NASA News

National Aeronautics and

Space Administration
Washington D C 20546
AC 202 755-8370

For Release INMEDMATE

Solar IM-esosphere
Press Kit Project Explorer

RELEASE NO: 81-10b

Contents
GENERAL RELLASE ..........................................
5
SC I ENCE BACKGROUND .......................................

MISSION OBJECTIVES.......................8
8
SPACECRAFT DESCRI PTION.......................................

OBSERVATORY MODULE...............................
BU.S .............................................. 11
SPACECRAFT
14
GROUND SEGMENT ..............................................
...... ..... 16
LAUNCH OPERATIONS................................

SVIE TEAM ........................................................... 17

August 27, 1981

 1 j .;tt >4nt arxti
} s - -

N
National Aeronautics and
News
Space Administration
Washington D C 20546
AC 202 755 8370

For Release
Charles Redmond
Headquarters, Washington, D.C. IMMEDIATE
(Phone: 202/755-3680)

Don Bane
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
(Phone: 213/354-5011)

RELEASE NO: 81-106

SOLAR !AESOSPHERE EXPLORER TO BE LAUNCHED SEPT. 15

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration will

launch its Solar Mesosphere Explorer spacecraft into polar orbit

from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., no earlier than 2:41 a m.

PDT, Sept. 15, 1981.

The Solar 4Mesosphere Explorer is an atmospheric-research

satellite designed to study reactions between sunlight, ozone and

other chemicals in the atmosphere and how concentrations of ozone

are transported in the atmosphere in the region from 30 kilo-

meters (19 miles) to 90 km (55 mi.) altitude.

At least one year of orbital operation is planned.

August 27, 1981

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 -2-

scientific instruments will simultaneously monitor

Five

atmospheric-constituent quantities, water-vapor

ozone and minor

abundance and temperature, and the amount of incoming solar radi-

ation to determine the role each plays in ozone production and

distribution throughout the mesosphere. Scientific data from the

mission will help to develop models for ozone production and de-

pletion on a global scale.

(The mesosphere is the region of the atmosphere between 30

km 19 mi. and 80 km 50 mi. altitude -- above the stratosphere

and below the ionosphere. Radiation of short wavelength in that

the most not-
region causes a variety of photochemical reaction;

of a layer of ozone that effectively absorbs

able is creation

solar ultraviolet radiation and causes a warm layer at about 30

km 18 mi. altitude.)

The experiments are:

(03)
* An Ultraviolet Ozone Spectrometer, to measure ozone
between 40 km (25 mi.) and 70 km (43 mi.) altitude;

50
* A 1.27-micron spectrometer, to measure ozone between (011)
km (31 mi.) and 90 km (56 mi.) altitude, and hydroxyl
between 60 km (37 mi.) and 90 km (56 mi.) altitude;

* A Nitrogen Dioxide Spectrometer, to measure NO2 between 20

km (12 mi.) and 40 km (25 mi.) altitude;
temperature
* A tour-channel Infrared Radiometer, to measure
and pressure between 20 km (12 mi.) and 70 km (43 mi.)
between 30 kin (19 mi.)
altitude; and water vapor and ozone
and 65 km. (40 nii.) altitude;

* A Solar Ultraviolet Monitor, to measure incoming radiation

from the Sun.

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 -3-

Mesosphere Explorer satellite will be launched

The Solar

a.m.-3 p.m.) circular orbit, 540 km

into a Sun-synchronous (3

the Earth's surface, aboard a two-stage Delta

(336 mi.) above
(A Sun-synchronous orbit allows the space-
2310 launch vehicle.

any spot on Earth at the same relative local

craft to observe

time of day.)

consists of two major moaules: the Observa-

The satellite

tory Module and the Spacecraft Bus. The satellite body is a cyl-

1.7 meters (69 inches) tall by 1.25 in (50 in.) in diameter.

inder
array 2.2 m (88
The spacecraft is powered by a disk-shaped solar
The solar array is lixed to thc lower end of
in.) in diameter.

the main cylinder, and charges nickel-cadmium batteries.

is spin-stabilized. A 5-rpin controlled spin

The satellite

rate stores angular momentum.

