CISCȱ ComplicatedȱInstructionȱSetȱComputerȱ
CLAȱ CameraȱLightȱAssemblyȱ
CLPAȱ CameraȱLightȱPanȱTiltȱAssemblyȱ
CMGȱ ControlȱMomentȱGyroȱ
COTSȱ CommercialȱOffȱtheȱShelfȱ
CPAȱ ControlȱPanelȱAssemblyȱ
CPBȱ CameraȱPowerȱBoxȱ
CRȱ ChangeȱRequestȱ
CRTȱ CathodeȬRayȱTubeȱ
CSAȱ CanadianȱSpaceȱAgencyȱ
CSAȬCPȱ CompoundȱSpecificȱAnalyzerȱ
CVIUȱ CommonȱVideoȱInterfaceȱUnitȱ

ȱ
ACRON MS A REVIATIONS MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ
CVTȱ CurrentȱValueȱTableȱ
CZȱ CommunicationȱZoneȱ

DBȱ DataȱBookȱ
DCȱ DockingȱCompartmentȱ
DCSUȱ DirectȱCurrentȱSwitchingȱUnitȱ
DDCUȱ DCȬtoȬDCȱConverterȱUnitȱ
DEMȱ Demodulatorȱ
DFLȱ DecommutationȱFormatȱLoadȱ
DIUȱ DataȱInterfaceȱUnitȱ
DMSȱ DataȱManagementȱSystemȱ
DMSȬRȱ DataȱManagementȱSystemȬRussianȱ
DPGȱ DifferentialȱPressureȱGaugeȱ
DPUȱ BasebandȱDataȱProcessingȱUnitȱ
DRTSȱ JapaneseȱDataȱRelayȱSatelliteȱ
DYFȱ DisplayȱFrameȱ

E/Lȱ EquipmentȱLockȱ
EATCSȱ ExternalȱActiveȱThermalȱControlȱSystemȱ
EBCSȱ ExternalȱBerthingȱCameraȱSystemȱ
ECCȱ ErrorȱCorrectionȱCodeȱ
ECLSSȱ EnvironmentalȱControlȱandȱLifeȱSupportȱSystemȱ
ECSȱ EnvironmentalȱControlȱSystemȱ
ECUȱ ElectronicȱControlȱUnitȱ
EDSUȱ ExternalȱDataȱStorageȱUnitȱ
EDUȱ EEUȱDriverȱUnitȱ
EEȱ EndȱEffectorȱ
EETCSȱ EarlyȱExternalȱThermalȱControlȱSystemȱ
EEUȱ ExperimentȱExchangeȱUnitȱ
EFȱ ExposedȱFacilityȱ
EFBMȱ ExposedȱFacilityȱBerthingȱMechanismȱ
EFHXȱ ExposedȱFacilityȱHeatȱExchangerȱ
EFUȱ ExposedȱFacilityȱUnitȱ
EGILȱ Electrical,ȱGeneralȱInstrumentation,ȱandȱLightingȱ
EIUȱ EthernetȱInterfaceȱUnitȱ
ELMȬESȱ JapaneseȱExperimentȱLogisticsȱModuleȱ–ȱExposedȱSectionȱ
ELMȬPSȱ JapaneseȱExperimentȱLogisticsȱModuleȱ–ȱPressurizedȱSectionȱ
ELPSȱ EmergencyȱLightingȱPowerȱSupplyȱ
EMGFȱ ElectricȱMechanicalȱGrappleȱFixtureȱ
EMIȱ ElectroȬMagneticȱImagingȱ
EMUȱ ExtravehicularȱMobilityȱUnitȱ
EȬORUȱ EVAȱEssentialȱORUȱ
EPȱ ExposedȱPalletȱ

MARCH 2008
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ACRON MS A REVIATIONS
 ȱ
ȱ
EPSȱ ElectricalȱPowerȱSystemȱ
ESȱ ExposedȱSectionȱ
ESAȱ EuropeanȱSpaceȱAgencyȱ
ESCȱ JEFȱSystemȱControllerȱ
ESWȱ ExtendedȱSupportȱSoftwareȱ
ETȱ ExternalȱTankȱ
ETCSȱ ExternalȱThermalȱControlȱSystemȱ
ETIȱ ElapsedȱTimeȱIndicatorȱ
ETRSȱ EVAȱTemporaryȱRailȱStopȱ
ETVCGȱ ExternalȱTelevisionȱCameraȱGroupȱ
EVȱ Extravehicularȱ
EVAȱ ExtravehicularȱActivityȱ
EXPȬDȱ ExperimentȬDȱ
EXTȱ Externalȱ

FAȱ FluidȱAccumulatorȱ
FASȱ FlightȱApplicationȱSoftwareȱ
FCTȱ FlightȱControlȱTeamȱ
FDȱ FlightȱDayȱ
FDDIȱ FiberȱDistributedȱDataȱInterfaceȱ
FDIRȱ FaultȱDetection,ȱIsolation,ȱandȱRecoveryȱ
FDSȱ FireȱDetectionȱSystemȱ
FEȱ FlightȱEngineerȱ
FETȬSWȱ FieldȱEffectȱTransistorȱSwitchȱ
FGBȱ FunctionalȱCargoȱBlockȱ
FORȱ FrameȱofȱReferenceȱ
FPPȱ FluidȱPumpȱPackageȱ
FRȱ FlightȱRuleȱ
FRDȱ FlightȱRequirementsȱDocumentȱ
FRGFȱ FlightȱReleasableȱGrappleȱFixtureȱ
FRMȱ FunctionalȱRedundancyȱModeȱ
FSEȱ FlightȱSupportȱEquipmentȱ
FSEGFȱ FlightȱSupportȱEquipmentȱGrappleȱFixtureȱ
FSWȱ FlightȱSoftwareȱ