Torquing precesses the spin axis to control roll

Magnetic
mraintained at right angles to the orbit
error. The spin axis is

errors are sensed and corrected as roll error one-

plane. Yaw

an orbit later. Horizon sensors measure roll error

quarter of

and spin rate, and a three-axis magnetometer provides Earth mag-

data to a closed-loop, control-law electronics set

netic-field
control.
(attitude computer) for automatic roll ano spin-rate

revo-
The instruments are gated (open and closed) once each

gather aata as their field of view sweep toward the

lution to

the general altitude range of 80 km (50 mi.) to

Earth's limb in

20 kin (12 mi.) above the limb.

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 -4-

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasaaena, Calif., manages the

Solar M1esosphere Explorer project for NASA's Office of Space

Science. Ball Aerospace Systems Division provided the spacecraft

bus, satellite integration and system test. The University of

Colorado's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics is re-

sponsible for the science instruments, mission operations, the

Project Operations Control Center and science data evaluation and

dissemination, under contract to Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

(END OF GENERAL RELEASE; BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOLLOWS.)

-more-
 SCIENCE BACKGROUND

Ozone is present in the Earth's atmosphere as a consequence

of mole-
of the photodissociation (breakdown by solar cadiation)
cular oxygen (02) by solar ultraviolet radiation.
Oxygen atoms (0) that result from the dissociation process
Solar
join with oxygen molecules (02) more up to form ozone (03). parti-
radiation also acts to destroy ozone by photodissociation,
down ozone
cularly in middle ultraviolet. Oxygen atoms also break
into molecular oxygen.
sometimes
Other atmospheric constituents react with ozone, are
while they themselves
in cyclic reactions that consume ozone (Ol) radical,
regenerated. Atomic hydrogen (H) and the hydroxyl
de-
the photodissociation products of water vapor, catalyticallycatalytic-
stroy ozone. Another atmospheric species that reacts
ally to destroy ozone is nitrogen dioxide.
but its
Water vapor occurs naturally in the atmosphere,
will affect the density of
abundance may vary, and this variation
ozone.
by
Nitric oxide and nitrogen cioxiae also occur naturally
solar proton events, and by
the oxidation of nitrous oxide, bv the atmosphere
may be injected in
ionospheric reactions, but tne y
artificially as well.
identified as
Other atmospheric constituents have also been
halogens and oxides of halogens
catalytic destroyers of ozone.
origins lie at least partly in
belong to this class, ano their
Chlorofluoromethane, a propellant fourd in
human activities. that
chlorine, a halogcr
spray cans and refLigerants, conrains radi-
before ultraviolet
can be transported into the stratosphere
ation can plotodissociate it.

The v . tiLcal uist ibution of ozone in the LartLh's atnosphere

between 40 and 80 km _-) an, o0 rni. ) is uetermiined by photochemki-
cal processes. 'ITranF or t processLS (vertical ana hotr izontal mix-
of oZOn1e bC-
ing) are primarily resronsiole for the distribution
low 2)0 km (19 mi. ) and auove 80 km ( 50 imi.). AoovC 80 km (50 mi.)
controls atomic oxygen, atomic hydrogen, and thereby
transport
ozone.
In tne altitude range of 40 to 80 kIn, (25 to 50 mi.) the
amount and distribution of ozone is determined by the intensity
and spectral distribution. of solaL ultraviolet radiation, by the
and
abundance and distribution of minor atmospheric Constituents,
by the temperature structure of t1he atmotosplere.