GASȱ GetȬAwayȱSpecialȱ
GCAȱ GroundȱControlȱAssistȱ
GLAȱ GeneralȱLightingȱAssembliesȱ
ȱ GeneralȱLuminaireȱAssemblyȱ
GLONASSȱ GlobalȱNavigationalȱSatelliteȱSystemȱ
GNCȱ Guidance,ȱNavigation,ȱandȱControlȱ
GPCȱ GeneralȱPurposeȱComputerȱ
GPSȱ GlobalȱPositioningȱSystemȱ

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ACRON MS A REVIATIONS MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ
GPSRȱ GlobalȱPositioningȱSystemȱReceiverȱ
GUIȱ GraphicalȱUserȱInterfaceȱ

H&Sȱ HealthȱandȱStatusȱ
HCEȱ HeaterȱControlȱEquipmentȱ
HCTLȱ HeaterȱControllerȱ
HEPAȱ HighȱEfficiencyȱParticulateȱAcquisitionȱ
HPAȱ HighȱPowerȱAmplifierȱ
HPPȱ HardȱPointȱPlatesȱ
HRDRȱ HighȱRateȱDataȱRecorderȱ
HRELȱ Hold/ReleaseȱElectronicsȱ
HRFMȱ HighȱRateȱFrameȱMultiplexerȱ
HRMȱ HoldȱReleaseȱMechanismȱ
HRMSȱ HighȱRateȱMultiplexerȱandȱSwitcherȱ
HTVȱ HȬIIȱTransferȱVehicleȱ
HTVȱProxȱ HTVȱProximityȱ
HTVCCȱ HTVȱControlȱCenterȱ
HXȱ HeatȱExchangerȱ

I/Fȱ Interfaceȱ
IAAȱ IntravehicularȱAntennaȱAssemblyȱ
IACȱ InternalȱAudioȱControllerȱ
IBMȱ InternationalȱBusinessȱMachinesȱ
ICBȱ InnerȱCaptureȱBoxȱ
ICCȱ IntegratedȱCargoȱCarrierȱ
ICSȱ InterorbitȱCommunicationȱSystemȱ
ICSȬEFȱ InterorbitȱCommunicationȱSystemȱȬȱExposedȱFacilityȱ
IDRDȱ IncrementȱDefinitionȱandȱRequirementsȱDocumentȱ
IELKȱ IndividualȱEquipmentȱLinerȱKitȱ
IFHXȱ InterfaceȱHeatȱExchangerȱ
IMCSȱ IntegratedȱMissionȱControlȱSystemȱ
IMCUȱ ImageȱCompressorȱUnitȱ
IMVȱ IntermoduleȱVentilationȱ
INCOȱ InstrumentationȱandȱCommunicationȱOfficerȱ
IPȱ InternationalȱPartnerȱ
IPȬPCDUȱ ICSȬPMȱPowerȱControlȱandȱDistributionȱUnitȱ
IPȬPDBȱ PayloadȱPowerȱDistributionȱBoxȱ
ISPȱ InternationalȱStandardȱPayloadȱ
ISPRȱ InternationalȱStandardȱPayloadȱRackȱ
ISSȱ InternationalȱSpaceȱStationȱ
ISSSHȱ InternationalȱSpaceȱStationȱSystemsȱHandbookȱ
ITCSȱ InternalȱThermalȱControlȱSystemȱ
ITSȱ IntegratedȱTrussȱSegmentȱ

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ACRON MS A REVIATIONS
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ȱ
IVAȱ IntravehicularȱActivityȱ
IVSUȱ InternalȱVideoȱSwitchȱUnitȱ

JALȱ JEMȱAirȱLockȱ
JAXAȱ JapanȱAerospaceȱExplorationȱAgencyȱ
JCPȱ JEMȱControlȱProcessorȱ
JEFȱ JEMȱExposedȱFacilityȱ
JEMȱ JapaneseȱExperimentȱModuleȱ
JEMALȱ JEMȱAirȱlockȱ
JEMȬPMȱ JEMȱ–ȱPressurizedȱModuleȱ
JEMRMSȱ JapaneseȱExperimentȱModuleȱRemoteȱManipulatorȱSystemȱ
JEUSȱ JointȱExpeditedȱUndockingȱandȱSeparationȱ
JFCTȱ JapaneseȱFlightȱControlȱTeamȱ
JLEȱ JapaneseȱExperimentȱLogisticsȱModuleȱ–ȱExposedȱSectionȱ
JPMȱ JapaneseȱPressurizedȱModuleȱ
JPMȱWSȱ JEMȱPressurizedȱModuleȱWorkstationȱ
JSCȱ JohnsonȱSpaceȱCenterȱ
JTVEȱ JEMȱTelevisionȱEquipmentȱ