-mor e-
 -6-

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 MISSION OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Solar licsosphere Explorer project are:

* To provide a comprehensive study of atniospheric ozne and

the processes that form and destroy it above 30 km (19
mii

* To determine what changes occur in ozone aistribution as a

result of changes in incoming solar radiation;

* To measure changes in ozone density distribution in the

altituce range of 30 to 90 kii. (19 to 56 ini.) and determine
the causes of those changes;

* To measure simultaneosly temperature, pressure, water

vapor, nitrogen aioxiue, near-infrared airgIow and the
amount of incoming solar radiation;

* To aetermini e what solaI- teort stri al correlation exists and

the paths that 1cad to changhs in ozo.nc d-rsity;

* To UeteriLtine othei changes in ozone ahunnance and distin

guish thein £ruioa changes caused by the Sun.

SPACECRAFT DESCRI PTION

Tne SoLar Mesosphere Explorer spacecraft consists of two

major modules: the Observatory Module and the Spacecraft Bus.

The satellite body is a cylinoer 1.7 m (69 in.) tall by 1.25

m (50 in.) irn aiameter. The solar array is a disk located on the
booster end of the cylinder. The array is 2.2 Im (88 in.) in
diameter.

Tne satellite is spin-stabilized. A 5-rpm controlled spin

rate stores angular momentum. Magnetic torquing precesses the
spin axis to control Loll error. The spin axis is maintained at
right angles to the orbit plane. Yaw errors are sensed and cor-
rected as roll eiror one-quarter of an orbit later. Horizon sen-
sors measure roll error and spin rate, and a three-axis magneto-
meter ptovides fiela direction and magnitude data to a closed-
loop, control-law electronic set (attitude computer) for auto-
matic roll and spin-rate control.

Data from the rotating science instruments are gated (cycled

"on") once each revolution as the instruments' fields of view
sweep toward the Earth's limb in the altitude range of 80 kin (50
mi.) to 20 km (12 mi.) above the limb.

The satellite is powered by a solar array that charges

nickel-cadimuim batteries. Voltage/temperature control is used,
and an undervoltage switch guards against inadvertently depleting
iischarae of the batteries.

-more-
 -9 -

Uplink command capability from the Project Operations Con-

trol Center in Boulder, Colo., to the satellite, and downlink
data communications from the satellite to the center are handled
via the NASA Communications Network and Ground-Station Tracking
and Data Relay Satellite System and, when it is operational, the
Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System on its S-band multiple-
access channel. Ground Station Tracking Data Network will be
prime communications source until TDRSS is operational and veri-
fied as comoatible with the Solar Mesosphere Explorer multiple-
access mode.

A command and data processor will format instrument and

engineering data and will decode, store and issue commands. Com-
mancs may be stored for four days and issued at any time with
eight-second resolution. Data are returned in real-time and from
redundant tape recorder playback via Ground Station Tracking Data
Network or Tracking Data Relay System Network. The satellite has
a near-omniuirectional command antenna pattern and a near-omni-
directional real time data downlink antenna pattern.

One high-gain antenna, on the sunlit end of the satellite,

provides coverage for tape-recorded data playback via TDRSS twice
each 24 hours as the two TDRSS satellites transit the Solar Meso-
sphere Explorer spin-axis direction.

A NASA standard transponder is used for receiving commands,

downlinking data, and tracking.

The satellite has passive thermal control, using painted sur-

faces, tape surfaces, multilayer insulation blankets and heaters.
The orbit plane stays at 45 degrees to the Sun direction (3 a.m.-
3 p.m. Sun-synchronous orbit) so that the spinning satellite-Sun-
Earth geometry is nearly fixed.

The satellite does not have a propulsion system or pyrotech-

nic devices. The radiator for the infrared radiometer instrument
has a cover that is jettisoned in oLbit. The radiometer also has
an aperture cover that may be closed by command for occasional
calibration on-orbit.

OBSERVATORY MODULE

The Solar M'esosphere Explorer payload consists of five ex-

periment packages. Two sets of engineering sensors provide auxil-
iary information. Four of the instruments -- ultraviolet ozone,
1.27-micron airglow, visible nitrogen dioxide and infrared radi-
ometer -- will view at right angles to the spacecraft spin axis.
Those four instruments scan through the limb twice each space-
craft rotation.