Kbpsȱ Kilobitȱperȱsecondȱ
KOSȱ KeepȱOutȱSphereȱ
KSCȱ KennedyȱSpaceȱCenterȱ

LBȱ LocalȱBusȱ
LCAȱ LABȱCradleȱAssemblyȱ
LCDȱ LiquidȱCrystalȱDisplayȱ
LEDȱ LightȱEmittingȱDiodeȱ
LEEȱ LatchingȱEndȱEffectorȱ
LMCȱ LightweightȱMPESSȱCarrierȱ
LSWȱ LightȱSwitchȱ
LTAȱ LaunchȬtoȬActivationȱ
LTABȱ LaunchȬtoȬActivationȱBoxȱ
LTLȱ LowȱTemperatureȱLoopȱ

MAȱ MainȱArmȱ
MAUIȱ MainȱAnalysisȱofȱUpperȬAtmosphericȱInjectionsȱ
Mbȱ Megabitȱ
Mbpsȱ Megabitȱperȱsecondȱ
MBSȱ MobileȱBaseȱSystemȱ
MBSUȱ MainȱBusȱSwitchingȱUnitȱ
MCAȱ MajorȱConstituentȱAnalyzerȱ
MCCȱ MissionȱControlȱCenterȱ
MCCȬHȱ MissionȱControlȱCenterȱ–ȱHoustonȱ

ȱ
8 ACRON MS A REVIATIONS MARCH 2008
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MCCȬMȱ MissionȱControlȱCenterȱ–ȱMoscowȱ
MCDSȱ MultifunctionȱCathodeȬRayȱTubeȱDisplayȱSystemȱ
MCSȱ MissionȱControlȱSystemȱ
MDAȱ MacDonald,ȱDettwilerȱandȱAssociatesȱLtd.ȱ
MDMȱ Multiplexer/Demultiplexerȱ
MDPȱ ManagementȱDataȱProcessorȱ
MELFIȱ MinusȱEightyȬDegreeȱLaboratoryȱFreezerȱforȱISSȱ
MGBȱ MiddleȱGrappleȱBoxȱ
MIPȱ MissionȱIntegrationȱPlanȱ
MISSEȱ MaterialsȱInternationalȱSpaceȱStationȱExperimentȱ
MKAMȱ MinimumȱKeepȱAliveȱMonitorȱ
MLEȱ MiddeckȱLockerȱEquivalentȱ
MLIȱ MultiȬlayerȱInsulationȱ
MLMȱ MultipurposeȱLaboratoryȱModuleȱ
MMODȱ Micrometeoroid/OrbitalȱDebrisȱ
MODȱ Modulatorȱ
MONȱ TelevisionȱMonitorȱ
MPCȱ MainȱProcessingȱControllerȱ
MPESSȱ MultipurposeȱExperimentȱSupportȱStructureȱ
MPEVȱ ManualȱPressureȱEqualizationȱValveȱ
MPLȱ ManipulatorȱRetentionȱLatchȱ
MPLMȱ MultipurposeȱLogisticsȱModuleȱ
MPMȱ ManipulatorȱPositioningȱMechanismȱ
MPVȱ ManualȱProcedureȱViewerȱ
MSDȱ MassȱStorageȱDeviceȱ
MSFCȱ MarshallȱSpaceȱFlightȱCenterȱ
MSPȱ MaintenanceȱSwitchȱPanelȱ
MSSȱ MobileȱServicingȱSystemȱ
MTȱ MobileȱTrackerȱ
MTLȱ ModerateȱTemperatureȱLoopȱ
MUXȱ DataȱMultiplexerȱ

n.mi.ȱ nauticalȱmileȱ
NASAȱ NationalȱAeronauticsȱandȱSpaceȱAdministrationȱ
NCSȱ NodeȱControlȱSoftwareȱ
NETȱ NoȱEarlierȱThanȱ
NLTȱ NoȱLaterȱThanȱ
NPRVȱ NegativeȱPressureȱReliefȱValveȱ
NSVȱ NetworkȱServiceȱ
NTAȱ NitrogenȱTankȱAssemblyȱ
NTSCȱ NationalȱTelevisionȱStandardȱCommitteeȱ

MARCH 2008
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ACRON MS A REVIATIONS
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ȱ
OBSSȱ OrbiterȱBoomȱSensorȱSystemȱ
OCAȱ OrbitalȱCommunicationsȱAdapterȱ
OCADȱ OperationalȱControlȱAgreementȱDocumentȱ
OCASȱ OperatorȱCommandedȱAutomaticȱSequenceȱ
ODFȱ OperationsȱDataȱFileȱ
ODSȱ OrbiterȱDockingȱSystemȱ
OIȱ OrbiterȱInterfaceȱ
OIUȱ OrbiterȱInterfaceȱUnitȱ
OMSȱ OrbitalȱManeuveringȱSystemȱ
OODTȱ OnboardȱOperationȱDataȱTableȱ
ORCAȱ OxygenȱRechargeȱCompressorȱAssemblyȱ
ORUȱ OrbitalȱReplacementȱUnitȱ
OSȱ OperatingȱSystemȱ
OSAȱ OrbiterȬbasedȱStationȱAvionicsȱ
OSEȱ OrbitalȱSupportȱEquipmentȱ
OTCMȱ ORUȱandȱToolȱChangeoutȱMechanismȱ
OTPȱ ORUȱandȱToolȱPlatformȱ

P/Lȱ Payloadȱ
PALȱ PlanningȱandȱAuthorizationȱLetterȱ
PAMȱ PayloadȱAttachȱMechanismȱ
PAOȱ PublicȱAffairsȱOfficeȱ
PBAȱ PortableȱBreathingȱApparatusȱ
PCAȱ PressureȱControlȱAssemblyȱ
PCBMȱ PassiveȱCommonȱBerthingȱMechanismȱ
PCNȱ PageȱChangeȱNoticeȱ
PCSȱ PortableȱComputerȱSystemȱ
PCUȱ PowerȱControlȱUnitȱ
PDAȱ PayloadȱDisconnectȱAssemblyȱ
PDBȱ PowerȱDistributionȱBoxȱ
PDGFȱ PowerȱandȱDataȱGrappleȱFixtureȱ
PDHȱ PayloadȱDataȱHandlingȱunitȱ
PDRSȱ PayloadȱDeploymentȱRetrievalȱSystemȱ
PDUȱ PowerȱDistributionȱUnitȱ
PECȱ PassiveȱExperimentȱContainerȱ
PEHGȱ PayloadȱEthernetȱHubȱGatewayȱ
PFEȱ PortableȱFireȱExtinguisherȱ
PGSCȱ PayloadȱGeneralȱSupportȱComputerȱ
PIBȱ PowerȱInterfaceȱBoxȱ
PIUȱ PayloadȱInterfaceȱUnitȱ
PLBȱ PayloadȱBayȱ
PLBDȱ PayloadȱBayȱDoorȱ

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PLCȱ PressurizedȱLogisticsȱCarrierȱ
PLTȱ PayloadȱLaptopȱTerminalȱ
ȱ Pilotȱ
PMȱ PressurizedȱModuleȱ
PMAȱ PressurizedȱMatingȱAdapterȱ
PMCUȱ PowerȱManagementȱControlȱUnitȱ
POAȱ PayloadȱORUȱAccommodationȱ
PORȱ PointȱofȱResolutionȱ
PPRVȱ PositiveȱPressureȱReliefȱValveȱ
PRCSȱ PrimaryȱReactionȱControlȱSystemȱ
PREXȱ ProcedureȱExecutorȱ
PRLAȱ PayloadȱRetentionȱLatchȱAssemblyȱ
PROXȱ ProximityȱCommunicationsȱCenterȱ
psiaȱ PoundsȱperȱSquareȱInchȱAbsoluteȱ
PSPȱ PayloadȱSignalȱProcessorȱ
PSRRȱ PressurizedȱSectionȱResupplyȱRackȱ
PTCSȱ PassiveȱThermalȱControlȱSystemȱ
PTRȱ PortȱThermalȱRadiatorȱ
PTUȱ Pan/TiltȱUnitȱ
PVCUȱ PhotovoltaicȱControllerȱUnitȱ
PVMȱ PhotovoltaicȱModuleȱ
PVRȱ PhotovoltaicȱRadiatorȱ
PVTCSȱ PhotovoltaicȱThermalȱControlȱSystemȱ

QDȱ QuickȱDisconnectȱ

R&MAȱ RestraintȱandȱMobilityȱAidȱ
RACUȱ RussianȬtoȬAmericanȱConverterȱUnitȱ
RAMȱ ReadȱAccessȱMemoryȱ
RBVMȱ RadiatorȱBeamȱValveȱModuleȱ
RCCȱ RangeȱControlȱCenterȱ
RCTȱ RackȱConfigurationȱTableȱ
RFȱ RadioȱFrequencyȱ
RGAȱ RateȱGyroȱAssembliesȱ
RHCȱ RotationalȱHandȱControllerȱ
RIGEXȱ RigidizableȱInflatableȱGetȬAwayȱSpecialȱExperimentȱ
RIPȱ RemoteȱInterfaceȱPanelȱ
RLFȱ RoboticȱLanguageȱFileȱ
RLTȱ RoboticȱLaptopȱTerminalȱ
RMSȱ RemoteȱManipulatorȱSystemȱ
ROEUȱ RemotelyȱOperatedȱElectricalȱUmbilicalȱ
ROMȱ ReadȱOnlyȱMemoryȱ
RȬORUȱ RoboticsȱCompatibleȱOrbitalȱReplacementȱUnitȱ

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ACRON MS A REVIATIONS 101
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ROSȱ RussianȱOrbitalȱSegmentȱ
RPCȱ RemoteȱPowerȱControllerȱ
RPCMȱ RemoteȱPowerȱControllerȱModuleȱ
RPDAȱ RemoteȱPowerȱDistributionȱAssemblyȱ
RPMȱ RollȱPitchȱManeuverȱ
RSȱ RussianȱSegmentȱ
RSPȱ ReturnȱStowageȱPlatformȱ
RSRȱ ResupplyȱStowageȱRackȱ
RTȱ RemoteȱTerminalȱ
RTASȱ RocketdyneȱTrussȱAttachmentȱSystemȱ
RVFSȱ RendezvousȱFlightȱSoftwareȱ
RWSȱ RoboticsȱWorkstationȱ