The four limb-scanning instruments will measure all para-

meters required for analysis of the ozone photochemistry.

-more-
 -10-

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The ultraviolet ozone spectrometer measures ozone between 40

Kir1 (25 mi.) ani 70 km (43 mi. ) altitude; the I .27-micLon spectro-
meter measuies ozone between 50 km (31 mi.) and 90 km (55 mi.)
altitude, and Lydroxyl between A0 kii (37 mi. ) and 90 ksii (57 mi.)
altitude: the Nitrogen Dioxicie Spectrometer measures NO-) between
n0 kii (12 mi ) and *'0 kmi (2 ini. ) altitude; thle four-channel
Infrared Radiometer measures temperature and pressure between 20
km (12 mi. ) and 70 km (43 iri. ) altitude; and water vapor arn'
ozone between 30 km (19 mi.) and 'U5 km (40 mi.) altitude.

The fifth instrument,the ultraviolet solar anonitor looks 45

uegrees from the spacecraft rotation axis, so that, in the 3 a.m.-
3 p.m. Sur.-synchronous orbit, the instrument will scan through
tihe Sun once each Levolution of the spacecraft. TLe instrumrrent
will measure the amount of incoming solar radiation from 1,700
Angstroms to 3,100 angstroms, and at 1,216 Angsturnlis.

Two engineering devices SUppOLt operation of the five sci-

unce instrumients. A proton alarm sensor ,nonitors the amounlt ot
integrated solar protons in the range from 30 to 500 mil lion
elect.on volts (11ev). I. corrmcind-selectable protcr level trigger
puts the exper iment conmplekent in a preselected active Sun obser-
ving mode when proton flux exceeds the triggcr level. The proton
alarm moce sea.uencing regime is storea in onboard memory as a
block of timed comaianus.

A spatial reference unit, actuated by limb-crossing pulses

from the satellite horizon-crossing indicators, control the tim-
ing for uata gating from tihe instrurlents. rhe reference systeri,
is command-admii tted to select the alti tude range of viewing for
eac h inst iumen. and contains a c1ock for alLi tude inc Lcarents for
which data are gated.

SPACECRAFT BUS
The mechanical subsystem provides structural mounting plat-
forms for the satellite engineering components and harness, the
Observatory M;odLule instrument complernent, and Lhe Soldr at r y.
The suosystem also provides the Del ta Launch vehicle attach
fitting.

The Spacecraft Bus combines a .93-m (37-in.) Delta vehicle

adapter ring, three vertical spars on a .33-m (37-in.) diameterr
that carry loads to the booster adapter from the interface plate
that mounts the Observatory Module, three vertical equipment-
mounting pltes that span the spars, and a horizontal lower
equipment mounting plate Just above the attach fitting that, fo-
gether with the interface plate, closes out the three-sided box
formed by the basic structure.

The Observatory Mlodule interface plate and the lower plate

are circular and carry The outer thiermal-control surtaces so that
the Bus outer shell is a cylinder. The fixed annular solar array
honoeycomb suostrate is made trom two symmetrical pieces.