SAFERȱ SimplifiedȱAidȱforȱEVAȱRescueȱ
SAMȱ SFAȱAirlockȱAttachmentȱMechanismȱ
SARJȱ SolarȱAlphaȱRotaryȱJointȱ
SCUȱ SyncȱandȱControlȱUnitȱ
SDȱ SmokeȱDetectorȱ
SDSȱ SampleȱDistributionȱSystemȱ
SEDAȱ SpaceȱEnvironmentȱDataȱAcquisitionȱequipmentȱ
SEDAȬAPȱ SpaceȱEnvironmentȱDataȱAcquisitionȱequipmentȱȬȱAttachedȱPayloadȱ
SELSȱ SpaceOpsȱElectronicȱLibraryȱSystemȱ
SEUȱ SingleȱEventȱUpsetȱ
SFAȱ SmallȱFineȱArmȱ
SFAEȱ SFAȱElectronicsȱ
SIȱ SmokeȱIndicatorȱ
SLMȱ StructuralȱLatchȱMechanismȱ
SLPȬDȱ SpacelabȱPalletȱ–ȱDȱ
SLPȬD1ȱ SpacelabȱPalletȱ–ȱDeployableȱ
SLPȬD2ȱ SpacelabȱPalletȱȬȱD2ȱ
SLTȱ StationȱLaptopȱTerminalȱ
ȱ SystemȱLaptopȱTerminalȱ
SMȱ ServiceȱModuleȱ
SMDPȱ ServiceȱModuleȱDebrisȱPanelȱ
SOCȱ SystemȱOperationȱControlȱ
SODFȱ SpaceȱOperationsȱDataȱFileȱ
SPAȱ SmallȱPayloadȱAttachmentȱ
SPBȱ SurvivalȱPowerȱDistributionȱBoxȱ
SPDAȱ SecondaryȱPowerȱDistributionȱAssemblyȱ
SPDMȱ SpecialȱPurposeȱDextrousȱManipulatorȱ
SPECȱ Specialistȱ
SRAMȱ StaticȱRAMȱ

102
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SRBȱ SolidȱRocketȱBoosterȱ
SRMSȱ ShuttleȱRemoteȱManipulatorȱSystemȱ
SSASȱ SegmentȬtoȬSegmentȱAttachȱSystemȱ
SSCȱ StationȱSupportȱComputerȱ
SSCBȱ SpaceȱStationȱControlȱBoardȱ
SSEȱ SmallȱFineȱArmȱStorageȱEquipmentȱ
SSIPCȱ SpaceȱStationȱIntegrationȱandȱPromotionȱCenterȱ
SSMEȱ SpaceȱShuttleȱMainȱEngine.ȱ
SSORȱ SpaceȬtoȬSpaceȱOrbiterȱRadioȱ
SSPȱ StandardȱSwitchȱPanelȱ
SSPTSȱ StationȬtoȬShuttleȱPowerȱTransferȱSystemȱ
SSRMSȱ SpaceȱStationȱRemoteȱManipulatorȱSystemȱ
STCȱ SmallȱFireȱArmȱTransportationȱContainerȱ
STRȱ StarboardȱThermalȱRadiatorȱ
STSȱ SpaceȱTransferȱSystemȱ
STVCȱ SFAȱTelevisionȱCameraȱ
SVSȱ SpaceȱVisionȱSystemȱ

TȬRADȱ TileȱRepairȱAblatorȱDispenserȱ
TAȱ ThrusterȱAssistȱ
TACȱ TCSȱAssemblyȱControllerȱ
TACȬMȱ TCSȱAssemblyȱControllerȱȬȱMȱ
TCAȱ ThermalȱControlȱSystemȱAssemblyȱ
TCBȱ TotalȱCaptureȱBoxȱ
TCCSȱ TraceȱContaminantȱControlȱSystemȱ
TCCVȱ TemperatureȱControlȱandȱCheckȱValveȱ
TCSȱ ThermalȱControlȱSystemȱ
TCVȱ TemperatureȱControlȱValveȱ
TDKȱ TransportationȱDeviceȱKitȱ
TDRSȱ TrackingȱandȱDataȱRelayȱSatelliteȱ
THAȱ ToolȱHolderȱAssemblyȱ
THCȱ TemperatureȱandȱHumidityȱControlȱ
ȱ TranslationalȱHandȱControllerȱ
THCUȱ TemperatureȱandȱHumidityȱControlȱUnitȱ
TIUȱ ThermalȱInterfaceȱUnitȱ
TKSCȱ TsukubaȱSpaceȱCenterȱ(Japan)ȱ
TLMȱ Telemetryȱ
TMAȱ Russianȱvehicleȱdesignationȱ
TMRȱ TripleȱModularȱRedundancyȱ
TPLȱ TransferȱPriorityȱListȱ
TRRJȱ ThermalȱRadiatorȱRotaryȱJointȱ

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ACRON MS A REVIATIONS 103
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ȱ
TUSȱ TrailingȱUmbilicalȱSystemȱ
TVCȱ TelevisionȱCameraȱ