-more-

~~~~~~~~~- ..tS
..
 -12

The array honeycoillb subsLrate is made from two syliinetrical

pieces. Thc array is LtaheL1d alt the lower plate arid bracket-
surpported LoRn tLhe vox sLtucture.

The Observatory veuule basic st uctturu is a box madte Liom

heavv aluminulll plate. The box acComiiliouoites Lhe inLiated tadzio-
me te r on tie i[IS izJ 1and pt oVi CS 1oun t ng for tLhe othrer instL
ients on the outside. uI-

1 he Ubservato. y Module mouIInts to tile inter Lace

andI
plate pads,
t he ilnterfaCe PIlat Q noL0
ts to tle bus spat hatid poinits wi th
thi ce puds. Mounting pads on thc- uus are insulated
andl Obset vatoty Module i n Let face-pl ate combinaLion so tLhe bus
are nearly
thermally i ndependeri .

ElectLic Power Subsystem

'P e ( 1 c4r'iie powe suebf ,Lv; is a convent ionai, L[U1-shUL,

t L-eret gy LiansL'di Or system suplyinl; unt(lI(ulateed DC power at
2 tLo 31 .5 voltsS. 'Thi- S(O- at arrAy consislts ofL-,156 cells in 28
strings of 10-ohm/cm, each 2 by 4 centilcLtL-rs
( .78 to 1 in. ),
oul ,teLd on an annul t hloney coib,, subs t late of 4,000 s uuaI e i rches
(88 in. ) outer 0iIametet and 44 in. inner diameter
). The array
producLesC i .88 aii-ps at Ihe non, i na i 4V)-dcj ree anlg e of incidence

Two batter i cs, wiLh 1 , si x-amnp- hour nickel cavIill, iln ccel s
eaCih,store enerk3y ot op.tationl diurin tLhe Occul Leo pot Lion of
each orbit anoCfat I i(l-pw0er-LIsaCe Pet iods.
rLatLery charge is oflLr(, Iled by voitaye/temnportilje-Cori-
troiled si uLIt tegul
Q tot using fLour voi tage/temperature
i nld i v.; dual l Y se i(Ic ta)L rates
iy culil t. nio
r3attotiy dc-ptLh-ot-aischarge is nominally less than
20 per-
cent . An undetvol tage :-witcl, pt etects tlhe system ayainst
ver tent high curient o0 luw voltage condi tions. illad-

A 1oau bank dissipates the solar ataray curt ent when the
biatteLies reachI full chaige.

AtLitIUdC ConLittol SUbsysteii,

The at tituoc-cecntrol subsystLem keeps the spin

axis at "0
cley r eei to thie otbit plane, limits nirLtation to less than 0. 1
de ee C, maintainis spin tate at 5 rpmil, and generates a stable
nlmb-Let ('ICnce pulse 0
i Ob!ser vatot y Module instrument data
atLi ng.

Tihe systerM uSeS a fixed-horizon sensor V pair totating

tle satellite with
to rnoasur. spin-axis position ano spin rate.
tht.e-axis inaynetometet is otiented so that its A
sensiLive axes
are alignea with the velocity vector, 90 u'grV-ees
to i.he orbit,
and nah'it at t[o titie th!e I.-izon sensur cnc~uuLtet,
tihe horizon.

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 -13-

The magnetometer is sampled at that instant arnd thie magnetic

field values, together with roll- arnd spin-rate eLror values, are
fed to control-law electronic.

A magnet aii 3neu with the spin axis is swi tched by the con-
trol-law electronics to torque (prccess) the satellite Lo reduce
any roll error when the field direction is proper. Anothei inag-
net, at right angles to the spin axis, is switched by the control-
law electronics to reduce any spin-rate error when the £ielo
direction is proper. A fluia-filled-ring nutation damper absorbs
energy to tecuce nutation.

A processec limh pulse from the horizon sensois is sent to

the instruments so tlhat giting occurs when the instruments are
viewing tLh alti tucie tihat is Of interest.

The control systemL is Lnomrous anu reuuitres no ground

ato
control. Ground-contto] aujubtment of the instrument uata yate
times relative to the 'horizon reference pulse allows full ausjt-
menLt of the a' t uuc o£ the ( xper iment oata acqiui s ti o-.

Commana ana Data-iHandlinqSubsjsteim

The command anid Jata-handling subsystem rlecioeves, decodes

ana distrioutes commanas, formats aigital and; analog (iata, stUres
cemnmanus for later time- tagged execution, and storcs data on tape
for loter uownl ink trarsinissioti.

The systen, consists of a commai.d decooer, a aigiti11 tele-

metry unit, two redunoant tape recoruers, and a telemetry uistri-
bution unit that serves to interface the contiol -and-aata-hanci-
ling units ano the transponder that is part of tLh( communications
subsys tenis.

ThI e) telemetry sys tenI ias four owt miats, eachi of whi chIa. I 28
1
eight-bit wors as a rrinor LIarne. The rcal-time oit rate is 12
bi ts pet seconu so t hat ( ;1c h ininI f£rame is t9. J secnrds 1rc g
Thcre are 14 subcommutattrs. Four subcoms, four weids deep, pro-
vioe an eight-second sample-rate capability. One subcom, eigit
words Jeeup, provides a 16-secoru sample-rate capa)ility; ari(d nine
SUbcoiS, It, ' ors
i ecp, puvilie 32-seconu sample-ratc capability.

The four fotmats arc conmmand selcctable anU CvlnslSt kf )

primary operating forn~at for normal operatL(rts, a Sto(red-cvmz'.aLj
m emoriy-Jump format to cunLtmr, the storca coinmaurd loac:, a secnr.-
ualy scm- ': Lormat, ana a iyh-rate 'r1ir erung to!r:at Lor ur blt
Initialization, testing an' truuoies ootiny

iach tape tecoraer stures 16 milloio its A uaita. i'le play-

back rate is 8, 1C-, bits ptDr secou. T' e comr-rand-storoe capa-
b iI it ts 51 - Six teen-Dlt t cran
C onoi tI comamanus rnade steVto(,u
fur up to 96 hours and executed i th cight-sccord rAsciutlen. A
CoX!rlr i, ck ir - C {..--: i ' Vi -CC '.;
L tQ; g 'L7u uL- Li a
dL
scojUcnce s5 t he I rstL ui c-ntC-ciLfCCan cally, UDs Ie Sz'ara fla t
LffCcts On tile &).'ot, .l ,et

-r W>
 -14-

CDrnmunica_ s ons Subsystem

The communicarions subsystem uses

the NASA standard Ground
System Tracking Data Network/Tracking
ponder for uplink command reception, Data Relay System trans-
downlink telemetry transmis-
sion and tracking by coherent transpornding
of ranging signals.
The transponder has a 5-watt transmitter.
Relay System multiple-access The Tracking Data
downlink is used.
An omni-direcional tnterna pattern
spherical pattern antennas, one is produced by two hemi-
on each end of the satellite, for
command reception.

Hiemisp herical antenna patterns

able antennas are used for real-time produced by command-select-
Tracking Data Relay System and (512-bps) data downlink via
for simultaneous real-time and
tape-recorded playback (8,192 bps)
data dcwnlink via Ground Sys-
tem Tracking Data Network.

One ligh-gain antenna locateu un

lite is used to transmit the tar)p- the Sun si.ie of the satel-
recorded uata whenever a Track-
ng Data Relay System is near the
sphcre Exploter. spin axis of the Solar Meso-
Data are transinited either in
fLom thE
the real time or
tape recorder in sinul taneous t eal-time and
recorder playback. Comnands are uplirnk tape-
at 125 bits per second.
The satellite is operated fron,
Center located at thic Laboratoty a Project Operations ConLLol
for Atmospheric and Space Phy-
sics at Bouler, Colorado, that
tics to NASCOM usirga links from
Beuldet to Goddard Space Fiioht
Centci Greenbelt, Md.

GROUND SEGMENT
The Mission Operations System is !<,cated
Operation Cvontrol Contet at at the Provct
the raiburatory for Atmospheric ar,d
Space Pry'sics.

From thlere, satellite c'-ntrol

periment operations are cooruinatOeu,fur~ctions are controlleo, cx-
vatory M;oaulc performance verified, Spacecraft Bus and Obsel-
systems coordirated. and ground cormmunicatiors

Comimands for real- time execution

i ni tated and command-inemory loaoingc
at thie contioi center are ti
NASCOM Lthr ugh (Goduaid to the CSTEDN ansmi ttcd viaa1 in's to
TDRSS sites 'or
to the satel±ite. Real-time commarnus are required ui rect Lplink
science team, to optimize the Observatoty Modulie jboth by thc-