UCCASȱ UnpressurizedȱCargoȱCarrierȱAttachȱSystemȱ
UCMȱ UmbilicalȱConnectȱMechanismȱ
UCMȬEȱ UCMȱ–ȱExposedȱSectionȱHalfȱ
UCMȬPȱ UCMȱ–ȱPayloadȱHalfȱ
UHFȱ UltrahighȱFrequencyȱ
UILȱ UserȱInterfaceȱLanguageȱ
ULCȱ UnpressurizedȱLogisticsȱCarrierȱ
UMAȱ UmbilicalȱMatingȱAdapterȱ
UOPȱ UtilityȱOutletȱPanelȱ
UPCȱ UpȱConverterȱ
USȱLABȱ UnitedȱStatesȱLaboratoryȱ
USAȱ UnitedȱSpaceȱAllianceȱ
USOSȱ UnitedȱStatesȱOnȬOrbitȱSegmentȱ

VAJȱ VacuumȱAccessȱJumperȱ
VBSPȱ VideoȱBasebandȱSignalȱProcessorȱ
VCUȱ VideoȱControlȱUnitȱ
VDSȱ VideoȱDistributionȱSystemȱ
VLUȱ VideoȱLightȱUnitȱ
VRAȱ VentȱReliefȱAssemblyȱ
VRCSȱ VernierȱReactionȱControlȱSystemȱ
VRCVȱ VentȱReliefȱControlȱValveȱ
VRIVȱ VentȱReliefȱIsolationȱValveȱ
VSUȱ VideoȱSwitcherȱUnitȱ
VSWȱ VideoȱSwitcherȱ

WAICOȱ WaivingȱandȱCoilingȱ
WCLȱ WaterȱCoolingȱLoopȱ
WETAȱ WirelessȱVideoȱSystemȱExternalȱTransceiverȱAssemblyȱ
WIFȱ WorkȱInterfaceȱ
WRMȱ WaterȱRecoveryȱandȱManagementȱ
WRSȱ WaterȱRecoveryȱSystemȱ
WSȱ WaterȱSeparatorȱ
ȱ WorkȱSiteȱ
ȱ WorkȱStationȱ
WVAȱ WaterȱVentȱAssemblyȱ

ZSRȱ ZeroȬgȱStowageȱRackȱ

10
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ACRON MS A REVIATIONS MARCH 2008
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ȱ
MEDIA ASSISTANCE
ȱ
NASA TELEVISION TRANSMISSION
NASAȱ Televisionȱ isȱ carriedȱ onȱ anȱ MPEGȬ2ȱ
digitalȱ signalȱ accessedȱ viaȱ satelliteȱ AMCȬ6,ȱ atȱ
72ȱdegreesȱ westȱ longitude,ȱ transponderȱ 17C,ȱ
4040ȱ MHz,ȱ verticalȱ polarization.ȱ ȱ Forȱ thoseȱ inȱ
Alaskaȱ orȱ Hawaii,ȱ NASAȱ Televisionȱ willȱ beȱ
seenȱonȱAMCȬ7,ȱatȱ137ȱdegreesȱwestȱlongitude,ȱ
transponderȱ 18C,ȱ atȱ 4060ȱ MHz,ȱ horizontalȱ
polarization.ȱȱInȱbothȱinstances,ȱaȱDigitalȱVideoȱ
Broadcastȱ (DVB)ȱ Ȭcompliantȱ Integratedȱ
Receiverȱ Decoderȱ (IRD)ȱ (withȱ modulationȱ ofȱ
QPSK/DBV,ȱdataȱrateȱofȱ36.86ȱandȱFECȱ3/4)ȱwillȱ
beȱneededȱforȱreception.ȱȱTheȱNASAȱTelevisionȱ
scheduleȱ andȱ linksȱ toȱ streamingȱ videoȱ areȱ
availableȱat:ȱ
// / Participation in Mission Status
NASAȱ TV’sȱ digitalȱ conversionȱ willȱ requireȱ
membersȱ ofȱ theȱ broadcastȱ mediaȱ toȱ upgradeȱ
withȱ anȱ ‘addressable’ȱ Integratedȱ Receiverȱ
DeȬcoder,ȱ orȱ IRD,ȱ toȱ participateȱ inȱ liveȱ newsȱ
eventsȱ andȱ interviews,ȱ mediaȱ briefingsȱ andȱ
receiveȱ NASA’sȱ Videoȱ Fileȱ newsȱ feedsȱ onȱ aȱ
dedicatedȱ Mediaȱ Servicesȱ channel.ȱ ȱ NASAȱ
missionȱ coverageȱ willȱ airȱ onȱ aȱ digitalȱ NASAȱ
Publicȱ Servicesȱ (“Freeȱ toȱ Air”)ȱ channel,ȱ forȱ
whichȱonlyȱaȱbasicȱIRDȱwillȱbeȱneeded.ȱ
Television Schedule
Aȱ scheduleȱ ofȱ keyȱ onȬorbitȱ eventsȱ andȱ mediaȱ
briefingsȱduringȱtheȱmissionȱwillȱbeȱdetailedȱinȱ
aȱ NASAȱTVȱscheduleȱ postedȱatȱtheȱ linkȱabove.ȱȱ
Theȱscheduleȱwillȱbeȱupdatedȱasȱnecessaryȱandȱ
willȱalsoȱbeȱavailableȱat:ȱ
MARCH 2008
ȱ
MEDIA ASSISTANCE
Status Reports
Statusȱ reportsȱ onȱ launchȱ countdownȱ andȱ
missionȱ progress,ȱ onȬorbitȱ activitiesȱ andȱ
landingȱoperationsȱwillȱbeȱpostedȱat:ȱ
// /
Thisȱ siteȱalsoȱcontainsȱinformationȱ onȱ theȱcrewȱ
andȱwillȱbeȱupdatedȱregularlyȱwithȱphotosȱandȱ
videoȱclipsȱthroughoutȱtheȱflight.ȱ
Briefings
Aȱmissionȱpressȱbriefingȱscheduleȱwillȱbeȱissuedȱ
beforeȱ launch.ȱ ȱ Theȱ updatedȱ NASAȱ televisionȱ
scheduleȱ willȱ indicateȱ whenȱ missionȱ briefingsȱ
areȱplanned.ȱ
Briefings by Phone
Duringȱ STSȬ123,ȱ JSCȱ willȱ operateȱ aȱ phoneȱ
bridgeȱ forȱ pressȱ briefingsȱ thatȱ takeȱ placeȱ
outsideȱ ofȱ theȱ normalȱ businessȱ hoursȱ ofȱȱ
8ȱa.m.ȱ Ȭȱ 5ȱp.m.ȱ ȱ CSTȱ Mondayȱ throughȱ Friday.ȱȱ
Theȱ systemȱ willȱ allowȱ mediaȱ notȱ presentȱ atȱ
Johnsonȱ toȱ askȱ questionsȱ byȱ phoneȱ duringȱ
missionȱ statusȱ briefings.ȱ ȱ Toȱ beȱ eligibleȱ toȱ useȱ
thisȱservice,ȱmediaȱmustȱpossessȱaȱvalidȱNASAȱ
mediaȱcredential.ȱ
Mediaȱplanningȱtoȱuseȱtheȱserviceȱmustȱcontactȱ
theȱJohnsonȱNewsroomȱatȱ281/483Ȭ5111ȱnoȱlaterȱ
thanȱ15ȱminutesȱpriorȱtoȱtheȱstartȱ ofȱ aȱbriefing.ȱȱ
Newsroomȱ personnelȱ willȱ verifyȱ theirȱ
credentialsȱ andȱ transferȱ themȱ toȱ theȱ phoneȱ
bridge.ȱȱDuringȱtheȱbriefing,ȱtheȱmoderatorȱwillȱ
callȱ onȱ eachȱ participantȱ thatȱ hasȱ beenȱ
transferredȱ intoȱ theȱ systemȱ forȱ questions.ȱ ȱ Theȱ
capacityȱ ofȱ theȱ phoneȱ bridgeȱ isȱ limited,ȱ andȱ itȱ
willȱ beȱ availableȱ onȱ aȱ firstȬcome,ȱ firstȬservedȱ
basis.ȱ
105
 ȱ
ȱ
M I I InformationȱonȱotherȱcurrentȱNASAȱactivitiesȱisȱ
availableȱat:ȱ
Informationȱ onȱ theȱ Internationalȱ Spaceȱ Stationȱ
isȱavailableȱat:ȱ //