an the engirnee ing team to control configuration.
satelli te subsystems.
On-boaru commano memory loads,
ory Management and Set~uencinq pieparred by the CommanC iMem-
Systcn,, are based on orbit-eveiit
rreuict ion, enqineeCny .eUi i tIIL S
* \perimlrer t obsrving le1ucsts. ar.u on the scientific-

-orT,
Ce-

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Ev
5 - '.iw

-15-

The Command .:eanory Maragemnent and Sequencing

inputs and prepares a tiaie-o:dezed, System receives
error-free, bit-structured
command memory load synchroni.-u with scheduled
Ground-Station
Iracking and Data relay Satellit. Network
contacts.
Experiment obiserving sequences are planned
by the scientific
investigators baseo on the major scientific
mission objectives
and priorities, the current condition of the
Sun as monitored and
reported by tihe Space Environmental Services
and results of current Solar Mesosphere Center in Boulder,
Explorer observations.
The task reauests to support the observations
are
by the science and mission planners according to then scheduled
the predicted
tineline of orbital events.
R'ai-time and tape-recorded playback data are
Ground Station Tracking Data Network/Tracking Datadownlinked via
Relay Satel-
lite System anu transmittd in real-time to the Project
Control Center via NASCOM-i System. Opei.ation
The real-time data ate used
for command verification, quick evaluation of scientific
tion, and spacecraft ana instrument performance checks. opera-
recorder playback uata are used for detailed spacecraft The tape
strument performance checks, quick-look scientific and in-
ana in-depth scientific analysis. evaluation,

Both real-time and tape-recorded playback data,

the Project Operation Cor.ttol Center, are processed received at
within hours to the Mission and Science Analysis and available
interactive data analysis. Subsystems fot

Initial processing is done by Mission

convert the data into science format, the checkData Processing to
for errors in the
tape playback data, to correct experiment
satellite attitude, and to process the orbittimes, to determine
parameters. Pro-
cessed oata are includeu inr the Mission Data-Base
Sys teal. Management

scientists anu s,:i -ion analysts access formatted data from

the .lission Data-Base System using an Interactive
Data Language
that allows them to edit, manipulate, display and
Results of the quick evaluation serve as inputs plot the oata.
for the next
day's experiment plan.

The interactive system is als- used for

where the Interactive Data Language, along with in-depth
system
analysis
written procedures, enables the scientist and and user-
mission analysts to
process and correlate large amounts of Solar Mesosphere
data. Exple

Tracking uata are transmitted from Ground

Data Network to the Orbit Determination DivisionStation Tracking
computation of definitive orbit parameters. at Goddard for

-more-
 -16-

Thle definiLive arnd preUicted orbit parameters ana statioun-

contact times are ueterfiineoo and made availablle to the Labo r atoty
for Atmospheric and Space Physics project center in T3ouldel t. o
to three timnes a week for sciencc data ijentification and experi-
mioent planning.

7The
The Project Operation Contrtl Center hardwarc is co:troileci
by a PDP 11/3i co!:yuteL with a floatin g point QrucessoL.

Project Op ration Cont r ol Center systtmi receives aid

Lecords telemetr uata, formulates sends, and verifies co m lr
SCe~.Ucnccs, monitors an-a uispl :ys satI el i te il ealtih .Jata, cur I -
lates the satellite ci uck to G t iiwic,hMlan 7imfL , Lor'aLrds tcl.-
netry data to sciencc .,nalIysis - vsteM, interfaces with Goodard's
Network Control C enter Cot netwot.k schediuling, intetfaccs w L
Goddaru's Orbit Determnination and PLed;iction Facility, II,,) rec-