// / Resourcesȱ forȱ educatorsȱ canȱ beȱ foundȱ atȱ theȱ

followingȱaddress:ȱ
Informationȱ onȱ safetyȱ enhancementsȱ madeȱ
sinceȱtheȱColumbiaȱaccidentȱisȱavailableȱat:ȱ //

// / /
/

10
ȱ
ME IA ASSISTANCE MARCH 2008
 ȱ
ȱ

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACTS

ȱ
HEADQUARTERS RobȱNaviasȱ
WASHINGTON, DC ProgramȱandȱMissionȱOperationsȱLeadȱ
281Ȭ483Ȭ5111ȱ
MichaelȱBraukusȱ ro na ias- nasa o ȱ
PublicȱAffairsȱOfficerȱ
KylieȱClemȱ
InternationalȱPartnersȱ
PublicȱAffairsȱSpecialistȱ
202Ȭ358Ȭ1979ȱ
ichae raukus nasa o AstronautsȱandȱMissionȱOperationsȱDirectorateȱ
281Ȭ483Ȭ5111ȱ
KatherineȱTrinidadȱ k ie s c e nasa o
PublicȱAffairsȱOfficerȱ
NicoleȱCloutierȬLemastersȱ
SpaceȱOperationsȱ
PublicȱAffairsȱSpecialistȱ
202Ȭ358Ȭ3749ȱ
katherine trinidad nasa o InternationalȱSpaceȱStationȱ
281Ȭ483Ȭ5111ȱ
JohnȱYembrickȱ nico e c outier- nasa o
PublicȱAffairsȱOfficerȱ
SpaceȱOperationsȱ ENNE S ACE CENTER
202Ȭ358Ȭ0602ȱ CA E CANAVERA ORI A
ohn e rick- nasa o
AllardȱBeutelȱ
MikeȱCurieȱ NewsȱChiefȱ
PublicȱAffairsȱOfficerȱ 321Ȭ867Ȭ2468ȱ
SpaceȱOperationsȱ a ard eute nasa o
202Ȭ358Ȭ4715ȱ
CandreaȱThomasȱ
ichae curie nasa o
PublicȱAffairsȱSpecialistȱ
OHNSON S ACE CENTER SpaceȱShuttleȱ
321Ȭ861Ȭ2468ȱ
HO STON TE AS candrea k tho as nasa o
JamesȱHartsfieldȱ
TracyȱYoungȱ
NewsȱChiefȱ
PublicȱAffairsȱSpecialistȱ
281Ȭ483Ȭ5111ȱ
InternationalȱSpaceȱStationȱ
a es a hartsfie d nasa o
321Ȭ867Ȭ2468ȱ
KyleȱHerringȱ trac oun nasa o ȱ
PublicȱAffairsȱSpecialistȱ
SpaceȱShuttleȱProgramȱOfficeȱ
281Ȭ483Ȭ5111ȱ
k e herrin nasa o