ords a) I data ar,. commano activit, for the s t li i te ti ati

T he P ro jc t Operat uns Con tol n te r is ui Qf cLr- i c'.

Lor Lestingt tLhe Obst- ivatlory MO1tI1( W1 ti- thtsa
Lhc- 3L'
s1Limu1at1Lo
for Spacecraft Ius and te twoi I compa Li oil i l ueckout, ani t ,)!
tra[iningD opet iLot ; lotL K:-:1L 11'ISS1011 QPe ;Q

r AUNCH OPERiATIONS

Launch opatins fr am ;NASA' s 1est CoasL facility a; e con-

oucted by the Ker.nely Spice Center ' s Expenkiable Vehicles Opera-
tions Diiectoiatc2. This tocility is located at the Western Space
and Mlissile Center, Vanuenbern A ir Force Base, near Lompoc,
Cali, appioxinately 200 ,;y (i 5 mi. ) northwest of Los Alncjcies
and 4-0 km (280 ni.. sLuth of San Francisco. Launch f£acilities
are locateid on a pi oiniLtory whIich Juts into the Pacific Ocean
near Point Argueilo, making it possible to launch to the
South to
place payIoads lInto polar orbi t 4ithout overflying populateu
ar eas.

Solar *;esosplheric Explorer (SME) will e launcheo aboard

Delta 156 frow, Space Complex Two West (SLC-2W), which I-as been
extensively updated over *tl years *o accept the various Delt.
configuations.

Some KSC personnel are on permanent assignment as members of

the Del La Wester Operations Branch. These personnel are augmented
by a largerr maniaemelcnt and technical group from the Kennedy Space
Center in Flor ica during fi1nal preparations anrd the jauncI.
couLntown.

A permanent work force is maintained aL these facilities by

the McDonnell Douglas Corp., prime contractor for thIe Delta
launch vehicle.

-mci e-

/~~~~~~_ 0 -9 1> f e.,. r

 -17-

Preparation for tihe Solar Mesosphere Explorer launch began

Aug. 4 with the erection of the Delta 156 booster at SLC-2W. The
interstage was erection Aug. 5.

Three Castor II solid rocket motors were mounted around the

base of the booster stage on Aug. 6 and the second stage was
mounted with the booster on Aug. 7.

The spacecraft arrived Aug. 16 arnd was tested and checked

oat in the Spacecraft Checkout Laboiatory. It is scheduled for
movement to the launch pad on September 1 for mating with the
Delta second stage. The payload fairing, which will protect the
spacecraft on its flight through the atmosphere, is scheduled for
installation on September 8.

SME TEAM

NASPI "-iquarters

ADn Ha Stofan Associate Administrator for

Space Science (Acting)

Dr. juffrey D. Rosendahl Assistant Associate Adminis-

trator Space Science (Acting)

DL. Franklin D. Martin Director, Solar Terrestrial

and Astrophysics Division

3. Ivarien Keller Dcputy Director, Solar

'rerrestrial and Astrophysics
Division

Richard E. Halpern Manager, Research Flight

Programs Development

Marius lWeinrab Program Manager, Solar

Mesophere Explorer

K\vnnedy Spac e Center

Richlai J G. Smith Di ectuiL

Thomlas S. Walton Director, Cargo Operations

Charles D. Gay Ditector, Expendable Vehicles

Operations Directorate

GuYne L. McCaLl Chief, Delta Operations

Division

Ray Kinmlirgcr Chief, Delta Western Operation

Branch

E. J. Langenfeld Spacecraft Coordinator

-moire-
 -10-

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Dr. Bruce C. Murray Director

Gen. Charles A. Terhune Jr. Deputy Director

Robert J. Parks Assistant Director for Flight

Projects

John Paulson Project Manager

Dr. James Stuart Deputy Project Manager

Kathleen Lee Resources Documentation Control

tManager

University of Colorado (Boulder)

Ldboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

Dr. Charles Earth Principal Investigator

Lowell Dorman Observatory Moaule Manager

Elainec Hansen Mfission Operations [Manager

Ball Aerospace Systems Division (Boulder)

John Simpson ProgramrMlanagci

Ron Brown Deputy Program iiaznageL

-ena-

(I ndex: 29, 36)