MARCH 2008
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PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACTS 107
 ȱ
ȱ
MARSHA S ACE I HT CENTER R EN I HT RESEARCH CENTER
H NTSVI E A A AMA E WAR S CA I ORNIA
DomȱAmatoreȱ FredȱJohnsenȱ
PublicȱAffairsȱManagerȱ Director,ȱPublicȱAffairsȱ
256Ȭ544Ȭ0034ȱ 661Ȭ276Ȭ2998ȱ
do inic a a atore nasa o ȱ frederick a ohnsen nasa o

JuneȱMaloneȱ AlanȱBrownȱ
PublicȱAffairsȱSpecialistȱ NewsȱChiefȱ
NewsȱChief/MediaȱManagerȱ 661Ȭ276Ȭ2665ȱ
256Ȭ544Ȭ0034ȱ a an ro n nasa o
une e a one nasa o
LeslieȱWilliamsȱ
SteveȱRoy PublicȱAffairsȱSpecialistȱ
PublicȱAffairsȱSpecialist 661Ȭ276Ȭ3893ȱ
SpaceȱShuttleȱPropulsion es ie a i ia s nasa o
256Ȭ544Ȭ0034ȱ
ste en e ro nasa o ENN RESEARCH CENTER
C EVE AN OHIO
STENNIS S ACE CENTER
A ST O IS MISSISSI I LoriȱRachulȱ
NewsȱChiefȱ
LindaȱTheobaldȱ 216Ȭ433Ȭ8806ȱ
PublicȱAffairsȱOfficerȱ ori rachu nasa o
228Ȭ688Ȭ3249ȱ
KatherineȱMartinȱ
inda theo a d nasa o
PublicȱAffairsȱSpecialistȱ
PaulȱFoermanȱ 216Ȭ433Ȭ2406ȱ
NewsȱChiefȱ katherine artin nasa o
228Ȭ688Ȭ1880ȱ
au foer an- nasa o AN E RESEARCH CENTER
HAM TON VIR INIA
AMES RESEARCH CENTER
MO ETT IE CA I ORNIA MarnyȱSkoraȱ
Head,ȱNewsȱMediaȱOfficeȱ
MikeȱMewhinneyȱ 757Ȭ864Ȭ3315ȱ
NewsȱChiefȱ arn skora nasa o
650Ȭ604Ȭ3937ȱ
ichae e hinne nasa o ChrisȱRinkȱ
PublicȱAffairsȱOfficerȱ
JonasȱDinoȱ 757Ȭ864Ȭ6786ȱ
PublicȱAffairsȱSpecialistȱ christo her rink nasa o
650Ȭ604Ȭ5612ȱ
onas dino nasa o

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KathyȱBarnstorffȱ A AN AEROS ACE E ORATION
PublicȱAffairsȱOfficerȱ A ENC A A
757Ȭ864Ȭ9886ȱ
katherine a arnstorff nasa o JAXAȱPublicȱAffairsȱOfficeȱ
Tokyo,ȱJapanȱ
NITE S ACE A IANCE 011Ȭ81Ȭ3Ȭ6266Ȭ6414,ȱ6415,ȱ6416,ȱ6417ȱ
roffice a a
JessicaȱPieczonkaȱ
HoustonȱOperationsȱ KumikoȱTanabeȱ
281Ȭ212Ȭ6252ȱ JAXAȱPublicȱAffairsȱRepresentativeȱ
832Ȭ205Ȭ0480ȱ Houstonȱ
essica iec onka usa-s aceo s co 281Ȭ483Ȭ2251ȱ
tana e ku iko a a
DavidȱWatersȱ
FloridaȱOperationsȱ CANA IAN S ACE A ENC CSA
321Ȭ861Ȭ3805ȱ
da id aters usa-s aceo s co JeanȬPierreȱArseneaultȱ
Manager,ȱMediaȱRelationsȱȱ
OEIN &ȱInformationȱServicesȱ
CanadianȱSpaceȱAgencyȱ
TanyaȱDeasonȬSharpȱ 514Ȭ824Ȭ0560ȱ(cell)ȱ
MediaȱRelationsȱ ean- ierre arseneau t s ace c ca
BoeingȱSpaceȱExplorationȱ
281Ȭ226Ȭ6070ȱ IsabelleȱLaplanteȱ
tan a e deason-shar oein co MediaȱRelationsȱAdvisorȱ
CanadianȱSpaceȱAgencyȱ
EdȱMemi 450Ȭ926Ȭ4370ȱ
MediaȱRelationsȱ isa e e a ante s ace c ca
BoeingȱSpaceȱExplorationȱ
281Ȭ226Ȭ4029ȱ E RO EAN S ACE A ENC ESA
ed und e i oein co
ClareȱMattokȱ
CommunicationȱDept.ȱ
Paris,ȱFranceȱ
011Ȭ33Ȭ1Ȭ5369Ȭ7412ȱ
c are attok esa int

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